Welcome to TürkiyeTaywan! This article will guide you through the process of applying for a short-term exchange student residence permit in Turkey, extending your residence permit, and applying for a residence permit while renting a place off-campus, along with various tips and solutions to common issues you might encounter.
Generally, exchange students arrive Turkey only after the dormitory check-in dates are announced and then get their residence permits with the help from International syudent Office at Ankara University. However, in my case, I was eager to reunite with my long-distance boyfriend 😆 so I impulsively arrived in Ankara a month earlier. Therefore, my situation was a bit different, and I want to share with you how i apply it on my own!
🌟🌟 it’s crucial to start applying for a residence permit within 30 days of your arrival! Once you begin the application process, you won’t be considered as illegally staying in Türkiye.
STEP 1
Fill out the application form on the immigration office website.
Website link：
1.Enter the website and click e-ikamet
2.if your are applying for the first time click ‘ilk kez ikamet izni başvurusu yapıyorum’
3.Click ‘Yeni bir başvuru yapmak istiyorum’
4.Fill in all the information required
🌟When filling out the application, you can visit the International Student Office (Uluslararası Öğrenci Koordinatörlüğü) at Ankara University’s Tandoğan Campus, there are English-speaking students who can assist you with the process.
🌟During the application process, if you need to temporarily save your progress, you can click on “kaydet” (save).You will then get a message from immigration office, which has a verification code (Doğrulama Kodu). When you return to the webpage, click on “Başvuruma devam etmek istiyorum” (I want to continue my application), enter your verification code (Doğrulama Kodu), and your application number (Başvuru Numarası) to continue where you left off.
🌟How to go to Tandoğan campus
take metro to「Anadolu / Anıtkabir」station, walk for about 15 minutes you will be there.
STEP 2
After filling out the application form you will need to get the following things.
1.Valid Health Insurance
🌟Google map search 「Sigorta」
Tell the insurance agent that you need to apply for a residence permit (and the duration of the permit should cover your entire stay in Turkey). You can choose a plan based on your needs. At the time, I purchased the cheapest plan for 300 Turkish Lira. Please note that prices may have changed due to inflation.
2.Photocopy of passport
Make sure your copies include the passport page and the student visa page! If you don’t have extra copies, you can visit the nearest “kırtasiye” (stationery store), just simply send the file of the documents to the stationery store’s WhatsApp, or bring your passport to have them help you scan it!
3.Four pieces of biometric phto
When I applied, I brought passport photos taken in Taiwan, but I was informed at the immigration office that they couldn’t be used.
Therefore, I recommend that if you encounter issues with your photos, you can visit the Göç Danışma İkamet ve Çalışma İzni Mezop A.Ş. located next to the Ankara Valiliği il Göç İdaresi Müdürlüğü (Immigration office), which offer biometric photography service. The cost is approximately 150 Turkish Lira.
4.Student Document
When you arrive at Ankara University’s Tandoğan Campus, go to the Student Affairs Front Office at Aziz Kansu building ground floor (Ön Büro) and inform them that you are a “exchange student” . Explain that you need the Uluslararası Öğrenci Bilgi Formu (International Student Information Form) for your residence permit application. Finally, you will receive an envelope stamped by Ankara University.
🌟 It is crucial not to open this envelope under any circumstances! This envelope is intended to be submitted to the immigration authorities, and opening it will render it ineffective, requiring you to reapply.
5.Address Document
If you are staying in dormitory, just contact with the dormitory manager that you are applying for a residence permit and need to get the relevant documents.
🌟 If you are not staying dorm like me, you will need to provide your Notarized rental agreement.
🌟When renting, it is essential to inform your landlord or rental company that you need a “Notarized rental Agreement” (Noter Onaylı Kira Sözleşmesi)!
This is extremely important because some cheap housing options are registered as office buildings, allowing Turkish citizens to rent and register as their residential address (ikametgah). However, this is not permissible for foreign nationals. So please pay close attention to this detail!!
6.Declaration of income
Which you can apply from your home country.
Read more: How To Apply Short Term Exchange Student Residence Permit In Türkiye7.e-ikamet online application form
After completing the application form and carefully verifying it for accuracy, click on “Save” to generate the application form. Print out the form and prepare it along with other required documents, placing them in the “pink folder” for submission
🌟MUST be printed on e-residence website
*Pink folder can be found outside of the immigration office, price is about 25-30lira.
8.Resident Permit Card Fee Receipt
you can pay
–Online from www.goc.gov.tr. After you printed your application form you will see this paying option. Or when the online system is not working great ( which usually happens;) )
–Pay at the pay desk of immigration office will be your another option
Price: 356 TL for 2023
🌟How to go to Ankara Valiliği il Göç İdaresi Müdürlüğü?
get off from kızılay metro station ,Güvenpark exit. Take bus to Kuğulu park bus station, walk for 5 minutes you will be there.
🌟When you enter the immigration office, there will be a security check. Proceed directly to the reception and tell the staff that you are there just for paying. Once inside, you will see a small counter where you can make your payment. Make sure to bring exact money.
*The picture originates from the internet
STEP 3
After completing your application documents, you will receive a text message informing you of your appointment at the immigration office. Then you can prepare all your documents in the pink folder, bring your passport, and some cash, not much steps left!
🌟 have multiple copies of all your documents, including any additional documents that are not specifically requested will be great.
Once get inside the immigration office, if you are not fluent in Turkish, it’s okay to ask questions in English. The receptionist will give you a number, and all you need to do is following the staff in the immigration office. Take it step by step and don’t panic; you’ll be able to complete the process smoothly.
*the number i took
🌟The process will include checking your documents, taking fingerprints and other things. Usually it will take 2-3 times, so when you are applying make sure that you are available during this period.
STEP 4
Get your residence permit!
After finishing this long and tiring process, you can check the applying result on the website of immigration office by clicking「Başvurumun sonucu görmek istiyorum」button.
🌟Usually it will be sent to your address, if it’s not you can check which postoffice(PTT) it is and take it from there.
STEP 5
To extend your residence permit
typically the first permit is granted for a short duration (e.g., 3 months), and you will need to apply for an extension.
Documents required for the extension include:
- Student documents
- Valid health insurance
- Address Document
- Copy of your passport
To apply for the extension, just click on “ikamet izni uzatma başvurusu yapıyorum” (I am applying to extend my residence permit) button on the immigration office website, and fill in the required information based on your first application.
🌟saving your first application form will be helpful.
Some helpful information!
🌟Göç Danışma İkamet ve Çalışma izni Mezop A.Ş.
*The picture originates from the internet
This consultation center is located next to the immigration office,they can help you with various issues related to applying for a residence permit.
The service fee for 2023 is 1500 Turkish Lira
🌟e-devlet app
This app provides convenient access to residence permit information, residency documents, certificates, and other documents you need for your life in Türkiye!
These are all details about how to apply residence permit as an evhange student in Türkiye! During the application process, you may often feel frustrated and disappointed due to the efficiency here.
Dont forget to allocate more time for the application and give yourself some resting time. After completing everything, remember to reward yourself with some great food or drinks!
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