Unofficial English translation for information only. In case of discrepancy, the Turkish text prevails. This translation is not legal advice.
Turkish source: Law No. 6458, Official Gazette 11/04/2013, No. 28615. Turkish text as published on mevzuat.gov.tr, checked on 26 October 2026: mevzuat.gov.tr
PART TWO – Foreigners
CHAPTER TWO – Residence
Article 31 – Short-term residence permit
(1) A short-term residence permit may be issued to the following foreign nationals:
a) Those arriving for the purpose of scientific research
b) Those owning immovable property in Türkiye
c) Those establishing commercial connections or a business
ç) Those attending in-service training programmes
d) Those arriving for education or similar purposes under agreements to which the Republic of Türkiye is a party or within the framework of student exchange programmes
e) Those staying for tourism purposes
f) Those receiving treatment, provided that they do not have one of the diseases considered a threat to public health
g) Those required to stay in Türkiye pursuant to a request or decision of judicial or administrative authorities
ğ) Those transitioning from a family residence permit to a short-term residence permit
h) Those attending Turkish language courses
ı) Those attending education, research, internships and courses in Türkiye through public institutions
i) Those who have completed their higher education in Türkiye and apply within six months from the date of graduation
j) (Added: 28/7/2016-6735/27 art.) Those who do not work in Türkiye but will make an investment in a scope and amount to be determined by the President of the Republic, and their foreign spouse and their and their spouse’s minor or dependent foreign child[12]
k) (Added: 28/7/2016-6735/27 art.) Citizens of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
(2) (Amended: 28/7/2016-6735/27 art.) A short-term residence permit may be issued for periods of up to two years at a time, except for those under subparagraphs (j) and (k) of the first paragraph.
(3) Residence permits issued under subparagraph (h) of the first paragraph may be issued no more than twice.
(4) Residence permits issued under subparagraph (i) of the first paragraph may be issued for a period of up to one year, on a one-time basis.
(5) (Added: 28/7/2016-6735/27 art.) Residence permits issued under subparagraphs (j) and (k) of the first paragraph may be issued for periods of up to five years at a time.
(6) (Added:21/11/2024-7533/35 art.) The nature and value of the immovable property forming the basis for issuance of a short-term residence permit shall be determined by the Ministry.
(7) (Added:21/11/2024-7533/35 art.) In actions brought before a court by a foreign national or their legal representative or lawyer against decisions rejecting an application for a short-term residence permit or cancelling a short-term residence permit, the case file shall be deemed complete upon submission of the defence or expiry of the period for submitting the defence. Where service cannot be effected at the address indicated by the claimant, the period stipulated in the third paragraph of Article 26 of the Administrative Judicial Procedure Law No. 2577 dated 6/1/1982 shall be applied as two months. Whether a hearing is held shall be at the court’s discretion.
Article 32 – Conditions for a short-term residence permit
(1) The following conditions shall be required for the issuance of short-term residence permits:
a) To make a request by stating one or more of the reasons listed in the first paragraph of Article 31 and to submit information and documents relating to that request
b) Not to fall within the scope of Article 7
c) To have accommodation conditions in compliance with general health and safety standards
ç) If requested, to submit a document showing the criminal record issued by the competent authorities of the country of which they are a citizen or in which they legally reside
d) To provide address information where they will stay in Türkiye
Article 33 – Rejection, cancellation or non-extension of a short-term residence permit
(1) A short-term residence permit shall not be issued in the following cases; if issued, it shall be cancelled; and those whose permits have expired shall not have them extended:
a) Failure to fulfil or cessation of one or more of the conditions required under Article 32
b) Determination that the residence permit has been used for a purpose other than that for which it was issued
c) (Repealed: 28/7/2016-6735/27 art.)
ç) Where a valid deportation decision or decision banning entry into Türkiye is in force against the foreign national
(2) (Added: 28/7/2016-6735/27 art.) The procedures and principles concerning cancellation of a residence permit in respect of the period of stay abroad shall be regulated by a regulation.
Article 34 – Family residence permit
(1) A family residence permit may be issued, for periods not exceeding three years at a time, to the following family members of Turkish citizens, persons falling within the scope of Article 28 of Law No. 5901, or foreign nationals holding one of the residence permits, as well as refugees and holders of subsidiary protection status:
a) Their foreign spouse,
b) Their or their spouse’s minor foreign child,
c) Their or their spouse’s dependent foreign child,
However, the duration of the family residence permit may in no case exceed the duration of the sponsor’s residence permit.[13]
(2) In the case of marriage to more than one spouse under the law of the country of which the foreign national is a citizen, a family residence permit shall be issued to only one of the spouses. However, a family residence permit may also be issued to children from the other spouses.
(3) For a family residence permit for children, the consent of the mother or father who has joint custody, if any, outside Türkiye shall be required.
