The type of residence permit applied by foreign nationals who want to stay in Turkey for a period longer than the visa period or visa exemption period and meet certain conditions stipulated by the law is called short-term residence permit.

When applying for a short-term residence permit, it is very important to document the reasons for staying in Turkey. Regulations regarding short-term residence permit are found in Article 31 et seq. of the Law on Foreigners and International Protection No. 6458.

There is also a Regulation on the implementation of the relevant law. Short-term residence permit is actually a subtype of residence permit in general. There are many details to consider when applying for a residence permit. People lose their rights due to mistakes made in individual applications.

It is very important to progress the process with a lawyer specialized in foreigners law in order to avoid any problems and loss of rights. Who is granted a Short-Term Residence Permit? The regulation regarding who can benefit from a short-term residence permit is included in Article 31 of the Law on Foreigners and International Protection.

According to the article regulation, people who can benefit from this type of residence permit can be listed as follows.

  1. Foreigners who own real estate in Turkey: In order to request a permit, the real estate must have residential status and be used for this purpose. If the applicant’s spouse, minor child and adult dependent child have shared or joint ownership rights on the real estate, these people can also apply for a residence permit.
  2. Foreigners Coming for the Purpose of Scientific Research: If an application is made for the purpose of conducting scientific research, if research is subject to permission, applications are made to the necessary places for permission. A scientific research permit must be submitted at the application stage. If the research is not subject to permission, statements regarding the subject of the research to be carried out are submitted in the application. In addition to all these, the foreign national must obtain a visa for scientific research purposes from our country’s representative offices abroad.
  3. Foreigners who will establish a commercial connection or business in Turkey: For this reason, if a short-term residence permit is requested for more than 3 months, they can receive a residence permit for up to 1 year, provided that the foreigner submits a document indicating who or with which company the commercial connection will be established and they meet the conditions. At this stage, it is possible to use the invitation letters sent by the companies as a basis.
  4. Foreigners to Participate in In-Service Training Programs: If the foreigner applies for a short-term residence permit citing participation in in-service training, information and documents such as which institution or organization provided the training and how long it will last must be submitted. The duration of the residence permit is determined by taking into account the duration of the education.
  5. Education etc. in accordance with the Agreements and Student Exchange Programs to which Turkey is a Party. Foreigners Coming for Purposes: If an application is made for this purpose, the period of permission granted cannot exceed the duration of the training. Foreigners coming within the framework of student exchange programs must apply for general health insurance within 3 months from the date of registration. If a request is not made within this period, the right to benefit from general health insurance will be lost and the foreigner must have private health insurance.
  6. Foreigners Coming for Tourism Purposes: If an application is made regarding this, the foreigner is requested to make a statement regarding where and for how long he will stay. An investigation is carried out taking these statements into consideration. If necessary, additional documents and information may be requested.
  7. Foreigners who will receive treatment provided that they do not have diseases that pose a threat to public health: In this case, the residence permit to be issued is determined by taking into account the duration of treatment. If all costs of the treatment have been paid, it is not necessary to have health insurance again. Companions of the foreigner who will come for treatment cannot benefit from this leave. To come as a companion, the relative must apply for a residence permit in accordance with the general provisions.
  8. Foreigners who will stay in Turkey upon the requests or decisions of the Judicial and Administrative Authorities: How long the foreigner will be allowed will vary depending on the decision made by the judicial or administrative authority.
  9. Foreigners who apply in cases where family residence permit conditions have been eliminated: In some cases where the conditions required for a family residence permit are lost, it may be possible to convert the permit into a short-term permit. For detailed information about this situation, you can read our article “Family Residence Permit”.
  10. Foreigners who will participate in the Turkish Learning Course: The institution that will provide Turkish education must be approved by the Ministry of National Education. If an application is made for this purpose, it is possible to be granted permission twice at most. Information such as the foreigner’s attendance at the course and when it started is reported to the provincial directorate by the institution providing the course.
  11. Foreigners Who Will Participate in Education, Research, Internship and Courses in Turkey: Education, internships and courses must be provided by public institutions. If an application is made in this way, a residence permit will be granted for a maximum period of 1 year.
  12. Foreigners who completed their higher education in Turkey and applied after graduation: The application must be made within 6 months after the graduation date. The foreigner who applies in this way is given a one-time short-term residence permit for a maximum of 1 year.
  13. Foreigners who do not work in Turkey but invest within a certain scope: The amount to be invested is determined by the President. The spouse of the person who will make the investment, his and his spouse’s minor children or dependent children can also benefit from this type of residence permit. If an application is made for this purpose, it is possible to grant a residence permit for periods with an upper limit of 5 years.
  14. Citizens of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus: If these citizens apply, it is possible to be granted a residence permit with an upper limit of 5 years. Documents to be Present During the Appointment:
    • 4 biometric photographs
    • Original and photocopy of passport (the last entry page, the page containing validity period and personal information are sufficient)
    • Appointment Application Form
    • Foreign Health Insurance
    • Reservation document if foreign nationals are staying at the hote
    • Tax number obtained from the tax office
    • Notarized Rental Agreement if the foreign national is renting
    • If a Turkish citizen is staying with you, T.R. Citizen’s notarized commitment
    • If requested, a real documentable income document (may be foreign savings, family support or salary account) If the sponsor is a Turkish citizen, a notarized income document
    • Power of attorney from a lawyer for applications made through a proxy.

IMPORTANT: When a person applies to the Immigration Administration even though he has one of the characteristics listed above; The application may result negatively, sometimes due to mistakes made by the applicant and sometimes by the administration. In order to prevent such mistakes and prevent loss of rights, it is necessary to work with a foreigners law lawyer who is an expert on the subject.

For what reasons is a Short-Term Residence Permit Rejected, Canceled, or Not Extended? Article 33 of the Law on Foreigners and International Protection states in which cases a residence permit will not be granted, in which cases the given permit will be canceled and in which cases the expired permit will not be extended.

These situations can be listed as follows:

  • Failure to fully fulfill the conditions required for the issuance of a short-term residence permit or the disappearance of existing conditions,
  • It is determined that the short-term residence permit is used contrary to its purpose,
  • There is a valid deportation decision or ban on entry to Turkey for the foreigner who has applied or been granted a short-term residence permit.