The questions our
foreign guests
most often ask.

It varies by type: short-term residence (the most common) 1 or 2 years, student residence for the duration of studies, family residence 2–3 years, long-term residence indefinite. We track renewals before they expire.

Several routes are available for legal stay in Türkiye: short-term residence (tourism, health, business contact), student residence, family residence, work permit, property ownership (real estate of USD 200,000 or above), and long-term residence (after 8 years of uninterrupted legal residence). We determine the most suitable route for you in a free initial consultation.

An expired permit can trigger sanctions that vary by person and length of overstay: administrative fines, an obligation to leave Türkiye, and in some cases a waiting period before reapplying. Each case is assessed individually; getting expert advice as soon as possible after expiry is strongly recommended.

The right to appeal administrative decisions exists within the regulatory framework, but the grounds and deadlines for appeal are limited. Not every appeal succeeds — a clear reading of the rejection grounds and well-presented supporting documents are essential for a positive outcome.

In most cases yes — the extension is filed from inside Türkiye. However, issues from the previous permit period (long stays abroad, criminal records, insurance gaps) can sometimes force a fresh application from outside Türkiye. These exceptions are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

No. The foreigner ID number is an 11-digit number starting with 99, issued only to foreigners legally present in Türkiye. The Turkish national ID number belongs only to Turkish citizens and follows a different number series. The two are not interchangeable.

Generally no. The number is generated automatically when a residence permit application is submitted or a valid permit is issued, and it appears on the residence permit document. It is not a separate application — it arises as a result of the residence permit.

No. The foreigner ID number only documents that you are legally present in Türkiye; it does not grant citizenship status. Citizenship is a separate application process with different conditions.

Once all documents are complete, the Ministry of Labour and Social Security typically takes around 30–35 business days to assess the application. In urgent or exceptional cases this period may change. The application process is fully tracked by us.

The employer company must: employ at least 5 Turkish citizens, have paid-in capital of at least TRY 100,000 (or meet the prior-year turnover/export criteria), be an active taxpayer and registered with SGK (social security), and have no outstanding tax or SGK debt. We run the detailed eligibility analysis in the free initial consultation.

The application is filed by the employer (the Turkish company). The foreign employee cannot file it themselves, but is responsible for providing the required documents. If your company shares its application process with us, we ensure full coordination.

When the employment relationship ends, your work permit must be reported to the Ministry within 15 days. If you have found a new employer, we can continue your process seamlessly through a work permit transfer. If you remain unemployed for more than 30 days, your residence permit is also affected — quick action is critical.

An indefinite work permit requires a defined period of legal stay in Türkiye and prior holding of a continuous work permit or long-term residence permit, among other conditions. Periods and criteria are updated from time to time; an assessment based on current legislation should be made before applying.

The Turquoise Card has a different structure from the classic employer-based work permit. It can be applied for on the basis of investment, high-level expertise or academic standing, among other criteria. Profile assessment and eligibility are determined on a case-by-case basis.

The independent work permit is a category defined for foreigners running their own business; however, owning a company alone is not sufficient. Assessment is made based on professional qualifications, economic contribution and sector-specific criteria. Each application is reviewed individually.

Several routes exist: general application (5 years of uninterrupted work permit), investment (USD 400,000 in real estate or USD 500,000 in deposits/investment), marriage (married to a Turkish citizen for at least 3 years), and exceptional citizenship (for those who contribute to Türkiye). We identify the right route for you in the consultation.

Investment-route applications take about 3–6 months on average; marriage or general applications take 8–14 months. Timing depends on file completeness and current application volume. Every stage of the process is tracked by us.

There is a right to appeal within 60 days of the rejection decision. If the rejection was due to missing documents, the file may be reassessed with additional filing.

Yes. When the applicant qualifies for citizenship, the spouse and children under 18 may also become applicants. A separate file is prepared for each.

Dual citizenship is possible with Turkish citizenship. Whether you lose your other citizenship depends on the laws of the other country and is assessed case by case.

