Residence and Work Permits
Application and Extension Procedures for Legal Residence and Work Permits in Türkiye
Foreign nationals who are in Türkiye to reside or work require that a permit process suited to their current legal situation and their purpose of being in Türkiye. Because residence permits and work permits are subject to different application procedures, it is important to determine the correct type of permit before applying.
Canaydın Law Firm provides legal services in determining the appropriate residence or work permit route, initial applications, extensions, changes of type or status, preparation of documents, and follow-up of the application process.
- Assessment of Eligibility for a Residence or Work Permit
- Review of Documents
Residence Permits
01 — Short-Term Residence Permit
This is a residence permit issued to foreign nationals who wish to reside temporarily in Türkiye for a specific purpose, and it covers various grounds for application.
The main grounds in this scope are:
- Residence for tourism purposes
- Real estate-based residence
- Residence for medical treatment
- Commercial connection or the purpose of establishing a business
- Scientific research
- Turkish language course
- In-service training and exchange programs
- Those who have completed higher education in Türkiye
- Investor residence permit
- Residence based on a judicial or administrative authority decision
- Citizens of the TRNC and other short-term grounds provided for in the legislation
- Türkiye Digital Nomad Visa and short-term residence permit
Explore the Short-Term Residence Permit
02 — Family Residence Permit
A family residence permit may be issued to the foreign spouses, and to the foreign children who are minors or dependent, of Turkish citizens and of certain foreign nationals specified in the legislation. In the application, the statutory requirements are assessed with respect to the sponsor and the family member.
Explore the Family Residence Permit
03 — Student Residence Permit
A student residence permit application may come into question for foreign nationals who study at certain stages of primary and secondary education or at higher education institutions in Türkiye.
Explore the Student Residence Permit
04 — Long-Term Residence Permit
An application for a long-term residence permit may be assessed for foreign nationals who have resided legally in Türkiye for a long period and who meet the other requirements set out in the legislation. Before applying, the residence history and the periods spent abroad are also examined separately.
Explore the Long-Term Residence Permit
05 — Humanitarian Residence Permit
A humanitarian residence permit may be issued where the special and exceptional circumstances specified in the legislation exist. The legal and factual grounds on which the application is based are assessed according to the specifics of the file.
Explore the Humanitarian Residence Permit
06 — Residence Permit for Victims of Human Trafficking
The legislation provides for a special type of residence permit for foreign nationals who are, or are strongly suspected of being, victims of human trafficking.
Work Permits
For foreign nationals who wish to work in Türkiye, whether the application is made from within Türkiye or from abroad is assessed according to the foreign national's current status, the employer's situation and the nature of the employment relationship.
- Work permit application from within Türkiye
- Work permit application from abroad
- Work permit extension
- Foreign nationals who are company partners or managers
- Foreign workers in domestic services
- Assessment of the application requirements for the employer and the foreign worker
- Preparation of application documents and follow-up of the process
Digital Nomad Visa and Short-Term Residence Permit
In the Türkiye Digital Nomad program, the process begins with the Digital Nomad Identification Certificate. The applicant's eligibility is assessed in terms of nationality, age, educational background, remote employment relationship and income requirements. After the identification certificate, the process moves on to the consular visa and, following entry into Türkiye, the short-term residence permit.
In this scope, Canaydın Law Firm provides:
Which Type of Permit Should I Apply For?
The appropriate application route is determined according to the foreign national's purpose of being in Türkiye and current legal status.
- Real estate-based short-term residence for a person who owns a home in Türkiye
- Student residence for a person studying in Türkiye
- Family residence for a person with a family relationship to a Turkish citizen or to a sponsor of suitable status
- A work permit for a person who will work for an employer in Türkiye or within a suitable employment relationship
- The relevant visa and short-term residence process for a person who meets the digital nomad conditions
For this reason, it may be necessary to assess the residence permit and work permit options together before applying.
Initial Application, Extension and Change of Status
Initial Application
For a foreign national applying for a residence or work permit in Türkiye for the first time, the current legal stay situation, the purpose of the application, and whether the application can be conducted from within Türkiye or from abroad are assessed.
Extension
Where the existing permit is to be continued, whether the conditions of the relevant permit type still continue and the current documents are checked.
