Long-Term Resıdence Permıt
One of the residence permits regulated in the Law on Foreigners and International Protection and the relevant regulation is the long-term residence permit.
In principle, foreigners who have resided in Turkey for at least 8 years continuously, meet the necessary conditions, and are deemed appropriate by the administration can obtain it. Foreigners who meet the conditions stipulated by the law for a long-term residence permit or those determined by the Migration Policies Board are granted a long-term residence permit indefinitely by the governorships with the approval of the ministry.
Unlike other residence permits, the long-term residence permit is subject to the approval of the Ministry of Interior. Foreigners who meet the conditions stipulated by the law or determined by the Migration Policies Board are granted a long-term residence permit indefinitely by the governorships with the approval of the Ministry.
Conditions for Long-Term Residence Permit:
One of the conditions for a long-term residence permit is having resided continuously for eight years. When checking if the time requirement is met, interruptions in residence are determined as follows:
1- The application date is taken as the basis for calculation. Periods the foreigner spent abroad and periods spent in Turkey without a residence permit are considered interruptions.
2- If there is no interruption exceeding a total of one hundred and eighty days within one-year periods retroactively from the application date, the next one-year period is considered, and this check continues until eight years are completed.
3- In case there are no interruptions exceeding one hundred and eighty days in the one-year periods, it is checked whether there is an interruption exceeding a total of three hundred and sixty-five days within the last five-year period.
4- The applications of foreigners who have spent more than six months abroad or in Turkey without residence, either at once or consecutively within the eight-year period, are rejected before proceeding to the period calculation.
5- For foreigners subject to deportation proceedings, their previous residence permit periods are not counted in the aggregation of residence permit durations.
6- Regarding the condition of having stayed in Turkey with a residence permit for at least eight continuous years, the calculation for residence permits obtained before the entry into force of the Law is also made according to the principles in paragraph (a) above.
7- The application of an applicant found to have received social assistance within the last three years as of the application date is rejected.
8- The applicant is required to have a sufficient and regular source of income. The applicant must have the financial means to cover their monthly expenses equivalent to the net minimum wage valid in the year of application.
The applicant must have the financial means to cover expenses amounting to at least one-third of the minimum wage for each family member, including themselves, with the total not being less than the minimum wage.
Commitments by third parties are not accepted for determining the source of income.
9- Having valid health insurance as of the application date is mandatory.
Depending on the situation, a security investigation is conducted on the applicant. If it is determined that the applicant poses a threat to public order or public security, their application is rejected.
Rights Provided by Long-Term Residence Permit:
In principle, the long-term residence permit holder, under certain conditions, benefits from the rights granted to Turkish citizens.
Long-term residence permit holders are exempt from compulsory military service in Turkey.
They cannot benefit from the rights to vote and be elected, enter public office, or import vehicles exempt from duty.
Their acquired social security rights are reserved, and they are subject to the provisions in the relevant laws regarding the use of these rights.
Transactions related to matters such as residence, travel, work, investment, commercial activity, inheritance, acquisition, and disposal of movable and immovable property in Turkey for long-term residence permit holders are carried out by the relevant institutions and organizations according to the legislation applicable to Turkish citizens.
They cannot benefit from rights exclusively reserved for Turkish citizens by relevant laws.
The rights granted to foreigners with long-term residence permits may be partially or fully restricted by a decision of the Council of Ministers upon the proposal of the Ministry of Interior or ex officio.
Cancellation of Long-Term Residence Permit
The long-term residence permits of those determined to pose a serious threat to public order or public security, based on opinions obtained from relevant security units, are cancelled.
The long-term residence permits of those who stay outside Turkey for more than one continuous year, except for reasons of health, education, compulsory public service in their country, or duty assignment, are cancelled.
The cancellation of the long-term residence permit is carried out by the governorships with the approval of the Ministry of Interior.
Those determined to pose a serious threat to public order or public security cannot apply for any of the residence permit types specified in the Law.
The decision to cancel the residence permit application is notified to the foreigner or their legal representative or lawyer.
Legal remedies are available against cancellation decisions.
Re-applications by Foreigners Whose Long-Term Residence Permits Have Been Cancelled:
Foreigners whose long-term residence permits have been cancelled due to staying outside Turkey for more than one continuous year (except for health, education, compulsory public service, or duty assignment reasons) can re-apply to obtain this permit.
Applications are made abroad to consulates, and domestically to the governorship of the province where the foreigner is located, either in person or according to the application procedure determined by the Directorate General.
Applications are evaluated with priority and concluded within one month at the latest. In the evaluation, factors such as the intention to stay in Turkey for settlement purposes, whether they have relatives in Turkey, immovable property assets, active business and work relations, and social, economic, and cultural ties with Turkey are considered.
In these applications, it is checked whether the conditions for obtaining a long-term residence permit are met. However, the condition of residing for eight continuous years with a residence permit is not required again.
The evaluation made by the governorships is sent to the Ministry along with the governorship's opinion. The re-issuance of the long-term residence permit is subject to the approval of the Ministry.
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