Short-Term Residence Permit in Turkey
Short-term residence permits are regulated in Articles 31 to 33 of Law No. 6458 on Foreigners and International Protection
Additionally, short-term residence permits are regulated in Articles 28 and 29 of the Regulation on the Implementation of the Law on Foreigners and International Protection.
Who is Eligible for a Short-Term Residence Permit?
1-Foreigners coming for scientific research purposes;
Foreigners applying for a residence permit for this purpose are required to obtain a permit from the relevant institution or organization (Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Ministry of Energy, universities, etc.) if they are subject to scientific research permission; if they are not subject to permission, they are required to make a statement regarding the subject of their research.
2-
Foreigners who own real estate in Turkey;
Foreigners who own real estate must use it as a residence if they apply for a residence permit. Additionally, if family members have joint or co-ownership rights to the residence, they may also apply for a residence permit under this category.
3-Foreigners establishing commercial connections or businesses;
Foreigners establishing commercial connections or businesses who apply for a residence permit valid for more than three months may be required to submit an invitation letter or similar documents from the person or company they will be in contact with.
4-Foreigners participating in in-service training programs;
Residence permits issued for this purpose are arranged for the duration of the program based on information and documents provided by the institution or organization that will provide in-service training regarding the content, duration, and location of the training.
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Foreigners coming to Turkey for education or similar purposes within the framework of agreements to which the Republic of Turkey is a party or student exchange programs;
foreigners applying for a residence permit for this purpose are required to submit the information and documents to be obtained from the relevant institution.
The duration of the residence permit cannot exceed the duration of the stay for educational or similar purposes.
Students coming under student exchange programs (Erasmus, Mevlana, Farabi, etc.); Those who apply for general health insurance within three months from the date of initial registration are not required to have health insurance. However, those who fail to apply within three months from the date of registration and lose their right to general health insurance are required to obtain private health insurance.
6-Foreigners staying for tourism purposes;
The statements in the travel plans of foreigners applying for a residence permit for this purpose (such as where, when, and for how long they will stay in the country) are evaluated. If deemed necessary, information or documents may be requested from them.
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Foreigners who will receive treatment provided they do not carry any of the diseases considered a threat to public health;
For this purpose, foreigners coming to Turkey are required to be admitted to public or private hospitals. Those who can prove that they have paid all treatment costs themselves are not required to have health insurance.
Residence permits are issued according to the duration of treatment.
Foreigners whose accommodation, housing, or health expenses are covered by the relevant public institutions and organizations during their treatment are not required to have valid health insurance if their financial means are determined.
If necessary, information or documents related to the foreigner’s treatment may be requested from the relevant hospital or public institutions and organizations.
Under existing Health Cooperation Agreements, residence permit procedures for the companions of foreigners coming to our country for treatment (unless the agreement contains a separate provision regarding companions) are conducted in accordance with general provisions.
Additionally, in accordance with Article 14 of the Health Services Basic Law No. 3359 dated October 14, the requirement for valid health insurance is not applied to residence permit applications of foreigners coming to our country with companions, provided that the number of companions does not exceed two.
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Foreigners who are required to remain in Turkey based on requests or decisions by judicial or administrative authorities;
the duration of the residence permit issued for this purpose is determined by considering the period specified in the decision or request.
9-Foreigners who will be transferred to a short-term residence permit if their family loses their residence permit conditions;
10-Foreigners who will attend Turkish language courses;
For this purpose, a residence permit may be granted to a foreigner who applies for a residence permit and is registered by an institution authorized to provide Turkish language courses (which must be licensed by the Ministry of National Education) for a maximum of two times.
If the course duration is less than one year, the residence permit period cannot exceed the course duration. The institution providing the course is obligated to notify the provincial directorate of the foreigner’s enrollment and attendance status for the purpose of learning Turkish.
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Foreigners who will participate in education, research, internships, and courses in Turkey through public institutions;
The duration of the residence permit issued for this purpose cannot exceed one year. For foreigners whose accommodation, housing, or health-related expenses are covered by the relevant public institutions, a valid health insurance condition is not required for the determination of their financial means. Information and documents may be requested from the institutions.
12-Foreigners who have completed their higher education in Turkey and apply within six months of their graduation date;
Foreigners applying for a residence permit for this purpose may be granted a residence permit for a maximum period of one year, on a one-time basis, provided they apply within six months of their graduation date.
13-Those who do not work in Turkey but will make investments within the scope and amount determined by the Council of Ministers, as well as their foreign spouses, their minor children, or foreign children for whom they are responsible;
Foreigners applying for residence permits for this purpose may be granted residence permits for a maximum period of five years.
With the amendment of the International Labor Force Law No. 6735 by Law No. 6458, the aim is to encourage qualified foreigners who will contribute to the country’s economy and to facilitate residence permit procedures for foreigners.
14-Foreigners who are citizens of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus,
For this purpose, residence permits may be granted to foreigners applying for residence permits for a maximum period of five years.
How Long Can a Short-Term Residence Permit Be Issued For?
Short-term residence permits may be issued for a maximum period of two years for foreigners over the age of 13 and 14, excluding foreigners who are already waiting in line.
What Are the Conditions for a Short-Term Residence Permit?
In order for a short-term residence permit to be granted, foreigners must meet the conditions specified in Article 32 of the Law.
Provide supporting information and documents regarding the purpose of stay in Turkey,
– Not falling under the scope of Article 7 of the aforementioned Law,
– Having accommodation conditions that comply with general health and safety standards,
– Upon request, presenting a document issued by the competent authorities of the country of which they are a citizen or in which they legally reside, showing that they have a criminal record,
Providing the address where they will stay in Turkey.
What are the reasons for the rejection, cancellation, or non-extension of a short-term residence permit?
– Failure to meet one or more of the conditions required for a short-term residence permit, or the disappearance of such conditions,
Determination that the residence permit is being used for purposes other than those for which it was issued,
– A valid decision has been made to deport you or ban you from entering the country,
Violations related to the duration of stay abroad,
In such cases, a short-term residence permit is not granted; if granted, it is revoked, and those whose permits have expired are not extended.