STUDENT RESIDENCE PERMIT

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Revised November, 2024 – Resource, Directorate General of Migration Management Turkey
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STUDENT RESIDENCE PERMIT IN TURKEY FOR FOREIGNER
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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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Student residence permit is regulated in ARTICLES 38 – 41 of the Law on Foreigners and International Protection No. 6458. Additionally, student residence permit is issued in Articles 35-39 of Regulation for Implementation of the Law on Foreigners and International Protection.

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ARTICLE 38 – Student residence permit
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(1) A student residence permit shall be granted to foreigners who shall attend an associate, undergraduate, graduate or postgraduate programme in a higher education institution in Turkey.
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(2) To foreigners who shall receive primary and secondary education and whose care and expenses shall be covered by a natural or legal person, subject to the consent of their parents or legal guardian a one year student residence permit shall be granted and renewed throughout the course of their study.
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(3) The student residence permit shall not entitle the parents as well as more distant family members of the foreigner the right of obtaining residence permit.
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(4) In cases where the period of study is less than one year, the duration of the residence permit shall not exceed the period of study.
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ARTICLE 39 – Conditions for student residence permit
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(1) The following conditions shall apply to student residence permit:
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a) submitting the information and documents within the scope of Article 38;
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b) not to fall within the scope of Article 7;
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c) providing an address in Turkey.
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ARTICLE 40 – Refusal, cancellation or non-renewal of student residence permits
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(1) Under the following cases a student residence permit shall not be issued, cancelled if has been issued, refused renewal when:
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a) the requirements of Article 39 are not met or no longer apply;
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b) evidence exists that the studies are possibly not to be continued;
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c) it is determined that the student residence permit has been used for a purpose other than that it is issued for;
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ç) there is a current removal decision or an entry ban to Turkey with respect to the foreigner.
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ARTICLE 41 – Right of work for foreign students
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(1) Foreign students attending an associate, undergraduate, graduate or postgraduate programme in Turkey may work, provided that they obtain a work permit. However the right of work for associate or undergraduate students starts after the first year of their study and the weekly working hours shall not exceed maximum twenty-four hours.
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(2) The principles and procedures governing the right of work for associate or undergraduate students shall be jointly regulated by the Ministry and the Ministry of Labor and Social Security within the framework of the principles to be determined by the Migration Policies Board.
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WHO MAY APPLY TO STUDENT RESIDENCE PERMIT
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  • Foreigners who shall receive primary or secondary education and who do not hold a family residence permit  (Without taking residence permit, foreigners can continue studying until they are 18 (for primary and secondary education). However, when they are over 18 and still go on taking secondary education, those students are required to take residence permit.),
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  • Foreigners who shall attend an associate, undergraduate, graduate or postgraduate programme or receive education for specialty in medicine (TUS) or in dentistry (DUS) are issued residence permits.
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  • Student residence permit ensures the student to be only the supporter of spouse and children in family residence permit applications. It does not provide any right to the other relatives about residence permit.
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    FOR HOW LONG MAY THE STUDENT RESIDENCE BE ISSUED?
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  • If the period of study is less than a year, the duration of the residence permit shall not exceed the period of study.
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  • Residence permit may be issued for the period of study to the foreigners who shall receive education in Turkey through state institutions and organizations.
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  • Foreigners who shall receive primary and secondary education, subject to the consent of their parents or legal guardian a one year student residence permit may be granted and renewed throughout the course of their study.
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    WHAT ARE THE CONDITIONS FOR STUDENT RESIDENCE PERMIT
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    Foreigners are required to fulfill the conditions set out in Article 39 in order to obtain student residence permit.
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  • to submit supporting information and documents related to aim of stay in Turkey (Article 38);
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  • not to fall within the scope of Article 7;
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  • submit information on their address of stay in Turkey.
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Health Insurance in Student Residence Permit
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Another health insurance is not required if the students request the general health insurance within three months from the date of admission according to the rules of Social Insurances and General Health Insurance Law. However, if they lose the right of carrying insurance by not requesting within three months, private health insurance is required.
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Procedures required to be followed by Higher Education Students for changes in University, Faculty or Department
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a) In case of a faculty or department change in the same educational institution or change in educational institution in the same province, on the condition of not taking a break in studentship and announcing in time, current residence permit is preserved. If the residence permit period is shorter than period of study, it is extended as much as period of study from the expiration.
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b) In cases where the foreign continue his education in a different province, current residence permit shall be cancelled and a new residence permit valid for the duration of the education shall be issued by the governorate.
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Right of work for (foreign) students
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Foreign students attending an associate, undergraduate, graduate or postgraduate programme in Turkey may work, provided that they obtain a work permit. However the right of work for associate or undergraduate students starts after the first year (of their study). Work permit applications shall be made to the Ministry of Labor and Social Security.
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WHAT ARE REASONS OF REFUSAL, CANCELLATION OR NON-RENEWAL
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Under the following cases a student residence permit shall not be issued, be cancelled if has been issued, be refused renewal when:
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  • The requirements for issuing a student residence permit are not met or no longer apply;
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  • Evidence exists that the studies are possibly not to be continued;
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  • It is determined that the student residence permit has been used for a purpose other than it is issued for;
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  • There is a current removal decision or an entry ban to Turkey with respect to the foreigner.
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