TurkeyResidence permit

Student residence permit in Turkey

A residence permit for foreign nationals studying at Turkish educational institutions. It is granted to pupils and students of schools, colleges and universities holding the relevant proof of enrolment. It is valid for the period of study, but no longer than the periods laid down by law. Foreign nationals must take out insurance within three months of enrolment or arrange a private policy.

Source: Presidency of Migration Management (Göç İdaresi Başkanlığı)

The main categories of students

The student residence permit is granted to various categories of learners. Each group has its own periods and work conditions.

Primary and secondary education

Foreign nationals over 18 continuing their secondary education
Granted for one year and renewed until the studies are completed
If the institution is changed within the same locality, the existing permit remains valid

Higher education (bachelor's and master's)

Students on associate and bachelor's programmes
Valid for the whole duration of the studies
Work is allowed only from the second year of study

Specialist programmes

Medical specialisation (the TUS examination)
Dental specialisation (the DUS examination)
Postgraduate and doctoral studies with no restrictions on work

When this programme will not suit you

A foreign national under 18 studying at a school or college

No residence permit is required; a tourist visa or visa-free entry under the relevant agreements is enough

The person has finished their studies and intends to stay in Turkey

A move to another type of residence permit is required (work, long-term or family), depending on the circumstances

The person falls under the restrictions of article 7 of the Turkish migration legislation

The residence permit will be refused; legal advice on the reasons for the ban is needed

What it costs

Fee for the residence permit documentApplies from 1 January 2026; classified as a valuable document under Law no. 210; charged at authorised banks and tax offices	964 TRY

Paid separately

Services of intermediaries and law firms — The state warns that no intermediaries are officially involved; money is accepted only through tax offices and banks, never into private accounts
GSS contribution (general health insurance) — Depends on the student's income or status; not part of the residence permit fee and paid separately to the social insurance authorities

Documents to gather

The documents needed to file an application in the e-ikamet system. The exact list depends on the type of education and the student's status; it is advisable to check with the provincial directorate or on the e-ikamet portal before applying.

Passport or identity document valid in Turkey
Document confirming enrolment at the educational institution (letter of admission, certificate from the faculty office, student card)
Address of residence in Turkey (rent receipt, tenancy agreement, certificate from the owner of the property)
Proof of general health insurance (GSS) taken out within three months of enrolment, or a private insurance policy if the three-month deadline has been missed
Documents confirming the purpose of the stay in Turkey (extract from the admissions board, letter from the educational institution, study programme)
Criminal-record certificate (if required by the migration authority)

How the process runs

Obtaining a student residence permit goes through several stages, from preparing the documents to collecting the plastic card.

1
Preparing and collecting the documents
1-2 weeks, depending on the educational institution
Contact your educational institution for a certificate of enrolment. Find accommodation in Turkey and register the address. Make sure the GSS insurance application was filed within three months of enrolment or that private insurance has been arranged. Have all the necessary documents translated into Turkish by a sworn translator if required.
2
Creating an account and completing the application on the e-ikamet portal
1-2 hours
Go to https://e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr or use the official portal https://www.goc.gov.tr/. Create a personal account. Select the 'Student' type of residence permit and complete the application form. Upload scans of all the documents in digital format. Check all the details again before submitting.
3
Booking an appointment and setting a date
from a few days to 2 weeks
Once the application has been submitted, the system allows you to book a slot at the provincial migration office (ildeki göçmen idaresi). Use the booking system at https://randevu.goc.gov.tr/. Choose a convenient date and time. You will receive confirmation of the booking by email.
4
Attending the migration office and submitting the originals
30-60 minutes at the appointment
Attend at the appointed time with the originals of all the documents. The officer checks the details and compares the originals with the copies uploaded to the system, and photographs you for the database. You will receive the payment slip for the fee and an appointment to collect the card.
5
Paying the fee at a bank or tax office
1-2 days
Pay the fee of 964 TRY only through authorised banks and tax offices. Do not send money to intermediaries or into private accounts — that is fraud. Obtain the payment receipt (makbuz). You may be asked to upload the receipt to the system or to bring it to the next stage.
6
Waiting for the application to be processed
7-21 days in typical cases
Migration Management checks the documents, contacts the educational institution to confirm the student's status and verifies the insurance information. The status can be tracked through the personal account on e-ikamet or by the application number. In complicated cases processing may take longer.
7
Receiving the plastic residence permit card
1-2 weeks after approval
Once the application has been approved, a notification is sent. The card is produced and sent by post to the address given in the application, or it can be collected at the migration office. The parcel can be tracked at https://gonderitakip.ptt.gov.tr/ (if sent by post). From the moment the card is received the permit is treated as valid and opens access to all the rights and obligations of a foreign student.

