Have you dreamed of a long-term residence in Turkey, but unfortunately your application for a residence permit was rejected? Do not despair, as there are ways to resolve the situation. Find out more about when a residence permit can be denied in Turkey, the most common reasons for denial, how to appeal, and other important details

Turkey is a beautiful country located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, which offers a unique combination of cultures and traditions. The state has been attracting expats for decades with its stunning landscapes, rich history and high quality of life. As of 2023, 1.3 million foreigners live here on the basis of a residence permit, most of them are citizens of Russia, Iraq, and Turkmenistan, Kazakhs, Ukrainians, and Afghans are also increasingly issuing permits.

We talked about the procedure for issuing a permanent residence permit in Turkey and the main list of documents earlier. In today's article, we will talk about the most common reasons for refusing a residence permit in Turkey and how to prevent it.

When can a residence permit in Turkey be refused?

The procedure for obtaining a residence permit in Turkey is regulated by Law No. 6458 "On Foreigners and International Protection". According to Article 33 of this document, the issuance of a passport may be refused if a foreigner:

● there is no basis for issuing a permanent residence permit;

● there is no housing that would meet the standards for issuing the document;

● there is a valid decision on deportation or ban on entry to Turkey.

However, there are other reasons for refusing to issue a document.

Top 6 most common reasons for refusal to issue a RP in Turkey

1. Problems with documents

Quite often, expats submit an incomplete package of documents to the Migration Service of Turkey: they forget to provide a certificate of no criminal record, a receipt for the payment of state duty, or to issue a health insurance policy. There are also cases of incorrectly executed documents, especially for residential real estate.

If the Migration Service of Turkey finds an error in the submitted document package, the expat will not immediately receive a rejection. First, the applicant will be notified of the inaccuracy. The expat will have 1 month to solve the problem, after which the application will be rejected.

2. Foreigners submit forged documents

Submitting fake certificates is not a very good idea, because the Migration Service of Turkey checks everything thoroughly and if it turns out that any document is not genuine, you will be 100% denied a residence permit and may even be deported from the country.

3. Doubtful grounds for issuing a residence permit

If the Migration Service has questions about the grounds for issuing a permit, they may refuse to issue the document altogether. For example, if you are going to Turkey for treatment, collect all the documents from the hospital to confirm your purpose. Those who issue a permit on the basis of family reunification must provide an official invitation from one of the family members and prove family ties.

4. The presence of a criminal record or financial unreliability

A person with a criminal record cannot obtain a residence permit in Turkey. People who have received financial assistance in the last three years can also be refused.

5. Problems with visa history

Foreigners who violated migration legislation will not be able to issue a residence permit in Turkey. What can be refused if you violated the law not only of the Republic of Turkey, but also of other countries of the world: you lived illegally in the country after refusing a residence permit, did not extend your visa on time, or did not leave the country before the expiration of the permit documents.

Importantly! Foreigners who have illegally stayed or are staying in Turkey are 100% denied a RP.

6. Insufficient level of financial support for life in Turkey

Every foreigner must confirm that he has enough funds to live in Turkey. In order to obtain a residence permit, one person must confirm the availability of savings in the amount of 204,000 Turkish lira or $7,500.

What should you pay attention to in order to increase your chances of obtaining a residence permit in Turkey?

In order to avoid rejection, we advise you before submitting documents for a residence permit:

1. Check all documents for errors and pay attention to whether all the references from the list are in your package of documents.

2. Find out whether you have grounds to apply for a residence permit in Turkey.

3. Get a certificate from the bank about the availability of sufficient funds to live in the Republic of Turkey.

4. Add to the list of documents an agreement on renting housing in the country for at least one year.

How to find out that you have been refused a RP in Turkey?

Teblig formu is an official document that the applicant will receive by post at his residential address if he is refused a permit. From the moment of receipt of the certificate, the count of 10 calendar days during which the foreigner must leave Turkey starts.

You can find out about the refusal even before the letter arrives. You can check the status of the application on the website of the Migration Service or by calling 157.

Punishment for illegal stay in Turkey

For illegal stay in Turkey, the applicant receives a fine, the amount of which depends on the citizenship of the expat. For example, Kazakhs pay $50 for each month of stay after refusing a residence permit, and Russians pay $14. If you stay in the country for more than 3 months after the refusal, the expat can be deported in general.

How to appeal the refusal of a residence permit?

You can appeal the decision to refuse to issue a residence permit in Turkey within 60 calendar days. The advantage is that the foreigner has the right to stay in Turkey during the court process. Usually, the consideration of the case lasts at least a year.

If the foreigner wins the court, he will be granted the type of residence permit for which the application was submitted. In case of refusal, you will be obliged to leave the country.

When can I reapply for a residence permit?

You can reapply for a residence permit after 6 months. If you change the grounds for obtaining a permit, you can apply immediately. For example, if you have been denied a tourist residence permit, you can apply for a residence permit on the basis of a real estate purchase.

The procedure for obtaining a residence permit in Turkey consists of several stages and requires the preparation of a certain list of documents. To reduce the risk of refusal and successfully obtain a permit, consult a highly qualified lawyer.

We will remind you that we talked about how to get Turkish citizenship for investments earlier. Details at the link.

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More articles on the topic: 

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

Residence permit in Turkey: changes in 2023.