Erdal Nuhbasa – Law and Consulting Firm – Legal Services
ERDAL NUHBASA
LAW AND CONSULTING FIRM
Erdal Nuhbasa – Law and Consulting Firm – Legal Services
ERDAL NUHBASA
LAW AND CONSULTING FIRM
Foreign students who wish to study in Turkey must obtain a student residence permit (öğrenci ikamet izni). Applying correctly and on time is very important in order to avoid legal problems. According to Turkish law, students enrolled in associate, undergraduate, graduate, or postgraduate programs must hold a student residence permit. The student residence permit also allows you to support your spouse and children in their residence applications, but it does not extend to other family members.
In Turkey, universities offer different programs such as 100% in Turkish or 100% in English. If you choose a program taught in Turkish, you may need to complete a one-year Turkish language preparatory course before starting your studies. For programs taught in English, the education is fully in English, which makes Turkey a popular choice for international students.
A student residence permit is required for:
International students enrolled in associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral programs in Turkey.
Students in primary or secondary education who do not already hold a valid family residence permit.
Foreigners who will stay in Turkey longer than their visa or visa-exempt period.
If you are an international student planning to study in Turkey, completing your registration correctly is important.
– If you are already in Turkey, you can complete your registration in person at the university by submitting the required documents listed below.
– If you are abroad, you must first contact the university’s Student Affairs Office to obtain an invitation letter. With this invitation letter, you can apply for a student visa at the Turkish consulate in your country. Once the consulate issues your student visa, you can travel to Turkey and complete your registration.
Remember, regardless of the situation, all university registrations in Turkey must be completed in person. Registration dates are announced on the university’s Student Affairs website.
To help you prepare in advance, here are the most common documents universities require for foreigners who want to study in Turkey:
When applying for a student residence permit in Turkey, you must submit:
For a more detailed list, please visit the official website of the Directorate General of Migration Management.
You need to submit these documents to your university first. After submission, the university will forward them to the Immigration Office on your behalf. You will only need to visit the Immigration Office in person to provide your fingerprints. Once the process is complete, you can collect your residence card directly from the Student Affairs Office at your university.
When applying for a student residence permit in Turkey, you must submit:
For a more detailed list, please visit the official website of the Directorate General of Migration Management.
After receiving your student residence permit, you must complete your address registration within 20 days. You can read more about the procedure here: What is Address Registration and How to Do It?
Keep in mind that obtaining your permit does not mean everything is finalized. Universities may allow you to register even with missing documents, but you will be given a deadline to complete them. Failing to submit the required documents on time can lead to the cancellation of your permit and even an entry ban.
Before your permit expires, you must apply for a renewal, as late applications are not accepted. In case you change your university or department, do not forget to inform the Immigration Office through your university’s student affairs office.
Yes, you can. Since you are outside Türkiye, you must first obtain an acceptance letter from a university. With this letter, you should apply for a student visa at the Turkish consulate. Even if your country normally allows visa-free entry to Türkiye, your entry ban requires you to apply for a visa. Otherwise, despite having university admission, you will not be allowed to enter Türkiye at the border.
No, you cannot. If you are already staying in Turkey illegally (for example, overstaying your visa or residence permit), you are not eligible to apply for a student residence permit. The law requires that you be in Turkey legally at the time of application.
In such cases, you must leave Turkey, obtain an acceptance letter from a university, and then apply for a student visa at the Turkish consulate in your home country. Only after entering Turkey legally with the proper visa can you apply for a student residence permit.
A student residence permit does not automatically grant the right to work. However, university students may apply for a work permit after completing their first year of study. Working without a valid permit is illegal and can result in fines or the cancellation of your residence permit.
If your residence permit expires, you immediately lose your legal status in Turkey. You must apply for a renewal before the expiration date. Late applications are not accepted, and overstaying can lead to fines, deportation, or even an entry ban.
Yes. If your situation changes—for example, if you graduate and start working—you may apply to switch to a short-term residence permit or a work residence permit. This must be done before your current permit expires to avoid illegal stay.
Yes. Your spouse and children can apply for a family residence permit if you meet certain requirements such as sufficient income and suitable accommodation. Their application process is separate from yours but follows immigration regulations.
Yes, you can leave and re-enter Turkey as long as your student residence permit remains valid. Make sure your permit card and passport are not expired before traveling, otherwise you may face issues at border control.
Immigration law in Turkey can be complex, and a small mistake may result in the rejection of your application, cancellation of your residence permit, or even an entry ban. By working with our law office, you will benefit from:
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