According to the Law on Foreigners and International Protection No. 6458, residence permit refers to the permit issued to foreign nationals to stay in Turkey. This permit issued by the competent authorities gives the foreigner the right to live in our country for a certain period of time and in a certain place.

Residence permit, which is important in terms of ensuring and protecting public order; is being issued if the foreigner makes a request, applies with the required documents and meets the conditions of the type of residence permit requested.

Students are among the foreigner groups who are required a residence permit for staying legally in Turkey during their study and after their graduation .Student residence permit is regulated in Articles 38 to 41 of the Law on Foreigners and International Protection No. 6458. In addition, student residence permits are regulated in articles 35 to 39 of the Regulation on the Implementation of the Law on Foreigners and International Protection.

Who are the Foreigners who can be issued a Student Residence Permit?

A “student residence permit” is issued to foreigners who do not have a family residence permit, who will receive primary and secondary education. (Foreigners with a family residence permit, who will receive education at primary and secondary education level, can continue their education until the age of 18 without the need for a residence permit. However, students who have turned 18 and are still continuing their education at secondary education level must obtain a residence permit.)

In our country, “student residence permit” is issued to foreigners who will receive education at the levels of associate degree, bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, doctorate, specialization in medicine, specialization in dentistry in a higher education institution.

The student residence permit only provides the right to support the spouse and children of the student in family residence permit applications. The student residence permit does not provide any right to obtain a residence permit for the relatives of the student other than those listed above.

How Many Years Can a Student Residence Permit Be Issued?

If the study period of the foreign student is less than one year, the duration of the student residence permit cannot exceed the period of study. Foreigners who will come and study in Turkey through public institutions and organizations can be granted a residence permit during their education.

Foreigners who will receive primary and secondary education, whose care and expenses are undertaken by a real or legal person, can be granted and extended a student residence permit for one-year periods during their education with the consent of their parents or legal representatives.

What are the Student Residence Permit Conditions?
In order for a student residence permit to be issued, foreigners must meet the conditions set forth in the Article 39 of the Law on Foreigners and International Protection No. 6458. In addition, the following conditions must be met:

  • It is obligatory to submit supporting information and documents related to the purpose of stay in Turkey (Article 38 of the Law),
  • Within the scope of Article 7 of the aforementioned Law, it is obligatory not to be a foreigner who “will not be allowed to enter Turkey” or “who has been banned from entering”.
  • It is obligatory to give the address information to stay in Turkey.

Health Insurance in Student Residence Permit
According to the provisions of the Social Insurance and General Health Insurance Law No. 5510, foreign students who make a request to become a general health insurance holder within three months from the date of first registration are not required to have a separate health insurance. They will be within the scope of the protection of the General Health Insurance.

However, those who lose their right to be covered by general health insurance by not making an application within three months from the date of registration are required to take out private health insurance.

What are the reasons for rejection, cancellation or non-extension of the Student Residence Permit?
In the following cases, the student residence permit is refused or, if granted, canceled:

  • Failure to meet or loose the conditions required for the issuance of a student residence permit,
  • Evidence that he/she will not be able to continue his education,
  • Determining that the student residence permit is used for purposes other than its issuance,
  • Having a valid deportation decision or a ban on entry to Turkey.

In the above-mentioned cases, a short-term residence permit is not granted, if it is granted, it is canceled, and those whose duration has expired are not extended.

For more information about living legally with student residence in Turkey and to obtain or renew student residence, please contact our company.

Bünyamin Esen, Founding Partner and Senior Migration Advisor