LONG TERM RESIDENCE PERMIT

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Revised February, 2025 – Resource, Directorate General of Migration Management Turkey
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LONG-TERM RESIDENCE PERMIT IN TURKEY
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There are 6 residence permit types in Turkey that shall be regulated by ARTICLE 30 of the Law on Foreigners and International Protection No. 6458.

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ARTICLE 30 – Residence Permit Types
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(1) Types of residence permits are the listed below:
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a) Short-term residence permit;
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b) Family residence permit;
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c) Student residence permit;
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ç) Long-term residence permit;
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d) Humanitarian residence permit;
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e) Victim of human trafficking residence permit.
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Long term residence permit shall be regulated by ARTICLES 42 – 45 of the Law on Foreigners and International Protection.

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ARTICLE 42 – Long-term residence permit
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(1) A long-term residence permit shall be issued by the governorates, upon approval of the Ministry, to foreigners that have continuously resided in Turkey for at least eight years on permit or, foreigners that meet the conditions set out by the Migration Policies Board.
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Foreigners to live in Turkey on permanent basis, however who do not want the Turkish citizenship.
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(2) Refugees, conditional refugees and subsidiary protection beneficiaries as well as persons under temporary protection or humanitarian residence permit holders are not entitled to the right of transfer to long-term residence permit.
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ARTICLE 43 – Conditions for long-term residence permit
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(1) With regard to the issuing long-term residence permit the following conditions shall apply:
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a) having continues residence in Turkey for at least eight years;
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b) not having received social assistance in the past three years;
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c) having sufficient and stable income to maintain themselves or, if any, support their family;
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ç) to be covered with a valid medical insurance;
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d) not to be posing a public order or public security threat.
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(2) Subject to subparagraph (d), the conditions stipulated in the first paragraph shall not apply to foreigners who are considered appropriate for a long-term residence permit due to meeting the conditions determined by the Migration Policies Board.
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ARTICLE 44 – Rights conferred by a long-term residence permit
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(1) Without prejudice to acquired rights with respect to social security, and subject to conditions stipulated in applicable legislation governing the enjoyment of rights, foreigners holding long-term residence permit shall benefit from the same rights as accorded to Turkish citizens with the exception of the provisions in laws regulating specific areas, and of:
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a) compulsory military service;
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b) the right of vote and be elected;
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c) entering public service;
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ç) exemption from customs duties when importing vehicles.
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(2) The Council of Ministers is authorized to partially or completely restrict the rights listed in the first paragraph.
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ARTICLE 45 – Cancellation of long-term residence permits
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(1) Under the following cases a long-term residence permit shall be cancelled when the foreigner:
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a) poses a serious public security or public order threat;
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b) stays out of Turkey continuously for more than one year for reasons other than health, education and compulsory public service in his/her country.
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(2) The principles and procedures governing the re-application for a long-term residence permit and assessment of the applications of foreigners whose long-term residence permit has been cancelled pursuant to subparagraph (b) of the first paragraph shall be stipulated in a Directive.
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WHO MAY APPLY FOR LONG TERM RESIDENCE PERMIT IN TURKEY?

•  A long term residence permit shall be issued by the governorates, upon approval of the Ministry, to the foreigners that have continuously resided in Turkey for at least eight years on a permit or to foreigners that meet the conditions set out by the Migration Policies Board.
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• Refugees, conditional refugees and subsidiary protection beneficiaries as well as persons under temporary protection or humanitarian residence permit holders are not entitled to the right of transfer to a long-term residence permit.
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  FOR HOW LONG MAY THE LONG TERM RESIDENCE PERMIT BE ISSUED IN TURKEY?
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  Long term residence permit shall be issued indefinitely.
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  WHAT ARE THE CONDITIONS FOR LONG TERM RESIDENCE PERMIT IN TURKEY?
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  In order long term residence permit’s to be issued, foreigner is required to fulfill the required conditions stated in Article 43 of the Law.
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•  Having continuous residence in Turkey for at least eight years (In calculation of continuous eight years, half of the duration of student resident permits, as stated in Law Article 38, and the full duration of all other types of residence permits shall be taken into account.);
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• Not having received social assistance in the past three years;
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• Having sufficient and stable income to maintain themselves or, if any, support their family;
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• To be covered with a valid medical insurance;
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• Not to be posing a public order or public security threat (except the foreigners who are approved by the Migration Policies Board)
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WHAT ARE REASONS OF REFUSAL
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A long-term residence permit shall be cancelled when the foreigner:

• poses a serious public security or public order threat,
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• stays out of Turkey continuously for more than one year for reasons other than health, education and compulsory public service in his/her country.
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• Cancellation of long term residence permit shall be made by governorates.
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