Buying a property in Turkey also comes with the added benefit of obtaining a residency permit, also known as “Ikamet”. In this article, we will discuss the Turkey Residence Permit for Property Buyers in 2023.
The Process
The residency permit process, also known as “Ikamet” in Turkey, can vary based on the applicant’s nationality and purpose of stay. However, if you are a property buyer in Turkey and wish to obtain a residency permit, here are the general steps to follow.
Obtain a Property in Turkey
Purchase a property of minimum $75k USD for major cities and minimum $50k for smaller cities. You can see the full details of this law in this article.
Please ensure you have read the full guide on buying property process in Turkey before purchasing.
Apply Online for Appointment
Apply for a residency permit appointment online: Göç İdaresi Başkanlığı (Presidency of Migration Management)
You will need to be physically in Turkey to apply, the system will not allow you otherwise.
You will need to have purchased the insurance already, otherwise system will not allow you to proceed.
Appointment Day
Attend your appointment: After submitting your application, you will need to attend an appointment at the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management. During this appointment, your application will be reviewed and processed.
Check the document list below and ensure you have all documents especially birth certificate, marriage certificate should be apostilled from home country. If you country doesn’t have Apostille, then you should get stamp from MoFA and Turkish Embassy in your country.
On your appointment day, you should go early morning to get a number which indicates your turn.
Once your turn comes which may take 2-3 hours, they will check all your documents.
After they check if there is anything missing, they will tell you, if not they will ask you to go pay at the cashier.
Ensure you have enough cash available on that day, because they don’t accept card, and the ATM machine nearby might not have cash available also. The amount required will be mentioned on the form you print out from the online application. Take 20-30% extra cash just in case.
After finishing payment, you should take another number for the fingerprint line. This is a new process which started recently, they will take fingerprints for anyone above 12 years of age. Once you finish that, they will take all your paperwork, and give you a signed paper that they have received your documents.
Waiting Game
Wait for approval: After your application has been processed, you will need to wait for approval from the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management. The processing time can vary, but typically takes around one month.
Collection
Collect your residency permit: Once your residency permit has been approved, it will be mailed at the address you provided in the application. If you are not in the country or have to travel for some reason (not advised), then ensure you give Power of Attorney (PoA) or “vekalet” in Turkish to your lawyer or agent to pick up the residence permit card from the Post Office (PTT). Without PoA, PTT will not allow anyone else to pick up the card or receive the residence permit card.
Important Note
It is important to note that the above steps are general guidelines, and the specific requirements and processes can vary depending on your individual circumstances. Therefore, it is recommended to seek assistance from a professional immigration lawyer or consultant to ensure a smooth and successful application process.
Required Documents
Based on our most recent experience, here is the process and documents required for applying for a residence permit (ikamet) application for property buyers in 2023.
List of documents for Residence Permit (Ikamet) application for property buyers:
- Tapu photocopy from webtapu
- Appraisal report copy – proving property worth above $75k
- Numartaj belgesi from Belediye
- Utilities registered in your name (water, electricity, natural gas) – [OPTIONAL]
- Health insurance documents
- Passport copies – notarized translation
- Birth certificate for children – apostilled or legalized/attested from MoFA & Turkish Embassy – notarized translation
- Marriage certificate – apostilled or legalized/attested from MoFA & Turkish Embassy – notarized translation
- Biometric photos x 4
- Payment receipts (last step after officer checks your docs – don’t pay beforehand)
Conclusion
In conclusion, getting the Turkey Residence Permit (Ikamet) for Property Buyers in 2023 can be quite complicated and nerve wracking. By following the steps outlined above and working with a reputable real estate agent and immigration lawyer, you can be more secure in obtaining a residency permit in a stress free way without un-necessary delays or rejections.
Contact us via Whatsapp or contact form to start the process of obtaining your property and residency permit.
