Residence Permit in Turkey for Russian Citizens FAQ

In this piece, we outline the ways that Russian nationals use to acquire residency permits in Turkey. In addition, we detail the processes these citizens undergo. We also answer common queries about Turkish residence permits for individuals from Russia. The residence permit is documentation that authorizes Russian citizens to reside in Turkey. In the text of the application required to obtain this document, people must specify the reason for coming to Turkey and the duration of their stay. There are 6 different ways to apply for a residence permit in Turkey. Any Russian citizen wishing to reside in Turkey can apply for the appropriate residence permit. You can contact Zaren Invest for further consultancy services. Now, let’s take a look at the types of residence permits that Russian citizens can apply for. As Zaren Invest, we always with you.

Types of residence permits in Turkey respectively;

1. Short Term Residence Permit
2. Long Term Residence Permit
3. Humanitarian Residence Permit
4. Student Residence Permit
5. Family Residence Permit
6. Victim of Human Trafficking Residence permit

Short-time Residence Permit for Russian Citizens

A short-term residence permit in Turkey is a type of residence permit granted to Russian citizens who wish to stay in Turkey for a certain period of time for specific reasons. The most frequently applied category for a short-term residence permit in Turkey by Russian citizens is a residence permit for internship, course, investment or health purposes. A short-term residence permit in Turkey usually lasts for 2 years. However, in some cases this period can be extended.

If Russian citizens want to obtain a residence permit by investing, it is possible to obtain a residence right for up to 5 years. Russian citizens can apply for a residence permit from the Directorate of Migration Management and create an appointment application online. They must bring these documents on certain dates.

Documents Required for Short-Term Residence in Turkey

In order for Russian citizens to obtain a short-term residence permit in Turkey, it is imperative that they bring the required documents in a complete and accurate manner. In this respect, the documents required for the application for a short-term residence permit in Turkey for Russian citizens are as follows respectively;

1. Residence Permit Application Form (must be signed)
2. 4 biometric photographs (must be taken within the last 6 months)
3. Passport (Passport information must be submitted together with a photocopy of the identity information and the processed pages)
4. Living Documents and Declaration of Coverage of Expenses
5. Health Insurance (must cover the period of residence)

The documents required for Russian citizens to apply for a short-term residence permit in Turkey are given above respectively. At the same time, these documents may vary depending on the reasons for the applicant’s request to stay. For example; internship certificate, health treatment certificate, job invitation or job-related documents are among the extra documents requested for the residence permit application.

Short-Term Residence Permit Application Form for Russian Citizens in Turkey

All fields of the form required for the short-term residence permit application of Russian citizens must be filled in with the relevant answers. Then, the completed form for a short-term residence permit must be signed and submitted to the migration administration directorate at the appointment time specified in the system. This form should contain information such as the person’s contact information, visa purpose, and length of stay, respectively;

• Personal information of the applicant,
• Passport information,
• Residence information and purpose of stay in Turkey,
• Payment information,
• Address and contact information,
• Address of residence,
• Work or study information,
• Appointment information,
• Income and insurance information.

Tourist residence permit for Russian citizens

A tourist residence permit for Russian citizens is a permission document that provides the right to stay in Turkey in cases where visa exemption has passed. Russian citizens can visit Turkey without a visa. The definition that states that they can enter the country without a visa for a certain period of time is called Visa exemption. Within the framework of visa exemption, Russian citizens have the right to stay in Turkey for 60 days. If the duration of the trip does not exceed 30 days, they are allowed to stay for a maximum of 90 days within 180 days.

However, when the visa exemption requirements cannot be fulfilled for the purpose of a tourist trip, tourists are required to apply for a residence permit. Residence permit applications are divided into six categories. Applications for tourism purposes are made under the category of residence under the short-term residence permit. Applications are made online and appointments are made through the system. During the appointment, the person must have the documents ready at the provincial immigration office.

What is the Duration of Tourist Residence in Turkey?

