Most Turkish residence permit refusals are not about strict rules — they are about paperwork. The wrong insurance, an out-of-date address certificate, a translation without a notary stamp, an address on the form that does not match the lease. Each one means a refusal or a second trip to the migration office.
This checklist follows the official document list published by the Presidency of Migration Management on e-ikamet. It starts with the core documents everyone needs, then covers the extra documents for each permit type, the rules for foreign documents and what changes when you renew. If you have not chosen your permit type yet, start with our guide to types of residence permit in Turkey.
Core documents for every residence permit
1. Application form (İkamet İzni Başvuru Formu). Fill it in online at e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr, print and sign it. A parent or legal guardian signs for a child. Your name must match your passport exactly, and your address must match your lease or title deed.
2. Passport and copies. Copy the photo page, visa pages and entry/exit stamps, and bring the original to the appointment. Your passport must be valid for at least 60 days beyond the permit period you request — otherwise the permit will be shorter or refused.
3. Four biometric photos. White background, taken within the last six months. Any photo studio in Alanya will know the format if you ask for "ikamet için biyometrik fotoğraf".
4. Statement of financial means. A declaration that you can support yourself for the whole stay. The office may ask for proof — usually a Turkish or foreign bank statement, or proof of a pension or income.
5. Fee receipts. The amount is calculated automatically when you submit the form. In 2026 the card costs TRY 964, and the permit fee depends on your nationality and the permit length. Pay online or at a tax office or bank, and keep the receipts.
6. Health insurance for the full permit period. Accepted forms:
- a private policy from a Turkish insurer (original, signed and stamped);
- documents under a social security agreement between Turkey and your country;
- documents from Turkey's Social Security Institution (SGK).
The policy must cover the full period you apply for. One year of insurance means, at most, a one-year permit. Local insurers and agents in Alanya issue residence permit policies, usually within a day.
7. Address registration certificate (Yerleşim Yeri Belgesi). Proof that you are registered at your address. You register at the district population office (Nüfus Müdürlüğü) and can print the certificate from e-Devlet. You can only register in a neighbourhood open to foreigners.
8. Proof of accommodation. One of:
- a copy of your title deed (tapu);
- a notarised rental contract;
- a hotel or accommodation certificate;
- a stamped dormitory certificate;
- a notarised undertaking from the owner, if you stay with friends or family.
Extra documents by permit type
Tourist permit
The office may ask for your travel plan and details of where you will stay. In practice, the key documents are a notarised lease or hotel certificate plus your address registration.
If you are applying for a tourist permit because you do not meet the family permit conditions, add your marriage certificate with an apostille and a notarised Turkish translation.
Property-based permit
- A copy of your title deed (tapu) in your name.
- A valuation report from an SPK-licensed firm, showing the property meets the threshold: USD 200,000 for purchases from 16 October 2023, or USD 75,000 for Alanya purchases between 26 April 2022 and 15 October 2023.
- Useful to have ready: the address numbering certificate (numarataj belgesi), compulsory earthquake insurance (DASK), your Turkish tax number and the foreign-exchange certificate (DAB) from your purchase.
At renewal, the address registration certificate usually replaces the deed. See how we prepare this file alongside the purchase on our residence permit through property page, and what qualifying homes cost in Alanya property prices.
Rental-based permit
This is a tourist permit, so the documents are the same. The lease must:
- be notarised, not just signed by both parties;
- run for at least the permit period you request;
- show the same address as your registration certificate and application form;
- be signed by the owner on the deed or their legal representative.
Family permit
From the applicant: form, passport (valid 60 days beyond the permit), four photos, receipts and insurance.
From the sponsor (the family member you are joining):
- passport, or Turkish ID card for Turkish citizens;
- residence or work permit, if the sponsor is a foreigner;
- proof of income — at least the minimum wage overall, and at least one third of the minimum wage per family member;
- criminal record certificate (adli sicil kaydı);
- address registration and proof of accommodation;
- health insurance covering every family member.
Proof of the relationship:
- marriage certificate — apostilled, translated into Turkish by a sworn translator and notarised if issued abroad;
- children's birth certificates — apostilled and translated in the same way.
