If you are planning to stay in Turkey for more than 90 days within a 180-day period, for any reason, including tourism, you must get a Turkish residence permit. In order to obtain a residence permit, please schedule an online appointment at Directorate General of Migration Management’s websitebefore you contact Provincial Directorates of Migration Management Office in your area.
You can obtain sworn affidavit notarials for original U.S. birth certificates for the purpose of getting residence permits by scheduling a notarial appointment. There is no need for the minor to appear, one parent with the original copy of the US Birth Certificate with the parent’s ID will suffice for a sworn affidavit .
The U.S. Embassy strongly urges U.S Citizens not to overstay their visas and to maintain valid residence permits at all times. Turkish authorities do enforce the laws, including those stipulating fines, deportation, and bans on future travel to Turkey for people who overstay their visas or do not maintain valid residency permits.If you stay beyond the date your visa or residence permit expires, even if only for a few days, you will be fined at the port of exit and will be subject to a travel ban preventing you from re-entering Turkey for a period between three months and five years (depending on the length of your overstay). Monthly fines for overstaying Turkish visas or residency permits add up quickly. Travelers are encouraged to check with local authorities to ensure compliance with all Turkish immigration regulations.
U.S. citizens who have overstayed their visas, residence permits, or visa exempt periods and are subject to a fine can also benefit from the residence permit procedure as long as they pay the related fines.
If you are a tourist and want to stay longer in Turkey
U.S. citizens who enter Turkey with a tourist visa obtained at a Turkish Embassy or Consulate or who buy a tourist visa stamp at an airport or other port of entry or who are exempt from getting tourist visas, and who wish to stay in Turkey for tourism purposes longer than 90 days, are able to get a tourist residence permit for a maximum period of six months by scheduling an online appointment for e-residency applications at e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr for Provincial Directorates of Migration Management Offices. The six month residence permit plus the 90-day initial entry permit will allow U.S. citizens to stay legally in Turkey for up to a total of 9 months.
Obtaining U.S. criminal records for residence permits
Information on how to obtain U.S. criminal records can be found here.
Do I need health insurance to get aresidence permit in Turkey?
If you are obtaining residence permit, you will be required by the Turkish government to get health insurance that has coverage in Turkey.
The Turkish government implemented ageneral health insurance law called the Social Insurance and General Health Insurance Law (GHI). You can find below some useful information and updates about the General Health Insurance Law (GHI) if you are applying for GHI in Turkey.
- Letter regarding Medicare coverage outside of the U.S.(PDF 363 KB)
- FAQs from the Social Security Institution’s (SGK) website pertaining to foreigners(PDF 62KB)
Where can I find more information about residence permits?
First time application in 3 Steps Brochure (Word 43 KB)
More documents on e-residency application
Further announcements on the Turkish residence permits
