TURKISH LONG TERM RESIDENCE PERMIT

Turkish long term residence permit allows entry and exit within the country without any restrictions or additional conditions, and unlike short-term residence permits, it enables the use of work and residence permits without constant renewal, providing greater advantages for foreigners.

1. General Principles of long term residence permit

Foreigners who meet the conditions stipulated by law or determined by the Migration Policies Board will be granted a Turkish long term residence permit by the governorates, with the approval of the ministry. The “long term residence permit” is granted indefinitely. This means the foreigner does not need to apply for renewal periodically. Foreigners who meet the conditions may apply for a long term residence permit. One of the requirements for a long term residence permit is uninterrupted residence for eight years.

For the “long term residence permit,” the condition of uninterrupted residence for eight years must be strictly met. Compliance with the continuity requirement is a procedural necessity. Applications that do not meet this condition are rejected outright after preliminary review. Interruptions in residence are determined as follows:

• The calculation is based on the application date for the long term residence permit. Periods spent abroad or in Turkey without a residence permit are considered interruptions. If the foreigner’s stay abroad is voluntary, the period is considered interrupted. However, if the departure from Turkey was due to necessity, it is not considered an interruption.

• If there is no interruption exceeding a total of 180 days within one-year periods counted backward from the application date, the review moves to the previous one-year period until the full eight years are completed.

• If no interruption exceeding 180 days is found in each one-year period, the total interruption in the last five years from the application date is checked to ensure it does not exceed 365 days. Periods exceeding one year are considered interruptions.

• Foreigners who have spent more than six months abroad or in Turkey without a residence permit, either at once or consecutively, within the eight-year period will have their applications rejected without further review.

• The residence periods of foreigners subject to deportation are not counted toward the total residence permit duration.

For the condition of uninterrupted residence for at least eight years, residence permits obtained before the law came into effect are also calculated under these rules. Therefore, foreigners who obtained residence permits before the law’s enactment will also be subject to this review. If an interruption occurs, the relevant period for the foreigner starts from the re-entry date after the interruption.

Example: Alex, who applies for a “long term residence permit” on 22.06.2024, has been residing in Turkey since 01.06.2016. During the review of Alex’s application, it is determined that he did not leave Turkey in 2024. However, in 2023, he stayed in Germany from 22.05.2023 to 22.10.2023, totaling five months abroad. Since this period does not exceed six months, Alex meets the continuous residence requirement for the “Turkish long term residence permit.”

However, if Alex had stayed abroad for eight months in 2022 (from 01.01.2022 to 31.08.2022), his application would be rejected outright because he exceeded the six-month limit. Additionally, if his total stay abroad in the last five years exceeds 12 months, his application would also be rejected.

The foreigner’s receipt of social assistance in the last three years before the application date is checked. Since having sufficient and regular income is a necessary criterion, the foreigner’s financial status will be verified. If social assistance is detected, the application is rejected.

Conditions for sufficient and regular income:

• The foreigner must have the financial means to cover monthly expenses equal to or exceeding the current net minimum wage.

• The foreigner must also have the financial capacity to support each family member (if applicable) with at least one-third of the minimum wage.

• Income guarantees or personal commitments from third parties are not accepted.

Having valid health insurance is a mandatory procedural requirement. Applications from those without valid health insurance at the time of application will be rejected.

If security checks reveal any threat to public order or security, the application will be rejected. Cooperation with relevant security units may be required to assess potential risks.

2. Rights Provided by the long term residence permit

Unless exceptions apply, foreigners with a “long term residence permit” enjoy rights similar to those of Turkish citizens under certain procedures and principles. These rights include:

• Exemption from compulsory military service.

• Exclusion from voting, holding public office, and tax-free vehicle import.

• Retention of acquired social security rights, subject to relevant laws.

• Equal treatment in residence, travel, work, investment, commercial activities, inheritance, and property transactions.

If Turkish citizenship is required under special laws, these rights cannot be claimed. The rights of Turkish long term residence permit holders may be partially or fully restricted by a decision of the Ministry or Presidency.

3. Conditions for Cancellation of long term residence permit

• If the foreigner is deemed a serious threat to public order or security based on security reports.

• If the foreigner stays outside Turkey for more than one year continuously, except for health, education, or compulsory public service reasons.

Those whose permits are canceled due to public order or security reasons cannot apply for other residence permits. However, those who leave Turkey for mandatory reasons (health, education, etc.) are not affected.

4. Re-Evaluation After Cancellation

Foreigners whose permits were canceled due to staying abroad for more than one year (excluding mandatory reasons) may reapply. Applications are processed quickly, with results within one month. The evaluation considers:

• The foreigner’s intent to settle in Turkey.

• Family ties in Turkey.

• Real estate ownership.

• Active business or employment.

• Social, economic, and cultural ties (Turkish language proficiency is crucial).

If these factors are positively assessed, the foreigner regains the right to a Turkish long term residence permit.

Relevant Questions:

1. How much money should I have in the bank for a residence permit?
For short-term and student permits, the foreigner’s declaration is sufficient unless additional documents are requested. For long term permits, proof of sufficient and regular income is required (including income-generating assets).

2. I have a long term residence permit but want to leave Turkey. Will this be a problem?
>>>Holders of long term permits may leave Turkey, but if the absence exceeds one year continuously, the permit is canceled. Exceptions apply for mandatory reasons (public service, health, education, etc.). (See Section 4: Re-Evaluation After Cancellation).