Immigation to Turkey; Immigration is a global phenomenon that has shaped the social, economic and cultural landscapes of countries all around the world. Turkey, strategically located at the crossroads of Asia and Europe, has become an attractive destination for immigrants seeking new opportunities especially with easy citizenship conditions and a liberal investment environment it provides.
The country offers various opportunities, ranging from education and employment to tourism and business ventures. Immigration to Turkey can occur through various pathways including employment, education, investment, family reunification and humanitarian reasons. Each category has specific requirements and procedures that shall be followed in order to obtain the required permits and legal status. Our law firm in Turkey offers a wide range of immigration law services. Our immigration lawyers in Turkey are specialized in assisting clients with visa applications, residence permits, work permits, and investment-related immigration matters.
Our law firm prioritize personalized attention and strive to simplify the immigration process for our clients. Our Turkish immigration lawyers represent our clients in all immigration law related issues such as residence permits, work permits, application for Turkish citizenship, objections to be raised against refusals, filing lawsuits for cancelling the refusal decisions. If you are interested in immigration to Turkey, you can contact our Turkish immigration lawyers and obtain detailed information for your status and goals as an immigrant.
How can I enter into Turkey with Visa?
Entry to Turkey is made through border gates with a valid passport or an equivalent documents instead of a passport. Foreigners who will stay in Turkey for up to ninety days obtain a visa from Turkish consulate based in their country or they legally reside in, stating the purpose of their visit. The duration of stay granted by the visa or visa exemption in Turkey cannot exceed ninety days within every one hundred and eighty days. Visas are issued by consulates, and in exceptional cases, by the governorates affiliated with the border gates.
Applications made to consulates are concluded within ninety days. Foreigners who arrive at the border gates without a visa may be granted a visa exceptionally at the border gates if they can demonstrate that they will leave Turkey within the specified period. Border visas are issued by the governorates affiliated with the border gates. The governorate may delegate this authority to the law enforcement units stationed at the border.
Unless a different period is determined by the Council of Ministers, this visa can provide a maximum stay of fifteen days in Turkey. Foreigners traveling to Turkey are required to obtain their e-visas through the website www.evisa.gov.tr or apply for visas in person at Turkey’s relevant diplomatic missions in their respective countries. The e-visa replaces the visas previously issued at the border gates with a stamp or seal.
How Can You Apply For a Residence Permit When Immigrating To Turkey?
We highly recommend our client candidates to review web page of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, especially the explanations made about Turkish Visas. There are different types of visas granted by Turkey, such as touristic visa, conference/seminar/meeting visa, sportive activity visa, internship visa, internship erasmus visa, visa for employment purposes/special employment purposes, etc.
Foreigners travelling to Turkey are required to obtain their e-visas through the web page www.evisa.gov.tr, based on their country of origin, or apply in person at Turkey’s diplomatic missisons based in abroad. E-visa applications are not valid for travel purposes other than tourism or business, therefore, visa applications for such travels must be made physically through diplomatic missions.
The length of stay provided by visa or visa exemption cannot exceed 90 days period within each 180 days. The regulation of 90 days of stay within the last 180 days is binding for all foreigners. In all types of visa applications, visas are issued with a maximum duration of stay of 90 days only.
The foreigners who are willing to stay longer than mentioned 90 days in Turkey, shall apply for short term residence permit at the Provincial Directorate of Migration Administration in order to extend their residence in Turkey. We suggest our clients to file their short term residence permit application within one month following their arrival in Turkey.
Residence permit applications are made directly to the Directorate of Migration Management through online system, through electronic platform which you can reach through https://e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr/ web page. After the online application is completed, the foreigner shall make a physical application to the Ministry (DGMM) in person with all the required documents.
A residence permit application document is issued by the administration for the foreigner whose application is received and with this document, the foreigner can stay in Turkey for 90 more days starting from the date of application. If you are willing to obtain more information on how to apply for a residence permit, you can review our essay on Istanbul Residence Permit Lawyers, Work and Residence Permit. We will need mainly the documents below for your short term residence permit application:
- Four biometric photograph taken within the last six months.
- Translated and notarized copy of your passport.
- Documents proving your financial resources for the duration of stay are sufficient and sustainable.
- Proof of health insurance.
- Documents proving your visit to Turkey is made for the purposes stated within the Law.
What Are The Residence Permit Types in Turkey?
As per 6458 numbered Foreigners and International Protection Law, there are a few types of residence permit in Turkey which can be listed as follows:
- Short-term residence permit in Turkey: Upon the application of the person, stating one or more of the reasons listed in the first paragraph of Article 31 of Law No. 6458 and presenting the relevant information and documents regarding their request, providing information about the address where they will stay in Turkey, and having accommodation facilities that comply with general health and safety standards, a short-term residence permit may be granted to the applicant. This type of residence permit is the most commonly applied for in Turkey and is generally issued for one year, without being subject to a numerical limit, can be extended.
- Family residence permit in Turkey: Foreigners holding a residence permit, as well as refugees and persons with subsidiary protection status, may be granted a family residence permit for their foreign spouse, their own or their spouse’s underage foreign child, or their own or their spouse’s dependent foreign child, each time for a duration not exceeding two years. Family residence permits, until the age of eighteen, also provide the right to education in primary and secondary educational institutions without the need for a student residence permit. For individuals who have resided in Turkey with a family residence permit for a minimum of three years and have reached the age of eighteen, their permits can be converted to short-term residence permits upon their request.