There is no single "fastest" route among the investment options. File speed depends on the chosen route, the valuation process, document preparation and the applicant's prior records. Two files following the same route can resolve in very different timeframes due to file content.

To preserve citizenship gained through investment, the investment must be maintained for a defined period. Disposing of it before that period can be grounds for revocation. Periods and conditions are defined by legislation; clarifying these points before any investment decision is important.

Spouses and minor children are assessed through an additional application within the investment-route citizenship case. It is not "automatic," but once the main application is accepted, the family's application largely runs in parallel. Adult children are handled separately.

No. The 3-year marriage period is only a precondition for application. After it is completed, the application is filed, the file is assessed, and shared-life and good-conduct conditions are reviewed. Completing the period creates the right to apply — it does not grant citizenship automatically.

No — the marriage union must continue for 3 years from the date of marriage. No application can be filed before 3 years are completed. During this period the spouse can be in Türkiye legally on a family residence permit, but the citizenship application is subject to the time condition.

Acquired Turkish citizenship continues to be preserved conditionally. In a divorce, the grounds for divorce, the genuineness of the marriage and the statements in the application may be reviewed again. In some cases revocation may be on the table; each file is reviewed individually.

No. The Blue Card is not a Turkish citizenship status; political rights are reserved for Turkish citizens. Blue Card holders therefore cannot vote in Turkish elections and do not have the right to stand for office. The Blue Card grants parity in social and economic rights — political rights are excluded.

Military service in Türkiye is an obligation only for Turkish citizens. Blue Card holders are not Turkish citizens and therefore have no military service obligation. However, when leaving Turkish citizenship, the military service status must have been duly completed or deferred.

The Blue Card alone does not grant citizenship. However, Blue Card holders may reapply for Turkish citizenship if they meet the conditions. Readmission to citizenship requires a separate application and assessment — it is not automatic.

A Turkish name or surname alone is not sufficient evidence for Turkish-origin status. Historically, many people carry Turkish names without being of Turkish descent; the reverse is also true. The status arises not from the name but from a multi-layered evidentiary set.

Lineage alone does not grant the status — the link must be proven. Moreover, the extent to which the proven link fits the legal definition of 'Turkish-origin' is itself a matter of assessment. It is not an automatic right; it is a status that must be formally established.

Some aspects of the status are renewed at intervals and updated when personal circumstances change. Changes in your residence in Türkiye, transition to Turkish citizenship, or extended stays abroad can all affect the document's status.

No — the sponsor in a family residence permit does not need to be a Turkish citizen. A foreigner with legal residence in Türkiye can also apply for family residence for spouse and children. Conditions depend on the sponsor's residence type and duration.

The application is made to the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management; assessment takes about 30–35 business days on average. Missing documents may extend this period.

Yes. The foreign spouse and children under 18 of a foreigner holding a work or residence permit may apply for a family residence permit. A separate file is prepared for each person.

A separate application file is prepared for each family member, but the process is carried out together and simultaneously.

Uninterrupted years spent in Türkiye on a family residence permit may be taken into account in future long-term residence and citizenship assessments. We build the long-term plan together.

No. Marriage to a Turkish citizen creates eligibility for family residence but does not grant the permit automatically. The application is filed, the file is assessed, and if necessary an interview or review may be requested. The genuineness of the marriage, the applicant's prior records and the sponsor's status all affect the decision.

A child's Turkish citizenship does not give the parent a direct, unrestricted right to stay. There is a separate assessment route for parents in this situation, but that route itself has conditions, time periods and a sponsor-like link.

When the sponsor's status changes, the future of the family residence permit is redefined. Divorce, the sponsor's death, or the expiry of the sponsor's permit directly affect the file. In some cases the existing permit can be preserved or converted to a different permit type, but each transition requires a separate assessment.

The document list varies by application type and personal situation. A document list specific to you is prepared during the free initial consultation.

The fee is determined by application type and the scope of the file. Because we provide direct service with no intermediaries, our fees are below the market average. The exact price is shared during the free initial consultation.