Long-Term Residence Permit

A long-term residence permit is granted indefinitely to foreign nationals who have lived in Turkey continuously for at least eight years and meet certain conditions. The most critical part of the application is which residence permits count toward that period and how interruptions are assessed. It grants broader rights than a short-term or family permit.

Average Processing Time: Can take a few months (varies)
Where to Apply: Provincial Directorate of Migration Management
Validity Period: Indefinite

Initial Assessment

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Who It’s For

Foreign nationals who have held residence permits in Turkey continuously for at least eight years

Which permit types count toward this period is assessed separately.

Those who haven’t received social assistance in the last three years

This condition is taken into account when reviewing the application.

Those with sufficient and regular income

Must be able to support themselves and any dependants.

Those covered by general health insurance

Health insurance is a separate requirement.

Required Documents

Passport or travel document

Must have sufficient remaining validity.

Biometric photograph

Taken within the last six months.

Residence permit records for the last eight years

Shows the continuous stay.

Entry-exit records

To show any time spent abroad stayed within the allowed limits.

Proof of sufficient and regular income

Such as a payslip or bank records.

General health insurance record

Coverage must be current and valid.

Declaration/record confirming no social assistance received

Verified with the relevant institution.

Criminal record certificate

Covering the period spent in Turkey.

The document list can vary by application reason and personal circumstances; the current requirements of the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management apply.

Process Steps

01

Initial Assessment
Within 1 day

Your continuous residence period and eligibility are reviewed together.
02

Calculating the Period and Gathering Documents
A few weeks

Which permits count are identified and the required documents gathered.
03

Appointment and Application
Depends on appointment date

An appointment is booked through e-residence and the file submitted to the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management.
04

Review
Varies by case

Income, insurance, and social assistance conditions are examined.
05

Result and Card Delivery
A few months (varies)

If approved, the indefinite residence card is delivered.

Not sure whether your situation fits this process?

Initial Assessment

Legal Basis

Law No. 6458 on Foreigners and International Protection Articles 42-45

Sets out the conditions for a long-term residence permit and the rights it provides.

Regulation on the Implementation of the Law on Foreigners and International Protection

Details on calculating the period and which permit types count are also set out in this regulation.

Common Mistakes

Miscalculating time spent outside Turkey

Exceeding the allowed limit can invalidate the application.

Counting a permit type that doesn’t qualify toward the period

Some short-term permits, for example, may be treated differently.

Not checking social assistance records

A record from within the last three years can count against the application.

Letting income documents go out of date

Insufficient or outdated documents can be rejected.

Leaving gaps in health insurance coverage

Interruptions in coverage put both the period and the application at risk.

Frequently Asked Questions

It’s based on the total time held under residence permits in Turkey; which permit types count is assessed separately.

Short trips usually aren’t a problem, but if the total time away exceeds a certain limit, the period can be affected.

It generally counts, but each permit type is assessed on its own.

It provides broader rights than short-term or family residence, with some exceptions such as military service obligations and voting/electoral rights.

Assistance received in the last three years affects the assessment; we can look at your history together.

A long-term residence permit is granted indefinitely; renewing the physical card is a separate matter.

No, it’s a separate status; citizenship requires a different application route.

Related Services

Short-Term Residence A short-term residence permit is issued to foreign nationals who want to stay in Turkey temporarily for a specific reason — owning property, business dealings, tourism, or a non-formal education programme, for instance. Family Residence Permit A family residence permit is granted to the spouse and children of a Turkish citizen or of a foreign national who holds a valid residence or work permit. Student Residence Permit A student residence permit is granted to foreign nationals enrolled in formal education in Turkey and remains valid for the length of the study. Work Permit A work permit isn’t a type of residence permit — it’s a separate authorisation, based on its own law, that allows a foreign national to work for an employer in Turkey. Residence Permit Rejection and Cancellation Appeal If your residence permit application has been rejected, or a permit you already hold has been cancelled, legal routes are available against that decision.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.