Family Residence Permit
Residence Applications Based on Family Unity in Türkiye
The foreign spouses and children of Turkish citizens living in Türkiye, and of foreign nationals holding the statuses specified in the legislation, may apply for a family residence permit if the required conditions are met.
In a family residence permit application, the existence of a marriage or parent-child relationship alone is not sufficient. The sponsor's status in Türkiye, the income and health insurance requirements, and the documents showing the family relationship are assessed together.
Canaydın Law Firm provides legal services in assessing the application requirements of the sponsor and family members, preparing foreign family documents, and carrying out initial application, extension and permit type change procedures.
- Assessment of Family Residence Permit Eligibility
- Review of Documents
Who Can Apply for a Family Residence Permit?
01 — Foreign Spouse of a Turkish Citizen
The foreign spouse of a Turkish citizen may apply for a family residence permit if the family relationship and the other application requirements are met.
The family residence permit should not be confused with the three-year marriage requirement for a citizenship application. The family residence permit is assessed within the framework of its own requirements.
02 — Foreign Children of a Turkish Citizen
A foreign child of a Turkish citizen or of their spouse who has not reached the age of majority, and a dependent foreign child who meets the requirements in the legislation, may apply for a family residence permit.
Where the other parent who holds joint custody of the child is abroad, the required consent is assessed separately.
03 — Spouse and Children of a Foreign National Legally Residing in Türkiye
A foreign national residing in Türkiye with an appropriate residence status may act as sponsor for their foreign spouse and children, provided the requirements are met.
For two foreign spouses, one of the parties is assessed as the sponsor and the other as the family residence permit applicant. The foreign sponsor's residence or work permit status and residence history in Türkiye are also examined separately.
04 — Family Members Dependent on Other Sponsors
The foreign spouses and children of persons covered by Article 28 of Law No. 5901, and of refugee and subsidiary protection status holders, may also apply for a family residence permit within the framework of the requirements in the legislation.
Who Is the Sponsor?
In a family residence permit, the person on whom the applicant's family relationship in Türkiye is based is assessed as the sponsor.
- Turkish citizen
- Person covered by Article 28 of Law No. 5901
- Foreign national holding an appropriate residence permit
- Foreign national holding a work permit
- Refugee or subsidiary protection status holder
What Requirements Are Sought in the Sponsor?
Income
Total monthly income must not be less than the minimum wage, and the income per person for each member of the family must not be less than one third of the minimum wage.
Health Insurance
The sponsor must have valid health insurance covering the family members.
Address Registration
The sponsor must be registered in the address registration system.
Criminal Record
The requirement that the sponsor has not been convicted of crimes against the family order within the last five years is also assessed separately.
Residence Status in Türkiye
The foreign sponsor's residence or work permit in Türkiye and the required residence history are examined. For foreign spouses, the requirement that the sponsor has, as a rule, stayed in Türkiye for at least one year with a residence permit or holds a work permit is also assessed separately.
What Is Examined Regarding the Spouse?
- The marriage being legally valid
- The consistency of the marriage record with Turkish and foreign documents
- Both spouses having reached the age of 18
- Living together, or the intention to live together
- The marriage not having been entered into solely to obtain a residence permit
Where a marriage contracted abroad has not yet been recorded in the Turkish population records, the required marriage registration and foreign document procedures are assessed separately.
The Situation of Children
- Foreign children who have not reached the age of majority
- Dependent adult children who meet the requirements in the legislation
The child's custody status, the other parent being abroad and the required consent documents are examined before the application.
Children holding a family residence permit may continue their primary and secondary education until the age of 18 without obtaining a separate student residence permit.
For How Long Can a Family Residence Permit Be Granted?
A family residence permit may be issued for a period not exceeding three years at a time.
If the sponsor is a foreign national, the duration of the family residence permit cannot exceed the duration of the sponsor's current residence permit.
The duration of a family residence permit is not automatically three years for everyone. The permit period is determined by taking into account the sponsor's status and the applicant's circumstances.
Divorce, the Sponsor's Death or the Child Reaching the Age of 18
Where the family relationship or the basis of the family residence permit changes, whether the existing residence status can continue must be assessed separately.
Divorce
Foreign nationals married to a Turkish citizen who have stayed in Türkiye with a family residence permit for at least three years may switch to a short-term residence permit after divorce, if the conditions are met. The exceptions in the legislation for victims of domestic violence are assessed separately.
Death of the Sponsor
In the event of the sponsor's death, the switch to a short-term residence permit may be considered for a foreign national staying in Türkiye with a family residence permit dependent on the sponsor.
Child Reaching the Age of 18
Where a child who has stayed in Türkiye with a family residence permit for at least three years reaches the age of 18, the possibility of switching to a short-term residence permit may be considered.
Family Documents Issued Abroad
Depending on the circumstances of the application, the following family and civil status documents are examined:
Depending on the country in which the document was issued, apostille or consular certification, Turkish translation and notarial procedures are coordinated.
What We Do for You
Review of Family and Sponsor Eligibility
The family relationship, the sponsor's status and the family members who will apply are assessed together.
Checking Income and Insurance Requirements
The sponsor's income and the health insurance covering the family members are examined.
Review of Marriage and Birth Documents
The suitability of family and civil status documents issued abroad for the application is checked.
Custody and Consent Procedures
In applications for children, custody and the required consent of the other parent are assessed.
Apostille, Translation and Notary Coordination
The procedures for using foreign documents in Türkiye are coordinated.
Initial Application and Extension
Family residence permit initial application and extension files are prepared.
Permit Type Change and Application Follow-Up
Where the basis of the family residence changes, the appropriate new type of residence permit is assessed and the administrative process is followed up.
How the Process Works
- 01
Review of the Family Structure
The status of the spouse, children, custody and marital status is assessed.
- 02
Review of the Sponsor's Status
The sponsor's Turkish citizenship, residence or work permit and other legal status are checked.
- 03
Income, Insurance and Address Requirements
The financial and administrative requirements for the sponsor are examined.
- 04
Checking Foreign Documents
Marriage, birth, custody and other family documents are assessed.
- 05
Document Plan and e-Residence (e-İkamet) Application
An applicant-specific file is prepared and the e-Residence procedures are carried out.
- 06
Submission and Follow-Up of the Application
The file is submitted in accordance with the current application procedure and requests for additional documents are followed up.
- 07
Residence Permit Card
After the application is concluded favorably, the residence card process is followed up.
If You Do Not Meet the Family Residence Permit Requirements
Where the family residence permit requirements are not met or cease to be met later, the possibility of switching to a short-term, student or other appropriate type of residence permit may be considered, depending on the person's situation in Türkiye.
Has Your Family Residence Permit Application Been Refused or Your Permit Cancelled?
Where an initial application or extension request is refused, or an existing family residence permit is cancelled, the reasons for the decision and the date of notification are examined, and the legal remedies that may be pursued are assessed separately.
Do You Have a Pending Family Residence Application?
For family residence permit applications made previously, the necessary follow-up steps can be determined by examining the current stage, the family documents and requests for additional documents.