Residence permits & visas
Planning a long stay in Türkiye? Let's map out your residence process together
If you will stay beyond your visa-free period or visa validity, you generally need to apply for a residence permit with the Presidency of Migration Management (Göç İdaresi Başkanlığı). Yeni İpekyolu (New Silk Road) prepares your e-İkamet online application, books your appointment, translates your documents and goes with you to Göç İdaresi, explaining every step in Chinese. The approval decision rests with the competent authority; we make sure your application is complete, clear and submitted on time.
Plan your residence application before your visa expires
Short-term, family, student: which residence type is right for you?
Foreigners entering Türkiye with or without a visa can only stay for a limited period. Those who want to live, work, study or join family long term generally need to apply for a residence permit with the Presidency of Migration Management (Göç İdaresi Başkanlığı). The common types are short-term, family and student residence, while work permits are assessed separately by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security. Each type has different requirements, documents and durations, and the regulations change from time to time.
For Chinese applicants, the most important issue is timing. A residence application should generally be made online before the visa or visa-free period ends; overstaying can lead to a fine and problems entering Türkiye in the future. Many people think they can take their time after arriving, but then miss the deadline while preparing documents and waiting for an appointment. We recommend starting preparations as soon as you enter Türkiye.
Why does an error on the e-İkamet form cause problems at your appointment?
The first step is to fill in the online application form on the e-İkamet system; the system generates the application form and gives you an appointment at the provincial migration office. The form includes your passport details, address in Türkiye, contact details and purpose of stay, and an error in any of these can cause problems later. After applying, the form is printed as required and all documents are prepared before the appointment date.
On the appointment day, you go to Göç İdaresi, submit your documents, give your fingerprints and answer the officer's questions. Usually a passport, biometric photo, proof of address, health insurance and documents related to the residence type are required; in some cases, proof of financial means is also needed. Assessment generally takes from a few weeks to a few months, during which you can track your status via e-Devlet or the Göç İdaresi system. After approval, the residence card is usually sent to your registered address.
There are also things to do after you receive your residence permit: address registration usually has to be completed within a certain period and updated when you move, and an extension application should be made before the residence period expires. Confirm the exact deadlines with Göç İdaresi's current regulations.
Marriage certificates without an apostille and incomplete rental contracts
The most common problem is incomplete documents. Marriage, birth or criminal record certificates issued in China usually require notarization and an apostille in China first, followed by sworn translation and notarization in Türkiye; discovering in Türkiye that legalization is missing makes the process difficult. Another common issue is proof of address: the format of the rental contract, whether it is notarized and whether the landlord's details are complete can affect whether the documents are accepted.
Our job is to clarify the residence type, draw up the document checklist, translate documents, fill in the online form and accompany you to the appointment, with the aim of making your application as complete, accurate and timely as possible. We cannot and do not make promises about the outcome; Göç İdaresi decides in accordance with the law. If there are complex legal circumstances such as a previous overstay or refusal, we recommend consulting a Turkish lawyer; we coordinate communication and translation.
For those planning a long stay in Türkiye
Chinese employees assigned to Türkiye
Working for a Turkish company requires a work permit, which is usually applied for by the employer with the Ministry of Labour and Social Security. An approved work permit generally also serves as the basis for residence in Türkiye. We support the preparation and translation of the documents the employee must submit personally.
Those relocating with family
Spouses and children can obtain a family residence permit; marriage and birth certificates usually require translation and notarization. Documents issued in China generally also need legalization such as an apostille first. We recommend confirming the exact legalization requirements with Göç İdaresi and the relevant authorities.
Students studying in Türkiye
Students admitted to a Turkish university apply for a student residence permit with their student certificate. Required documents may vary by school and programme. Student residence is usually tied to the period of study and must be extended on time.
Individuals exploring the market or buying property
Short-term residence applies in situations such as business connections or property acquisition, and its requirements depend on Göç İdaresi's current regulations. This residence type has financial means, address and insurance requirements, and the rules change from time to time. It is worth confirming that you meet the current requirements before applying.
Support from type assessment to address registration
Residence type assessment
We explain which option suits your situation: short-term, family or student residence, or a work permit. Applying under the wrong type is one of the most common reasons for applications being returned. We explain the basic requirements of each type in Chinese; Göç İdaresi's regulations are what apply.
e-İkamet form
We fill in the online form, check your passport, address and contact details, and book the appointment. Small errors in the spelling of your name as on your passport, your date of birth or your address can cause problems later. We check every field with you before submitting.
Document preparation and translation
Your passport, photos, rental contract, proof of financial means and other documents are prepared, and sworn translation and notarization are arranged for Chinese documents. We specify which documents must be originals and which can be photocopies. It is best to prepare any documents that need legalization in China before you come to Türkiye.
