- Long Term Residence Permit

Foreigners who have resided continuously in Turkey for 8 years can obtain an long term residence permit. Long term residence permit can be obtained indefinately and provides its holder with comprehensive rights.

1. How long can a long term residence permit be granted?

Long-term residence permit is given indefinitely to those who meet the requirements. Long-term residence permit holders can benefit from many rights granted to Turkish citizens.

2. Who can get a long term residence permit?

To be eligible for a long term residence permit in Turkey, the following conditions must be met:

• Residing in Turkey with uninterruptedly for at least 8 years.
• The applicant must have a sufficient and regular source of income to support themselves and their family (if they apply together)
• Not having received social assistance within the last 3 years.
• To have valid health insurance.
• Not posing a threat to public order or public security.

Even if the applicant does not meet these conditions, it is possible to obtain a long-term residence permit if they meet the conditions determined by the Migration Policies Board.

3. How is the eight-year continuous stay period calculated?

When calculating the eight-year period, the application date for the long-term residence permit is taken as the basis. The periods spent in Turkey without a residence permit or abroad are not included in the calculation.

If it is determined that the foreigner stayed in Turkey for less than 180 days within 1 year, the periods of stay in the country within the last 5 years will be examined. If it is determined that the foreigner spent more than 365 days abroad during the examined 5-year period, the application for a long-term residence permit will be rejected.

If it is determined that the foreigner stayed abroad for more than six months, the application will be directly rejected without further examination.

4. What rights does the long-term residence permit provide?

Foreigners holding a long-term residence permit can benefit from rights granted to Turkish citizens, with some exceptions. These exceptions include military service, voting and being elected, entering public service, and importing vehicles with exemption. In other words, individuals holding a long-term residence permit are exempt from military service obligations in Turkey. They will also not have the right to vote or be elected in Turkey, and entering public service will not be possible for them.

5. Can holders of a long-term residence permit work in Turkey?

Foreigners with a long-term residence permit or at least eight years of legal work permit can apply for an indefinite work permit.

6. Can a long-term residence permit be revoked?

If foreign nationals staying in Turkey with a long-term residence permit remain outside of Turkey for more than 1 year continuously, except for health, education, and compulsory public service in their country, their residence permit will be revoked. If a foreigner poses a serious threat to public order and security, the revoked residence permits cannot be reapplied for. The revocation of long-term residence permits is done by provincial authorities after obtaining approval from the Ministry.

7. Can a new application be made for a revoked long-term residence permit?

Applications for revoked long-term residence permits are made to consulates abroad or provincial authorities domestically. In new applications, the requirement of uninterrupted 8 years of residence permit in Turkey is not required again, and applications are prioritized and processed within 1 month at the latest.

You can visit our Law Firm's article on residence permit rejection here - Turkish Residence Permit Rejected. What To Do? or contact our law firm directly by phone via WhatsApp.

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