Timelines and rights

Work

Students on associate and bachelor's programmes may work only from the second year of study and only with a separate permit from the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.

Who you can bring with you

The holder of a student residence permit may sponsor family members, but only within the family residence permit and subject to certain restrictions.

Spouse

May apply for a family residence permit if the student acts as sponsor. A marriage certificate and proof of living together are required. The family residence permit is valid for the same period as the student permit.

Children (minor and dependent adult)

May be sponsored within the family residence permit if dependency on the student (financial or otherwise) is proven. A birth certificate and proof of maintenance are required. Adult children must prove that they cannot support themselves.

Other relatives (parents, brothers, sisters, grandparents)

Cannot be sponsored by a student. Other types of residence permit have to be used (long-term, family through other family members, work and so on).

Trips, renewal and the grace period

The holder of a student residence permit may act as sponsor for a spouse and children only within family residence permit applications.

The student residence permit is renewed for the period the studies continue, provided the student remains enrolled at the educational institution. Renewal requires confirmation that the studies are continuing (a certificate from the faculty office, a letter of re-enrolment for the next year). If the student transfers to another institution or faculty within the same province without a break in studies, the current permit remains valid. For primary and secondary school the student residence permit is granted for one year and reissued annually until the studies are completed. A change of province may require the permit to be reissued. When the studies end the permit ceases to be valid; it is then necessary to move to another type of residence or to leave Turkey.

What comes next: permanent residence and citizenship

Route to permanent residence

The long-term residence permit is granted after 8 years of continuous residence on residence permits.

Route to citizenship

Naturalisation on the general terms — after 5 years of continuous residence in Turkey.

Frequently asked questions about Student residence permit

Do I need a student residence permit if I am 17 and study at a Turkish school?

No. Foreign nationals under 18 studying at a primary or secondary school may stay in Turkey without a student residence permit. After 18, if you continue your secondary education, you will need to obtain a permit.

Can I work during the first year of a bachelor's programme?

No. Students on associate and bachelor's programmes may work only from the second year of study and only if they hold a separate permit from the Turkish Ministry of Labour and Social Security. Master's and doctoral students may work straight away with a permit.

What happens if I do not take out insurance within three months of starting my studies?

You will have to buy private health insurance. Foreign students must hold valid health insurance; if you did not apply for the general insurance (GSS) within the set period, private insurance becomes a condition of the permit and of its renewal.

How much does a student residence permit in Turkey cost in 2026?

The fee for the residence permit document is 964 Turkish lira (applies from 1 January 2026). This is the main state fee, charged through banks and tax offices. A charge for producing and sending the plastic card may be made in addition; check the exact amount with the migration office.

Can I sponsor my parents for a family residence permit if I hold a student residence permit?

No. The holder of a student residence permit may sponsor only a spouse and children within the family residence permit. Parents, brothers, sisters and other relatives cannot be sponsored by a student. They may apply for other types of residence permit independently.

What counts as fake or fraudulent when applying for a student residence permit?

The Turkish authorities warn: do not use commercial websites with .com, .com.tr and similar extensions — these are fake systems that steal data and money. File applications only through the official portal https://e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr/ or https://www.goc.gov.tr/. Do not send money to intermediaries or lawyers or into private accounts — pay only through tax offices and authorised banks.

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.