A residence permit in Turkey is a residence permit in the country.
In Turkish, the residence permit in Turkey is called “ikamet” (Ikamet).
Residence permit is:
short-term - "Kısa Dönem İkamet İzni"
long-term - "Uzun Dönem İkamet İzni"
In Turkey, new amendments to the Immigration Law No. 6458, Article No.: 31-1 (e) entered into force, according to which, from January 1, 2020, foreigners holding a tourist residence permit cannot renew it for the same reason (tourist vacation). To stay in the Republic of Turkey legally, you can rename the residence permit or choose another legal way of residence. These amendments do not apply to the countries of the European Union, including Russia, China, Slovenia.
 Short-term residence permit in Turkey in 2021
Under what circumstances can you expect to receive a residence permit in Turkey for up to 1 year? In this case, there are several options, each of which has its own characteristics and specific requirements.
Requirements for the applicant to obtain a short-term residence permit in Turkey in 2021:
• Age from 18 years old.
• Medical insurance has been issued (the exception applies to persons over 65 and minors under 18).
Documents for residence permit:
• lease agreement in Turkey or TAPU (ownership of real estate) signed and stamped by a notary;
• a document confirming the financial stability of the applicant and his family members (statement from the bank about the presence of at least $ 500 on the account at the rate of this amount for 1 month of stay);
• original and copy of the passport, certified by a notary;
• 4 photos for each applicant (on a white background in the established for biometric data).
• Also, a foreign citizen must fill out a resident questionnaire, and in case of applying for a spouse and children, have a sworn translation of the birth certificate of a minor child and a marriage certificate. In some cases, an apostille or seal of the Consulate is required.
 Long term residence permit in Turkey in 2021
In order to live and work in the country for a long period of time, as well as apply for citizenship, a foreign citizen must fulfill all of the following requirements:
• period of residence in the Republic of Turkey - at least 8 years;
• during the last 3 years, no applications for financial support from the state have been received from a foreign citizen;
• financial stability, which is confirmed by bank statements and wages at the place of official employment;
• there is a private health insurance;
• no criminal record.
The new İkamet rules in Turkey in 2021 provide for the application for a long-term residence permit even in the case of a previously obtained tourist permit.
How to apply for a long-term residence permit
To obtain a long-term residence permit in Turkey in 2021, the foreigner must visit the local Security and Migration Office. What standards are currently in force:
• A residence permit for a long period of time is valid only if the foreign citizen has not left the Turkish jurisdiction for a period of more than 1 year, except for good reasons, including education, compulsory public service or health status.
• Receiving a long-term residence permit, a citizen has equal rights with residents of the country, with the exception of:
• passing military conscript service;
• voting in elections and participating in them as an elected person;
• to hold positions in the state structures of Turkey;
• privileges on customs duties on the import of vehicles are also not applied.
• Among the documents for a residence permit, a certificate of no criminal record, a valid residence permit and a Turkish ID should be added to the list of mandatory ones (indicated above)
From 2021, you must attach a certificate of registration at the place of residence in Turkey to the documents on the list of the Migration Board. You need to get the certificate in advance, before coming to the Migration Office. The certificate is issued in the Municipality free of charge upon presentation of a passport and Tapu. You will be asked to fill out an application with your details, including your tax number. Property owners receive a tax number when registering a Tapu with the Tax Office.
From April 2021 to the present, a visit to Turkish government agencies is possible only with a medical protective mask and presentation of the HES code.