Change of Type or Status
If the foreign national's purpose of being in Türkiye or employment situation changes, the possibility of moving to a residence or work permit process different from the current status is assessed.
What We Do for You
Determining the Appropriate Type of Permit
By assessing the purpose of being in Türkiye and the current legal status, the appropriate application route is determined for a residence or work permit.
Assessing the Type of Residence Permit
The suitable option among short-term, family, student, long-term or other residence permits is assessed.
Assessing the Work Permit Route
The required application framework is examined for applications from within Türkiye or from abroad, for the employer and for the foreign worker.
Preparing the Application File
The required documents are determined according to the applicant's situation and the file is prepared.
Preparing Foreign Documents
The apostille or consular certification, translation and notary procedures for birth, marriage and other foreign documents are coordinated.
Address, Insurance and Other Supporting Documents
Depending on the nature of the application, the preparation of the required address, health insurance and other supporting documents is coordinated.
Initial Application, Extension and Change of Status
Depending on the nature of the application, the relevant permit process is prepared and followed.
Follow-Up of the Application
Administrative stages and requests for additional documents are followed.
How the Process Works
- 01
Review of the Current Situation
Your nationality, your date of entry into Türkiye, your current visa, residence or work permit situation and your purpose of being in Türkiye are assessed.
- 02
Determining the Appropriate Type of Permit
It is determined whether the application will be conducted under a residence permit or a work permit.
- 03
Preparing the Document Plan
The required documents from Türkiye and abroad are determined according to the type of application.
- 04
Preparing the Application
The application form and supporting documents are prepared.
- 05
Procedures Before the Competent Authority
The residence permit or work permit application is conducted before the relevant competent authority.
- 06
Additional Documents and Review Process
Any additional information or documents requested by the administration are assessed and completed.
- 07
The Permit and Subsequent Procedures
Once the application has been concluded favorably, the subsequent procedures concerning the permit document or card are followed.
Has Your Residence or Work Permit Application Been Rejected, or Has Your Permit Been Canceled?
The administrative and judicial remedies that may be pursued where a residence or work permit application is rejected, an extension request is not accepted, or an existing permit is canceled are addressed in the Litigation, Enforcement and Dispute Resolution section.
Explore Residence Permit Rejection and Cancellation Lawsuits • Explore Work Permit Rejection and Cancellation Lawsuits
Do You Have a Pending Residence or Work Permit Application?
For a residence or work permit application made earlier, the current stage of the file and any requests for additional documents can be reviewed to determine the necessary follow-up steps.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Which type of residence permit do I need to apply for?
The appropriate type of residence is determined according to your purpose of being in Türkiye, your family situation, and education, real estate, medical treatment, investment or other legal grounds. It is important to carry out an eligibility assessment before applying.
Does owning real estate in Türkiye automatically grant a residence permit?
No. Real estate ownership may, under certain conditions, serve as the basis for a short-term residence application, but it does not create an automatic right. This route requires, among other conditions, that the property be residential in nature, that it be valued at no less than USD 200,000 by a valuation report, and that it not be located in neighborhoods closed to residence. (The threshold of USD 400,000 for citizenship and USD 200,000 for residence are different.)
Can a residence permit be obtained by buying a plot of land or a field?
For short-term residence based on real estate, the property must be residential in nature; real estate such as plots of land or fields is not suitable for this application.
Does a residence permit give the right to work?
In general, a residence permit alone does not provide the right to work. To work, a suitable work permit or an exemption from the work permit requirement under the legislation must exist.
What happens to my residence status if my work permit is canceled?
Since a work permit also serves in place of a residence permit, canceling the permit ends this basis. Whether the person has another basis for residence must be assessed separately.
Can I leave the country while my application is being processed?
Leaving the country while a residence application is being processed may be possible; however, the consequences depending on the duration and the type of application must be assessed according to the specifics of the file.
What can be done if a residence or work permit is rejected?
The date of notification and the grounds of the rejection decision must be examined first. Because administrative and judicial application periods may vary depending on the file, the decision should be taken into legal assessment without delay.
How does the Türkiye Digital Nomad process work?
Eligibility, remote work and income documents, the Digital Nomad Identification Certificate, the required visa and the residence procedures after entry into Türkiye are assessed together according to the specifics of the file.