Residence Permit Guide

Long-Term Residence Permit

The most permanent way to make Turkey your home. This type of permit grants permanent residency to foreigners who have resided in the country continuously for 8 years.

Nedir?

A Long-Term Residence Permit is a type of permit issued under Law No. 6458 to foreign nationals who have lived in Turkey continuously for a certain period of time and grants them indefinite residence rights.

It is also commonly known as "permanent residence." Holders of this type of permit enjoy most of the rights granted to Turkish citizens, with the exception of military service obligations, the right to vote and be elected, and the right to hold public office.

Application Requirements

Have resided continuously for 8 years (student residency counts as half).

Not having received social assistance in the past 3 years.

To have a sufficient and steady income to support oneself and, if applicable, one’s family.

Have valid health insurance.

Not to pose a threat to public order or public safety.

Not: Long-term residence permits are not granted to refugees, conditional refugees, holders of subsidiary protection status, holders of humanitarian residence permits, or individuals granted temporary protection.

Required Documents

Application Form
A form filled out through the e-Residence system.
Passport
The original passport and a photocopy of it.
Biometric Photo
Four photos taken within the last 6 months.
Previous Residence Permits
Copies of the originals of previous residence permits.
Countdown Sheet
A document issued by the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management or obtained through e-Government that indicates an 8-year period.
Proof of Income
A certified document showing your regular income for the past 6 months.
Criminal Record
Criminal record documents obtained from his home country and from Turkey.
Social Assistance Certificate
A letter from the Social Assistance and Solidarity Foundation (SYDV) confirming that no social assistance has been received in the past 3 years.
Health Insurance
A valid health insurance policy.

Rights Granted

Permanent residency (The card is renewed every 5 years).

Exemption from military service.

Protection of insurance rights.

The right to travel, work, and invest on an equal footing with Turkish citizens (subject to specific laws).

Frequently Asked Questions

Half of the duration of student residence permits and the full duration of other residence permits are taken into account when calculating the 8-year period.

The visa may be revoked if the holder remains outside Turkey continuously for more than one year (except for education and medical reasons) or if there is a threat to public order or security.

Yes, the duration of work permits is also fully counted toward the calculation of your residence period. You can apply once you have completed 8 years.

Although this varies depending on the volume of applications, long-term applications may take an average of 3 to 6 months to process because they require a detailed review.