1. What Is a Long-Term Residence Permit in Turkey?
Under the Law on Foreigners and International Protection No. 6458 (LFIP), a long-term residence permit (often called indefinite or permanent residence) is a type of residence permit issued without a time limit to certain foreigners who have been living in Turkey for many years.
Unlike short-term or family residence permits, which are granted for fixed periods (e.g. 1–2 years), the long-term residence permit:
- Is issued indefinitely,
- Gives rights broadly similar to those of Turkish citizens (except, for example, military service, voting and some public sector jobs),
- Can still be cancelled in certain situations (e.g. long absence from Turkey, public order concerns).
The long-term permit is regulated mainly by Articles 42–45 LFIP and the Implementing Regulation of the same law.
2. Who Can Apply? Basic Eligibility
2.1 General Rule: 8 Years of Continuous Legal Residence
The core condition is long and lawful stay:
A long-term residence permit may be issued to foreigners who have continuously resided in Turkey for at least eight years on a valid residence permit, or to those who meet special conditions determined by the Ministry.
Key points:
- The 8-year period must be continuous (no long gaps or illegal stay).
- It must be spent with residence permits (or work permits that count as residence).
- For the calculation, half of the student residence period and the full duration of other residence permits are usually counted, as explained in the Implementing Regulation.
2.2 Who Cannot Transfer to Long-Term Residence?
Certain categories are not allowed to switch to a long-term residence permit:
- Refugees
- Conditional refugees
- Subsidiary protection holders
- Persons under temporary protection
- Holders of humanitarian residence permits
This limitation is clearly stated in the LFIP framework and the official guidance of the Presidency of Migration Management (PMM / Göç İdaresi Başkanlığı).
3. Legal Conditions: Article 43 Requirements
Beyond the 8-year rule, Article 43 LFIP and the relevant regulation set out additional conditions. To qualify for a long-term residence permit, the applicant must:
- Have lived in Turkey for at least 8 years continuously with valid residence permits (as explained above).
- Not have received social assistance from Turkish public institutions in the last three years.
- Have sufficient and regular income to support themselves (and dependants, if any).
- Hold valid health insurance that covers them in Turkey.
- Not pose a threat to public order or public security (no serious criminal or security issues).
These conditions are assessed by the governorate (provincial authority) and decided upon with the approval of the Ministry of Interior.
4. Rights and Limitations of Long-Term Residence Holders
A long-term residence permit gives the foreigner a status very close to Turkish citizenship in daily life:
Main rights (in general terms):
- The right to reside indefinitely in Turkey (no need for periodic renewals like short-term permits),
- Access to public services such as health and education, under applicable conditions,
- The right to work (often combined with work permit options or permanent work permit in certain cases).
Limitations:
- No right to vote or be elected,
- No access to certain public sector positions,
- Military service obligations and some political rights are reserved for Turkish citizens.
Always check the latest practice or obtain local legal advice, as secondary regulations and practice can change.
5. How to Apply: Step-by-Step Procedure
5.1 Step 1 – Check Your Residence History
Before applying, you should:
- Confirm that you have at least 8 years of continuous legal residence with valid permits,
- Check whether student residence periods are correctly counted (usually half),
- Ensure there were no long gaps of illegal stay or expired permits.
If your history is complex (e.g. a mix of work, student and family permits), it may be wise to ask a migration lawyer to review it.
5.2 Step 2 – Prepare Your Documents
The exact documents may vary slightly between provinces and over time, but typical requirements for a long-term residence application include:
- Residence permit application form (filled via the online e-Residence / e-İkamet system),
- Valid passport (original and notarised copy),
- Copy of your current/previous residence permits,
- Four biometric photographs,
- Proof that you did not receive social assistance from public institutions in the last 3 years,
- Proof of sufficient and regular income (bank statements, employment contract, company documents, pension documents, etc.),
- Criminal record / police clearance, if requested,
- Valid health insurance policy,
- Proof of address (e.g. notarised rental contract, title deed, or address registration).
You should always double-check the official list of documents on the e-ikamet website or PMM’s pages before applying.
5.3 Step 3 – Apply Online (e-İkamet System)
All residence permit applications, including long-term ones, are started online through the e-Residence (e-İkamet) system:
- Visit the official e-İkamet portal.
- Select “First Application / Transfer” and choose long-term residence permit.
- Fill in your personal details, address, permit history and other required information.
- Choose an appointment date and time at your local Provincial Directorate of Migration Management (İl Göç İdaresi Müdürlüğü).
You will receive an application form/print-out, which you must sign and bring to the appointment with your documents.
5.4 Step 4 – Attend the Appointment at the Provincial Directorate
On the appointment date, you must personally attend the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management in the province where you live, with all your documents in original and copy.
During the appointment:
- Your documents will be checked,
- You may be asked additional questions about your income, residence history, and family situation,
- Biometric data (photo, fingerprints) may be taken, if not already on record.
If your file is complete, the Directorate sends it to the governorate and the Ministry for approval, as required by LFIP.
5.5 Step 5 – Wait for the Decision and Residence Card
If the application is approved:
- Your long-term residence permit card will be printed and sent to your registered address (usually by post/courier).
- The card does not bear an expiry date like short-term permits, but it remains subject to cancellation conditions (see below).
If refused, you will receive a written decision; depending on the grounds, you may have the right to administrative appeal or judicial review before Turkish courts.
6. Reasons for Refusal, Cancellation or Loss of Status
Even if you meet the 8-year requirement and obtain the permit, the long-term residence status is not absolutely unconditional.
6.1 Grounds for Refusal or Non-Renewal
Authorities may refuse to grant a long-term residence permit if:
- You fail to meet Article 43 conditions,
- You pose a threat to public order or public security,
- There is incomplete or false documentation,
- You do not appear at the appointment, or cannot prove your legal stay and income.
6.2 Cancellation of Long-Term Residence
According to LFIP and related practice, a long-term residence permit can be cancelled, particularly if the foreigner:
- Poses a serious threat to public order or public security, or
- Stays abroad continuously for more than one year, except for reasons such as health, education, or compulsory public service in their home country.
Cancellation decisions are usually taken by the governorates, and may be open to appeal depending on the circumstances and deadlines.
7. Practical Tips and Common Mistakes
To increase your chances of success:
- Track your 8-year period carefully. Keep copies of all your old residence cards and work permits.
- Avoid gaps and overstay. Always renew your short-term or family permit on time until you are eligible for long-term status.
- Keep financial evidence. Bank statements, tax returns, payroll slips, and company documents should clearly show stable and lawful income.
- Do not rely on social assistance. Receiving public social aid in the last three years can negatively affect your eligibility.
- Maintain valid health insurance at all times.
- Register your address correctly in the address registration system and keep your rental contract or title deed up-to-date.
- Consider legal advice for complicated cases (mixed status, previous refusals, criminal record, long absences).
8. Long-Term Residence vs. Citizenship and Work Permits
Finally, it is important to understand how long-term residence fits into the wider picture:
- Citizenship: Long-term residence does not automatically grant Turkish citizenship, but it can strengthen a later citizenship application, depending on your personal circumstances and the Turkish Citizenship Law.
- Permanent work permit: Foreigners with a long-term residence permit or with at least 8 years of legal work permits may qualify for a permanent work permit, which provides similar rights to long-term residence in terms of employment.
Both statuses are attractive for foreigners who see Turkey as a long-term home, but they involve different procedures and should not be confused.
Yanıt yok