Residence and Travel Freedom

The Act Regarding Residence and Travel Freedom of Foreigners declare that “ Foreigners who haven’t been forbidden to come into Turkey by statutes and have come to Turkey in an appropriate way according to Passport Act, have residence and travelling rights in Turkey under the terms of laws.”

Council Of Ministers can obstruct to reside and travel on one’s own or as a group in definite places in the country. (article 2)

Residence Permit:

The foreigners who will stay in Turkey for more than three months shall apply to security authorities and fill in a declaration in order to obtain a residence permit. The applicant shall be requested no fees or charges for this declaration.

The foreigners who have arrived in Turkey for the purpose of working must obtain a residence permit within one month beginning on their arival date. They must have received the permission before start of work, in any condition.

It is accepted some privileges and easinesses for foreigners who come to Turkey to travel with a joint passport; to attend to a national or international history, culture, fine arts festivals and sport competitions, congresses and lectures, exhibitions and fairs; to be treated in some places which the Council Of Ministers define.

The Term and Renewal Of Permits:

The term of the residence permit is at most five years. This term may be increased or decreased by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, upon consulting with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in accordance with the “reciprocity principle”. The permit can be extended for only four times; but this stipulation in the statute concerns the permit as a document. Therefore, foreigners can have a new one then and their new permit can extend for four times more.

Foreigners should apply to the authorities of security within 15 days of the expiry date in their residence permit. It is also possible to apply before the expiration.

In the case of a lost residence permit, the permit shall be replaced by a new one which will be valid until the same expiry date which was listed in the previous document.

No visa is necessary for foreigners who have gone abroad and returned before the expiry dates in the permits. It is necessary and sufficient to submit their residence permit during their entry into Turkey.

When moving from one place of residence in Turkey to another, foreigners who possess residence permits are required to inform and register, either in person or by mail within 48 hours the police or the gendarme headquarters in both the neighborhood they left and in the neighborhood they moved to.

Besides, foreigners who have residence permits must report any changes in their marital status by a signed statement to the security authorities in their district within 15 days of the change. All the declarations are free of charge.

Residence Permit Shall Not Be Given To Those:

Who have come to Turkey for a profession that is permitted to only Turkish citizens.

Who are not in a position to conform to Turkish law, customs or political conditions, or persons who engaging in activities not in conformity with these.

Who do not have sufficient financial capacity to meet basic standarts of living.

Who have arrived in Turkey despite their being forbidden to be in Turkey.

Who disturb the common (public) order and security while residing in Turkey.