Types of Residence in Turkey – 5 Main Types

Types of Residence in Turkey – 5 Main Types

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The types of residence in Turkey is an important topic that many immigrants and tourists seek accurate information about. In this article, we will review the different types of residence permits and the methods for obtaining them in Turkey. One of the most popular types of residence permits is the tourist residence card, also known as Kimlik, which allows individuals to stay in Turkey for a specified period, including through the option of obtaining Turkish residence by purchasing property. By reading this article, you can gain comprehensive information about the requirements and steps involved in obtaining a residence permit in Turkey and confidently navigate the process of acquiring a residence card. This guide will help you smooth the path for your migration and residence journey in Turkey with full awareness.

What is the Turkish Kimlik Card?

Turkish Kimlik Card and Residence in Turkey through Property Purchase

The Turkish residence card is recognized as the residency identification for foreign individuals who apply for residence in Turkey, granted after the documents are verified and approved by the immigration authorities. With this card, you are recognized as a resident of Turkey, and certain benefits are provided to you. However, it is important to note that the holder of a Turkish residence card is not a Turkish citizen, and obtaining this card does not grant any advantages for acquiring a passport. Additionally, it should be noted that a person with a residence card is not permitted to work in Turkey and must obtain a work permit in order to start working.

For obtaining various types of residence in Turkey, the passport expiration date should be at least **six months** beyond the date of the residence application.

One of the most important and essential points to consider when applying for various types of residence in Turkey is the expiration date of your passport. According to Turkish immigration laws, your passport must be valid for at least one year beyond the date of your residence application. Otherwise, your application may be rejected or delayed. Expired passports can create serious issues in the residency process and may even require you to return to your home country to renew your passport.

Mr. Sadegh Moradi, CEO of  4k Holding, has provided precise and specialized answers regarding passport expiration and its impact on obtaining residence in related Clubhouse rooms. You can listen to his explanation through the video below.

Sadegh Moradi, CEO of  4k Holding.

An Overview of the Types of Residence in Turkey

Turkish Tourist Residence Permit

In this type of residence, a foreigner can obtain a temporary one-year residence permit after entering Turkey through two methods. This residence allows the individual to stay in Turkey until its expiration or to enter and exit the country as desired. Due to its contribution to Turkey’s economy, the tourist residence permit is considered the easiest method for obtaining residency in the country.

Ways to Obtain a Tourist Residence Permit in Turkey  

To obtain a one-year tourist residence permit in Turkey, specific conditions and documents must be provided. In the case of having reasons such as:

  • Being in Turkey for an extended period due to scientific research and studies.
  • Being in Turkey for learning the Turkish language and enrolling in language schools.
  • Obtaining a tourist residence permit through renting a property (however, currently, a residence permit is not granted through renting a property).
  • Obtaining a tourist residence permit through purchasing property with a minimum value of (200,000 USD).
  • For the purpose of marriage.
  • For starting a specific job or business activity (with the use of a work permit in Turkey).

It is worth mentioning that a new law regarding tourist residence permits was enacted in 2020.

According to this law, tourist residence permits are no longer extended through property rental. To renew the residence permit, other methods such as work residence, student residence, or property purchase in Turkey can be used.

2. Turkish Student Residence Permit

Turkish Universities and Tuition Fees

After the enactment of the new immigration law, some of the previous methods for obtaining residence in Turkey, such as renting a house, became invalid. However, there are still methods to obtain residence in Turkey that are easy and accessible. For example, obtaining a student residence permit is one of the common and straightforward methods, through which all students can easily acquire a Turkish residence card.

Student residence in Turkey and the conditions for studying in Turkey for Iranian students can be a very valuable opportunity, as the cost of education in Turkey is relatively low, and favorable conditions are provided for students. Considering that this method is supported by the Ministry of Education in Turkey and that there are opportunities for admission to reputable Turkish universities, this option is a suitable choice for Iranian students.

To obtain Turkish citizenship through student residence, the applicant must have lived in Turkey for at least 5 years. However, for student residence, half of the study period counts towards the required duration. For example, if the applicant has studied in Turkey for 8 years, only 4 years of this period will be considered as residence time, and they must live for an additional year to be eligible to apply for Turkish citizenship through property purchase.

