Invitation to Visit Turkey

The "invitation" is the commonly used name among the public for what is legally called an undertaking or sponsorship (taahhüt/kefalet) — meaning a person or entity commits, before the notary's office known as the "noter," to cover all the expenses and needs of the invited person, explicitly stating in writing travel, accommodation, treatment, transportation, food and drink, etc. The types of invitations vary depending on the reason for the invitation, and we outline the details of the possible invitations according to the following table of contents:

-Invitation for Family, Relatives, and Friends

-Commercial Invitation

-Exhibition Invitation

-Invitation to Work in Turkey

-Invitation for Treatment in Turkey

-Frequently Asked Questions

-Taif's Assistance in Preparing the Documents Required for the Invitation

-Invitation for Family, Relatives, and Friends:

The inviting person submits an invitation for someone with whom they have a family or friendship relationship and takes on all the expenses arising from that person's entry into Turkey. The closer the family relationship, the higher the acceptance rate — meaning a first-degree relationship is the strongest (spouse, children, father, mother, brother, sister). A foreigner residing here, whether under a tourist, work, or student residence permit, can submit this invitation to support a visa file submitted at embassies. A person holding Turkish citizenship can submit it for friends. The more the file is supported with documents, the higher the acceptance rate.

-Commercial Invitation:

This is a type of invitation whereby companies and factories invite individuals or potential clients to visit Turkey due to existing business dealings between them, or business that may take place. It is one of the strongest types of invitations, and rejection rates are low if it is accompanied by documents confirming the existing or potential business. It is arranged in two stages — first at the company, then completed at the notary's office known as the noter.

-Exhibition Invitation:

This is very similar to the commercial invitation, but it is limited to a specific time and relates to a specific exhibition. The procedures begin with the companies participating in the exhibition, in coordination with the exhibition's management, and in the final stage it is certified at the notary's office (noter); sometimes certification from the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs is also required. It is one of the strongest invitations if the conditions are met and it is genuinely only for the purpose of attending the exhibition.

-Invitation to Work in Turkey:

This is an invitation for employees from outside Turkey, and it differs somewhat from all the previous invitations in terms of the required documents and the overall process. It is submitted by companies to bring in workers specialized in a particular field, and the recruited worker obtains a work residence permit directly, without going through the stages of other types of residence permits.

-Invitation for Treatment in Turkey:

This is submitted by hospitals and medical centers accredited by the Turkish Ministry of Health. A medical examination or medical report on the condition may be requested, along with confirmation that the hospital is able to receive this type of case and provide appropriate treatment for it. In this case, proof of transferring a certain amount to the hospital's account may be requested to confirm the booking and to arrange the timing and duration of treatment, and the patient obtains a residence permit that matches the duration of treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

**Is an invitation from a Turkish citizen stronger than an invitation from a foreigner?

Answer: This cannot be measured on that basis — meaning an invitation submitted by a foreigner residing under a work residence permit in Turkey and officially registered with government offices, for first-degree relatives, can be stronger than an invitation from a Turkish citizen who is not registered with the Social Security Institution.

**Does submitting an invitation mean the visa is guaranteed? Answer: Submitting an invitation supports the Turkish visa file, but it does not guarantee its approval — there are many criteria that must be taken into consideration.

**I want to submit an invitation for my mother to visit me and stay with me in Turkey — what is required of me?

1. Attend the notary's office (noter) with your residence permit and passport, along with a copy translated into Turkish and certified at the noter, if available. (Hallak's service company provides you with all translation and certification services at the notary's office.)

2. A copy of the invited person's passport.

3. If you do not speak Turkish well, you will need a sworn legal translator — we, Hallak Company, can provide oral translation (interpretation) services.

**Hallak Company has prepared the invitation procedures for my mother to visit Turkey — what documents are required?

1. A copy of the inviting person's residence permit and passport, sent as a PDF file to the mother.

2. A civil registration record (population/address registry record) pulled from e-Devlet.

3. A certificate of no criminal record (adli sicil), obtained from the relevant state authority.

4. A bank statement for the last 3 months, signed/stamped by the bank (can be sent as a PDF and printed in color).

5. A salary statement, if available.

6. A statement from social security (SGK/Sigorta), if available.

7. The rental contract, in electronic copy.

8. Travel/tourist insurance specific to obtaining the visa.

9. A preliminary flight and hotel booking.