General Information
Providing parallelism in practise of international law and national law rules has a place in creating a system respecting human dignity and in preventing violations of human rights. Within this scope, foreigners in our country have various rights and obligations. Residency permits form a legal basis for the stay of foreigners in our country within the framework of these rights and obligations.
According to the Law on Foreigners and International Protection No. 6458, a residence permit document shall stand for the permit issued for the purpose of staying in Turkey. This document granted by competent authorities entitles the right to reside in a specific location in Turkey for a given period of time. Residence permit which is of great importance in terms of the provision and protection of public order shall be issued following the request and application by the foreigner together with the required documents providing s/he fulfils the related conditions.
Residence permit is a permit which is issued to the foreigners who want to stay in Turkey. It is obligatory for foreigners who want to stay in our country for more than the allowed time of visa, visa exemption or ninety days to apply for a residence permit type that they believe they meet the requirements of through the e-residence system. Foreigners who completed their applications should be present at the provincial/district migration management directorates in the province they want to live in on the day of appointment determined by the system. Foreigners who are not present at the provincial/district migration management directorates on the day of appointment without a valid reason are deemed to have not applied at all. In determining the valid reason, management may ask for some information and documents. As a rule, residence permit extension applications are done according to the same principles.
Foreigners Communication Center (YİMER):
Foreigners can obtain detailed information about the residence permit from the Foreigners Communication Center (YİMER) for 24 hours through domestic calls 157 or abroad calls +90 312 157 11 22.
Residence Permit Application
Pursuant to the law in question, accompanying is no longer valid and, in addition to this, residence permit documents following their applications shall be issued separately for each foreigner. Those applications may be made in person as well as by his/her legal representative or lawyer. However, if the administration deems it necessary, it may also require foreigners to be present at the time of application.
By the Law No. 6735, the provision stating that applications may also be made through Authorized Intermediary has been included in the scope of Article 21 of the Law No. 6458. Authorized Intermediary refers to the institutions or organizations authorized by the Presidency and their qualifications and task frameworks shall be set forth by regulation.
e-Residence System
First and Transfer Applications
Furthermore, original passport for the first or transfer applications and notarized passport photocopy for the extension applications shall be submitted.
Extension Application
After applying for residence permit via e-Residence system and gathering required documents, foreigners are required to send those documents by post to the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management within 5 (five) working days.
In addition, during the application for extension, the information given earlier should be checked to ensure correct entry. Otherwise the e-residence system will not allow to make an extension application and will direct the applicant to the appointment system.
Work permit as a residence permit
Health insurance requirement
One of the following health insurances shall be considered sufficient:
1-An e-signed/signed and sealed/stamped document which is received from the Provincial Unit of Social Security Institution and which proves the access to health services in Turkey within the scope of bilateral social security agreements;
2-An e-signed/signed and sealed/stamped certificate of authorization received from Social Security Institution (This certificate, for family residence permit, must be issued in a way covering both sponsors and family members.);
3-An e-signed/signed and sealed/stamped document proving the application made to Social Security Institution for General Health Insurance;
4-Private Health Insurance.
Residence Permit Fee
Address of Stay in Turkey
If the address information changes within the period of residence permit, the necessary documents are required to be submitted to the provincial directorate of migration management and provincial directorate of civil registration and citizenship within 20 (twenty) working days.
Right to Exit-Entry for 15 Days
-Residence Permit Application Document shall be issued by the system upon the completion of the application for the extension of the residence permit via e-Residence system.
Foreigners can exit from Turkey with the “Residence Permit Application Document” approved by the Directorate along with the fee receipt on condition of entry within 15 days. However, in case of staying abroad for more than 15 days, the provisions of visa shall apply to the foreigner.
Finalization of Residence Permits
In addition, pursuant to Article 22 of the Regulation on the Implementation of the Law on Foreigners and International Protection, the ninety-day period shall begin from the date on which information and documents have been fully submitted to the competent authority. Foreigners are notified in case of an extension in this period.
Warning about fake documentation
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