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How to stay in Turkey legally? Types of residence permits.

How to stay in Turkey legally? Types of residence permits.

June 5, 2023

Turkey - an amazing country with a rich cultural heritage, endless beaches, gentle sea, incredible natural attractions, colorful bazaars and excellent service. No wonder that many foreigners choose this country not only for recreation, but also for permanent residence. Consider the options how to do it officially.

Tourist residence permit.
 After a visa-free period of stay (from 30 to 90 days, depending on the country of arrival), you can apply for a tourist ikamet - a card confirming a legal stay in Turkey. 

 Residence permit on tapu (tapu - certificate of ownership)
If you decide to finally move to Turkey and you bought an apartment/villa/commercial real estate, you can get a residence permit on tapu for yourself and your family. To get this residence permit expert value of the property must be at least 50.000 dollars in small towns and not less than 75.000 euros in large cities. After 5 years of stay in Turkey with this residence permit, you can apply for Turkish citizenship subject to certain conditions. 
Important! When buying a property, the cadastral value of which is $ 400,000 or more, you can apply for citizenship immediately after completion of the transaction. Note that recently the media are increasingly discussing the topic of increasing the entry threshold. It is likely that it will indeed be raised.

Residence permit for students
If you are planning to study in Turkey in public or private educational institutions, you can get a student ikamet for the duration of training. In most cases students are allowed to work in Turkey. 

Residence permit for work
If you are a foreign professional employed by a Turkish employer you will be provided all necessary documents for obtaining a residence permit for work, including medical insurance. After a continuous stay in Turkey for five years on a work permit, you can apply for citizenship.  

Residence permit for business and/or investment
If you plan to do business or invest in Turkey, you can apply for a residence permit based on business and/or investment. Opening your own company or sole proprietorship takes no more than two weeks, provided that a minimum registered capital of 10 thousand lira is deposited in the account before the work visa is issued. Investors who have invested over 500 thousand dollars in the Turkish economy (eg buying real estate, land, government bonds or shares of investment funds) may be eligible for citizenship for themselves and their family members.  

Family Residence Permit
If you are the spouse of a Turkish citizen, you can obtain a family residence permit. After three years of marriage you can apply for citizenship. 

There are also residence permits for foreigners who came to the country for medical treatment and humanitarian residence permit (for refugees). 

IMPORTANT: All of the above types of residence permits, except for a residence permit for work and study do not give the right to work in Turkey.

Choose the most appropriate option for your individual needs and desires to extend your stay in this beautiful country.

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