Turkey attracts millions of tourists annually. Citizens of some countries are allowed to visit Turkey for a short period without a special permit. For instance, citizens of the USA, Canada, and most EU countries do not need a visa for a short-term visit of up to 60 days. However, those who plan to relocate to Turkey permanently may require more than 60 days of stay in the country. Read our article to learn how to obtain a long-term Turkish visa.
Content:
- Foreigners in Turkey
- Visa policy between Turkey and other countries
- 60 days of staying in Turkey
- Extension of stay for more than 60 days
- Vacation in Turkey for over 60 days
- Turkey Visa
- Visa application procedure
- Obtaining a residence permit
- Residence permit and Turkish citizenship
- Fines for Visa violations
- We can help you buy real estate in Turkey and get a residence permit or citizenship
Foreigners in Turkey
Turkey attracts a significant number of foreign citizens – both tourists and those who want to move to the country for a long time. Among the latter are many citizens of Bulgaria, Germany, Iraq, and Syria. Russians are also among the top 10 representatives of foreign countries who have valid long-term leases or even their own house in Turkey.
According to statistical data, the number of foreigners in the Turkish Republic is growing. This is reflected in real estate sales and the number of applications for a residence permit. Turkey is among the top 10 most attractive countries for buying property. For some, real estate in Turkey is an option for a short vacation. However, many owners decide to relocate to Turkey permanently. In this case, the question of legal long-term stay in the territory of the state becomes particularly relevant.
Visa policy between Turkey and other countries
Citizens of many countries can stay in Turkey up to 60 days without a visa. Some of these countries include the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, most European Union countries, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, and Singapore. However, please note that visa policies can change from time to time, so it's always a good idea to check with the Turkish embassy or consulate in your country before you travel.
Allowable purposes of visa-free travel are also defined, which include tourism, visiting relatives, transit, or business travel. Foreigners most often choose tourism as the purpose of their trip. To enter the country without a visa, they need to have:
- a passport with a validity period of at least 4 months and a blank page for a visa stamp;
- return tickets that prove that the tourist really plans to leave within the established period. A regular or electronic ticket for a plane, train, etc. will work;
- a tourist voucher or hotel reservation;
- proof of financial capability – $50 per day of stay.
In practice, when entering the country without a visa, only a passport will be required at the border crossing. Turkish border guards have the right to request all other documents, but they do this extremely rarely. However, if a check does take place, the absence of documents may become a reason for denial of entry.
60 days of staying in Turkey
The period during which foreigners can stay in the country without a visa is 90 days within six months, but they can only stay continuously for up to 60 days. The countdown starts from the date stamped on their passport upon entry. Foreign citizens can cross the border any number of times. It is important that the total length of stay does not exceed the established limits (for citizens of most countries – 90 days within six months). There are penalties for those who violate this rule.
How to stay in Turkey for over 60 days
Extension of stay for more than 60 days
If a foreigner needs to stay in the country for more than the 60 days allowed under visa-free travel, they have several options:
- leave and re-enter for an additional 30 days;
- obtain permission to stay for up to 90 days;
- apply for a visa;
- apply for a residence permit.
Depending on the goals and objectives of the foreign citizen, they can use any of these methods to extend their legal stay. That's why we suggest taking a closer look at each option.
Vacation in Turkey for over 60 days
Tourists who have already spent time in the country can use the opportunity to stay in Turkey for up to 90 days once a year. The permission is obtained at the police station by providing the following documents:
- valid passport, with at least six months’ validity remaining on the date of application;
- copy of passport pages with personal information;
- completed application form (provided by the police);
- four photographs measuring 3x4 cm on a white background;
- proof of rental or ownership of accommodation;
- proof of financial capability – bank statement, income certificate. The calculation is $500 per person per month.
When obtaining this permission, you will need to pay a state fee of $50 for the application form. The processing time for an application for a stay of more than 60 days in Turkey is 10 days.
Turkey Visa
For a long trip, it is necessary to obtain a Turkey visa. To obtain it, one must apply in advance to the consulate with a prepared package of documents. The application can be submitted up to three months before the planned date of travel.
Visa documents
The basic package for visa application includes:
- A completed application form in the native language (provided by the consulate);
- 2 photos sized 5x6 cm;
- A copy of the passport pages with personal information;
- Proof of financial capability – bank statement or income certificate.
