Renewing Residence in Turkey: A Concern for Foreign Immigrants
Complete guide to renewing residence in Turkey
Living in Turkey is considered an attractive and ideal opportunity for many immigrants. However, one of the challenges faced by holders of Turkish residence permits is the renewal of their residence status. While some residence methods, such as obtaining residence through property purchase, have a simpler renewal process, others, like residence through renting a house, have stricter regulations.
If you are among those who have received short-term residence in Turkey, it is important to stay informed about the new conditions for renewing your residence permit. Changes in the laws starting from 2025 have made some renewal methods, such as renewing residence through renting a house, more restricted. Therefore, before your residence permit expires, it’s essential to plan carefully to renew your status smoothly.
Below, we will discuss important details about renewing residence in Turkey and the strategies you can consider to maintain your residency status in the country.
If you do not intend to work in Turkey but have the ability to invest in the country’s real estate market, you can immediately apply for citizenship by purchasing property worth $250,000. Negin Group, with its team of experienced consultants, will handle the entire process of obtaining residence and citizenship for you. Our consultants will evaluate your situation and recommend the best option for obtaining residence in Turkey.
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Conditions Required for Renewing Residence in Turkey
The requirements for renewing residence in Turkey depend on the type of residence you have obtained. However, in all cases, having a valid passport and a clean criminal record are essential initial requirements.
To renew your residence permit, depending on the method you initially used to obtain residency, you must comply with the following conditions:
- If you have student residence, you must still be enrolled in a Turkish educational institution.
- If you obtained residence through marriage, you must not have been divorced.
- If you received your residence by purchasing property, the property must not have been sold.
- If your residence is obtained through employment, you must still hold a valid work permit.
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One of the most important conditions for renewing residence in Turkey is having valid health insurance. Individuals who are legally employed in Turkey are covered by SGK insurance. However, for individuals under 18 and over 65 years old, having health insurance is not mandatory.
If you plan to renew your residence permit, make sure you meet all of these conditions to avoid any issues during the renewal process.
Required Documents for Renewing Residence Permit in Turkey
Complete guide to renewing residence in Turkey
- Application form
- 4 passport-sized photos
- Copy of the applicant’s passport (the passport must be translated and notarized)
- Population registration document (Nüfus)
- Previous residence card
- Valid health insurance for individuals over 18 years old
- Receipt of payment for residence card fees and other immigration office fees
- Parental consent (for individuals under 18 years old)
In addition to these, depending on the method used for obtaining residence, the following documents may also be required:
- Marriage certificate for individuals who have obtained residence through marriage
- University acceptance letter or educational certificate from the relevant institution for individuals who have obtained residence through study
- Employment certificate for individuals who have obtained residence through employment
Please note that individuals who have obtained short-term tourist residence in Turkey by renting a house cannot apply for its renewal. They must change their type of residence and apply through other methods such as student residence, company registration, property purchase, or obtaining a work permit.
Renewing Residence Permit in Turkey
Complete guide to renewing residence in Turkey
Individuals living in Turkey must apply for residence renewal before their current permit expires. This process involves several main steps as follows:
Submit the residence renewal application online
In the first step, the applicant must submit the renewal application through the official Turkish immigration system. The expiration date of the residence permit can be considered as the starting date for the renewal process, so it’s advisable to submit the application a few weeks before it expires.Obtain an appointment from the immigration office and attend in person
After completing the application form, an appointment will be scheduled for the applicant to visit the immigration office in person. On the assigned day, the applicant must bring the required documents to the immigration office.
An Exceptional Opportunity with Negin Group for Those with Limited Investment: If you don’t have sufficient funds, you can obtain residence in Turkey by pre-purchasing property. This method allows you to benefit from residence advantages in Turkey with an initial investment and easily start the residency process.
3. Paying the Renewal Fees
The fees for renewing residence in Turkey vary depending on the applicant’s circumstances and are calculated systematically. The applicant is required to pay these fees within the specified time frame to ensure the renewal process continues smoothly.
4. Sending Documents via Mail
After paying the fees, the applicant must send the payment receipt and other required documents to the relevant immigration office via mail. Please note that the responsibility for the accuracy of the documents and information provided lies with the applicant.
