# Long-Term Residence Permit

Last updated: 2026-09-27

## Summary

- Foreigners who have lived in Türkiye on residence permits without interruption for at least 8 years can apply for the long-term residence permit (uzun dönem ikamet izni), which has no expiry.
- Student residence counts at half its length and other residence permits count in full; time on a humanitarian residence permit does not count.
- You also need sufficient and regular income, valid health insurance, no social assistance received and no public-order concerns.
- No residence permit fee is charged for this permit; only the card fee is paid.

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](https://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/MevzuatMetin/1.5.6458.pdf)).

## Who can apply?

Foreigners who have stayed in Türkiye on residence permits without interruption for at least 8 years 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](https://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/MevzuatMetin/1.5.6458.pdf)).

## Requirements

The law sets these conditions ([Law No. 6458, art. 43](https://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/MevzuatMetin/1.5.6458.pdf)):

- at least 8 years 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](https://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/MevzuatMetin/1.5.6458.pdf)); time on a work permit also counts ([Law No. 6458, art. 27/1](https://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/MevzuatMetin/1.5.6458.pdf); [Regulation art. 25/4](https://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/File/GeneratePdf?mevzuatNo=21460&mevzuatTur=KurumVeKurulusYonetmeligi&mevzuatTertip=5)).
- 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](https://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/File/GeneratePdf?mevzuatNo=21460&mevzuatTur=KurumVeKurulusYonetmeligi&mevzuatTertip=5)). 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](https://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/MevzuatMetin/1.5.6458.pdf)).
- 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](https://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/MevzuatMetin/1.5.6458.pdf)).

## Fees

No residence permit fee is charged for this permit ([Fees Law art. 88/f](https://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/MevzuatMetin/1.5.492.pdf)); the card fee of TRY 964.00 (2026) is paid.

## Frequently asked questions

### Does the time I spent in Türkiye as a student count?

Yes, but at half its length. Time on a student residence permit counts at half, and time on other residence permits counts in full (Law No. 6458, art. 28/2).

### Does a long-term residence permit allow me to work?

No, a residence permit does not by itself allow you to work. However, the employment, financial-capacity and salary criteria are not applied to work permit applications made for long-term permit holders, and long-term permit holders can also apply for an indefinite work permit. Meeting the conditions does not create an absolute right.

## Sources

- [Law No. 6458 on Foreigners and International Protection (Turkish)](https://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/MevzuatMetin/1.5.6458.pdf) — YUKK art. 28, 42–45
- [Implementing Regulation of Law No. 6458 (Turkish)](https://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/File/GeneratePdf?mevzuatNo=21460&mevzuatTur=KurumVeKurulusYonetmeligi&mevzuatTertip=5) — Regulation art. 40, 42, 43
- [Law No. 492 on Fees (Turkish)](https://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/MevzuatMetin/1.5.492.pdf) — Fees Law art. 88/f
- [Ministry of Labour (ÇSGB) — Work permit evaluation criteria (Turkish)](https://www.csgb.gov.tr/uigm/calisma-izni/calisma-izni-degerlendirme-kriterleri/) — Criteria Ç-1.1-d; Law No. 6735, art. 10/3
- [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](https://www.resmigazete.gov.tr/eskiler/2025/12/20251224-6.htm)

General information only; this is not legal advice. Decisions on your application rest solely with the competent authority; confirm current requirements with the relevant authority before applying. No fee is charged for the long-term residence permit; only the card fee is paid. We have no official affiliation with the Presidency of Migration Management, the General Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs (NVİ) or the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (ÇSGB).