Residence Permits in Türkiye: When Needed, Where to Apply, How to Extend and What if Refused

Foreigners who will stay in Türkiye beyond the period granted by their visa or visa exemption, or more than ninety days, must obtain a residence permit (Law No. 6458 on Foreigners and International Protection, LFIP Art. 19). Because time limits are short, it is important not to miss application and extension dates. This article gives a general overview and does not replace an assessment of your situation.

1. Types of residence permit

The law lists: short-term, family, student, long-term, humanitarian and victim-of-human-trafficking residence permits (Art. 30). A valid work permit is also deemed a residence permit (Art. 27/1). A residence permit loses validity if not used within six months (Art. 19).

2. Exemption from a residence permit

Those arriving with a visa or visa-free for up to ninety days (for the visa or exemption period), holders of a stateless person ID, diplomatic and consular officers and some other groups are exempt (Art. 20). Some groups who continue to stay after their exemption ends must apply to governorates within ten days (Art. 20/2).

3. Where to apply

• General rule: applications are made to consulates in the country of citizenship or lawful stay (Art. 21/1). A passport valid sixty days longer than the requested permit is required (Art. 21/2). Applications are concluded within ninety days at most (Art. 21/5).
• From within Türkiye: in listed cases, such as long-term, student, humanitarian and trafficking-victim permits, transition from family to short-term permits, children born in Türkiye, a change in the reason for stay and transition of those completing higher education to short-term permits, applications may exceptionally be made to governorates (Art. 22).

4. Short-term residence permit

A short-term permit may be granted on listed grounds, such as scientific research, owning real estate in Türkiye, commercial connections or setting up a business, treatment, tourism and Turkish language courses (Art. 31/1). It is granted for periods of at most two years each time (Art. 31/2); up to five years is provided for certain investors and for TRNC citizens. Conditions include basing the request on a listed ground and documenting it, not falling under Art. 7, suitable housing, a criminal record certificate if requested and giving the address of stay (Art. 32).

5. Extension application

• Extension applications are made to governorates from sixty days before expiry and in every case before the permit expires (Art. 24/2).
• Applicants receive a fee-free document; they may remain in Türkiye with it until a decision is made, even if the permit has expired (Art. 24/2).
• Extended permits start from the end date of the lawful period (Art. 24/3).

6. Refusal, cancellation and non-extension

Refusal of a permit request made within Türkiye, non-extension or cancellation is done by governorates. In these decisions, factors such as the foreigner's family ties, length of stay, situation in the country of origin and the best interests of the child are considered (Art. 25/1). The decision is served on the foreigner, legal representative or lawyer, and the notice states how objection rights can be exercised (Art. 25/2).

A short-term permit is not granted, or is cancelled or not extended, where the required conditions are not met or cease to exist, the permit is used for a purpose other than the one granted, or a valid deportation or entry-ban decision exists (Art. 33).

7. Against refusal or cancellation

In court applications against refusal of a short-term permit or its cancellation, the file is deemed complete when the defence is submitted or the defence period expires; whether to hold a hearing is at the court's discretion (Art. 31/7). The filing period and competent court depend on the type of decision and service; the general period for actions against administrative acts is, as a rule, sixty days (Law No. 2577, Art. 7). Keep the date of service and documents at once.

8. Practical tips

• Note your expiry date and apply for extension in the sixty-day window.
• Check your passport's validity.
• If your reason for stay has changed, do not delay applying for a permit suited to the new purpose.
• If a refusal has been served, seek legal advice before the period runs.

For deportation decisions, see our article on challenging a deportation decision. To have your file assessed with its documents, you can create an appointment or reach us via the contact page.

This article is for general information only, contains no promise of results and is not legal advice. The current text and regulations should be checked separately.