Student Residence Permit (İkamet) in Türkiye
How to apply for a student residence permit in Türkiye: the e-ikamet application, required documents, appointment steps, and what to expect after applying.
Reviewed · September 14, 2026Guide contents
A residence permit is an official authorization granted by the Directorate General of Migration Management (Göç İdaresi Genel Müdürlüğü), under the Turkish Ministry of Interior, to foreign nationals who wish to remain in Türkiye beyond their visa period. It is one of the most important documents during your stay because it allows you to live legally in the country for a specified period.
A student residence permit (Öğrenci İkamet İzni) is granted to international students enrolled at Turkish universities.
Check with your university's international student office and the migration directorate before applying, since durations, documents, and the file-submission process can change depending on the year, university, and city.
Essential information about the student residence permit
- 1
Permit duration
It is usually issued for one year and renewed annually throughout the study period. A one-year permit is generally issued during the Turkish-language preparatory year, after which its duration is renewed according to the student’s remaining years of study.
- 2
When to begin
Students should apply for a residence permit as soon as they arrive in Türkiye and complete their university registration.
- 3
Passport validity
The passport must be valid and its validity must cover the full period requested in the application.
- 4
Where to submit the file
The application file is submitted to the migration directorate office or the university's international student office, depending on the student's faculty and university.
- 5
Estimated processing time
A first-time application may take one to three months depending on regulations and application volume, and renewal may take one week to a month. These are estimated durations, not an official guarantee.
Verified on August 17, 2026
Documents required for a student residence permit
- Passport: A copy of the passport and visa page, with the original passport presented when the file is submitted.
- Personal photographs: Four biometric photographs measuring 5×6 cm.
- Proof of address (Adres Belgesi): For student accommodation: a dormitory certificate (Yurt Belgesi) from the dormitory registration office. For apartments and houses: a rental agreement (Kira Sözleşmesi) naming the student as tenant and bearing the landlord’s signature, authenticated by a notary public (Noter).
- Student certificate: For university students: a student certificate (Öğrenci Belgesi) issued after registration, stating Turkish-language preparatory status (Hazırlık Türkçe) where applicable. For TÖMER students: a TÖMER Belgesi issued after enrolling in the Turkish-language preparatory year.
- Residence-card fee receipt: The residence-card issuance fee is paid after completing the application form and scheduling the file-submission appointment, either through a tax office (Vergi Dairesi) or online using the application number (Kayıt Numarası) or assessment number (Tahakkuk Numarası).
- Valid health insurance (Sağlık Sigortası): Self-funded students can obtain insurance from private insurance companies. Türkiye Scholarships (YTB) covers a scholarship student's insurance within one to two months of the program's start at most, and the file may be accepted provisionally until it is issued; confirm this with the university and the scholarship provider.
- Residence permit application form (İkamet İzni Öğrenci Kayıt Formu): The applicant completes the form through the Directorate General of Migration Management website.
- UETS account information: This document is mainly required for residence permit extension/renewal or transfer applications, not usually for a first-time application. If it's required in your application, open the PTT UETS portal and download the account-information document from the Sözleşme section.
Online application procedure
- 1
Choose the right application type
After signing in to the e-İkamet system on the Migration Management website: • If you are applying for a residence permit for the first time, select “I am applying for a residence permit for the first time” (İlk Kez İkamet İzni Başvurusu Yapıyorum). • If you are renewing/extending your current residence permit, select “I am applying to extend my residence permit” (İkamet İzni Uzatma Başvurusu Yapıyorum).
- 2
Complete the application form
Enter the required information in the online form. Pay particular attention to fields marked in red, as they are mandatory.
- 3
Review your personal information
Make sure your information—especially your first and last names—is correct and matches the passport exactly.
- 4
Choose a file-submission appointment
After completing the online form, select an appointment date for submitting the residence-permit file (Randevu Tarihi) if the system requests one.
- 5
Complete the documents before the appointment
Make sure every required document is ready and complete before the scheduled date; missing documents may delay processing or lead to rejection.
- 6
Print the application form
Print the residence-permit application form after completing the application and booking the appointment.
- 7
Organize and submit your file
Arrange all documents in a file in the order required by your university or the Migration Management office in your city, then submit it to the designated office.
The file can sometimes be submitted before the appointment day if all required documents are ready. Confirm with the relevant office at your university before going, as the submission process may vary.
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