What Is A Residency Visa In Turkey
If you want to visit Turkey for longer than the regular 90 days out of 180 days, then it’s time to turn your attention to getting a residency visa.
A residency visa is known locally as an ‘ikamet’, and whilst it isn’t particularly difficult to get, it’s worth mentioning that the rules do change quite often, you need several pieces of paperwork to achieve the visa, and you will probably have to go for an interview. That aside, it’s totally possible to be able to extend your stay and effectively live in Turkey for a longer period of time.
Let’s run through the types of visa available in Turkey:
- E-visa – This is the regular tourist visa, which lasts for 90 days out of every 180 days
- Short Term Residency Visa – This is the ikamet we just mentioned. A STRP is granted in monthly increments up to two years. First time applicants can only apply for a maximum of one year, and after that you can apply for two years. Once your date is up, you simply reapply and get another ikamet. We’ll cover the requirements to obtain this type of visa shortly
- Family Residency Visa – This runs exactly like a STRP, but you are allowed up to three years on this type of visa. In order to obtain this visa, you need to be married to a Turkish citizen
- Long Term Residency Visa – This is something you need to work up to. Currently (and remember, the rules change regularly) you need to have lived in Turkey for 9 years without a break in your visa history. This means you will have had to have had nine STRP visas, or visas which add up to nine years’ worth of living in the country
Short Term Residency Visas & Family Residency Visas
A STRP can be anything from one month, up to two years, as we mentioned above. The amount of time you will be given depends on the paperwork you show. In order to apply for this visa you will need:
- A valid passport which has the right amount of time left on it, and six months in addition to that
- A copy of your e-visa, or your previous STRP card
- A colour photocopy of your passport
- Photocopies of your last passport visa stamps from the airport, e.g. the last time you entered Turkey
- Private health insurance which is valid for the length of time you want to apply for the visa. If you go for the two year option, you will either need a two year policy (only certain insurance companies offer this), or you will need a paper from your company stating that your policy will be renewed after a year. It’s also worth pointing out that the private insurance company has to be based in Turkey
- A notorised (officially stamped) rental contract in your name, or a letter (notorised) from the person you are staying with, and a copy of their house ownership papers (tapu)
- Proof of funds – This is a grey area, becuase when you apply for the visa, you will tick a box that officially states you have enough cash to last you for your stay in the country. You can however be asked at your interview to show proof of these funds, and it is very hit and miss. If you are asked, the amount currently (again, it regularly changes), is around 1600TL for every month. This has to be shown in a Turkish bank account
- Four biometric photographs, taken in the last three months
In addition to this, if you’re applying for a family residency visa, you will need:
- Your marriage book
- A copy of your partner’s kimlik card (this is the national ID card of Turkey)
- Proof of his or her work incomings – This is because they will basically be responsible for you
- His or her private health or government health details – When you marry a Turkish citizen, you can also be covered by his or her government health insurance (called SGK)
Once all of this is done, you will need to apply online at the official ikamet website. You will then need to print off your application form in colour and sign it. You will be asked to make an appointment at your nearest GOC office at this point (immigration office). It is vital you keep this appointment. When you attend this appointment your visa will be checked and then sent to Ankara for the visa card to be printed.
We should also point out that it isn’t a good idea to leave Turkey for any length of time before your appointment has been completed. This is becuase if your e-visa has expired, you are allowed to stay in Turkey until your appointment at the GOC office, but if you leave before the appointment, you may run into problems at the airport and be classed as an over-stayer. It’s always best to wait until you have been to your appointment and been given your papers.
If you are applying for a visa to live in Istanbul, the rules are a little different. The requirements are stricter than anywhere else in the country, because of the sheer number of people applying. For that reason, always check the up to date requirements for Istanbul.
Long-Term Residency
The chances are that you won’t be in a position to apply for long term residency just yet. As we mentioned above, this requires nine years of living in Turkey without breaking your residency history. You are allowed to visit home during this time, but you’re not allowed to allow your STRP to expire, and then leave the country for a month, applying when you return – your history has to be constant and one STRP has to run into the next one, for a value of nine years.
In addition to this, you will need to attend an interview and show a basic grasp of Turkish. When you apply for this type of visa, you are applying for a kimlik, which will give you the right to work in Turkey. On an STRP you are NOT allowed to work, unless you apply for a work permit (your employer needs to do this for you).
Gaining permanent residency in Turkey isn’t the easiest process, but it can be done. Whilst the rules do change quite regularly, the official website is very comprehensive and up to date. There is also a number you can call from within Turkey (157) where you can talk to a specialist and gain any advice you need on your application.
