Short answer: in 2026 a foreigner who wants to stay in Turkey longer than the visa-free period applies for a residence permit (ikamet izni) under Law No. 6458. The most common one is the short-term permit — for tourism (including with a rental contract) or property ownership; family, student and long-term permits also exist. You apply via e-İkamet before your visa-free stay ends and renew within the last 60 days.
Last updated: 1 November 2026.
How long can you stay in Turkey without a residence permit?
According to the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (ordinary passports):
| Citizenship | Visa-free stay |
|---|---|
| Russia | up to 60 days per trip |
| Ukraine | up to 90 days |
| Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan | up to 90 days in any 180 days |
| Belarus | up to 30 days per trip, max 90 days a year |
UK and EU citizens should check their own rules on the same page. Overstaying leads to a fine on exit and may trigger an entry ban — see deportation and entry bans.
What types of residence permit exist in 2026?
| Type | Who it is for | Maximum term in law |
|---|---|---|
| Short-term (Art. 31) | tourism, property owners, business ties, medical treatment, Turkish courses, recent graduates, etc. | up to 2 years per issue |
| Family (Art. 34) | spouse and children of a Turkish citizen or permit holder | up to 3 years per issue |
| Student (Art. 38) | university students | for the study period |
| Long-term (Arts. 42–43) | after 8 years of uninterrupted residence | indefinite |
Is a "rental residence permit" a separate permit?
No. The law has no separate rental permit. What people call it is the short-term tourist residence permit (Art. 31(1)(e)) with the address proven by a notarised lease. The address must be in a neighbourhood open to new foreign residence applications. In practice tourist permits are often issued for less than the legal maximum, and repeat applications are examined more closely.
Property owners apply under Art. 31(1)(b) — see residence permit through property. A permit for Turkish language courses can be issued at most twice (Art. 31(3)); graduates of Turkish universities may apply within six months of graduation.
How to apply and renew
- Complete the e-İkamet form and book an appointment.
- Pay the card fee and permit charge (amount depends on nationality and term; check on the day of payment).
- Attend the Provincial Migration Directorate with originals: passport, biometric photos, health insurance covering the full term, title deed or notarised lease, documents for your ground.
Under Art. 24, renewal is filed from 60 days before expiry and in any case before expiry; the receipt lets you stay until a decision. Grounds for refusal, cancellation and non-renewal are listed in Art. 33 — see appealing a refusal and neighbourhoods closed to new permits.
For applications, renewals and appeals: residence and citizenship lawyer in Alanya · lawyer in Antalya · lawyer in Manavgat.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply while in Turkey visa-free?
Yes, before the visa-free period ends; after applying you may stay until a decision is made.
Can I get a residence permit with a rental contract in 2026?
Yes, as a short-term tourist permit, with a notarised lease in an open neighbourhood and insurance for the whole term.
How long is a short-term permit issued for?
The law allows up to 2 years per issue; the actual term is set by the Migration Directorate and is often shorter.
When can I switch to a long-term permit?
After 8 years of uninterrupted residence with permits and meeting the conditions in Art. 43.
This article is general information as of 1 November 2026 and is not individual legal advice. Migration rules change often — confirm requirements with the Migration Directorate on the date you apply.
Rufina Taştan Law Office — lawyer in Alanya: legal advice in English, Russian and Turkish.