The Protocol (“Protocol“) between the Directorate of Migration Management and the Union of Notaries introduced a new practice regarding residence permit applications of foreign nationals.

This regulation, which came into effect on 17 July 2024, encompasses changes to the processes related to residence permits for foreigners in Türkiye.

As stipulated by the Law on Foreigners and International Protection, foreign nationals who are not prohibited from entering Türkiye and who enter the country in compliance with the provisions of the Passport Law are entitled to reside and travel within Türkiye. However, foreigners who will stay in Türkiye for a period exceeding 90 days or the period granted under visa or visa exemption are required to obtain a residence permit.

This regulation aims to provide a legal status for long-term stays, thereby ensuring that foreign nationals can legally reside in Türkiye.

Residence Permit Types and Application Procedure

Residence permit applications in Türkiye are categorized based on the duration and purpose of the foreign national’s stay. Applications for residence permits are made contingent upon the fulfillment of necessary procedures and the provision of relevant documents.

Prior to the Protocol, residence permit applications from within Türkiye were submitted online via the website of the Directorate of Migration Management (goc.gov.tr).

The online application serves as a preliminary application, enables an appointment with the Directorate of Migration Management in the applicant’s city of residence.

On the appointed date, the applicant is required to complete the necessary documentation and submit it to the Directorate of Migration Management. It is imperative that the application is completed with accurate and complete information when submitting the documents to the Migration Management authorities. The authorities are responsible for verifying the submitted documents and assessing the validity of the application.

It should be noted that the applicant’s fingerprints must be taken following the submission of documents, as fingerprinting is part of the identity verification process and ensures the formalization of the residence permit application.

Upon the completion of this process, the applicant is informed whether the application has been accepted, is under review, or if additional documents are required. The status and results of the application are communicated through the channels specified by the applicant. Following the completion of these stages, the residence permit application is officially evaluated, and the finalization process begins.

Changes with the New Protocol

In accordance with the Protocol that entered into force on 17 July 2024, residence permit applications of foreign nationals can now be made through notaries. Under this new practice, notaries will electronically and physically transmit the files of foreign nationals to the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management. The “Residence Permit Application Declaration” process will be conducted at notary offices.

For the application to proceed, the online application process must first be completed on the Directorate of Migration Management’s website, and an application number must be obtained. It is essential to note that a separate application number must be acquired for each individual residence permit application. Notary offices are authorized to handle transactions only for residence addresses located within the borders of the province where the application is submitted.

After the application is submitted to the notary public, the notary is responsible for scanning and forwarding the documents to the Migration Management and subsequently completing the application by sending the physical documents to the Migration Management.

Upon approval of the application, applicants are required to provide their fingerprints at the relevant Immigration Administration on a day and time of their choice within 20 days from the date of approval.

The notary application introduced by the Protocol is expected to offer several benefits, including reducing congestion at Migration Administrations, preventing long queues, and ensuring application documents are preserved in a more official and reliable manner. Notaries, operating in an impartial and official environment, ensure the legal validity and security of documents, creating a more organized and auditable process.

Moreover, notaries’ official certification will reduce the risk of abuse of foreign nationals’ rights by verifying the accuracy and validity of documents and applications, thereby minimizing forgery and irregularities. Consequently, the rights of foreign nationals are better protected and assessed fairly.