Turkish Turquoise Card Residence

Turkish Turquoise Card - Types of Residence in Turkey

The Turquoise Card is essentially a form of second citizenship that allows specific individuals, such as skilled professionals, scientists with expertise in various fields, investors, and business managers, to obtain the rights and benefits granted to Turkish citizens after receiving this citizenship. This includes the right to vote, access to public services, the right to work, and access to healthcare and education.

However, to obtain the Turquoise Card, certain requirements and specific criteria must be met. For example, you need to have the necessary skills and expertise to work in various fields, provide certain documents and educational qualifications, and invest specific amounts in Turkey.

Overall, the Turquoise Citizenship is an opportunity for individuals with skills and expertise in various fields, allowing them to enjoy the rights and benefits of a Turkish citizen.

Mr. Fatih Çayabatmaz has stated that holders of the Turquoise Card will not have concerns about renewing the card and bureaucracy. The Turquoise Card grants individuals rights similar to those of a Turkish citizen. However, it is important to note that there are steps and conditions to be followed in order to obtain permanent residence and Turkish citizenship, and one cannot automatically acquire Turkish citizenship.

Turkish Work Residence Permit

Work Conditions and Employment Agencies in Turkey
Types of Residence in Turkey

If the applicant obtains insurance through a Turkish company, they can apply for a work residence permit. To do so, they must be employed by a Turkish company that is eligible to hire foreign workers. The process of obtaining a work residence permit from within Turkey is as follows: after entering Turkey, the applicant first acquires a property residence permit by purchasing a house, and then, with employment documents, they can convert their residence to a work residence permit.

Additionally, during the validity period of the Turquoise Card, certain factors that may lead to the cancellation of the card, such as violating the conditions of the Turquoise Card, may become invalid. For this reason, the renewal of the Turquoise Card must also be done in accordance with the specified conditions and requirements.

Another method of obtaining a work residence permit from outside Turkey is as follows: the applicant must receive their employment documents from the desired company and then submit them to the Turkish Embassy in Iran. At this stage, the Turkish Embassy will provide the applicant with a tracking code, and once the code is received, employment and the work residence permit can be obtained. The work residence permit in Turkey is considered one of the most important types of residence in the country.

 
  1. Residence Through Marriage One of the ways to obtain Turkish citizenship is through marriage.
Marriage in Turkey - Types of Residence in Turkey

When you marry a Turkish citizen, you can apply for Turkish citizenship after completing 3 out of 5 consecutive years of marriage. It is important to note that during these 3 years, the relevant authorities will conduct investigations to ensure the marriage is genuine. If the marriage is found to be fraudulent, the individual will not be granted residence.

Conditions for Marriage in Turkey

1- The marriage should not be fictitious; it must be genuine, and if possible, documents should be provided to prove the authenticity of the marriage.

2- The person you intend to marry must not be a refugee in Turkey and should have Turkish nationality.

3- The process of acquiring Turkish citizenship through marriage takes about 3 to 5 years. It is important to note that during this period, the individual cannot reside in Turkey and can only enter the country through a tourist visa. Additionally, the duration of the individual’s stay on a tourist visa cannot exceed 89 days.

4- The person applying for marriage must obtain a certificate of singleness from their home country’s consulate in Turkey.

5- In Turkey, both girls and boys must be at least 18 years old to marry without the consent of their parents.

6- The marriage must be completely official and registered in order to apply for Turkish citizenship through it.

7- If the person you intend to marry in Turkey is a woman and has previously been married, at least 100 days must have passed since her divorce.

Common Tips for Marriage in Turkey

1- Most people in Turkey, in addition to following the official marriage procedures in the municipalities of the country, also adhere to religious marriage. After the official marriage in Turkey, they go to a religious figure (such as an imam or Friday prayer leader) to perform the religious rituals, including the reading of the marriage contract and the dowry, which is essentially known as the “imam nikahı” (religious marriage).

2- In the Hanafi school of thought, unlike in Shia Islam, the presence of two witnesses is required for the marriage ceremony. However, the situation is the opposite when it comes to divorce.