Russian citizens coming to Turkey for tourism purposes are required to obtain a Tourist Residence Permit in order to stay in Turkey for longer than the visa-free period. Tourist Residence permit applications are examined within the scope of Short Term Residence Permit. Short-term residence permits are issued for a maximum of 2 years at a time. The main documents required for Russian citizens to apply for a tourist residence permit include a passport, documents proving the purpose of the trip (such as a hotel reservation or travel plan) and an identity card;

1. Residence Permit Application Form (It must be filled in completely and signed)
2. 4 Biometric Photographs
3. Valid Health Insurance for the Duration of Residence
4. Passport (Original, photocopy of the pages with passport information and photo, and photocopy of all processed pages must be submitted together)
5. Declaration of Reimbursement of Expenses
6. Livelihood Documents

In order for the application to be approved, the necessary common documents and all information proving the purpose of stay must be submitted. Therefore, applications for tourist travel must include an itinerary. In addition, the application must include information such as where the applicant will stay and how long the applicant will stay in Turkey.

Commerical Residence Permit for Russian Citizens

Commerical residence permit is a document allow to get residence permit for Russian who aim establish a job. Such applications are submitted to the Provincial Immigration Office. Residence permit applications are divided into six categories and are not valid unless the correct category is selected. Business permits are considered as short-term residence permits. Pre-registrations are made online and appointments are made. As of May 2, 2021, residence extension applications will no longer be sent by post, but will be made by appointment. At the appointment time, the person must come to the immigration office with his/her documents. A commercial residence permit is issued for a maximum of 2 years and the extension procedure cannot exceed 2 years.

Documents Required for a Commercial Residence Permit in Turkey

Russian citizens traveling to Turkey for business purposes and applying for a residence permit are required to submit documents proving the purpose of their stay as part of their application. The documents required for Russian citizens applying for a residence permit for business purposes are as follows;

1. Residence Permit Application Form (Signed)
2. Passport (with the pages containing the information and a photocopy of the processed pages)
3. 4 Biometric Photographs
4. Livelihood Documents
5. Health Insurance (valid for the duration of residence)
6. Invitation letter from the company
7. Accommodation documents (lease, hotel, etc.)

If deemed necessary, company documents may also be requested. Where possible, the company documents that may be requested are as follows.

• Tax Certificate (Current dated)
• Signature Circular
• Certificate of Activity
• Commercial Registry Gazette

Student Residence permit for Russian citizens

The student residence permit for Russian citizens gives the right to stay in the country to Russian citizens who come to Turkey for educational purposes. The duration of the student residence permit varies according to the conditions. A student residence permit may be issued in the following student situations.

1. Foreigners under the age of 18 who do not have a family residence permit and are studying in primary or secondary education, (Foreign citizens under the age of 18 who have a family residence permit have the right to stay in the country without a student residence permit).
2. Foreigners pursuing higher education in Turkey, (includes higher education programs such as master’s degree, associate degree, DUS (Specialized Training in Dentistry), doctorate, TUS (Specialized Training in Medicine), etc.)

Foreigners residing in Turkey and holding a student residence permit have the right to be sponsored. However, the right to sponsor only applies to family members. Family members include spouse and children.

Documents Required for Student Residence Permit

Russian citizens who will come to Turkey for primary, secondary or university education are required to submit the documents specified in the application. The documents required for Russian citizens applying for a student residence permit are as follows.

1. Student Residence Permit Application Form
2. Passport (not older than 10 years)
3. Biometric Photograph (must not be older than 6 months)
4. Student Certificate (must be current and signed)
5. Livelihood Documents
6. Health Insurance (must be valid for the duration of your stay)
7. Accommodation documents (lease contract, dormitory certificate, etc.)

A consent form is required for every Russian citizen under the age of eighteen. In the absence of one of the parents, a consent form must be submitted. A death certificate is required if one of the parents is deceased and proof of custody of the child if the parents are divorced.

