PERMANENT RESIDENCE IN TURKEY

PERMANENT RESIDENCE IN TURKEY

Foreign citizens arriving in Turkey on a tourist visa can stay in the country from 30 to 90 days, depending on the terms of the agreement between the states, and those who want to stay for a longer time or get the opportunity to officially work need to obtain a residence permit – a temporary type for residence or ikamet .

Residents – holders of ikamet – can legally stay in Turkey for over 90 days and also go out and enter the country at any time an unlimited number of times while the residence permit is valid.

This document gives the foreigner most civil rights other than voting. A Turkish resident can open local bank accounts, take out a mortgage, enroll a child in a school or other educational institution, and work officially.

Every year, the Turkish government gives more than 1 million residence permits, this year the situation is more than non-standard. Turkey, refusing to join international sanctions against Russia, has become not only the main hub of international air traffic but also the main relocation destination for Russians and the most reliable option for obtaining a residence permit and second citizenship, while in Europe and the previously popular Caribbean region, immigration opportunities are severely limited.

Conditions for obtaining visas and residence permits in Turkey

You can apply for an ikamet , extend it and track the status of the application on the official website of the Turkish Migration Service.

The rules for obtaining an ikamet are regulated by Turkish Law No. 6458 “On foreigners and international protection”. Exist six types of residence permits.

• Short
• long term
• Family
• Student
• Humanitarian
• For victim trade people

A short-term residence permit is issued for a period of one to two years. Tourists who come to the country, owners or tenants of real estate, students, and foreign citizens who come for treatment can get it.

A long-term residence permit is indefinite, but only foreigners who have lived in Turkey for more than 8 years, as well as refugees, can get it. A residence permit can be canceled if the resident leaves the territory of Turkey for a period of more than a year.

Family ikamet is received for up to three years by spouses of Turkish citizens, as well as dependent children and adults.

A student residence permit is provided for those who receive primary and secondary education in Turkish schools, as well as students of undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate studies and those studying the Turkish language in special courses.
Its validity usually corresponds to the period of study.

The latter types (humanitarian and residence permit for victims of human trafficking) are extremely specific. They are issued in emergency situations when the life of a foreigner is threatened or he cannot return to his native country.

Obtaining a residence permit in Turkey when renting or buying real estate

Official rental of real estate for a period of more than one year allows the tenant, as well as members of his family, to obtain a residence permit.

A residence permit in Turkey when buying a property obliges you to stay in the country for at least 6 months a year – otherwise, it will be canceled. After five years of residence on a residence permit, you can apply for citizenship. A prerequisite is the successful passing of the Turkish language exam.
officially receive ikamet when buying real estate for any amount. However, this spring, new rules appeared that govern the process of obtaining a residence permit and citizenship in the country in response to a sharp surge in housing demand.

According to the changes, if an investor buys real estate worth less than $75,000, he can only apply for a “tourist residence permit”. According to this type of ikamet , he cannot work, in addition, the time spent in the country, in this case, is not counted in the period necessary to obtain citizenship by naturalization.
By purchasing real estate more expensive than this amount, a foreigner receives a “non-tourist” residence permit, and the period that he spends in the territory will be counted in the required five years to apply for a passport.

receive ikamet , but they must be registered in TAPU – certificate of ownership, which is issued by the Cadastral Office upon the transfer of ownership.

What documents are needed for a residence permit

The applicant must submit:

• application form for obtaining a residence permit. To fill it out, you first need to obtain a TIN – taxpayer number. Questionnaires are filled through the online system.
• 4 biometric Photo on the white background
• Original and copy international passports
• The current medical insurance
• Certificate of marriage and birth of children
• Proof of sufficient and sustainable financial resources for the duration of your stay in the country

When obtaining a residence permit for renting real estate, you must provide a lease agreement and a copy of the lessor’s passport.

When applying for an ikamet for the purchase of housing, you also need to send to the migration service:

• A copy of the TAPU (certificate of ownership of the property).
• Certificate from the Cadastral Department (stating that TAPU is valid).

Turkish citizenship by investment

The Turkish government has also provided an option to accelerate the acquisition of citizenship for the purchase of housing for those who do not have the opportunity to reside in Turkey. The entry threshold until recently was $250,000. From June 13, 2022, the minimum investment participation amount will change to $400,000.
The term for obtaining a Turkish passport is quite prompt and is 3-4 months.

Key Benefits of the Citizenship Program

The acquired property can be rented out and sold after three years. Real estate prices in the country are growing at a galloping pace: only in April, according to data Astons, the cost of residential properties increased by 15-20%.

A Turkish passport opens up many opportunities: visa-free travel to 110 countries, including Singapore, Japan, and South Korea. A Turkish citizen can obtain a Schengen visa for 10 years, as well as move and do business in the United States on an E-2 business visa.