Permits for children
On top of the documents for the parents' permit type:
- a birth certificate, apostilled and translated, if the parents cannot be identified from the passport;
- a notarised consent letter (muvafakatname) from the other parent if they are not applying with the child;
- a death certificate or custody order, where relevant;
- for under-18s living in Turkey without their parents: notarised parental consent and a notarised undertaking from an adult guarantor in Turkey.
Student permit
The core documents plus a student certificate (öğrenci belgesi) from a Turkish university. Many universities file applications for their international students centrally.
Business, medical and language-course permits
- Business: an invitation from a Turkish company or partner, plus notarised copies of the company's activity certificate, tax plate (vergi levhası), trade registry gazette and signature circular.
- Medical treatment: a hospital document confirming the start and length of treatment, signed by the chief physician and treating doctor, with the hospital's stamp.
- Turkish language course: an enrolment certificate from an accredited course.
Renewal: which documents you need
Renewals use the same core file — form, passport, photos, receipts, insurance and address registration. The differences:
- the address registration certificate usually replaces the deed or lease;
- attach a copy of your current permit card and hand in the original at the appointment;
- apply no earlier than 60 days before your permit expires and no later than its last day.
Rules for foreign documents
Any document issued outside Turkey — marriage or birth certificates, criminal records, divorce papers — must be:
- apostilled in the issuing country (or legalised by the consulate if the country is not in the Hague Convention);
- translated into Turkish by a sworn translator;
- notarised in Turkey (the translation).
You do not need a translated passport for the permit itself. A notarised passport translation is needed for other steps, such as buying property or opening a bank account.
Common document mistakes
- Insurance shorter than the permit you ask for — the permit is cut to the insurance term.
- Addresses that do not match across the form, the lease and the registration certificate.
- A lease without a notary stamp.
- Foreign documents without an apostille or translation.
- Old photos, or photos without a white background.
- The wrong fee, for example after changing the permit length on the form.
- An address in a closed neighbourhood — you will not get a registration certificate, so you cannot apply.
Checklist by permit type
| Document | Tourist / rental | Property | Family | Student |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Form, passport, 4 photos | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Fee receipts | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Health insurance | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ (whole family) | ✔ |
| Address registration | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Notarised lease | ✔ | — | or sponsor's deed | or dormitory |
| Title deed | — | ✔ | — | — |
| SPK valuation report | — | ✔ | — | — |
| Marriage / birth certificate | — | — | ✔ (apostille + translation) | — |
| Sponsor's income and criminal record | — | — | ✔ | — |
| University certificate | — | — | — | ✔ |
How to submit
- Complete the form on e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr and get your appointment date.
- Pay the permit fee and card fee.
- Put your file together using the checklist above.
- Attend the migration office on your appointment date with originals and copies.
- Track your application under "Başvuru Sorgulama". Your card arrives by PTT post at your registered address.
If you are buying in Alanya, we prepare your residence permit file alongside the purchase — tax number, valuation, insurance, address registration and application form. See residence permit through property and our property catalogue.
FAQ: documents for a Turkish residence permit
What documents do I need for a residence permit in Turkey? An application form, passport and copies, four biometric photos, fee receipts, health insurance for the full period, an address registration certificate, proof of accommodation (title deed or notarised lease) and a statement of financial means. Some permit types need extra documents.
Does my marriage certificate need an apostille? Yes. A certificate issued abroad must be apostilled (or legalised), translated into Turkish by a sworn translator, and the translation notarised.
What health insurance do I need for a Turkish residence permit? A private health policy from a Turkish insurer covering the full permit period, signed and stamped. Nationals of countries with a social security agreement with Turkey may use SGK cover instead.
What documents do I need to renew my residence permit? The same core file: form, passport, photos, receipts, insurance and address registration. The address certificate usually replaces the deed or lease. Apply no earlier than 60 days before expiry.
What documents does a child need? The core documents plus an apostilled, translated birth certificate (if the parents cannot be identified from the passport) and notarised consent from the other parent if they are not applying with the child.
Does my rental contract need to be notarised? Yes. For a residence permit, the lease must be notarised and must cover the permit period.
Do I need a translated passport? Not for the residence permit application — copies of the relevant pages are enough. A notarised translation is needed for buying property, opening a bank account and similar steps.
Source: official document list of the Presidency of Migration Management (e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr, "Başvuruda İstenen Belgeler"); Law No. 6458. Information current as of October 2026. The migration office may request additional documents, so check the official site before applying.