Russian citizens Marriage Family Residence

The Marriage and Family Residence Permit for Russian citizens grants residence rights to foreigners coming to Turkey for family reunification or marriage. Family residence permit is a practice stipulated in the Law on Foreigners and International Protection. According to this regulation, Turkish citizens, persons within the scope of Article 28 of Law No. 5901, foreigners with a residence permit in Turkey, persons with subsidiary protection status or refugees;

1. Foreign wife
2. His/her child under the age of 18
3. Spouse’s child under the age of 18
4. His own dependent child
5. It is issued for the dependent child of the spouse.

The maximum period for issuance and renewal is 3 years each. The duration of the permit must not exceed the duration of the sponsor’s residence. All foreigners who meet the above conditions and their spouses’ children may be granted a residence permit upon application. However, only the spouse of more than one foreigner may be granted a residence permit.

Transition from Family Residence to Short-Term Residence

Family residence permit holders who, for various reasons, do not meet the conditions for a family residence permit have the right to change to short-term residence in the process described below. In order for a Russian citizen to switch from marital family residence to short-term residence, only one of the following conditions must be met

1. A foreigner who has been married to a Turkish citizen in Turkey for 3 years and has a family residence permit and then divorced.
2. A foreigner who has resided in the country for 3 years with a family residence permit and has reached the age of 18.
3. A foreigner whose sponsor died while he/she was dependent on the family residence of his/her sponsor is entitled to switch to short-term residence.

The three-year requirement in Article 1 does not only apply to those divorced due to domestic violence. These persons can be converted to short-term residence regardless of the duration.

Long-term residence permit for Russian citizens

Long-term residence permit for Russian citizens is a permit that allows foreigners who meet certain conditions to reside permanently in Turkey. The conditions for residence in Turkey are determined by the relevant authorities and only the applications of those who meet these conditions and submit the necessary documents are considered. A long-term residence permit can be granted for an unlimited period of time on the basis of an application. After the initial application is submitted online, an appointment date and time will be set for the person. At the time of the appointment, the person must bring his/her documents to the immigration office. A permanent residence permit allows foreign individuals to enjoy rights similar to Turkish citizens, such as exemption from military service, voting and political rights, and the ability to work in the public sector. In addition, there are many other rights available to foreign individuals.

The requirements for Russian citizens applying for a long-term residence permit are as follows.

1. The Russian citizen has resided in Turkey for 8 years without interruption,
2. Ability to earn a living and, if applicable, the ability of family members to earn a living,
3. The availability of health insurance,
4. Not having received any social assistance within 3 years,
5. It must not pose any threat to public security or public order.

Residence permit extension for Russian citizens

The period of residence permit extension for Russian citizens varies depending on the type of residence permit. The extension process is the procedure for obtaining a new residence permit when the existing one expires. The same procedure must be followed for the initial application. The extension period depends on the type of residence permit the person has. Accordingly, the documents required for the extension and the application process may differ;

• Short-term permits up to a maximum of 2 years,
• Humanitarian residence permits for up to 1 year,
• Family residence permits can be issued for up to 3 years.

For family residence permits only, the duration of residence cannot exceed the duration of the sponsor’s residence.

How to Extend a Residence Permit?

Before their residence permits expire, Russian citizens are required to reapply for an extension of their stay. As of May 2, 2021, the Directorate General of Migration Management has switched to an appointment system and no longer accepts applications by mail. The first step to register is to submit an online application, making sure that all the information provided is complete and correct. After the application is submitted, the foreigner will be given an appointment date and time. The duration of the residence permit extension for Russian citizens will vary depending on the application. On the day of the appointment, the applicant must have all the necessary documents ready.

Russian Citizen Residence Permit Extension Documents

The documents required for the extension of the residence permit for Russian citizens are the same as those required for anyone wishing to extend their residence permit in Turkey. The procedure for extending the residence permit is similar to the initial application. Once the application is received, an online pre-registration form is filled in. Then, on the date and time of the appointment set by the system, the applicant must bring his/her documents to the local Immigration Office. The required documents may vary depending on the type of application. In addition to the documents proving the purpose of residence, the common documents required for a short-term residence permit are

1. Residence Permit Application Form (Signed)
2. Passport (Passport not older than 10 years, photocopies of the processed pages and the pages containing the information must be submitted)
3. 4 Biometric Photographs (not older than 6 months)
4. Living Documents and Declaration
5. Health Insurance (must be valid for the duration of residence)
6. Lease Contract

The information in the form must be filled in correctly. Documents for renewal of residence permits of Russian citizens must be prepared in a manner that reflects the current situation. If any irregularities are detected in the documents submitted during the application, the application will be concluded negatively.

