Everything about Residence Permit in Turkey answered in 20 questions!

Owning a property in Turkey is not only a solid investment, or an enjoyable acquisition, but also one that comes with many direct or indirect benefits.

Among the many benefits, the right to apply for a Turkish Residency Permit is surely one playing for the top.

So, who can get a Residence Permit in Turkey, how to apply for it and what are the benefits of getting it in everyday life in  Turkey.

There is no restriction around the locations where you should buy real estate in Turkey for residence permit, you can buy real estate in Alanya or any kind of Antalya villa you ll still be eligible for residence permit.

Without further ado, let’s start first with the steps to take in order to get the Turkish Residency Permit, and afterwards answer all practical questions and discuss about the various benefits.

STEP 1: Be Eligible to purchase a property in  Turkey

While it may sound borderline silly, its important to put on top of the list that you have to be eligible to purchase a property in Turkey, or in other words, hold a passport of a country legally accepted by the Turkish government in order to fully and duly register the title deed of a property.

A Travel Document and/or holding the passport  of few un-authorized countries (i.e Syrian, North Korean, Yemen etc.) are  already barriers at entry level to start the process.

 As per current laws and  regulations dated January 2019. Please contact for updated information

STEP 2: Find the Property

As per current laws and regulations the Turkish government is not putting any financial limitations, or in other words, the government accepts any application without emphasis on the price of the property.

This means that you are free to purchase any kind of property, at any price, and make your application with it

STEP 3: Register the title deed (TAPU in  Turkish)

Once you have found your ideal property, the next, and probably most important step is to fully register the property title deed to your name.

The title deed (TAPU) is not only the official document proving your ownership of the property, but also the crucial step which will lead the way to apply for the residency permit in Turkey.

STEP 4: Apply for Turkey Residence permit 

Once the TAPU fully registered, it is time to apply for the Residency Permit. Fill in the pre-application form and deliver the necessary papers to the local Directorate General of Migration Management.

Now that we know the basic, it’s time to discuss about the process more in details and answer the most frequently asked questions;

1 – What is a Residence Permit in Turkey?

The Directorate General of Migration Management issues a Residency Permit in Turkey, and is an official document allowing you and your family to stay in the country permanently during the authorized period as mentioned in the permit.

2 – I have a travel document from (X Country)  can I buy property in Turkey and get the Residency Permit?

As per current regulations (January 2019), a Travel Document will NOT be accepted by Turkish officials as a valid document when registering the title deed. You have to apply for a valid Passport, which is the ONLY document, accepted by local authorities.

3 – Is there a minimum purchase price I need  to make in order to apply for the Turkish Residency Permit?

No, as per current regulations (January 2019) the laws do NOT require any min. financial commitment in order to apply for the Residency Permit in Turkey (as opposed to getting the Turkish  Citizenship through the purchase of a property in Turkey, which requires a min. purchase price of 400.000 USD. Click here for our dedicated blogpost on this  matter

4 – Can I get a Residence Permit in Turkey  for my family if I purchase a property in Turkey?

YES, as per current regulations (January 2019), you can apply for a Residency Permit for your family first of kin (i.e yourself, your wife/husband, and kids) once you have purchased a property in Turkey.

5 – Do I have to register my family to the  title deed to get a Residency Permit for them as well?

NO, it is enough that you register your name only to the title deed for them to benefit for the right to apply for a Residency Permit.

6 – Can I get a Turkish Residency Permit for  my parents as well?

NO, the purchase of a property ONLY allows you, your wife/husband and your children to be eligible for an application for the Residency Permit. Any relatives outside the first of kin MUST purchase another property to get the same rights.

7 – What documents are needed for the  Residency Permit Application?

If you are alone (No Family Involved)

Your passport, original copy of your TAPU, passport size picture of yours and a Bank Statement will suffice in order to make your application

For Family Applications:

– The original copy of the Marriage  Certificate 

The original copy of the Marriage Certificate MUST be apostilled by the nearest Turkish Embassy and/or Consulate. A Marriage Certificate without apostilled certification by the Turkish Embassy and/or Consulate will NOT be accepted.

– The original copy of Birth Certificate of  all children

The original copy of the Birth Certificate of all children MUST be apostilled by the nearest Turkish Embassy and/or Consulate. Birth Certificate of all children without apostilled certification by the Turkish Embassy and/or Consulate will NOT be accepted.

