TurkeyResidence permit

Long-term residence permit in Turkey

An open-ended residence status for foreign nationals who have lived in the country continuously on a valid permit. It is granted where the financial requirements are met and there are no security concerns. Holders receive almost all the rights of citizens, except voting and public service. It allows family members to be sponsored. It does not require periodic renewal.

Visa term

Granted with no end date.

Open-ended residence status — the Turkish equivalent of permanent residence.

Source: Presidency of Migration Management (Göç İdaresi Başkanlığı)

Who the long-term residence permit suits

The programme is intended for foreign nationals who have already lived in Turkey long enough and who meet the financial requirements.

Established residents

Have lived in Turkey for at least eight years in a row on a valid permit
Continuous time is counted in full for most permits and at half the period for student permits
Are ready to obtain open-ended status instead of renewing periodically

People with sufficient income

Have a stable and documented source of income
The income is sufficient to support themselves and their family in Turkey
Have not received state assistance over the past three years

Those who need certainty about their status

Want to avoid having to renew the permit regularly
Plan long-term residence without the need to reapply
Want a status as close as possible to that of a citizen

When this programme will not suit you

You have received social assistance over the past three years

Wait until the three-year period without assistance has passed

You have lived in Turkey on a permit for less than eight years

Continue your residence and apply for an ordinary renewal or another type of permit

You are a refugee or a person with conditional or temporary protection

Different requirements apply to you; contact the migration directorate for advice

You have no documentary proof of income

Prepare bank statements, tax documents or other evidence of stable income

You represent a threat to public security

The threat must be removed before applying; contact the migration directorate for clarification

What it costs

Fee for the residence permit documentApplies from 1 January 2026; paid when the permit is issued	964 TRY
e-ikamet service (online registration and appointment booking)Free of charge	0 TRY
Total government feesThe sum of the mandatory rows in the table. Charges with no official price list are in the list below.	964 TRY

Paid separately

Consular processing of documents (if an apostille is required) — Depends on the country of origin; a payment at the consulate may be required
Translator or lawyer services — If you use professionals to help with the documents, this is paid separately

Documents to gather

All documents must be originals or notarised copies. Foreign documents require an apostille and translation into Turkish.

Valid passport (original; for a renewal — a notarised copy of the previous pages if the passport has been reissued)
Completed application form (Uzun Dönem İkamet İzni Kayıt Formu)
Document confirming health insurance valid for the whole period of residence (an extract from the social security fund, a certificate of authorisation, a document showing an application to the compulsory health insurance system, or a private insurance policy)
Proof of stable income (bank statements for recent months, tax returns, an employment contract, documents on rental income from property or on an inheritance)
Document on the place of residence (notarised copy of the tenancy agreement, documents on staying at a hotel or other accommodation)
Certificate that there is no danger to public order (a certificate from the security authorities, usually obtained automatically during the assessment)
Copies of visas and residence permits (to document the eight years of continuous stay)

How the process runs

The application process has two stages: preparing and filing the documents online, then attending the migration directorate in person.

1
Registering in the e-Residence system and filing the documents online
1-2 days
Go to the portal https://e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr, create an account, upload scanned copies of all the documents and complete the electronic application form. The system lets you track the status of your registration in real time.
2
Booking an appointment at the migration directorate
1-7 days
After registering online, choose a convenient date and time to visit the migration directorate office in your region. Booking an appointment is free. Failing to attend without good reason is treated as withdrawal of the application.
3
Attending the office with the original documents
1 day
Attend at the appointed time with the originals of all the documents you uploaded. The officer checks the documents, clarifies the details and verifies that the insurance and the income are genuine.
4
Consideration of the application by the migration directorate and the ministry
up to 90 days
Your application is fully considered within a maximum of 90 days. Time runs from the moment all the documents have been filed. You can track the status through your e-ikamet personal account.
5
Receiving the residence permit card
7-30 days after approval
Once your application has been approved, the plastic permit card is sent to you by post (PTT — the Turkish Postal Service). You can track the dispatch in your personal account. Until the card arrives, a temporary certificate is valid.

Who you can bring with you

The long-term residence permit allows family members to be sponsored so that they may live with you in Turkey.

Spouse (foreign national)

The marriage must be official. The sponsor must have income of at least the full net minimum wage plus insurance covering the spouse.

Minor children (your own or your spouse's)

May be added with no age restrictions. For each child additional income of at least one third of the net minimum wage is required.

Adult children and dependants (over 18)

If they are entirely financially dependent, an application for a permit may be made. Documentary proof of dependency is required.

Children living on a family permit

They are entitled to education in Turkey on the same terms as the children of citizens. Compulsory education applies to foreign children.

Renewal and the grace period

The long-term residence permit is granted for an indefinite period and does not require periodic renewal. However, the permit is cancelled automatically if you remain outside Turkey continuously for more than a year. The exceptions are absences for reasons of health, education or compulsory military service. On returning after a long absence, the permit may have to be reissued. In addition, the permit is cancelled if the holder poses a serious threat to public security.

Frequently asked questions about Long-term residence permit

What does eight years of continuous residence mean?

It means an eight-year period during which you are permanently in Turkey with a valid permit. Short trips abroad (holidays, business trips) do not break continuity, but an absence of more than a year does. Note: if you previously held a student permit, only half of that time is counted; other types of permit count in full.

What level of income is required for a single applicant?

At least the net minimum wage in Turkey. The exact amount is set annually (for 2026 it should be checked with the migration directorate). The income may come from any source: salary, pension, rental income, interest on deposits, an inheritance. The key point is to provide documentary proof.

How long does it take to decide the application?

A maximum of 90 days from the day all the documents are filed in full. In practice many applications are decided faster, especially where the documents are complete and free of errors. It is advisable to apply online and attend in person early in the period to avoid delays.

What rights do holders of the long-term residence permit have?

Holders have almost all the rights of Turkish citizens, including the right to education, healthcare, work, starting a business and owning property. The exceptions: they cannot vote in elections, cannot hold public office, are not exempt from military service (where it is compulsory) and have no customs concessions on importing cars.

What happens if I leave Turkey for more than a year?

Your permit is cancelled automatically if you are outside Turkey continuously for more than a year without good reason. Good reasons are medical treatment, education and compulsory military service. If the permit has been cancelled because of a long absence, you may apply again, providing evidence of the good reasons or after returning to Turkey.

Do I need insurance if I have my own funds?

Yes, valid health insurance is compulsory regardless of your financial position. You may have private insurance, join the compulsory health insurance system (SSI) or have group insurance through an employer. The insurance must cover the whole period for which you are applying.

Can I work or start a business on a long-term residence permit?

Yes, fully. Holders of the long-term residence permit may work on the terms laid down for citizens, start and run their own business, invest and own property. All Turkish employment legislation must be complied with, and a work permit must be obtained if your occupation requires one.

Other ways to move to Turkey

Every route in one list — migration programmes: Turkey.

The terms and the amounts are checked against official sources — the link sits under each section.Last checked on: 7 August 2026.