Family Residence Permit in Turkey

The legal basis

The family residence permit is set out in articles 34 to 37 of Law No. 6458 (the Law on Foreigners and International Protection). The Implementation Regulation sets the procedure. The law decides who can be a sponsor, which family members qualify, and what rights the permit gives.

The permit depends on a sponsor (destekleyici): a person who already lives in Turkey legally and supports the family members who apply.

Who can be a sponsor

• Turkish citizens.
• Blue Card holders (former Turkish citizens covered by article 28 of Law No. 5901).
• Foreigners who hold a residence permit, or a permit that counts as one, such as a work permit.
• Refugees and holders of subsidiary protection.

A foreign sponsor must have held a residence permit in Turkey for at least one year. This rule does not apply to holders of a work permit, a research residence permit or a Blue Card, or to foreign spouses of Turkish citizens.

Who can get a family residence permit

• The sponsor's foreign spouse.
• The minor foreign children of the sponsor or the spouse.
• The dependent foreign adult children of the sponsor or the spouse.

Both spouses must be at least 18. If the sponsor has more than one spouse, only one spouse can get a family residence permit. The sponsor's children from different spouses can still apply. If custody is shared with a parent abroad, that parent's consent is needed.

Children with a family residence permit can attend primary and secondary school in Turkey until they turn 18 without a separate student permit. For children born in Turkey or children of parents without a permit, see our guide to residence permits for foreign children.

Sponsor conditions

For the 2026 minimum wage and the income documents that are accepted, see how much money you need for a residence permit.

How long the permit lasts

A family residence permit is granted for up to 3 years each time. It can never last longer than the sponsor's own residence or work permit.

Family members should not spend more than 180 days in total outside Turkey in a year. Longer absences can lead to cancellation, except for reasons such as public service, official duty, education or health. To renew, apply from 60 days before the permit expires, and in any case before it expires.

How to apply, step by step

1. Apply online. Fill in the family residence permit form on e-İkamet. Make sure every detail matches the passport.
2. Pay the fees. Pay the card fee (964 TL in 2026) and the harç for the applicant's nationality. See our residence permit fees guide.
3. Prepare the documents listed below, including apostilled and translated certificates.
4. Attend the appointment. The applicant, and often the sponsor, goes to the provincial migration directorate. Biometric data is taken; children under 12 are not fingerprinted. A lawyer with power of attorney can file the application, but the family may still be asked to attend.
5. Evaluation. The office can check whether the family really lives together. Under article 37 of the law, a marriage made only to get a permit leads to refusal or cancellation. Missing documents must be completed within 30 days of the notice, and the decision is due within 90 days of a complete file.
6. Card delivery. PTT delivers the card to the address on the application.
7. Address registration. On a first permit, register the address within 20 working days after approval.

Documents for the applicant and the sponsor

Documents issued abroad must carry an apostille. If the issuing country is not a party to the Hague Apostille Convention, the documents need legalisation by the Turkish consulate instead. All foreign documents must be translated into Turkish by a sworn translator and certified by a notary.

When you renew, check the e-İkamet document list for your permit type. The short-term list, for example, asks renewal and transfer applicants for a Yerleşim Yeri Belgesi (registered address document) and a UETS electronic notification document from PTT.

Moving to a short-term permit

Some family permit holders can switch to a short-term residence permit if their situation changes:

• Divorce from a Turkish citizen: possible after at least 3 years on a family residence permit. The 3-year condition does not apply to a victim of domestic violence during the marriage, shown by a court decision.
• Death of the sponsor: family members who held the permit through the sponsor can apply to switch.
• Turning 18: children who have lived in Turkey for at least 3 years on a family residence permit can switch when they turn 18.

A family residence permit does not give the right to work. Work needs a separate work permit; see our work permit guide.

Refusal and cancellation

A family residence permit can be refused, cancelled or not renewed when:

• the sponsor no longer meets the conditions, for example after losing income or insurance;
• the family does not actually live together;
• the marriage was made only to get a residence permit;
• the applicant has a deportation order or an entry ban;
• a family member spends more than 180 days abroad in a year without a valid reason.

If this happens to you, read how to deal with a residence permit rejection. For the general process, see our residence permit application guide, the short-term residence permit guide and the residence permit FAQs.

At SimplyTR, our lawyers prepare family files and check the sponsor's documents before the appointment. Contact us if you need help.

Official sources: Law No. 6458; Implementation Regulation; e-İkamet short-term document list; Göç İdaresi residence FAQ.