(4) Family residence permits grant the right to education in primary and secondary education institutions until the age of eighteen without obtaining a student residence permit.
(5) Those who have resided in Türkiye with a family residence permit for at least three years and have reached the age of eighteen may convert these permits to a short-term residence permit upon request.
(6) In the event of divorce, a short-term residence permit may be issued to a foreign national married to a Turkish citizen, provided that they have resided with a family residence permit for at least three years. However, if a relevant court decision establishes that the foreign spouse has been a victim on grounds of domestic violence, the three-year condition shall not be required.
(7) In the event of the sponsor’s death, a short-term residence permit may be issued without any duration requirement to those residing under a family residence permit dependent on that person.
Article 35 – Conditions for a family residence permit
(1) The following conditions shall be required of the sponsor in applications for a family residence permit:
a) To have a monthly income, with total income not less than the minimum wage, of no less than one third of the minimum wage per family member
b) To have accommodation conditions in compliance with general health and safety standards in proportion to the size of the family, and to have health insurance covering all family members
c) To document with a criminal record that, as of the application date, they have not been convicted of any offence against family order within the past five years
ç) To have resided in Türkiye with a residence permit for at least one year
d) To be registered in the address registration system
(2) Subparagraph (ç) of the first paragraph shall not apply to holders of a residence permit for scientific research purposes or a work permit, those falling within the scope of Article 28 of Law No. 5901, or foreign nationals married to Turkish citizens.
(3) The following conditions shall be required of foreign nationals who will apply for a family residence permit to reside with the sponsor in Türkiye:
a) To submit information and documents showing that they fall within the scope of the first paragraph of Article 34
b) To establish that they live or intend to live with the persons specified in the first paragraph of Article 34
c) Not to have entered into the marriage for the purpose of obtaining a family residence permit
ç) Each spouse must have reached the age of eighteen
d) Not to fall within the scope of Article 7
(4) The conditions specified in the first paragraph of this Article may not be required of refugees and holders of subsidiary protection status present in Türkiye.
Article 36 – Rejection of an application for a family residence permit, cancellation or non-extension of the permit
(1) A family residence permit shall not be issued in the following cases; if issued, it shall be cancelled; and those whose permits have expired shall not have them extended:
a) Failure to meet or cessation of the conditions required under the first and third paragraphs of Article 35
b) Failure to issue a short-term residence permit after the conditions for obtaining a family residence permit have ceased to exist
c) Where there is a valid deportation decision or a decision banning entry into Türkiye against the person concerned
ç) Determination that the family residence permit has been used for a purpose other than that for which it was issued
d) (Repealed: 28/7/2016-6735/27 art.)
(2) (Added: 28/7/2016-6735/27 art.) The procedures and principles concerning cancellation of a residence permit in respect of the period of stay abroad shall be regulated by a regulation.
Article 37 – Family residence permit requested through a marriage of convenience
(1) Before a family residence permit is issued or extended, where there is reasonable suspicion, the governorships shall investigate whether the marriage was entered into solely for the purpose of obtaining a residence permit. If, as a result of the investigation, it is established that the marriage was entered into for this purpose, a family residence permit shall not be issued; if issued, it shall be cancelled.
(2) The governorships may also conduct inspections after issuance of a family residence permit to determine whether the marriage is one of convenience.
(3) Residence permits obtained through a marriage of convenience and subsequently cancelled shall not be taken into account when aggregating residence permit periods provided for in this Law.
Article 38 – Student residence permit
(1) A student residence permit shall be issued to foreign nationals who will pursue associate, undergraduate, master’s or doctoral studies at a higher education institution in Türkiye.
(2) Foreign nationals who will pursue primary or secondary education and whose care and expenses are borne by a natural or legal person may be issued and have extended student residence permits for periods of one year at a time throughout their education, with the consent of their parents or legal representatives.
(3) A student residence permit confers no right on the student’s parents or other relatives to obtain a residence permit.
(4) If the period of education is less than one year, the student residence permit period may not exceed the period of education.
(5) (Added: 28/7/2016-6735/27 art.) Foreign nationals arriving through public institutions and organisations to pursue studies in Türkiye may be issued a residence permit for the duration of their studies.
Article 39 – Conditions for a student residence permit
(1) The following conditions are required for a student residence permit:
a) To submit the information and documents within the scope of Article 38
b) Not to fall within the scope of Article 7
c) To provide information on the address where they will stay in Türkiye
Article 40 – Rejection of an application for a student residence permit, cancellation or non-extension of the permit
(1) A student residence permit shall not be granted, and if granted shall be cancelled and its duration shall not be extended, in the following cases:
a) The conditions required under Article 39 are not met or cease to exist
b) Evidence emerges that the studies cannot be continued
c) It is determined that the student residence permit has been used for a purpose other than that for which it was granted
ç) There is a valid deportation decision or an entry ban for Türkiye against them
Article 41 – Right of students to work
(1) Associate, undergraduate, master’s and doctoral students receiving formal education in Türkiye may work, provided that they obtain a work permit. However, the right to work for associate and undergraduate students begins after the first year and is regulated by the relevant laws and Presidential decrees.