Health insurance
Most residence types require valid health insurance; we explain the requirements and make communication with the insurance company easier. The insurance coverage period usually needs to match the residence period applied for. We check together whether the policy meets the requirements.
Göç İdaresi accompaniment
On the day of your appointment, we accompany you in Chinese, interpret the officer's questions and follow up immediately if additional documents are requested. Göç İdaresi offices are crowded and procedures move quickly; not understanding instructions can mean missing your turn or leaving a document incomplete. Our companion stays with you throughout the process.
Address registration and beyond
We help with address registration, tracking your status via e-Devlet (Türkiye's e-Government portal) and reminders to extend before your permit expires. After you receive your residence permit, address registration usually has to be completed within a certain period and updated when you move. Extension applications should generally be made before expiry; confirm the exact timing with Göç İdaresi.
Service summary and requirements
| Assessment time | Usually a few weeks to a few months, depending on Göç İdaresi |
|---|---|
| Pricing | Quotation by scope · official fees separate |
| Service language | Chinese ⇄ Turkish |
| Service languages | Chinese · Turkish · English |
| Cities served | Mainly Istanbul; also Ankara, Izmir and other cities |
The final price and timeline depend on your documents and scope; we send a clear quote within 2 hours.
What you need to provide
- Valid passport and entry stamp page (the passport usually needs to be valid longer than the residence period requested)
- Recent biometric photo (meeting Göç İdaresi specifications)
- Proof of address in Türkiye: rental contract or title deed
- Health insurance policy (period matching the application period)
- Additional documents by residence type: student certificate, marriage certificate, employment documents, etc.
Five steps from initial consultation to residence card
- 1
Initial consultation
Share how you entered Türkiye, the purpose of your stay and your planned duration via WeChat. Also tell us your entry date and visa type, as these determine how much time remains to apply. Based on this, we assess the right residence type.
- 2
Document checklist and translation
We send you a personalized document checklist and prepare the documents that need translation at the same time. The list specifies each document's format and whether notarization is required. We alert you in good time about any missing documents.
- 3
Online application and appointment
The e-İkamet application is submitted and a Göç İdaresi appointment is booked on the date the system offers. Appointment dates can vary considerably by city and period. It is important to keep the application document you receive after applying.
- 4
Appointment accompaniment
We stay with you during document submission and fingerprinting, interpreting on the spot. The officer may ask about your address, purpose of stay or source of income. If additional documents are requested, we note the request and help you complete it quickly.
- 5
Outcome tracking
We follow the assessment process and, once your residence card has been sent, remind you of its validity period. Assessment usually takes from a few weeks to a few months; the exact duration depends on Göç İdaresi. After you receive the card, we remind you of next steps such as address registration and extension.
Frequently asked questions
Do you guarantee that my residence permit will be approved?
No. The decision is made by Göç İdaresi. Our job is to reduce document-related returns by making sure your documents are complete, your information is accurate and your application is submitted on time. We recommend being wary of services that offer an “approval guarantee”.
My visa is about to expire. What should I do?
A residence application should generally be made before your visa or visa-free period ends. Please contact us early; overstaying can result in a fine or problems on re-entry. If you have already overstayed, explain your situation openly and we will help you learn about the possible options.
Is the work permit also obtained from Göç İdaresi?
No. Work permits are issued by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security; the application is usually made by the Turkish employer, and the permit generally also serves as a residence permit. We support translation and document preparation. Confirm the current application and employer requirements with the relevant authority.
Is health insurance mandatory for residence?
Most residence types generally require valid health insurance, with coverage matching the residence period applied for. Conditions may differ in some cases, such as certain age groups or people registered with social security in Türkiye. Confirm the current rules with Göç İdaresi; we can help check your policy.
Does the rental contract need to be notarized?
In practice, a rental contract used as proof of address is usually required to be notarized or in a specific format; the exact requirement depends on the provincial migration office. It is important to confirm before signing whether the landlord will take part in the notary procedure. We can accompany you to the notary and interpret.
How should marriage and birth certificates from China be prepared?
Usually they are first notarized and apostilled in China, then given a sworn translation and notarized in Türkiye. Requirements may vary depending on the procedure the document is used for; confirm current requirements with Göç İdaresi or the relevant authority before starting. We support sworn translation and notary procedures.
Can I travel abroad while my application is being assessed?
This depends on your visa status and the stage of your application. Leaving the country during the assessment may affect your application or re-entry, so consult Göç İdaresi before travelling. We can help you obtain information in Turkish.
You may also need
Tell us what you need in Türkiye
Our Chinese-speaking consultant reviews it for free and gives you a clear price and timeline.
