Turkey introduces new rules for tourist residence permit: requirements and prospects

Updated on October 20, 2024

The Turkish authorities have again updated the conditions for issuing tourist residence permits – let’s see who can get a residence permit for tourism in connection with the latest innovations:

1. Owners of real estate in OPEN areas (with a TAP value of less than 200 thousand US dollars). Family members of the owner (spouse and minor children) can also obtain a residence permit for up to 2 years.
2. Foreigners who plan to stay in Turkey for a long time for tourist purposes. For them, a residence permit can be issued if there is a paid hotel reservation and air tickets in both directions, for the duration of the reservation at the hotel.
3. Pensioners are foreigners with a confirmed income of at least 1.5 minimum wage per person (the minimum wage now stands at 17002 TL) and the presence of a pension certificate. The period for issuing a residence permit is up to 2 years (for citizens of the Russian Federation up to one year).

Do not forget that now the UETS address (notification of the national electronic notification system) is required to apply for a residence permit.

Earlier, in April 2024, the Turkish migration service Göç Idaresi had already introduced innovations in the procedure for issuing and extending a tourist residence permit (residence permit). According to this policy, foreign citizens are provided with a tourist residence permit for up to six months, with the possibility of extension, which depends on the level of financial expenses of the tourist in Turkey. The same innovations apply to owners of real estate purchased at a price below 200,000 US dollars, until October 16, 2023.

New criteria for extending a residence permit

One of the key changes was the introduction of a financial threshold for extending a residence permit. Now, in order to extend a tourist residence permit, it will be necessary to show expenses at the level of at least 1.5 minimum wage (minimum wage) In Turkey, per tourist for each month of stay, it is about $825. This condition is designed to stimulate the economic activity of foreign citizens in the country, thereby contributing to an increase in tourist and other types of expenses.

The purpose of innovations

According to representatives of Göç Idaresi:

This measure is aimed at attracting wealthier tourists and investors who can make a significant contribution to the country’s economy.

It is expected that such changes will not only increase tourism revenues, but also contribute to the creation of new jobs and improve the quality of service in the tourism sector and related industries.

The demand for buying real estate in Turkey, for example among Russians, fell by almost 90% in 2023-2024. The collapse in demand is caused by inflation in Turkey and the complication of the procedure for issuing a residence permit in the presence of real estate. Thus, innovations in the procedure for issuing and extending a residence permit are also designed to restore demand for housing in Turkey.

Influence on foreign citizens

For many foreigners who are used to using Turkey as a place for a long vacation without significant financial investments, the new rules may become an obstacle. At the same time, those who are ready to engage in active economic activity will find new business opportunities and long-term residence in the country in these changes.

Long-term perspective

These changes underline Turkey’s desire to strengthen its position as an attractive tourist and business destination. The measure concerning financial expenses for the extension of a residence permit raises the bar and makes Turkey more attractive to high-income foreigners. This, in turn, can increase the country’s competitiveness in the international arena, strengthening its economic and social stability.

Thus, the innovations in the procedure for issuing and extending a tourist residence permit in Turkey reflect the country’s desire to adapt to changing economic realities and maximize the benefits from the growing flow of foreign tourists and investors.