Immigration to Turkey: Residence Permits, Policies, and Insights

Considering immigration to Turkey? Good choice! Turkey is situated between Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, opening the door for investors to explore various investment and business opportunities. Luckily, Turkey’s migration policy offers some of the most inviting pathways for global citizens seeking a new home.

Whether you’re exploring how to immigrate to Turkey for work, study, or investment, there are various immigration pathways. Additionally, immigrating to Turkey comes with a range of benefits, including an affordable cost of living, accessible healthcare, great education, and visa free access to over 100 countries.

In this guide you will learn about:

• The history of Turkish immigration
• Turkey’s current immigration policies
• Ways to immigrate to Turkey
• Step to immigrate to Turkey
• Pros and cons of immigrating to Turkey

Turkey’s Immigration History

Turkey’s position at the crossroads of Asia and Europe has shaped its role as a major migration hub for over a century. Bordering eight countries, including Greece, Syria, and Iran, it has long served as a strategic refuge and transit point for those fleeing conflict or seeking economic stability.

In the early 20th century, large population shifts followed the collapse of the Ottoman Empire. Notably, the 1923 population exchange between Greece and Turkey relocated over 1.5 million Anatolian Greeks and around 500,000 Muslims from Greece. Throughout the 1900s, Muslim communities from the Balkans—such as those from Bosnia, Kosovo, and Bulgaria—migrated to Turkey to escape political unrest and persecution.

The country also received significant waves of migrants from the Caucasus, Crimea, and Central Asia, especially during and after Soviet expansion. More recently, regional conflicts in Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, and especially Syria have contributed to one of the largest refugee populations in the world residing in the Turkish republic today.

These historical and geopolitical factors have deeply influenced Turkey’s modern migration policies and its diverse, multicultural society.

Current Immigration Policies in Turkey

Turkey’s immigration policy is regulated under the Law on Foreigners and International Protection, managed by the Directorate General of Migration Management under the Ministry of Interior of the Turkish government. The country offers a structured visa and residence permit system for different immigration needs, including tourism, employment, education, and family reunification.

To immigrate to Turkey, individuals must first secure the appropriate visa and residence permit, which can eventually lead to long-term residency or citizenship. Anyone intending to work, study, or conduct research in Turkey must obtain a visa from a Turkish embassy or consulate prior to arrival. After legally residing in Turkey for five years, one becomes eligible to apply for citizenship, while a long-term residence permit can be requested after eight years of continuous residency.

For investors, the Turkey citizenship by investment provides a direct route to citizenship by purchasing real estate worth at least $400,000 or making other qualifying financial contributions. This program allows for dual citizenship and has made Turkey a top destination for individuals seeking a second passport.

Types of Turkish Visas and Residence Permits

There are several pathways for immigrating to Turkey, depending on your goals and circumstances. These include:

1. Student residence permit

2. Family residence permit

3. Work residence permit

4. Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program

Immigrating to Turkey: Step by Step

Here are some basic steps to immigrating to Turkey:

1. Step one: Determine the purpose of your stay: You first need to select the purpose of your stay to ensure you meet all the requirements. For example, if you choose to invest in Turkey for citizenship, you must meet all eligibility requirements, including making the minimum investment and having a Turkish residency permit.
2. Step two: Understand the visa requirements: Each Turkish immigration pathway has its own set of requirements and regulations set out by the Turkish government. Ensure you understand this in full before applying.
3. Step three: Apply for a residency permit: Whether you are applying for Turkish citizenship or a long-stay visa, you are required to obtain a Turkish residence permit initially from the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
4. Step four: Settle into Turkish life: Once you have a Turkish residence permit you can begin settling in, including obtaining a Turkish tax ID number, opening a Turkish bank account, and ensuring your health insurance coverage is sufficient for your stay.
5. Step five: Consider Turkish citizenship: If you remain in Turkey for five years you can obtain Turkish citizenship by naturalization. Alternatively, you can apply for Turkey citizenship by investment which takes between 3-6 months once you meet all the requirements.

Working with a trusted Turkey immigration service is highly recommended to ensure you meet all the requirements.

Costs of Immigrating to Turkey

While immigration to Turkey is relatively affordable, understanding key costs is important for budgeting.