The calculation is $50 per day.
Other necessary documents are determined depending on the type of visa.
Long-stay tourist Visa
The required documents for a visa application include the basic package and proof of hotel reservation or other accommodation during the period of stay.
Work Visa
To apply for a work permit, a signed employment contract, a work permit for foreigners, and an invitation letter from a local employer are required. The permit is issued for a period of one year.
Real Estate Visa
Owning property is a basis for obtaining a long-term visa. For instance, an apartment owner in Turkey can apply to the consulate with the basic package of visa documents, a copy of their "tapu" (property title deed), and a utility bill under their name as proof of ownership. On this basis, they can obtain permission for a long-term stay that lasts up to 2 years.
Family Member Visa
This type of visa can be requested for a trip to visit relatives or friends. A notarized invitation from the resident in its original form will be a supplement to the main documents. In other words, the citizen or resident must write an invitation, have it notarized and send it to their relative or friend who wishes to visit them. The guest then submits the invitation along with other required documents to the consulate.
Business Visa
This is an option for business people who are traveling for resolving business issues, participating in conferences, negotiations, etc. In this case, the inviting party is not a private resident but a local company. An invitation is also drawn up for the guest, notarized, and sent in the original for submission to the consulate.
Marriage Visa
Spouses of Turkish citizens can also obtain the right to long-term entry. In addition to the standard set of documents, the following will be required:
- The original invitation from the Turkish spouse;
- A document confirming the identity of the spouse (copy);
- A marriage certificate.
Language Courses Visa
Studying the language can also be a basis for long-term stay. In addition to the general documents, the following should be provided:
- Proof of accommodation (invitation from a resident where the applicant plans to live, "tapu" or rental agreement);
- An invitation from an employer;
- A certificate of registration in an educational institution;
- A certificate of criminal record.
Visa application procedure
Documents for a visa application can only be submitted in person. Other individuals, even with an official power of attorney, cannot do this on behalf of the applicant. The same applies to submitting an online or paper application. If visa issues need to be resolved for the whole family, it is sufficient for only one member and documents confirming the relationship to be present.
The processing time for a visa application may take up to 2 months. In some cases, it may be extended up to 3 months. Processing times also depend on the workload of the consulate, which increases during summer. This should be taken into account when submitting an application.
It is not possible to track the status of an application on any special service. However, information about whether your application has been processed or not can be obtained by contacting bahattin.cakir@mfa.gov.tr via email. Personal data and date of birth, as in the passport, must be indicated in the subject line of the email. Consulate staff will not leave such requests unanswered and will provide the results of the application review in any case.
If a positive decision has been made based on the application, the applicant will be called to the embassy. They must bring their passport, in which the visa will be affixed. An invitation may be received within 5 days after a positive decision is made.
Cost of Visa Processing
The visa fee is $50. It can only be paid in cash at the embassy and only in US dollars.
A work visa requires higher expenses. First, the applicant pays a fee of $50, and upon receiving a positive decision – an additional $150.
Obtaining a residence permit
It is possible to legally move to Turkey by obtaining a residence permit (ikamet). It entitles the holder to reside in the country for an extended period.
To obtain a residence permit, one must have a valid reason:
- Family reunification;
- Business and investment in the Turkish economy;
- Property acquisition;
- Official employment;
- Studying at a local university;
- Receiving medical treatment at local healthcare institutions;
- Tourism for more than 3 months;
- Humanitarian reasons.
With one of these reasons, foreign citizens are entitled to receive a residence permit for a period ranging from 6 months to 2 years. This type of permit is often chosen by persons moving to Turkey permanently. The most common grounds for obtaining a residence permit are tourism, family reunification, and education.
Purchasing property is also a basis for obtaining a residence permit. The owner must provide a title deed ("tapu") for any property. Its price and location do not matter. Only those persons listed in the title deed can obtain a residence permit on this basis. If the ownership is only registered under one family member, then only they can obtain a residence permit on this basis. Other family members can obtain a residence permit based on family reunification.
