Property-Based Residence Permit (For Property Owners, or "Immovable Assets" Residence)

There is some similarity in the requirements between property-based residence and tourist residence. We detail them below, point by point, with Hallak Turkey — don't forget to follow Hallak Turkey for the latest legal updates — according to this table of contents:

• Online appointment

• Mandatory health insurance for the residence permit

• Tax number

• Passport translation and certification

• Payment of residence permit fees

• Personal photos

• A copy of the passport

Online Appointment

This can be obtained through the Turkish Directorate General of Migration Management website. Important notes from Hallak Turkey that no one else will tell you: pay close attention to the accuracy of the information in the application when booking your appointment. First, write your first and last name exactly as they appear on your passport — this is especially important for nationalities whose names are written in a compound, multi-part format, where the names must be distributed between the "first name" and "last name" fields so that, when combined, they exactly match your passport name. Correcting a name after the residence permit has been issued is costly and very difficult, and will cause problems opening bank accounts or dealing with the notary due to the mismatch. Use a recent biometric photo (less than 6 months old) — some residence applications have been rejected because of the photo. Declare your source of income and your ability to support yourself while living in Turkey, stating an accurate figure for your income in Turkish lira and its source. Filling in the occupation field is very important. State the date you moved to your address in Turkey so that it matches the rental contract date as closely as possible, or the date of property ownership. Link your health insurance number and its date to the appointment request accurately. Double-check that your passport number and its start and end dates are entered correctly, or you will not be able to complete the application. Enter a valid Turkish phone number and a correct email, or you will not be able to complete and follow up on your application later. Attention, attention, attention: do not book a residence appointment before entering Turkish territory, whether this is a first-time residence application or a renewal — booking an appointment before entering Turkish territory is a major reason for residence permit rejection. The website offers three options: first-time application, meaning you are applying for the first time while holding a valid, unexpired visa; the second option, extension or renewal of residence, in case you already hold a residence permit and intend to renew it as the same type for a second time; and changing the type of residence, in case you hold a residence permit — for example a tourist one — and want to change it to a family residence permit or another type.

It's important, when you reach the section on the reason for staying in Turkey, to state your reason for staying as being a property owner in Turkey, and not any other reason.

You can request the online appointment booking through Hallak Turkey.

Mandatory Health Insurance for the Residence Permit

This is mandatory for individuals between the ages of 18 and 65. For those younger than 18 or older than 65, health insurance is not a requirement for obtaining residence; otherwise, it is required. To obtain health insurance, only 4 pieces of information are needed from the person: a copy of the passport or residence permit, a detailed home address in Turkey, and the start date of the health insurance — preferably matching the date the residence appointment application is submitted if this is a first-time application, or matching the expiry date of the current residence permit if it is a renewal. Health insurance prices vary by age and gender; you can click the link to get health insurance prices. Hallak Turkey is an official agent and partner of dozens of private insurance companies. With Hallak Turkey, you will get the best prices and the best quality — yes, you are in the right place.

You can request health insurance through Hallak Turkey.

Tax Number

This is implicitly required in order to pay the residence fees mentioned below, and it can be obtained through the website. Hallak Turkey recommends paying close attention to the information and entering it correctly, matching your passport exactly, since correcting it later consumes a great deal of time and effort. After obtaining the tax number, you can save it on your phone or on paper, as you will need it later in many procedures until the residence permit is issued.

You can request the tax number through Hallak Turkey.

Passport Translation and Certification

The notary in Turkey (known as "Noter") requires a translation and certification of the passport into Turkish, due to differences in naming conventions between the Turkish system and other countries. Hallak Turkey advises you to keep a copy of the translated and notarized passport, as you will need it in many subsequent transactions in Turkey.

You can request the sworn translation and notary certification through Hallak Turkey.

Payment of Residence Permit Fees

These fees/taxes are divided into three categories and vary depending on nationality, the requested residence duration (one year or less, or two years), and the exchange rate of the US dollar against the Turkish lira, since the fee is originally set in dollars and converted to Turkish lira at the time of payment.

Hallak Turkey breaks down these fee categories as follows: the cost of printing the residence card, which as of 2022 is a fixed 160 Turkish lira with no variation by nationality or residence duration; the fee related to nationality, residence duration, and the dollar-to-lira exchange rate, which ranges from about 200 Turkish lira up to around 2,000 Turkish lira; and a third fee, specific to nationalities that enter the Republic of Turkey without a visa, called the visa-fee equivalent, which ranges from $60 to $150 or its equivalent in Turkish lira. You can pay the fee through the website or by visiting your nearest tax office. A piece of information Hallak Turkey shares with you exclusively: the visa-fee equivalent cannot be paid through the website and must be paid manually at the tax office. Tax offices do not accept payment by bank card. Tax offices accept payments in Turkish lira only. The official website only accepts bank cards issued by Turkish state-owned banks.

You can request tax payment through Hallak Turkey.

Personal Photos

A recent biometric photo (less than 6 months old); 4 photos are required whether the application is a first-time residence or a renewal. Hallak Turkey advises you to request a digital copy of the photos via WhatsApp or email for later use when booking the online appointment.

A Copy of the Passport

The visa and the latest entry stamp into the Republic of Turkey.

Earthquake Insurance (DASK) for the Property on Which the Property-Based Residence Will Be Based

You can request earthquake insurance through Hallak Turkey.

A Copy of the Title Deed (Tapu) for the Property the Residence Application Is Based On

The detailed apartment address, linked to an official document with the property owner's name, known in Turkish as "Numarataj," obtained from the municipality the property falls under. It is best to apply for it during the morning working hours, before 11 a.m., so you can receive the document the same day.

A Document Confirming the Property Is Still Registered in Its Owner's Name and Has Not Changed Hands

This is known in Turkish as "Tapu Aktif Kayıt" (active title deed record), obtained from the Land Registry Directorate the property falls under. Note: there is currently an electronic system through which you can obtain this document without going to the Land Registry Directorate in person, but the information will need to be updated and the title deed information linked to the Turkish residence permit number once it is issued.

In Some Cases, a Birth Certificate from the Home Country May Be Requested

Certified by the home country's foreign ministry, then by its consulate in Turkey, followed by a sworn translation and certification by the notary and the Turkish governor's office (Valilik), according to the city of residence. Hallak Turkey gives you all the information you need to take into account certain requirements that no one else tells you, so you can prepare the required documents before coming to Turkey.

You can request the sworn translation and notary certification through Hallak Turkey.

In Some Cases, a Certificate of No Criminal Record May Be Requested

From the home country, certified by the home country's foreign ministry, then by its consulate in Turkey, followed by a sworn translation and certification by the notary and the Turkish governor's office (Valilik), according to the city of residence. Hallak Turkey gives you all the information you need to take into account certain requirements that no one else tells you, so you can prepare the required documents before coming to Turkey.

You can request the sworn translation and notary certification through Hallak Turkey.