Family Residence Permit In Turkey
A Family Residence Permit in Turkey may be granted for up to three years at a time to eligible foreign family members of Turkish citizens, eligible residents, or foreigners holding certain residence permits in Turkey.
Who Is It Granted To?
- Foreign spouse of a Turkish citizen
- Spouse of a foreigner with valid residence permit
- Children under 18 (their own or spouse's)
- Dependent children (over 18 in special cases)
Conditions
- Sponsor must have at least 1 year of residence in Turkey
- Sufficient income: not less than 33% of minimum wage
- Health insurance for all family members
- Suitable housing
- Clean criminal record
- Proof of family ties (marriage certificate, birth certificate)
Process
Online application → appointment → biometric data → evaluation → decision. On approval, permit card is delivered to your address usualy within 90 days.
Required Documents
The exact documents depend on your family situation, but applications usually include:
- Passports of the applicant and the sponsoring family member
- Marriage certificate and birth certificates, apostilled or consulate-certified and translated into Turkish
- The sponsor's Turkish ID or residence permit
- Proof of the sponsor's income and financial means
- Health insurance for each family member
- Proof of address in Turkey, such as a title deed or rental agreement
- Biometric photographs and the completed online application form
Application Process Step by Step
- Collect and legalise documents from your home country, including translations into Turkish.
- Submit the online application through the e-İkamet system for each family member.
- Attend the appointment at the migration office with original documents.
- Wait for the evaluation, during which the authorities may request additional information.
- Receive residence cards by post at your registered address.
Renewal and Changes in Your Situation
Family residence permits are linked to the sponsor's status. Renewals should be submitted before the current permit expires, and the sponsor must still meet the income, housing and residence conditions. If the sponsor's own permit ends or the family situation changes, the family members should seek advice about switching to another type of permit.
Common Issues to Avoid
- Foreign documents that are not apostilled or properly translated
- Income documents that do not clearly show regular means
- Health insurance policies that do not cover the full permit period
- Address registration that does not match the documents submitted
- Applying too late for renewal
Frequently Asked Questions
Can family members work in Turkey?
A family residence permit does not automatically give the right to work. Family members who want to work need a separate work permit.
Can children attend school with a family residence permit?
Yes. Children holding a family residence permit can enrol in schools in Turkey.
What if the sponsor holds a short-term residence permit?
Spouses and children of foreigners with a valid residence permit may apply, provided the sponsor meets the conditions. Learn more about the short-term residence permit. Compare both options in our guide to short-term vs family residence permits.
Is there an option that covers the whole family permanently?
Turkish citizenship by investment can include the investor's spouse and children, removing the need for residence permit renewals.
Our Service
Bigist Invest provides professional guidance to international clients throughout the Turkey residence permit process, helping families understand their available residence options and application requirements. We handle document preparation, translation, appointment management and the follow-up process on behalf of all your family members. For families who also plan to build a livelihood in Turkey, we offer support with opening a company in Turkey.