1. Residence Permit Fees

• Application fee: $30–$50
• Card issuance fee: $20
• Health insurance: $50–$500 per year, depending on provider and age group

2. Student Visa Fees

• Visa fee: $60–$100
• University tuition: $2,000–$10,000/year
• Additional costs: Proof of income, document translation, accommodation, and apostille authentication

3. Work Permit Costs

• Employer-sponsored application via the Turkish Ministry of Labor
• Legal processing/documentation: $100–$300
• Some employers cover application and health insurance fees

4. Citizenship by Investment Costs

• Minimum real estate investment: $400,000
• Legal, application, and government processing fees: $10,000–$15,000
• All documentation must comply with Turkish authorities’ requirements, including civil registration documents and certified birth certificates

5. Other Considerations

• Translation of legal documents
• Notarization and consulate fees at the Turkish consulate
• Legal counsel (optional but recommended for CBI applicants)

Immigration to Turkey from the USA, UK, and Canada

Immigration To Turkey from USA

Americans often immigrate to Turkey for the range of citizenship benefits, including affordable healthcare and fantastic education system. Ordinary passport holders can visit Turkey for 90 days without a visa, but if you want to extend your stay to see what living in the country could be like, the Turkish visa for US citizens allows for longer stays before making the big move.

Immigration To Turkey from UK

Turkey is one of the most popular options for UK citizens looking to obtain a second citizenship and the ideal location for a holiday home. The Turkey citizenship by investment for UK citizens is a fantastic option, with one of the main pathways to a second citizenship being buying Turkish property in exchange for Turkish citizenship.

Immigration To Turkey from Canada

Canadians are drawn to Turkey for its low cost of living and gorgeous Mediterranean climate. Whether you’re looking for a great option for a holiday home or a second citizenship, the Turkey citizenship by investment for Canadians offers a range of investment opportunities.

Pros and Cons of Immigrating to Turkey

7 benefits of immigrating to Turkey

1. Low cost of living: Compared to countries in Western Europe and the US, the cost of living in Turkey is significantly more affordable.
2. Strategic location: Turkey is situated between Europe and Asia, making it the ideal location for businesses looking to expand into a global economy.
3. Warm climate: Turkey offers a stunning Mediterranean climate, with natural beauty, coastal living, and mild weather.
4. Low-cost healthcare: The Turkish healthcare system invites all Turkish citizens to benefit from its universal healthcare system. The private sector also offers a high level of service combined with low-cost private health insurance, with additional Turkey citizenship by investment healthcare benefits.
5. Excellent education system: Education in Turkey is ideal for families looking to immigrate to the country. There are public and private options, with some of the world’s top 500 universities available in Turkey.
6. Access to 128 visa free countries: Once you become a citizen and obtain a Turkish passport, you also gain access to the 128 Turkey visa free countries, making travel and business much more convenient.
7. Citizenship and residency options: Turkey offers a range of citizenship and residency options including long-term residence, work permits, and the Turkey Citizenship by Investment Program, making it attractive to investors and skilled professionals.

Cons of immigrating to Turkey

While the benefits of immigrating to Turkey far outweigh the cons, it’s important to understand Turkey immigration problems too, including:

• Language barrier: The dominant language in the country is Turkish, making day to day life challenging for some. However, English is widely spoken in high tourist areas.
• Bureaucracy: Navigating the immigration system and government processes can be time-consuming and complex. Working with a Turkey citizenship lawyer is highly recommended to ensure your application for Turkish immigration goes through without a hitch.

Immigrants in Turkey Statistics

Based on statistics from the Turkish Statistical Institute, in 2023, there were 316,456 immigrants in Turkey. This was a 35.9% decrease compared to 2022, with 494,052 immigrants in Turkey.

Istanbul had the greatest number of immigrants, making up 29.2%, next was Antalya with 9.5%, Ankara with 6.5%, and Mersin with 4.9%.

In 2023, citizens of the Russian Federation made up the largest share of the foreign immigrant population in Turkey, accounting for 13.2%. They were followed by citizens of Azerbaijan (8.2%), Turkmenistan (7.3%), Iran (6.7%), and Afghanistan (5.9%).

How Can Global Citizen Solutions Help You?

Global Citizen Solutions is a boutique migration consultancy firm with years of experience delivering bespoke residence and citizenship by investment solutions for international families. With offices worldwide and an experienced, hands-on team, we have helped hundreds of clients worldwide acquire citizenship, residence visas, or homes while diversifying their portfolios with robust investments.

We guide you from start to finish, taking you beyond your citizenship or residency by investment application.

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