عناقيد
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This 2025 guide explains the main residence arrangements in Türkiye and how to apply for a different permit when your purpose of stay changes.
English editorial clarification — checked on 8 October 2026: A change of purpose is an application, not an automatic transfer or a guarantee that your remaining permit period will carry over. Employment uses the work permit procedure; a valid work permit generally serves as a residence permit, subject to statutory exceptions. Check the residence permit guidance and work permit guidance before proceeding.
Main residence arrangements
- A short-term residence permit for tourism.
- A family residence permit.
- A student residence permit.
- A work permit, which generally also provides lawful residence while valid.
- A long-term residence permit.
When might a change be appropriate?
- When your purpose of stay changes, for example from tourism to employment. Employment requires the relevant work authorisation rather than simply selecting a different residence category.- After marriage to a Turkish citizen, if you satisfy the family permit conditions.
- After admission to an eligible educational programme, if you satisfy the student permit conditions.
General requirements
- A valid passport and evidence of your current lawful status.
- Documents supporting the new purpose, such as university enrolment or a marriage certificate. An employment contract alone does not authorise work.
- Health cover meeting the new category's requirements, where required; a new policy is not automatically necessary if existing cover is acceptable.
- For a residence permit transfer, an application through e-Residence and attendance as instructed. Work permit applications follow the Ministry of Labour procedure instead.
Important advice
- Act before your current permission expires; check any deadline triggered by the change in circumstances.- A refused application is not a valid permit that can simply be transferred. Read the refusal decision, establish your lawful position and check whether another application is permitted.
- Do not assume that holding a tourist permit allows an in-country work permit application. Eligibility and the route for applying must be checked with the Ministry of Labour.
Frequently asked questions
Will I keep the unused period on my previous permit? Do not assume so. The original guide's claim that every new period begins when the new card is issued is unreliable. Check the dates on the decision and permit; the remaining period is not automatically added to a new grant.Must I leave Türkiye? A residence permit transfer may be submitted in Türkiye when the relevant conditions are met. Whether you must leave depends on your lawful status and the application route, especially for work permits; there is no universal exemption from departure.
Will the fees differ? They may. Check the charges for your nationality, the new permission and its duration, together with any applicable exemption.