3- In Turkey, similar to Iran, the marriage proposal and engagement are typically made by the man’s family. The man’s family visits the woman’s house, often bringing flowers and sometimes sweets, and the engagement ceremony takes place.

4- Turkish women show great respect to their husbands, and in fact, patriarchy is prevalent in the country. Despite the Western appearance of many women, Eastern and Islamic customs are still evident in their families. Even though Turkey’s civil law does not specifically address the issue of alimony, in practice, many women do not work outside the home, and their living expenses are provided by their husbands.

5- According to religious rulings, the issue of the dowry is also determined during a religious marriage. An important point is that the amount of the dowry in Turkish families is significantly lower than in Iran. Additionally, from a legal perspective, there is no requirement to specify a dowry. In fact, the legal life of Turkish families differs from their religious practices.

6- Preparing a dowry is also a common practice in Turkey, but unlike in Iran, the bulk of the responsibility falls on the man’s family. The woman and her family are typically only involved in purchasing items like bedding, curtains, and similar items, while the responsibility for acquiring the main household items rests with the husband or his family.

7- Just as the average age of marriage in Iran is gradually increasing, the same trend is occurring in Turkey. This is due to the increasing material responsibilities of the husband, as providing the basic necessities of life at the beginning of a marriage has become a challenging task.

Conditions and Documents for Marriage of Foreigners in Turkey

A marriage between a Turkish citizen and a foreigner, or between two foreigners from different countries, can be conducted by marriage officers in Turkey, who officiate the marriage and unite the two individuals in matrimony.

If both foreigners are from the same country, the marriage can also be performed by a marriage officer in Turkey. To conduct the marriage through a Turkish marriage officer, the initial steps must be followed. The required documents must be submitted to the relevant authorities, an appointment must be scheduled, and on the designated day, both parties must appear at the pre-arranged location for the marriage ceremony to be officiated by the designated officer.

The cost of obtaining residence in Turkey.

The costs of obtaining residence in Turkey depend on the type of residence and its duration. These costs may vary and changes in Turkey’s immigration laws and regulations can also have an impact.

For accurate information on the exact costs of obtaining residence and the most affordable residence options in Turkey, refer to official sources and the website of the Immigration Directorate (Göç İdaresi) in Turkey.

In summary, the typical costs associated with obtaining residence in Turkey may include the following:

  1. Application Fee for Residence: This fee varies for each type of residence and must be paid to the immigration centers.
  2. Residence Renewal Fee: If you wish to extend your residence, you will need to pay the renewal fee.
  3. Medical costs: Some accommodations require specific medical reports, which may incur costs.
  4. Administrative costs: Some expenses may be required for processing documents and completing administrative procedures.
  5. Health insurance costs: In some cases, you may need to purchase Turkish health insurance, which also incurs a cost.
  6. Other costs: Additional expenses may arise due to specific or extra requirements, such as document translation, etc.

It is recommended to visit the relevant official sources before starting the process of obtaining residency in Turkey and review the exact costs related to the type of residency you wish to obtain.

Is it possible to obtain residency in Turkey with partnership documents?

No, residency is not granted with partnership documents, even if your share of the property is $200,000. The same applies to families. The title deed must be in the name of one of the parents, in which case the parent whose name is on the deed will receive a residence permit, while the other family members will be granted a tourist visa.

Please note that this new residency law applies to those who have registered the title deed of their property in their name after 16/10/2023. For those whose property title deed was registered before the 16th, the previous $75,000 law still applies.

Additionally, this law applies to all cities in Turkey. This means that regardless of which city you purchase property and apply for residency in, you will be subject to this law.

Final words.

Ultimately, becoming familiar with the different types of residency in Turkey will help you choose the best option for living and investing in the country, based on your conditions and needs. Each type of residency, from tourist residency to work residency or residency through property purchase, has its own advantages and specific requirements. By gaining a thorough understanding and conducting a comprehensive review, you can choose the right path for residency in Turkey and take advantage of the country’s economic and cultural opportunities. In the end, the choice of residency type depends on your needs and long-term plans.

Experts and legal advisors in Turkey, along with immigration lawyers from 4kgroup, take pride in offering top-notch advisory services to our fellow citizens, relying on their legal and immigration knowledge as well as their valuable years of experience.

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