- Student residence permit in Turkey: Student residence permits are granted to individuals who will pursue with associate degree, undergraduate, postgraduate, or doctoral studies at a higher education institution in Turkey. Associate, undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral students studying in Turkey can work with a work permit, but the right to work for associate and undergraduate students begins after the first year and cannot exceed twenty-four hours per week.
- Long term residence permit in Turkey: Foreigners who have resided in Turkey continuously for at least eight years with a residence permit or who meet the conditions specified in the Law on Migration Policies are granted long term residence permits by the governorates with the approval of the Ministry.
- Humanitarian residence permit in Turkey: In cases specified in the law, such as when the best interests of the child are at stake, or when a decision of deportation or entry ban has been issued but the departure of foreigners from Turkey is not enforced, or when their departure from Turkey is deemed unreasonable or impossible, or due to urgent reasons, or for the protection of national interests, public order, and public security, when foreigners who need to be allowed entry to Turkey and stay in Turkey are unable to obtain any other residence permit due to circumstances that hinder the granting of a residence permit, humanitarian residence permits may be granted by the governorates with the approval of the Ministry, without requiring the fulfillment of the usual conditions for granting residence permits. These permits can be issued for a maximum duration of one year and can be extended.
- Victims of human trafficking residence permit in Turkey: Foreigners who are strongly suspected to be victims of human trafficking or who may potentially be victims can be granted a thirty-day residence permit by the governorates in order to allow them to recover from their experiences and decide whether to cooperate with the authorities. The residence permit granted for the purpose of providing a period for recovery and reflection can be extended in maximum six-month periods, taking into account the safety, health, or special circumstances of the victim. However, these periods cannot exceed a total of three years under any circumstances.
With which purposes I can apply for a short term residence permit in Turkey?
- Those coming to Turkey for scientific research purposes
- Those who own immovable property in Turkey
- Those who will establish commercial connections or businesses in Turkey
- Those who will participate in in-service training programs in Turkey
- Those who will come to Turkey for education or similar purposes within the framework of agreements or student exchange programs that the Republic of Turkey is a party to
- Those who will stay in Turkey for tourism purposes
- Those who will receive medical treatment in Turkey, provided that they do not carry any diseases considered a threat to public health
- Those who are required to stay in Turkey based on the request or decision of judicial or administrative authorities
- Those transitioning from a family residence permit to a short-term residence permit
- Those attending Turkish language learning courses
- Those participating in education, research, internship, and courses in Turkey through public institutions
- Those who have completed their higher education in Turkey and apply within six months from the date of graduation.
can apply for a short-term residence permit. Applicants must submit documents related to their intended purpose of stay when applying. Failure to provide documents regarding the purpose of stay will result in the rejection of the residence permit application in accordance with Article 32/1-a of Law No. 6458. In recent times, due to the high influx of migration from abroad, the requirements for obtaining a residence permit in Turkey have become more stringent. Under Law No. 6458, applicants were previously able to obtain a residence permit by presenting notarized rental contracts in their application files. However, starting from April 27, 2022, foreign nationals who own real estate in Turkey must have a property valued at a minimum of 75,000 USD in order to obtain a residence permit for living in the country.
Services of Our Law Firm in Turkey Related To Immigration To Turkey
Mesci Law Firm is renowned for its expertise in immigration and citizenship law, offering exceptional services to individuals navigating the complex processes of migration and naturalization. With a strong commitment to client satisfaction and a wealth of knowledge in the field,
Mesci Law Firm has established itself as a trusted advocate for those seeking legal assistance in matters of immigration and citizenship. One of the key areas of specialization for Mesci Law Firm is immigration law. Understanding the intricacies of immigration procedures and regulations, the firm assists clients with various immigration needs. Whether it is obtaining temporary visas, work permits, or permanent residency, the firm’s experienced attorneys guide individuals through each step of the process, ensuring compliance with all legal requirements.
Mesci Law Firm consisting of Turkish immigration lawyers is well-versed in the ever-changing immigration laws and keeps clients informed about relevant updates and changes that may impact their immigration status. Services of our immigration lawyers in Turkey related to immigration to Turkey are as follows:
- Assisting employees on work permit applications.
- Filing and following up residence permit applications.
- Filing and following up citizenship applications.
- Defending clients against unlawful immigration practices.
- Appealing the residence permit refusal decisions.
- Filing an action for nullity related to revocation of the residence permit application rejection decision.
- Filing and following up action for nullity for a deport decision issued.
Reach Immigration Lawyers in Turkey
In the complex and ever-evolving landscape of immigration and citizenship law, Mesci Law Firm as one of the top-tier Turkish immigration law firms in Istanbul, Turkey, stands out as a beacon of excellence. With our in-depth knowledge, extensive experience, and client-centered approach, we successfully navigate the legal complexities and assist clients in achieving their immigration and citizenship goals. Mesci Law Firm’s unwavering commitment to providing exceptional services makes them the go-to choice for individuals seeking reliable and effective legal representation in matters of immigration and citizenship. You can reach our immigration lawyers in Turkey through our contact page.