(2) The procedures and principles concerning the right to work of associate and undergraduate students shall be jointly regulated by the Ministry and the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.[16]
Article 42 – Long-term residence permit
(1) Foreign nationals who have resided in Türkiye for at least eight consecutive years on a residence permit, or who meet the conditions determined by the Ministry, shall be granted an indefinite residence permit by the governorships with the approval of the Ministry.[17]
(2) Holders of refugee, conditional refugee and subsidiary protection status, holders of a humanitarian residence permit, and persons granted temporary protection shall not be granted the right to transition to a long-term residence permit.
Article 43 – Conditions for a long-term residence permit
(1) The following conditions are required for transition to a long-term residence permit:
a) To have resided in Türkiye on a residence permit for at least eight consecutive years
b) Not to have received social assistance during the last three years
c) To have a sufficient and regular source of income to support themselves or, where applicable, their family
ç) To have valid health insurance
d) Not to constitute a threat to public policy or public security
(2) Foreign nationals for whom a long-term residence permit is deemed appropriate because they meet the conditions determined by the Ministry shall not be required to meet the conditions in paragraph one other than subparagraph (d).
Article 44 – Rights conferred by a long-term residence permit
(1) Foreign nationals holding a long-term residence permit shall benefit from the rights granted to Turkish citizens, subject to the condition that their acquired social security rights are reserved and that the provisions of the relevant legislation apply to the exercise of those rights, except for the following and the provisions in special laws:
a) The obligation to perform military service,
b) The right to vote and stand for election,
c) Entry into public service,
ç) Importing vehicles exempt from duties and taxes,
(2) The President of the Republic is authorised to impose partial or total restrictions on the rights in paragraph one.
Article 45 – Cancellation of a long-term residence permit
(1) Long-term residence permits shall be cancelled:
a) If the foreign national constitutes a serious threat to public policy or public security,
b) If they are outside Türkiye for more than one consecutive year for a reason other than health, education or compulsory public service in their country,
in the above cases.
(2) The procedures and principles concerning applications by foreign nationals whose long-term residence permits have been cancelled under subparagraph (b) of paragraph one to obtain such permits again, and the conclusion of those applications, shall be determined by regulation.
Article 46 – Humanitarian residence permit
(1) In the cases set out below, a humanitarian residence permit may be granted by the governorships for periods determined by the Ministry, subject to the approval of the Directorate General, and these permits may be extended, without requiring the conditions for granting other residence permits:[19]
a) Where the best interests of the child are at issue
b) Where, although a deportation decision or an entry ban for Türkiye has been issued against them, foreign nationals cannot be made to leave Türkiye, or their departure from Türkiye is not considered reasonable or possible
c) Where no deportation decision has been issued against the foreign national pursuant to Article 55
ç) Where judicial remedies are sought against measures taken pursuant to Articles 53, 72 and 77
d) For the duration of proceedings to return the applicant to the first country of asylum or a safe third country
e) Where foreign nationals who must be allowed to enter and stay in Türkiye for urgent reasons or for the protection of the interests of the country and on grounds of public policy and public security cannot obtain one of the other residence permits because of circumstances that prevent a residence permit from being granted
f) In extraordinary circumstances
(2) Foreign nationals granted a humanitarian residence permit must register in the address registration system within no more than twenty working days from the date the permit is granted.
Article 47 – Cancellation or non-renewal of a humanitarian residence permit
(1) A humanitarian residence permit shall be cancelled and shall not be extended by the governorships, subject to the approval of the Ministry, when the conditions that made it necessary to grant the permit cease to exist.
Article 48 – Residence permit for victims of human trafficking
(1) Foreign nationals for whom there is strong suspicion that they are or may be victims of human trafficking shall be granted a residence permit valid for thirty days by the governorships so that they may recover from the effects of their experiences and decide whether to cooperate with the authorities.
(2) The conditions for granting other residence permits shall not be required for these residence permits.
Article 49 – Extension and cancellation of residence permits for victims of human trafficking
(1) A residence permit granted to allow a period for recovery and reflection may be extended for periods of up to six months each, for reasons relating to the victim’s safety, health or particular circumstances. However, these periods may in no case exceed a total of three years.
(2) Residence permits shall be cancelled where it is determined that foreign nationals for whom there is strong suspicion that they are or may be victims of human trafficking have re-established contact with the perpetrators of the offence on their own initiative.