– Translation of all documents above into  Turkish by a sworn translator

A sworn translator MUST translate all documents into Turkish. Should you find it difficult to do it in your country, please inform, and we will help you to get them translated in Turkey upon your arrival right before the appointment.

 Bank Statement explained in below article.

8 – What is the Bank Statement?

Although not asked each and every time, officers at the Directorate General of Migration Management may ask for proofs that you are able to self sustain yourself financially in Turkey. This is why it is necessary to bring proof (i.e Bank Statement) that you have ~3.000 USD / applicant in your bank account in Turkey.

This money must be deposited to your account in the local Turkish bank, for each applicant, and a signed & sealed bank statement must be brought to the appointment. The money can be withdrawn right after the appointment.

9 – What is the residency permit application  form?

A residency permit application form MUST be filled separately for each applicant, including all details regarding the applicant.

This application form is necessary to apply and get an appointment at the local Directorate General of Migration Management.

10 – How long does it take to get the Turkish  resident permit after initial application?

Regulations recently changed and it takes now about 10 days (depending on current work load at the local Directorate General of Migration Management) to finalize the Turkish resident permit after initial application.

11 – Do I have to attend personally the  appointment?

YES, all members of the family who applied for the Residency Permit MUST attend in person the appointment.

12 – What if I (we) miss the appointment?

Although not an insurmountable issue, it is strongly recommended NOT to miss the initial appointment. There are always chances to get a 2^nd appointment however officials are usually reluctant in prioritizing the second application, and the process may take longer time to finalize.

13 – Can I set my appointment date &  time?

The answer to that is both Yes & No.

Yes, you can roughly set your appointment date by telling us your arrival dates in advance.

Once we have knowledge of your arrival date, and period of stay, we make the application in way that it coincides with it.

The local Directorate General of Migration Management only sets precise date & time.

14 – Is there a timeframe within which I must  apply for the Turkish Residency Permit?

No, you can apply for the Turkish Residency Permit anytime you feel fit. Regulations do not put a timeframe for the application.

15 – For how long can I get a Residency  Permit in Turkey?

As per current regulations, the first Residency Permit in Turkey can be obtained for 2 years.

16 – Can I extend my Residency Permit in  Turkey?

Yes, as long as you are an owner of a property in Turkey you (and your family) have right to extend your Residency Permit in Turkey. As a footnote, you do not need to keep your initial real investment to extend your Residency Permit. You may very well sell it, buy a new one, and use the new one for the extension.

17 – Can I get the Turkish citizenship  through a Permit of Residence in Turkey?

Yes, following the current regulations, should you spend not less than 6 months of a calendar year, every year for 5 years in Turkey, you get right to apply for the Turkish nationality.

18 – What are the benefits of getting a  Residency permit in Turkey?

Getting a Residency Permit is before all a right to reside freely and uninterruptedly in Turkey. In other words, everyone with this Permit has right to freely stay, work and live in Turkey without having to live the country of course during the timeframe as delimited in the permit.

A Residency Permit has also the advantage to open ways to get the Turkish Citizenship (As explained in Art. 17).

On the other hand, the Turkish Residency Permit also gives right to the holder to enter Turkey freely and without having to get a VISA (Should that be required).

A Residency Permit also gives right to the holder to open a business in Turkey, purchase a car, and attend school (mostly important for children).

Benefits of a Turkish Residency Permit in 6  Points;

• Free Uninterrupted stay in the country
• Open ways to Turkish Citizenship
• Right to open business
• Right to purchase a car
• Right to attend school
• No need to get a VISA when entering Turkey

19 – Can I use a mortgage to purchase a  property and apply for a Turkish Residency Permit?

YES, you can use a mortgage from a Turkish Bank to purchase a property in Turkey and apply for a Turkish Residency Permit once you have registered the property to your name.

20 – Is it guaranteed that I will get my Turkish  residency permit if I purchase a property in Turkey.

Unless you have committed a serious felony in your home country and/or in Turkey, or have an international search warrant, you are guaranteed to get your Residency Permit in Turkey once you have purchased a property in Turkey.

As New Home in Turkey we provide services for anyone looking for villa in Turkey or buy flat in Turkey for residence permit purposes. 

Are you looking for a help to get a residence permit in Turkey? We can help! Contact us today!