Humanitarian Residence permit for Russian citizens

A humanitarian residence permit for Russian citizens is an authorization document issued under the Law on Foreigners and International Protection. It is issued only in certain cases. The conditions required for other residence permits are not required for humanitarian residence permits. They are issued and extended for a maximum of one year. These permits are issued by the Governorate with the approval of the Ministry.

How to get a Humanitarian Residence Permit?

In order for Russian citizens to obtain a residence permit on humanitarian grounds, they must fulfill the conditions set by the Ministry. These conditions include the non-existence of humanitarian grounds for residence, submission of the necessary documents and other requirements. In cases where a residence permit has been issued, it is not possible to issue or extend the permit if the humanitarian grounds for residence have ceased to exist.

In order for the foreigner to apply for a humanitarian residence permit extension, the conditions must still be met. Once the residence permit application is approved, the person must register his/her residence within 25 days at the latest. Foreigners holding a humanitarian residence permit can apply for other permits if they fulfill the conditions. However, they cannot apply for permanent residence. After applying online, the applicant must bring his/her documents to the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management on the day of the appointment.

The documents required for Russian citizens to apply for a humanitarian residence permit are as follows:

• Oturma izni Başvuru Formu
• Pasaport
• 4 Adet Biyometrik Fotoğraf
• Aile Belgesi
• Kimlik Fotokopisi (Yeminli Tercümeli)
• Adli Sicil Kaydı

Who is granted a Humanitarian Residence Permit for Russian citizens?

In order to answer the question of who can obtain a humanitarian residence permit, it is necessary to mention some conditions set by the relevant authorities. Foreigners who meet the conditions set out in the Regulation may have their humanitarian residence permit extended for a maximum period of one year if they continue to meet the conditions. In order to be granted a humanitarian residence permit, one of the following conditions must be fulfilled.

1. It is not possible for the foreigner in question to leave the country even if there is a deportation order against him/her,
2. Situations where the best interests of the child are at stake,
3. The deportation decision cannot be taken,
4. If the process continues during the transfer of the person to a safe third country or to the first country of asylum,
5. In extraordinary circumstances,
6. It is regulated in cases where the entry or stay of a foreigner is deemed appropriate for various reasons. (In cases where there are reasons such as national interest, public security or public order)

How to Extend the Humanitarian Residence Permit of a Russian Citizen?

In order for Russian citizens to apply for the extension of residence permits issued for humanitarian reasons, they must still meet the conditions for humanitarian residence. The extension procedure is available to foreigners who fulfill the requirements of the regulations and submit the necessary documents. The extension procedure, like the initial application, has a maximum duration of one year. For a humanitarian residence permit, it is sufficient to fulfill the conditions mentioned above. In such applications, the requirements for other residence permits are not sought.

What are the Documents Required to Extend Humanitarian Residence Permit?

The renewal of a permit requires an application similar to the initial application. As of May 2, 2021, the appointment system in the renewal process has been changed from positions to posts. After submitting the online application, the person will be given an appointment. The person must bring his/her documents to the relevant immigration office on the date and time set in the system for the appointment. Untimely appointments are considered invalid. The application for renewal of a humanitarian residence permit for Russian citizens ends with the delivery of the appointment. The main documents required are a passport, existing residence permit, and identity card:

• Passport (A photocopy of the passport, which is not older than 10 years, must be submitted with the pages with the information and the photocopy of the processed pages).
• 4 Biometric Photographs (Must be taken within 6 months)
• Family Certificate
• Photocopy of Identity Card (Sworn Translation)
• Criminal Record (It must be issued by the authorities of the country of citizenship)