Didim Today

The Turkish residence permit is always a very interesting topic. I have written several articles about residence permits in past months. In one of these articles I responded to a question about the renewal limits of a residence permit. To be more precise I mentioned that a residence permit can only be renewed a maximum of four times.

This is technically correct, but I probably should have emphasized that when I said “residence permit” I was referring to the document itself but not the concept. In other words, a foreign person can only renew the same residence permit book (it is a small booklet) up to four times.

I received some e-mails in response to this article. Below I quote some of these messages along with others regarding the question of whether a residence permit can be renewed indefinitely or not.

“Dear Sir, I am a retired US citizen and I have a steady income. I would like to buy a house in Turkey and spend the rest of my retired life in Turkey. I understand the Turkish government gives residency for a period of 5 years and that this should be renewed when expired. My question is how many times can residency be renewed?”

Thanks, according to Law 5683, Article 9, “Residency permits granted to foreigners shall not be more than five years.” The exception is when there is reciprocity between Turkey and the foreigner’s home country, then a longer or shorter period for a residence permit may be granted. A single residence permit can be renewed up to four times before a foreigner needs to apply for a new residence permit booklet. There is no limit on the number of residence permits a foreigner can apply for.

Here is another e-mail, this time from Dennis: “Good afternoon. I read your article in Today’s Zaman. You stated that foreigners may only renew a residence permit four times. I have checked with the Foreigners Department in Marmaris and they confirmed that they have not received any limitations on the renewal of a residence permit. I expect that you have worried many expats that read your articles. Please recheck and if you are wrong please let everyone know. Thank you, Dennis.”

Dear Dennis, you are absolutely correct, thank you for reading and sending this e-mail.

Brigitte, an academic in Istanbul, sent me this note: “Good afternoon, I have just read an article in Today’s Zaman written by your office on the question of residence permits in Turkey. I am an academic at a University in Istanbul, and I have been here for 2 years now (I got my Ikamet renewed last month for another year). Since we have yearly contracts with the Higher Education Board (YÖK) and with the university, I was wondering if I only had two years left in Turkey or if this “maximum 4 renewals” rule did not apply to academics. Thank you very much for your help.”

Dear Brigitte, there is no problem about renewing your residence permit.

Another e-mail: “Dear Mr. Çektir, First of all I’d like to thank you for your interesting articles. You wrote yesterday that residence permits are granted up to 4 times. What happens after this? I’m married to a Turkish citizen and close to my 4th renewal. (I’m just 3 years in Turkey but I also have a work visa.) After it expires will they tell me that I cannot work anymore and I cannot stay with residence permit? Thank you in advance.”

Dear Sir, there will be no problems about renewing your residence permit as long as you are qualified for the permit. As explained above and below, the limitation is concerning the document itself.

I am very sorry for making expats worry. My intention was only to give some useful details. Otherwise, there was no point in mentioning renewal limits of a residence permit book. In any case, officers in the Foreigners Department will cancel the former book and issue a new one when they see that the booklet has reached the maximum number of renewals allowed.

I always look forward to receiving your questions about residence permits or work permits in Turkey.

Berk Cektir http://www.berkcektir.av.tr/ The information provided here is intended to give basic legal information. You should get legal assistance from a licensed attorney at law while conducting legal transactions and not just rely on the information in this corner. http://www.todayszaman.com/ This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it