To get your tax ID number, you will need to either go online or visit a tax office in person. To do it online, go to https://ivd.gib.gov.tr and click “APPLICATION FOR NON-CITIZEN’S POTENTIAL TAX NUMBER” under the “İnteraktif Vergi Dairesi Hızlı Ödeme” menu. Fill out the form and upload a photo of your passport.

To get your tax ID number in person, find the nearest tax office by searching online and go there with your passport. Say “Vergi numarası başvurusu yapmak isterim” (I would like to apply for a tax ID number). They will help you write a petition called a “dilekçe,” which is a formal request for them to do anything for you. Sign it, and they will give you a card with your tax ID number on it. When getting your tax ID number, bring a photocopy of your passport with your father’s name, mother’s name, Istanbul address, email, and phone number written on it.

To meet the insurance requirements for a residence permit in Turkey, it is recommended to purchase a private insurance plan that covers a full year. These plans can vary in price based on the insurance company, the policyholder’s age, and other factors. Prices may range from 1500 TL to 5500 TL per year. It is advisable to compare different insurance companies to find the most affordable option. Simply TR offer competitive packages to readers.

To complete your application, you will need to provide a biometric photograph taken according to International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards. This photograph should be scanned and attached to your application, and four hard copies should be provided. To obtain a biometric photograph, visit a photo studio and request a ‘biyometrik vesikalık’, which is a passport photo. Be sure to mention that the photograph needs to meet ICAO standards, as these guidelines have become stricter in 2023. If you are working with a Turkish photographer, you can provide them with the Turkish guidelines for reference from here. Make sure that the digital and physical copies of the photograph match.

To apply for a residence permit in Turkey, you can start by visiting https://e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr/. From there, choose the type of application. Then, fill out the online application form and download the PDF copies of your documents. It is recommended to save and print the documents. It’s worth noting that the website’s computer system can be unreliable, so be sure to save your documents immediately and keep them in a safe place.

Note: Keep in mind that appointments for residence permit applications may be difficult to come by in larger cities like Istanbul, and the wait time for an available appointment can vary greatly. It is important to plan ahead and be prepared.

To complete your residence permit application in Turkey, you will need to pay the necessary fees. As of 2024, the fees are 565 TL for the residence permit card and fee for the residence permit depends on the countries. There are several options for paying these fees. You can use a credit card to pay online after completing your application. Alternatively, you can visit the website https://ivd.gib.gov.tr and follow the instructions for paying the “Harç ve Değerli Kağıt Bedeli” (fee for residence permit). You will need your ‘başvuru numarası/tahakkuk numarası’ provided to you on your application form. Then follow the prompts to complete the online payment. If you prefer to pay in person, you can visit a Ziraat Bank, Halk Bank, or Vakıflar Bank and tell the teller “İkamet harçları yattırmak istiyorum” (I want to deposit residence permit fees). You will need to pay in Turkish Lira (TL). The bank will convert the fee listed in dollars on your documents to TL for you. You will also need to pay a separate fee for the physical card. To do this, tell the teller “Kart harcı da yattırmak istiyorum” (I want to deposit the card fee). The bank will process the fee and provide you with a separate receipt. You can also pay the fees at larger tax offices.

It is a good idea to consider opening a bank account in Turkey and depositing money into it, especially if you plan to stay in the country for an extended period of time. (Click here to check our ‘Opening a bank account’ page) While it is not a requirement for all residence permit applications, it is possible that the officer handling your application may request proof of financial stability for the past six months. In the past, the Turkish government has required foreign residents to demonstrate that they have enough money to live on during their stay in the country, although the exact amount is not specified. Some sources suggest that the required amount was approximately $1000 per month of stay when the police managed the system. If you are asked to provide proof of financial stability, you should have the required amount in a Turkish bank account about a week before your appointment. To obtain a printout of your account statement, visit the bank and request a “hesap dökümü” (account statement) from the teller. Be sure to have your ID with you. You can then ask the teller to stamp the statement by saying “Kaşeleyebilir misiniz?” (Can you stamp it?).

To provide proof of your address in Turkey, you will need to have a rental contract that has been notarized. To do this, visit a notary with your rental contract and have your landlord present to notarize the contract (in some cases, the landlord may need to do this separately). As of 2024, it is required that the landlord also notarize the contract. You will also need to provide copies of the numarataj and deed (tapu) as proof of address. Your landlord should already have these documents, so you can simply make copies of them. Notaries are widely available in all provinces of Turkey and in every neighborhood of Istanbul.

Note 1: It is important to note that if you have utility bills in your name, it may be helpful to include them in your residence permit application.

Note 2: If this is your first time applying for a residence permit in Turkey, it is essential to ensure that your accommodation is not located in any restricted neighborhoods or districts. The government will not grant new residence permits to individuals living in these areas.

If your name is not on the lease for your apartment in Turkey, you will need to visit a notary with the person who has signed the lease, whether they are Turkish or a foreign national. The notary will ask for a taahütname, a document that verifies that you live with the lease holder. The lease holder must present a valid ID to the notary in order to obtain the taahütname. Notary fees vary, but you can expect to pay 1000 TL for this document.

Keep in mind that if the person on the lease is a foreign national, your residence permit will only be valid for as long as their residence permit is valid. Additionally, for a foreign national to provide you with a taahütname, they must present a notarized translation of their passport to the notary. It is often easier to avoid using another foreign national for this process to avoid confusion at your appointment.

Be sure to include a photocopy of the front page of your passport (with a certified Turkish translation if it is written in non-Latin letters), a photocopy of your most recent entry stamp, and a photocopy of your previous residence permit (if you have one).

It is extremely important to not falsify any documents or make false statements on your application. If the Turkish government discovers that you have done so, they may take legal action against you in accordance with Article 206 of Turkish Penal Code No. 5237. This could result in your residence permit application being refused, your current residence permit being cancelled, and even deportation from Turkey. It is important to be honest and accurate in your application to avoid any problems.

When it is time for your appointment, go to one of the designated locations in Istanbul. The exact time and date of your appointment will be communicated to you via text message or email.

Please note that Turkish nationals are only allowed to accompany foreigners into the building if their names are listed on the taahütname for the rental contract or if they have a notarized power of attorney (vekâletname). The staff at these locations may not speak much English, so it is important to come prepared.

Everyone entering the building must present a valid passport or residence/work permit.