Turkey: Visa and immigration

Do I need a visa and/or work permit?

All foreign nationals entering Turkey need to obtain a visa whether they are there for a short holiday, to study or for work. Depending on your nationality, you can normally obtain a three-month tourist visa upon entrance to Turkey. This does not need to be acquired beforehand and can be bought on arrival.

If you are going to study or work, you must obtain an appropriate visa from the Turkish embassy before travelling. Normally, if you have secured a job offer from outside Turkey, your employer will take responsibility for arranging the visa.

To work in Turkey, you need a work permit and visa. A passport, visa application form and a letter from your future employer are needed for an application.

After arriving in Turkey with a valid visa, you have 90 days before it is necessary to have a residence permit, though in practice you should apply as soon as possible at the nearest local police department. In most cases your employer will guide you through this process and may in some instances do all of the work for you. Official details, including an application form, can be found at the Republic of Turkey Consulate .

Foreign visitors are required to carry some form of identification (passport or driving licence) at all times in Turkey.

How do I apply for a visa and/or work permit?

Three-month tourist visas can be purchased at your point of entry into the country. A 90-day tourist visa will cost around £10 (price correct September 2011). This visa does not entitle you to the right to study or work in the country.

The Republic of Turkey Consulate also has application forms for work, education and research visas available online.

The Turkish Embassy in London handles telephone, email and face-to-face enquiries regarding visas and work permits. To obtain a Turkish tax number (Vergi Numerasi) - roughly equivalent to a social security number in other countries - you will need to go to the local finance department (Maliye) in the town or city hall. Take photocopies of your passport, residence permit and work permit to the accounts department.

If you are not a UK national, contact the Turkish embassy in the country where you are currently residing about how to obtain visas and work permits. If you are living in the UK, go to the Turkish Embassy in London.

You might also find it helpful to contact your ministry of foreign affairs (or your own embassy if you are not living in your home country) to ask whether there are any issues to be taken into account when considering working in Turkey.

How do I apply for permanent residency?

In order to apply for permanent residency and Turkish citizenship you need to have resided in Turkey continuously for five years with no breaks. An applicant is required to have reached the age where they are considered an adult in their own country, whether that be 18 or 21 years old before applying. People applying for permanent residency must be of good moral standing, not have any illnesses that can cause a direct threat to the Turkish public and must be able to financially support themselves and their descendants. Marriage is an alternative way of gaining permanent residency and Turkish citizenship. Once you have been married to a Turkish national for three years you are able to claim for permanent residency and Turkish citizenship.

Further information can be found at the Republic of Turkey Consulate .