Which Permit Is Right for Me?
Find out which type of residence permit and its legal basis are most appropriate for the purpose of your stay in Turkey.
Which type of residency are you interested in?
SHORT ANSWER
The type of residence permit is determined based on the purpose of your stay in Turkey. This tool shows you, in two steps, the type of permit that matches your purpose and its legal basis; applying for the wrong type of permit is one of the most common reasons for rejection.
Main Types
Short-term residence permits are issued for purposes such as tourism, property ownership, medical treatment, and similar reasons, and may be issued for a maximum of two years at a time.
A family residence permit may be granted to the foreign spouse and minor, dependent children of Turkish citizens, holders of valid residence permits, Blue Card holders, refugees, and holders of subsidiary protection status; for a maximum of three years at a time.
A long-term residence permit is issued indefinitely, but it is contingent on eight consecutive years of proper residence, income, health insurance, and other requirements.
None of them grant the right to work
A tourist, family, student, or long-term residence permit does not, on its own, grant the right to work. A work permit or a valid exemption must be obtained before beginning work.
A valid work permit also serves as a residence permit; permits issued to individuals under international protection or temporary protection are exceptions to this rule.
All requirements on the residence permit pageThis content was compiled from the FAQ text that passed official source verification on August 25, 2026. Since regulations are subject to change, you should check the relevant agency’s most recent announcement before submitting your application.