An Expat Life in Istanbul – Part 2
Welcome to part two of our chat about the expat life in Istanbul. In our first part we talked about how, despite the size of Istanbul, it’s actually surprisingly easy to settle in. We talked about the language barrier, getting around, and we talked about how easy you will find it to meet new friends. In this section, we’re going to get a little more serious.
The expat life in any country requires red tape to be overcome. In Turkey the red tape can be frustrating at best, because the rules seem to be always shifting and changing, and it totally depends on who you speak to on any given day, and sometimes what mood they’re in!
This is the first thing you will notice in your Turkish expat life – it can be difficult to get anything done quickly, as the goalposts are always changing!
Over time, the frustration will abate, and you’ll simply roll your eyes and consider it Turkish!
So, what red tape are we talking about? Visas, work permits, and finding a place to live.
Renting and Buying Property as an Expat
The downside of living in Istanbul is the price of rent and property. So many people live in this city that it can be hard to find a cheap place to stay, somewhere which isn’t going to break your bank, and which isn’t too far away from where you want to be. Online is the place to find a home, but do be prepared to struggle a little from landlord to landlord, becuase of your ‘not Turkish status’. Also, if you are in a relationship with a Turkish citizen and you are not married, you may also find an issue, but this isn’t the case for everyone.
Because of the high cost of rent, many people choose to buy property in Istanbul, and that is why you will see so much building work going on. Again, prices are high but it is a true investment if you can find somewhere within your budget. The modern high rise, super flashy block of flats is very in fashion at the moment.
Residency Visa and Work Visa
In order to stay in Turkey for longer than 90 days out of 180, you need to apply for a residency visa. The rules for Istanbul are currently different to the rest of Turkey – that pesky rule changing again! For that reason, and becuase this is subject to change, we won’t give you the current guidelines here and instead advise you to check online on the official website. As a general guide however, you will need private health insurance, proof of address, funds for your stay, a valid passport, and biometric photos.
Obtaining a residency visa does not give you permission to work, in fact you are forbidden from working in Turkey overall unless your employer applies for a work permit for you. The work permit runs alongside your residency visa.
The Frustration Factor …
We did mention earlier about how difficult it can be to get things done occasionally, and this is something you need to be prepared for. It shouldn’t put you off, but just be aware.
This is the same all over Turkey, and if you are a woman and you don’t speak Turkish, it can often feel like you need to bang your head against a wall to get through to anyone! The thing is, it’s about perseverance, becuase you will get there in the end, and after a while you’ll laugh about it, perhaps after a steady glass of raki or two however!
Should You Move to Istanbul?
Overall, despite the occasionally difficulties with red tape, the expat life in Istanbul is to be hugely recommended. Great sights, fantastic people, delicious food, and the kudos of living in the only city which spans over two continents.
What could be better?