Since the end of December 2022, the document requirements have been tightened. From the new year, there have been changes:
- Starting from 2023, tourist visas are issued for a minimum of 6 months. In addition, applicants are carefully scrutinized – tourists must act like tourists. That is, they must have a travel plan and accommodation reservation.
- Some areas of the country that are heavily populated by foreigners are closed for obtaining residence permits based on property purchases. These include 1,169 districts in Istanbul, Adana, Ankara, Mersin, and other populated areas.
Documents for residence permit
To obtain a residence permit, the applicant must provide the following documents to the immigration office:
- Application;
- Original and copy of passport;
- 4 biometric photographs;
- Proof of income;
- Local tax identification number;
- Health insurance;
- Receipt of payment for state fees.
The list of required documents may vary depending on the grounds for obtaining the residence permit.
Procedure for obtaining a residence permit
The applicant must submit an electronic application on the immigration office's website, verify the accuracy of the prepared document package, clarify the address of the immigration office, and select a date for their visit. On the chosen day, the collected documents should be brought to the designated immigration office and an interview will be conducted with an officer. The documents will then be sent for review. A decision to issue or deny the residence permit card will be made within 30 days.
Steps of the residence permit procedure
After the expiration of a residence permit, it can be extended by submitting an electronic application on the immigration office's website. The applicant must fill out the appropriate form and attach copies of all necessary documents.
The cost of a residence permit
Obtaining a residence permit will require expenses such as:
- Health insurance – from $100 per year;
- State fee – it depends on the type of residence permit being requested and the country where the foreigner is arriving. For foreigners applying for a residence permit for tourism purposes, the fee is around $50;
- Notary services.
Overall, the procedure should cost approximately $350.
Residence permit and Turkish citizenship
If a foreigner has not left Turkey for more than 365 days in the last 5 years, or no more than 180 days per year, they have the opportunity to obtain a permanent residence permit. This practically equates the foreigner to a citizen, but some opportunities remain unavailable:
- Voting and being elected to governing bodies;
- Holding public office;
- Importing transportation;
- Serving in the armed forces.
However, permanent residency may be annulled if the resident remains outside of the country for more than 1 year, with exceptions for medical treatment, government service, and education abroad.
Obtaining citizenship is the highest degree of recognition as a foreigner in another country. In the Republic of Turkey, one can apply for citizenship after five years of residence with a valid residence permit. If married to a Turkish citizen, a spouse can apply for citizenship after three years of marriage. The application must be submitted within a month of the marriage registration date.
Obtaining citizenship for investors
A simpler and faster way to obtain citizenship, along with all the associated privileges, is to participate in the state's investment program. The essence of this program is that by investing funds in the local economy, the investor can become a citizen of the country under a simplified scheme.
Citizenship can be granted in the following cases:
- Purchasing real estate worth at least $400,000;
- Investing in local production for at least $500,000;
- Depositing money in a local bank or purchasing government bonds for at least $500,000;
- Creating 50 or more jobs within the country.
Meeting one of these conditions allows a foreigner to become a Turkish citizen without years of waiting.
Fines for Visa violations
If a foreigner violates the visa regime in terms of their stay period, they may face fines and entry restrictions:
- Overstaying up to 15 days – a fine of TRY 165 and a ban on entry for one month;
- Overstaying more than 15 days – a fine of TRY 285–510 and a ban on entry from 3 months to 5 years.
The fine must be paid upon crossing the border. If the foreign citizen refuses to pay, they will be banned from entering the country for 5 years.
We can help you buy real estate in Turkey and get a residence permit or citizenship
Buying property allows you to legally stay in the Republic of Turkey for a long time. When purchasing real estate, you will have the basis for obtaining a residence permit, and if the value of your property is $400,000 or more, you will have the opportunity to immediately obtain citizenship. Many foreigners have already taken advantage of these opportunities and gained the right to legally reside in the territory of the Republic of Turkey.
You can choose quality Turkish real estate right now on our website. We have advantageous offers from developers, agencies, and private sellers in various price categories. When choosing a property, it is worth consulting our specialists in the online chat or by phone, as in 2023 some regions of Turkey are closed to foreigners who want to obtain a residence permit when buying property. Cozy apartments in Turkey, houses and villas, apartments, and penthouses - we have properties to meet any demand. Start searching for real estate in this beautiful country right now!