I'm planning my move
Residence permits and where to live — the decisions to make before you land.
Member-written, not professional advice. These guides explain how things work in practice; they are not legal, immigration, tax or medical advice. Where a guide links official sources, those set the current requirements.
Residence & Legal
Residence Permit (Ikamet): Your first application, without the panic
The Short-Term Residence Permit (Kısa Dönem İkamet İzni) is the residence permit most expats apply for first. You complete your application online through the official e-İkamet system, prepare your documents, attend your appointment at the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management (Göç İdaresi), and wait for a decision. The process is straightforward—the secret is submitting a complete and accurate application the first time.
Member-written guideLinks official sourcesLast reviewed 10 August 2026