Didim Today

Residence permit-related matters are always popular and it is amazing that almost every question is based on an individual issue, pushing me to write about this topic frequently. I received the following email regarding residence permit applications based on marriage: “I moved over to Turkey in March 2011, initially on a tourist visa after being advised by many to apply for residency when I actually move to Turkey. I married my husband on Dec. 4, 2010, and have left my life in the UK to be a housewife in Turkey.

My Turkish in-laws have provided us with an apartment within the family block in İzmir. This, although it is ours, remains in my father-in-law’s name. To cut a long story short, we are unsure where we start with regards to obtaining a more permanent right for me to stay in Turkey. I will be living here for the foreseeable future with no plans to return to the UK and for obvious reasons (not speaking Turkish yet, etc.) will remain a housewife with no incoming salary.

I would be grateful if you could advise at least where we should start in obtaining a more permanent visa and what our options are as my husband has been to the local police station and they knew nothing about obtaining a visa for a foreigner.” I will answer your question by explaining the residence permit, the documents necessary to obtain it and the duration of the permit.

• Residence permit

Each foreigner is entitled to apply for a residence permit after entering Turkey. Foreigners who will stay in Turkey for more than three months must apply to security authorities in order to obtain a residence permit before starting work.

Foreigners can apply for a residence permit for the purpose of work, education or more after a 90-day visa exemption period. There are different types of residence permits with differing purposes, such as long-term residence permits, residence permits for tourists and residence permits for work. Returning to your question, you may apply for a residence permit based on marriage.

• Necessary documents

The documents necessary may differ for each type of residence permit. I will specify documents regarding application based on marriage. For other types of residence permits, it would be better to check the required documents online at the official websites of the foreigner’s department of the local police headquarters. You may apply for a residence permit at the foreigner’s department of your local police headquarters.

Necessary documents are listed on the Internet (please rely only on official websites). They are: the application form, passport size photographs, your passport and photocopies of some pages, the residence declaration form, a valid Turkish visa and application fee. It would better for you to check the necessary documents and application forms before submitting them to the department.

• Length of residence permit

According to the Law Related to the Residence and Travels of Foreign Subjects (Law No. 5683), the term of the residence permit is determined in accordance with the request of the applicant and in line with the regulations and contracts signed with the foreign governments. Thus, the term of a residence permit will be determined by the Ministry of the Interior. The residence permit lasts for a maximum of five years.

The exception is when there is reciprocity between Turkey and the foreigner’s home country, in which case a longer or shorter period 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 to the number of residence permits a foreigner can apply for.

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