Long Term Residence Permit in Turkey

Long-term residence permit is regulated in Articles 42 to 45 of the Law on Foreigners and International Protection No. 6458. In addition, long-term residence permit is regulated in articles 40 to 43 of the Regulation on the Implementation of the Law on Foreigners and International Protection.

Who are the foreigners who can be issued a Long Term Residence Permit?
– An indefinite residence permit is issued by the governorships, with the approval of the Ministry, to foreigners who have stayed in Turkey for at least eight years without interruption or who meet the conditions determined by the Ministry.
– Refugee, conditional refugee and subsidiary protection status holders, humanitarian residence permit holders and those under temporary protection are not granted the right to transition to a long-term residence permit.

For How Many Years Can a Long-Term Residence Permit Be Issued?
Long-term residence permit is issued indefinitely.

What are the Conditions of Long Term Residence Permit?
In order for a long-term residence permit to be issued, foreigners must meet the conditions set forth in Article 43 of the Law.
– To have lived in Turkey for at least eight years uninterruptedly (In the calculation of eight uninterrupted years, half of the student residence permit period in Article 38 of the Law and all other residence permits are counted.),
– Not having received social assistance in the last three years,
– Having sufficient and regular income to support himself or his family, if any,
– Having valid health insurance,
– Not to pose a threat to public order or public security (except for foreigners deemed appropriate by the Immigration Policy Board)

Rights provided by the long-term residence permit:
Foreigners with long-term residence permit; They can benefit from the rights granted to Turkish citizens, without prejudice to the obligation to do their military service, to elect and be elected, to enter public duties and to import vehicles with exemption, and to social security, excluding the regulations in the private law.

What are the reasons for Rejection, Cancellation or Non-Extension of Long Term Residence Permit?
– The foreigner poses a serious threat to public order or public security,
– Long-term residence permit is revoked if he/she stays outside of Turkey for more than one year without interruption for reasons other than health, education and compulsory public service in his/her country.
Cancellation of long-term residence permit is carried out by the governorates.
Applications to be made again by foreigners whose long-term residence permit has been canceled
Re-applications for canceled long-term residence permits are made to the consulates abroad and to the governorship of the province where the foreigner resides in person or according to the application procedure determined by our General Directorate.
In repeat applications, the condition of staying in Turkey with a residence permit for eight years without interruption is not sought again, the applications are evaluated with priority and are finalized within one month at the latest.
Foreigners whose long-term residence permit has been canceled due to an uninterrupted stay out of Turkey for more than one year, excluding health, education, compulsory public service in their country or duty reasons, can apply to obtain these permits again.