When extending a Turkish residence permit, the commencement date of the extension shall be the expiration date of the current permit. This ensures that the length of the new residence permit begins on the date that the previous one expires. In addition, the applicant must possess a passport valid for at least sixty days beyond the extension's commencement date, or an acceptable substitute travel document.
When initiating the application electronically, the session extension form provided by the system must be accompanied by the other information necessary by the immigration administration and transmitted via freight or PTT (Public Cargo Company of Turkey). For background on the broader framework, see the recent changes in residence permit applications for foreigners in Turkey.
Necessary Documents for Residence Permit Extension in Turkey
The documents required to apply for a residence permit vary based on the motivation for the application. Still, the documents required for all applications are included below.
Standard Application Documents
The documents listed below are those required for all residency permit extension procedures in Turkey:
- Form for Residency Permit Application
- Passport Duplicates (Copies of the page with identity information, called Data Page, and all pages that have been processed.)
- Four Biometric Images
- Evidence that you have sufficient financial means for the duration of your stay
- International Health Insurance
Applications for an extension of a residence permit are submitted via computerized means made available by the immigration department. After completing the application electronically, it must be forwarded by registered mail or courier to the provincial immigration authority. This procedure is permitted 5 days of work time. Applications from non-citizens whose documents are not sent to the post office within this timeframe will not be processed. The receipt reflecting payment of the residence permit fee must be included with the postal paperwork. Using a virtual POS, payments made via the Internet do not require receipts.
The majority of the documents required for a residence permit extension vary based on the purpose for the application. You must also include in your application file the documents specified below, grouped according to the reason for which you are requesting an extension of your residence permit.
Who May Apply for an Extension of Their Residence Permit?
After the expiration of their residence permit, those who have provided the following brief explanations may apply for an extension:
- Visitors from abroad conducting scientific research
- Owners of Turkey's Immovable Property
- Individuals Who Will Develop a Commercial or Business Relationship
- Individuals Who Will Participate in Programs for On-the-Job Training
- Individuals who receive an education through student exchange programs.
- Individuals who switched from a family residence permit to a temporary permit
- People Who Will Get Health Care
- At the Request of Administrative Authorities, Required to Stay
- Mandatory Injunctions at the Request of the Court
- Remaining Matters to be Determined by Judicial Authorities
- Individuals Who Get Instruction Inside the Boundaries of Agreements
- Participants in Turkish Learning Courses
- Individuals Who Will Attend Public Institutions for Education, Research, Internships, and Courses
Is an Extension of the Tourist Residence Permit Possible?
Under the new application, foreigners who got a residence permit for touristic purposes cannot ask for an extension on touristic grounds. They must submit an extension request for several reasons.
Student Residence Permit Extension
To apply for a student residence permit extension, the educational institution must provide a stamped-signed/E-signed document. For each year that the schooling is prolonged, a one-year extension is possible. In other words, although the agreement specifies a two-year education period, a one-year extension may be requested; a new application must be submitted the following year. For the initial process, see our step-by-step student residence permit application guide.
Participation in a Turkish language learning program without any participation in an associate degree/degree/doctoral/bachelor's/master's degree program is ineligible for a residence permit extension.
Students who transfer to the open education program are ineligible to petition for an extension of their residence visa.
Extended Family Residence Permit
Individuals having a family residence permit whose duration is expiring must additionally apply for a residence permit extension within the allotted time frame. The duration asked for this extension may vary. For the underlying rules, see our overview of family residence permits under Law No. 6458.
The marriage certificate is one of the documents that must be attached while extending the Family Residence permit. If this document was obtained in Turkey, a certified photocopy must be submitted; if it was obtained from another country, a certified translation must be submitted. In addition, these documents must be supplied if there has been a change in the family structure (birth, death, divorce, etc.).
The following are the primary requirements for extending a Family Residence Permit:
- The sponsor and all family members are required to have health insurance.
- The entire family income can provide more than one-third of the federal minimum wage for each individual.
- It is documented that no crime has been committed in the past five years.
- The parties to the family reunification either live together or demonstrate their intent to live together.
- Spouses must be at least 18 years old in order to submit extension petitions on their behalf.
- The actuality of the marriage should be clear and should not be fabricated solely for the purpose of issuing a residence permit.
However, Family Residence Permit Extension Requests may also have negative outcomes. The reasons for the unfavorable outcomes could be any of the following:
- The standards listed above for a family home permit are not met.
- The previously granted residence permit has been used in a manner inconsistent with the intent for which it was issued.
- Deportation order or entry ban for the present permit holder in Turkey.
If your request is refused, our guide on residence permit rejection and how to appeal the decision outlines your next steps.
You can call us and receive legal assistance from our specialists to obtain more information about the residence permit extension application and to conduct transactions efficiently.