5. Evaluation and Issuance of the New Residence Card
After receiving the documents, the Turkish immigration office will evaluate the residence renewal request. This process typically takes up to 90 days. If the application is approved, the new residence card will be issued and sent to the applicant’s address.
By following these steps, you can renew your residence in Turkey without any issues and maintain your residency status.
Renewing Residence Permit in Turkey According to the 2025 Legislation
Complete guide to renewing residence in Turkey
Starting from January 1, 2025, significant changes have been made to the laws regarding the renewal of residence permits in Turkey. According to these laws, foreign nationals will no longer be able to renew their residence permits through renting a house. This restriction has been implemented to control illegal stays and does not apply to citizens of the European Union, Russia, China, and OECD member countries.
Residence Permit Renewal Before and After 2020
Complete guide to renewing residence in Turkey
- Before 2020: Foreign nationals who had obtained residence in Turkey by renting a house could renew their residence permits annually through the same method.
- After 2020: This option was canceled, and applicants had to change their residence method after one year, such as by registering a company or obtaining a work permit in Turkey.
Why Were These Laws Changed?
Residence through renting a house does not allow individuals to work legally. However, prior to these regulations, many foreign nationals were working illegally in Turkey without a work permit. To prevent this situation, the Turkish government made the rules for residence permit renewal stricter.
Alternative Methods for Renewing Residence in Turkey
If you wish to renew your short-term residence permit and renting a house is no longer an option, you can apply through one of the following methods:
- Purchasing property in Turkey (obtaining property-based residence)
- Obtaining a work permit from a Turkish employer
- Registering a company and starting a business in Turkey
- Studying at a university in Turkey
- Residence through marriage to a Turkish citizen
Given the new laws, individuals seeking to renew their residence in Turkey should act quickly to choose an alternative method to avoid jeopardizing their residency status.
Rejection of Residence Renewal in Turkey and Preventive Measures
Sometimes, a residence renewal application in Turkey may be rejected for various reasons, such as incomplete documentation, failure to meet the required conditions, or providing false information. In such cases, the applicant must take specific steps to avoid further complications.
What to Do if Your Residence Renewal Application is Rejected?
Leave Turkey within 10 days:
If your application is rejected, you have 10 days to leave Turkey. Failing to exit within this period could result in a fine or a ban on entering Turkey for a specific time.Change your residence status:
If you intend to stay in Turkey, you can immediately apply for another type of residence, such as:
- Obtaining residence through property purchase
- Obtaining a work permit
- Registering a company and starting a business
- Continuing your studies in Turkey
By taking these actions, you can ensure that your stay in Turkey remains legal and avoid any complications.
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To extend the stay in Türkiye, in addition to complying with the legal requirements, opening a bank account in Türkiye can also help facilitate the process and provide the necessary documents.
3. Reapplication After One Year:
If you are unable to change your residence type, you must leave Turkey. After one year, you can reapply for short-term residence through renting a house.
Important Points to Avoid Residence Renewal Rejection
- Provide accurate and truthful information: Any fraudulent documents or incorrect information will result in rejection of your application and may lead to a future ban on obtaining residence.
- Submit a suitable photo for the application: The photo should have a white background and be taken within the last 6 months.
- Obtain the residence application receipt: After submitting your application, make sure to receive the residence application receipt. This document allows you to stay legally in Turkey until your appointment with the immigration office.
- For applicants under 18 years old, parental consent is required: A formal consent letter from a parent, guardian, or legal representative is mandatory.
By following these guidelines, you can avoid the rejection of your residence renewal application and extend your stay in Turkey without issues.
Conclusion
Renewing a residence permit in Turkey is essential for those with short-term residence permits to remain legally in the country. The process involves online application, visiting the immigration office, paying fees, and sending documents by mail. Depending on the type of residence, various conditions such as having health insurance, work permits, or valid documentation are required. Additionally, if the renewal application is rejected, the applicant must leave Turkey within 10 days or apply for a change in residence type. To avoid problems, submitting correct documents and accurate information is crucial.
You can benefit from our professional team’s advice and services for purchasing property in Turkey and Alanya, registering your address at the Turkish Nüfus office, and making successful investments. Our team is available 24/7 to provide you with free consultations. For more information and to start your consultation, visit our website https://alanyahome.co/ or call +90 553 861 2234.