This official guide details everything about Student Residence Permit in Turkey for international students, including:
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Turkey Student Visa Requirements for universities & language programs
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How to Extend Student Residence Permit after admission
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Rights under a Foreign Student Residence Permit (family sponsorship, transfers)
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Work Permit for Students in Turkey eligibility and restrictions
All information reflects current immigration laws, with no alterations to original legal meanings or procedures.
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Student Residence Permit in Turkey: Key Guidelines
Every foreigner pursuing education in Turkey must obtain a Student Residence Permit in Turkey. This permit is mandatory for associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. students. Primary/secondary students without a family permit must also apply for a Foreign Student Residence Permit.
In all cases, the conditions regarding international protection status holders and international protection applicants are reserved. Foreigners with international protection status or applicants do not need to apply for a “student residence permit.”
If foreigners choose to study at a Turkish school or university, their residence permit is issued without a fee. However, it should also be noted that consulate, embassy schools, or international schools are not considered “Turkish schools.” Therefore, foreign students studying at these institutions must pay a fee for the student residence permit in Turkey.
For a foreigner to apply for a “student residence permit” from within Turkey, if they are studying at the primary or secondary level, they must have a visa suitable for their purpose.
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Foreign Student Residence Permit in Turkey: Family & Transfers
The Foreign Student Residence Permit in Turkey supports only spouses/children. Supporting other relatives or close ones is not possible. The “student residence permit” will be issued for the duration of the student’s education at the registered institution. However, if the foreign student’s education period at the institution is less than one year, the student residence permit cannot exceed the education period. For transfers, notify authorities within 20 days to retain permit validity.
To secure a Student Residence Permit in Turkey, applicants must meet Turkey Student Visa Requirements, including proof of enrollment and financial means. Consulate schools require fees, but Turkish public universities exempt students.
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Changing Institution/Program in the Student Residence Permit in Turkey
Foreign students who are directed to Turkish preparatory classes/courses at their school’s request will be issued a student residence permit in turkey until the start of the next academic term, provided they document their situation.
Students can change their registered institution or program. However, students and the relevant educational institutions must notify the provincial directorate of migration management within 20 days of any changes in student status or registration.
Among the general documents, a “declaration of income” is also required for the “student residence permit.” Exceptionally, foreign students brought to Turkey through Turkish public institutions and organizations are not required to submit a declaration of income if they provide a document stating that their food, health, and accommodation expenses will be covered by the relevant institution during their stay in Turkey.
A foreign student can change their educational institution or program within the institution, but from the date of the change, they must follow the procedure outlined below:
– If the foreign student changes their faculty or department within the same city without interrupting their education and notifies the authorities within 20 days, their “student residence permit” remains valid.
– If the residence permit is shorter than the study period, it will be extended from the expiry date for the duration of the study period.
– If the student continues their education in a different city, the residence permit must be cancelled by the governorship of the current city and reissued for the study period by the governorship of the new city.
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Application Conditions for the Student Residence Permit
Since the student residence permit application must be made in coordination with the registered school, the application will be submitted after the pre-registration process is completed, either by the student or the school, according to the specified rules.
Exceptionally, no pre-registration requirement applies to those placed by the International Student Assessment Board Decision. The General Directorate and the International Student Assessment Board Secretariat work together to determine the application procedure. Educational institutions can also apply for those who wish to obtain a student residence permit from consulates.
For applications made on behalf of children under 18, parental consent is mandatory. In cases of joint custody, consent from both parents is required. Consent can also be given in the presence of administrative authorities.
If one parent and the child are in different countries, the parent applying for the child must provide consent from the other parent.
If the parent and child are in different countries, a legal guardian’s notarized approval and a commitment from the accompanying person to take care of the child are required for the accompanying person to process the child’s procedures.
The rule is that an adult (over 18) can carry out these procedures on behalf of a foreign child. However, if custody rights are not shared, the parent can act alone.
Exceptionally, if the “best interests of the child” are at stake, the administration may initiate and decide on procedures without any consent, request, or application. Since matters concerning the “best interests of the child” are urgent and may lead to greater harm if not prevented, this is usually applied in health-related cases, not education.
How to Extend Student Residence Permit
If studies exceed the permit’s validity, students must Extend Student Residence Permit in 1-year increments. In terms of Extend Student Residence Permit duration, the “student residence permit” is issued from the start date of education until the beginning of the next academic year.
In any case, this period does not exceed one year. Exceptionally, foreign students studying at a higher education institution (associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or Ph.D.) may be granted a student residence permit covering the entire study program from the application date. The “student residence permit” expires upon graduation. If the permit is terminated, the foreign student must apply for a new residence permit within 10 days.
Work Permit for Students in Turkey: Dual Eligibility
A work permit for students in Turkey allows foreign students to work legally. However, the Student Residence Permit Turkey alone doesn’t authorize employment. Those with both permits count only the Work Permit for Students in Turkey toward residency duration.
Foreign students studying in Turkey can work if they obtain a work permit. A work permit is mandatory for any foreigner to work in Turkey. When calculating total residence periods, all periods under a work permit are included. However, if a foreigner holds both a student residence permit and a work permit, only the work permit period is considered. Since the “student residence permit” legally allows the foreigner to stay in the country, those with a work permit do not need a student residence permit.
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Rejection, Cancellation, or Non-Renewal of the Student Residence Permit
A student residence permit issued to a foreign student will not be extended or renewed under the following conditions, considering that they don’t have a valid type of permit to extend the stay:
– If the required conditions are not met,
– If the required conditions no longer exist,
– If evidence emerges that the student cannot continue their education,
– If the permit is used for purposes other than its intent,
– If there is a valid deportation order against the foreign student,
– If there is an entry ban to Turkey.
In such cases, if the application is in process, it will be rejected; if already issued, it will be cancelled. The foreigner must leave the country within 10 days of being notified.
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Related Questions:
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I studied at X University for 2 years, then got accepted/transferred to Y University. What procedure should I follow?
If the student changes their faculty, department, or institution within the same city without interrupting their education and notifies the authorities within 20 days, the current residence permit remains valid. The foreigner must notify the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management within 20 working days. If the residence permit is shorter than the study period, it will be extended from the expiry date. If the student continues their education in a different city, the current residence permit is cancelled, and a new one is issued for the study period by the governorship of the new city.
*(See: Section 3 – Changing Institution/Program in the Student Residence Permit)*
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Is there a fee for student residence permits?
No fee is charged for students studying at Turkish schools or universities. However, foreign students studying at consulate, embassy, or international schools must pay a fee.
*(See: Section 1 – General Principles of the Student Residence Permit)*
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What happens if a student graduates earlier or later than the permit’s expiry?
The permit expires on the graduation date. The foreigner must notify authorities within 10 days. If the student exceeds the study period, they can apply for extensions (max 1 year per extension, total not exceeding the study period).
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Can open/distance education students get a student residence permit?
No. Open education, distance learning, or special education programs do not qualify for a student residence permit. A different residence permit may be required.
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I want to study in Turkey. What should I do?
If a foreigner is in Turkey with a family residence permit, they can continue education without needing a student residence permit. For minors (under 18), a parental consent letter, birth certificate, and commitment letter are required, along with a purpose-specific visa.
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I enrolled in a Turkish language course. How long is my residence permit valid?
For those enrolled only in a Turkish language course (TÖMER), the residence permit is issued until the next academic term and can be renewed only twice. If the university directs the student to a preparatory course, a “short-term residence permit” is issued until the next academic term.
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