Long-term residence permit in Turkey

The Republic of Turkey is a comfortable country not only for recreation, but also for living. Having obtained the right to legal residence, you can count on a higher standard of living, on first-class medicine and excellent education, as well as a loyal attitude on the part of the state and local residents towards foreigners.

Those who decide to stay in the country for a period exceeding the validity of the visa regime, it is necessary to issue all the necessary documents, one of which is a residence permit (Ikamet). Often, foreigners can apply for a short-term residence permit, but with long-term residence in the republic, the question of how to obtain a long-term residence permit in Turkey becomes relevant. Therefore, in this article we will talk about the conditions for its registration, as well as the advantages and nuances.

Long-term Ikamet: what is it and what are the advantages

There are 2 types of residence permit in Turkey: short-term (Kısa Dönem İkamet İzni) and long-term (Uzun Dönem İkamet İzni). They are easy to distinguish visually, as the short-term Ikamet is issued in the form of a white plastic card, while the long-term one is blue.

Both types of residence permit offer the same benefits for foreigners. The main one is permanent residence in Turkey legally within the period of validity of the Ikamet. Also, non-residents of the republic are entitled to:

• getting a driver's license and buying a car;
• medical care in public clinics;
• free education for children in public educational institutions;
• doing business in the republic.

An important feature of the long-term Ikamet is its unlimited duration, which is why it is also called indefinite. This type of residence permit can be canceled only if you are absent from the country for more than one year.

Limitations of an unlimited residence permit

Along with the privileges, a long-term residence permit also has some restrictions for foreigners. So, the owners of the blue Ikamet cannot:

• participate in elections and nominate oneself as a candidate;
• get a job in the public service;
• do military service.

Also, with an indefinite Ikamet, it is impossible to get benefits for customs duties on the import of cars and officially work without a special permit.

Conditions for obtaining a long-term residence permit

There are many ways to get a short-term Ikamet. It is issued for the purchase of real estate from $ 50,000 or $ 75,000, depending on the size of the settlement, in the case of treatment in medical institutions in Turkey, for employment, or simply visiting the republic as a tourist.

However, for registration of an indefinite Ikamet, the main condition is continuous residence in Turkey for at least 8 years. During all this time, it is allowed to leave the country for a period not exceeding 180 days per year, and 365 days in 5 years. Departure is allowed only for valid reasons: for education, for compulsory public service or for health reasons.

Important! When calculating the continuous period of stay on a residence permit, only half of the term of a tourist residence permit and the full term of other types are taken into account.

Another requirement for obtaining a long-term Ikamet is the absence of any social assistance over the past 3 years. A foreigner must also not pose a threat to Turkey's national security, have valid health insurance and a stable source of income that is sufficient to provide for himself and his family.

Long-term residence permit in Turkey without residing in the territory of the republic for 8 Uyghurs, Ahiska Turks, Crimean Tatars, ethnic Turks from Bulgaria and Greece, as well as other foreigners of Turkic origin can receive these years. Also, for this category of foreign citizens, a simplified scheme for obtaining a work permit is provided.

What documents are needed

Before applying for Ikamet, you need to prepare a number of documents with which you will have to come to the rendezvous at the Migration Office service. These include:

• filled out on the website of the Migration Service and printed application;
• 2 biometric photos 5x6;
• certificate of non-conviction with an apostille;
• translated birth and marriage certificates with apostille;
• rental agreement or TAPU;
• copy of a valid residence permit;
• current insurance;
• original and copy of the international passport;
• certificate of income.

You also need to provide the Migration Service with a document confirming the absence of social assistance for the last 3 years.

If the permanent residence permit has been canceled, you can contact the Turkish consulate in your home country or the governorate in the Republic to re-apply. In this case, you will not need to re-confirm continuous residence in Turkey for 8 years.

Purchasing a property is the most reliable way to get a short-term residence permit for up to 2 years with a simple procedure extensions to further qualify for a long-term residence permit. Therefore, we recommend contacting Nordic Property, one of the leading developers in Alanya, which builds modern and comfortable residential complexes. Our specialists will help you choose an object and area suitable for a residence permit, as well as fully support you at all stages of the sale and purchase transaction.