Family Reunification in Turkey

Family Reunification in Turkey allows foreign nationals to live legally in the country based on marriage or family ties to a Turkish citizen/resident. The Turkish government has established specific rules and regulations for family reunification, which can be found on the goc.gov.tr website.

Introduction to Family Reunification

Family reunification is a legal designation granted to a foreign national, allowing them to reside in Turkey based on their marriage to a Turkish passport/residency permit holder. For example, a foreigner married to a Turkish citizen can apply for a family residence permit. The sponsor must meet specific requirements, including earning a net monthly income at least equal to the minimum wage.

Sponsor Requirements

The sponsor is a Turkish citizen or a foreigner legally residing in Turkey who undertakes the expenses of foreigners coming to Turkey for a Family Residence Permit. The sponsor must possess one of the documents that allow residence in Turkey, such as a residence permit regulated in Law No. 6458. The sponsor must also meet specific financial conditions, including earning a net monthly income at least equal to the minimum wage. In addition, the sponsor must also provide proof of income, which can be found on the mevzuat.gov.tr website. In cases we handled sponsorship and financial stability may not be on the same person. But foreign applicants who have financial stability must be able to produce documentation in order to proove the income.   

Family Members

The foreigners who can benefit from the support provided by the sponsor are the foreign spouse of the sponsor, the minor child of the sponsor or the spouse, and the dependent and adult child of the sponsor or the spouse. The sponsor must prove that they can support their family members, including the foreigner. For example, the sponsor must earn a net monthly income at least equal to the minimum wage, plus one-third of the minimum wage for each family member.

The following family members can benefit from family reunification:

• Foreign spouse of the sponsor
• Minor child of the sponsor or the spouse
• Dependent and adult child of the sponsor or the spouse

Children and Education

Children of the sponsor or the spouse can benefit from family reunification, including minor and mentally healthy children from different marriages. The application process for family reunification for children requires the consent of the parent with joint custody who is outside Turkey.

Edge Cases: Children from Previous Marriages

Children from previous marriages will need to be in full custody of the incoming parents or should be consented to travel and staying in the country. Otherwise, the process for them simply won’t proceed. If the other person’s consent can’t be available, in that case, the authorities will look for a death certificate. In some rare cases, the benefit of the child is of utmost importance, such as health problems. Then a court decision becomes necessary. Since it involves an aversion of higher risk, judges would be granting a sole custody according to Turkish rules.

Divorce and Residence Permit

In case of divorce, a foreigner married to a Turkish citizen may be granted a short-term residence permit, provided that they have resided with a family residence permit in Turkey for at least three years. The foreigner in question retains the right to apply for another type of residence permit that they meet the requirements for.

Citizenship and Residence Permit

Obtaining Turkish citizenship can also affect the residence permit application process. The Turkish government has established specific rules and regulations for citizenship, which can be found on our Citizenship page.

Application Procedure

The application should be made within the Immigration Authority of the sponsor’s legal residence. However, before the application, if there is no visa exemption, then the first steps will involve the Turkish embassy in order to enter the country legally. In Turkey, the immigration authority is open within working hours (9 to 17).

The following steps are required for the application procedure:

1. The sponsor must apply for a family residence permit at the local Immigration Authority.
2. The sponsor must provide the required documents, including:
• Application Form
• Passport or supplement document
• 4 biometric photos
• Proof of payment (residence fee and card fee)
• Marriage certificate
• Birth certificate of the child
• Court decision/document of full custody of the child or consent/death certificate from the other parent
3. The documents must be officialized with an apostille or Turkish consulate/embassies in the host country. 
4. You should keep in mind that If the documents are brought without these conditions met, then they have to be brought to the said country’s embassy/foreign mission in Turkey to officialize.

Fees

The family reunification fee is not different from other types of permits. The only difference in accounting the expenses is the officialization. However, in that sense, apostille is free to do for anyone in the signatory countries. But embassies charge a fee to stamp any document.

Timeline

A realistic time frame for all applicants is 30 days from start to finish. It is preferable to get the appointment in the same day and apply as one in order to expedite the whole process. There is a specific segment in the application website that allows the applicant to do that.

Common Issues and Appeals

In our experience, issues that can arise during a Family Reunification residence permit application in Turkey include incomplete documentation, inadequate sponsorship, or delays in processing. These issues can be prevented or resolved by ensuring that all required documents are provided and that the sponsor meets the necessary financial conditions.

In case of a rejected application, the applicant can appeal the decision. The appeal process involves submitting a new application with the required documents and waiting for the authorities to review the application.

Recent Changes

As of 2026, members of the extended family (father or mother) can be brought into the country without producing any medical history (requiring medical care) to back the claim.

Conclusion

Family Reunification in Turkey can be a complex process, but with the right guidance, foreigners can live legally in Turkey based on marriage or family ties to a Turkish citizen/resident. If you are considering applying for a Family Reunification residence permit in Turkey, contact us today to learn more about our services and to get professional assistance with your application.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Please consult a qualified attorney at E-Law Turkey.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a US citizen live permanently in Turkey?

Yes a US citizen can live permanently in Turkey. However family reunification will require foreigner to be married to a spouse who is Turkish citizen/residence.

Who is eligible for family reunification?

Anybody who is married to a foreign resident or Turkish citizen is eligible for family reunification.

What is the 90 day rule in Turkey?

90 day rule is amount of maximum time a foreign person can spend in Turkey, usually with visa.

Does Turkey accept dependants?

Yes, Turkey accept dependants. However, it should be prooved with necessary documentation. Medical necessity for the dependant, Financial instability of the dependant can be factored in to make the decision.

Atty. Gökhan VURAL

İzmir Bar Association