Student Residence Permit in Turkey: All You Need to Know 2025

To begin, it is essential to understand the definition of a student residence permit in Turkey before exploring its requirements.

A student residence permit is a legal document granted to international students who wish to continue their studies within Turkish territory. This includes undergraduate students, as well as postgraduate students pursuing master’s and doctoral degrees, after obtaining final acceptance from the educational institution where they have enrolled.

This document serves as a legal safeguard for all international students arriving in Turkey, helping them avoid various potential legal issues.

Criteria for Obtaining a Student Residence Permit in Turkey

To obtain a student residence permit in Turkey, international students must meet a set of criteria and conditions, which include:

• Final Acceptance in a Recognized Educational Institution: The student must have received final acceptance from a recognized institution in Turkey, such as universities.

• Submitting the Application to the Relevant Authority: The student residence permit application must be submitted to the governmental authority responsible for granting student residence permits, which is the Directorate General of Migration Management. Recently, some universities have started providing this service for their students.

• Financial Statement: The student must provide proof of financial capability to cover the costs of studying throughout their academic period in Turkey, such as by presenting the university payment receipt.

• Declaration of Current Residence Address: The student must declare their current residential address when applying for the student residence permit.

• Health Statement: If applicable, the student must provide a health statement showing they are free from any contagious diseases.
• Health Insurance: Students must have valid health insurance.
• Payment of Fees: All required fees and expenses for obtaining the student residence permit must be paid.

By fulfilling all these conditions, you can ensure you will obtain legal residency in Turkey, which is the student residence permit.

International students can obtain a student residence permit in Turkey by following these steps:

• Access the Directorate of Migration Management Website: Visit the official website and fill out the student residence permit application form, stating the purpose of residence as “study.”
• Schedule an Appointment: Book an appointment online to visit the Directorate of Migration Management. The system will generate a file containing all details of your appointment, such as the date and location.
• Print the Appointment File: Print the file and include it with the documents required for the student residence permit application.
• Prepare Your University Document: Ensure you have the student document provided by your university and compile all the required documents into a single file.
• Attend the Appointment: Visit the immigration office in your region on the scheduled date with all the necessary documents.
• Request a Translator if Needed: If you do not speak Turkish, you can request a translator to assist you.
• Document Review: The assigned officer will review your files and documents.
• Pay the Required Fees: Pay the residence permit processing fee, which is typically less than $10.
• Keep the Receipt: Attach the payment receipt to your documents.
• Receive a Temporary Document: The officer will provide you with a temporary document that serves as a substitute for the residence permit until the official student residence permit is issued.

The fee for obtaining a student residence permit in Turkey is approximately $15, which is around 565 Turkish Lira.

However, there are additional costs that must be considered, including:

• Health Insurance Cost: This ranges between 1,300–2,500 Turkish Lira, depending on the type and coverage of the insurance.
• Document Printing and Copying Costs: These costs are usually no more than 300 Turkish Lira.

Important Note:

All payments must be made exclusively in Turkish Lira.

The process of obtaining a student residence permit in Turkey takes about 15 days, starting from the date the student receives the paper document. However, it may extend to 30 days due to incomplete required documents.

An international student receives a range of benefits upon obtaining a student residence permit in Turkey, which are as follows:

• It allows the student to reside legally in Turkey throughout their study period, protecting them from legal accountability or deportation risks.
• It grants the student the right to move and live within Turkey, as well as the ability to enter and exit Turkish territory without needing a new visa.
• It entitles the student to benefit from public services provided by the Turkish government to its citizens, such as healthcare, education, and transportation.
• It enables the international student to open bank accounts in Turkey and manage their financial resources easily.
• The permit holder receives a discount card for transportation fees and can obtain a cultural card that allows free or reduced-price entry to tourist sites and museums.
• It qualifies the student to obtain a work permit issued by the Turkish Ministry of Labor after completing the first year of their bachelor’s degree, providing them with opportunities for work during their studies or after graduation, as well as gaining practical experience.
• It allows for easy renewal of the student residence permit without complicated procedures.

The student residence permit in Turkey grants certain powers to international students, including the following:

• The residence permit allows the student to work in Turkey after completing some procedures, thereby developing and improving their financial income.
• Access to healthcare services, whether through health insurance or the health services provided by the educational institution where the student studies.
• Rights to equality between international students and Turkish students in all areas, such as education, services, and more.
• Holders of the student residence permit in Turkey can open a bank account in one of the Turkish banks, facilitating the management of their financial affairs.

Renewing the student residence permit in Turkey is one of the essential necessities that must be attended to in order to continue studying and residing in the country legally.

Complying with the renewal of the student residence permit reflects international students’ respect for Turkish laws and regulations, aiming to avoid legal issues.

Requirements for Renewing a Student Residence Permit

• Appointment paper (application form) which must be submitted to the Immigration Office after booking online through the e-Göç electronic immigration management system.
• Passport and a copy of it, or any official document as an alternative to the passport.
• Four recent biometric passport-sized photos.
• Receipt of payment for the residence permit fee.
• Valid health insurance.
• Criminal record certificate, which must indicate that the international student has no offenses.
• University document proving the student’s enrollment status.
• Proof of residence (housing contract for a house or dormitory) notarized.

General Notes:

1. Renewal procedures should begin at least 60 days before the current student residence permit expires.
2. Students can apply for a work permit after completing the first academic year.
3. Holders of the student residence permit can remain outside Turkey for an indefinite period, provided they return to Turkey at least 60 days before the permit expires for renewal.

You can renew your Turkish student residence permit online through the official portal e-ikamet.

Key steps for renewal:

• Apply within 60 days before your permit expires.
• Fill in the online application form on the e-ikamet system.
• Upload the required documents:
• Valid passport and copy
• Old residence permit card
• Student enrollment certificate from your university
• Valid health insurance covering the new period
• Biometric photos
• Proof of payment for residence card fee

A holder of the student residence permit can remain outside Turkish territory until the expiration of their permit. However, they must return to Turkey at least 60 days before the expiration date if they wish to renew it.

A holder of a student residence permit in Turkey can obtain a work permit and work legally under the following conditions:

• The student can obtain a work permit issued by the Turkish Ministry of Labor after completing the first year of their bachelor’s degree, allowing them to work during their studies or after graduation and gain practical experience.
• The international student is exempt from needing a student residence permit in Turkey upon obtaining a work permit.
• Upon the expiration of the student residence permit in Turkey, international students must apply for a different type of residence permit if they wish to stay in Turkey.

In general, international students can work, as the government provides many job opportunities for students, whether part-time or full-time, benefiting them financially and providing comfort.

A student receives a residence permit for a minimum of one year, which can be renewed according to the duration of their studies at the educational institution located within Turkish territory.

You cannot legally stay in Turkey after your residence permit expires. Exceeding the validity date may result in fines, entry bans, or rejection of future applications.

If your permit has already expired, you must leave Turkey immediately and apply for a new visa or residence permit from abroad. Overstaying reduces your chances of approval for future permits.

Recent updates require stricter checks on financial proof, valid health insurance, and verified accommodation documents. Applications must be submitted online via the e-ikamet portal within the legal timeframe.

Extending a residence permit in Turkey usually takes 4 to 8 weeks after submitting your online application and documents. During this period, your application receipt allows you to stay legally until a final decision is made.