Long-Term Residence Permit

The long-term residence permit (uzun dönem ikamet izni) is an indefinite residence permit for foreigners who have lived in Türkiye for a long time. Governorships issue it with the approval of the Ministry of Interior (Law No. 6458, art. 42).

Who can apply?

Foreigners who have stayed in Türkiye on residence permits without interruption for at least 8 years^{↗Source: Law No. 6458 on Foreigners and International Protection (YUKK), arts. 42/1 and 43/1-a} can apply. Refugees, conditional refugees, holders of subsidiary protection or a humanitarian residence permit, and people under temporary protection cannot switch to a long-term permit (Law No. 6458, art. 42/2).

Requirements

The law sets these conditions (Law No. 6458, art. 43):

• at least 8 years^{↗Source: Law No. 6458 on Foreigners and International Protection (YUKK), arts. 42/1 and 43/1-a} of uninterrupted residence in Türkiye on residence permits,
• no social assistance received in the last three years,
• sufficient and regular income to support yourself and any family members,
• valid health insurance,
• no threat to public order or public security.

How the period is counted

• The period is counted backwards from the application date.
• Time on a student residence permit counts at half and other residence permits count in full (Law No. 6458, art. 28/2); time on a work permit also counts (Law No. 6458, art. 27/1; Regulation art. 25/4).
• Time on a humanitarian residence permit or under a work permit exemption does not count.
• Time spent abroad, or in Türkiye without a residence permit, counts as an interruption. There are separate limits per one-year slice and for the last five-year slice (Regulation art. 40/2). Confirm your day count with the provincial migration directorate before you apply.

Rights and loss of the permit

• Long-term permit holders enjoy the rights granted to Turkish citizens, except military service, voting and standing for election, entering public service and duty-free vehicle import; special laws still apply, and the President may restrict these rights (Law No. 6458, art. 44).
• The permit is cancelled for a serious threat to public order or security, or for staying outside Türkiye without interruption for more than one year for reasons other than health, education or compulsory public service in the home country (Law No. 6458, art. 45).

Fees

No residence permit fee is charged for this permit (Fees Law art. 88/f); the card fee of TRY 964.00 (2026)^{↗Source: General Communiqué No. 97 of the General Directorate of Public Accounts (Muhasebat Genel Müdürlüğü Genel Tebliği Sıra No 97), Official Gazette 24.12.2025/33117} is paid.