Turkey is one of the most modern and beautiful European-Asian countries, which has provided a great opportunity for those interested in tourism and investment in this country through a residence permit. Find out more about the laws governing the rules of foreigners' stay in Turkey and what changes in the residence permit procedure were approved in 2023

Turkey is experiencing a new wave of immigration. According to statistical data, as of September 2023, slightly more than 1.2 million foreigners live in the state on the basis of residence permits. The majority are citizens of Russia, Turkmenistan, Iran, Iraq and Syria.

However, in order to be in the country legally and avoid deportation for violating the requirements of the Immigration Act, it is necessary to stay up to date with the legislation. The main changes that came into effect in 2022-2023 are discussed below.

What laws regulate the rules of a foreigner's stay in Turkey?

Turkish Citizenship Law 5901 states that any person who does not hold Turkish citizenship is considered a foreigner.

Law on Aliens and International Protection No. 6458 provides migrants with high protection of their rights as long as they comply with the main rules of stay.

What changes in processing a residence permit in Turkey were approved in 2023?

In 2022-2023, new amendments to the Immigration Law No. 6458, Article No: 31-1, entered into force in Turkey:

1. New restrictions have been established regarding the territories where a residence permit can be obtained.

From July 1, 2023, you cannot get a residence permit in 1,169 regions of Turkey, because they have the status of closed territories, because they are recognized as densely populated by foreigners.

The number of expats here exceeds 20% of the total number of residents of the region. They include:

- 53 districts in Istanbul;

- 75 districts in Adana;

- 23 districts of Ankara;

- 62 in Mersin.

The new rules do not apply to foreigners who managed to obtain initial registration in these territories before the introduction of restrictions and/or extend it on the same grounds without changing their place of residence.

2. The minimum investment amount in real estate has been revised.

The minimum amount of investment in residential and commercial real estate under the Turkish Golden Visa program is now 400,000 USD (for obtaining citizenship of the Republic of Turkey).

Read more about the changes to the Law on Turkish Citizenship, which relate to the purchase of real estate, here.

You can get a residence permit if a foreigner buys real estate worth USD 50,000 or more (in sparsely populated areas) or USD 75,000 (in big cities).

3. Changes in the procedure for extending a tourist residence permit.

From now on, it is impossible to extend a tourist residence permit on the same grounds (holiday). You must have other good reasons for your continued stay in Turkey: work, study, business, real estate, treatment, etc.

This rule is not valid for citizens of the European Union, Russia and China.

All of the above changes apply to both short-term and long-term residence permits.

As a reminder, one of the most important documents for obtaining a residence permit in Turkey is a health insurance policy, which must meet certain requirements.

Use the insurance policy to obtain a residence permit in Turkey on our resource. Online registration at an affordable price.

Daria Rogova - Head of Insurance at Visit World

Use the insurance policy to obtain a residence permit in Turkey on our resource. Online registration at an affordable price.

Products from Visit World for a comfortable trip:

Checklist for obtaining a visa and necessary documents in Turkey;

Legal advice on immigration in Turkey;

Insurance for residence permit in Turkey.

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Why Turkey is an attractive investment destination: reasons to invest in the Turkish real estate market.