Family Residence Permit in Turkey
The family residence permit lets the foreign spouse and children of a Turkish citizen, or of a foreigner who lives in Turkey on a permit, live with them in Turkey. We check who qualifies, what the sponsor must show and which documents each person needs.
In short
A family residence permit allows the foreign spouse and children younger than 18 of a Turkish citizen, or of a foreigner who holds a residence or work permit in Turkey, to live in Turkey with the sponsor. The sponsor's total monthly income must be at least the minimum wage in force, and at least one third of the minimum wage per family member; health insurance and suitable accommodation are also required. The permit is granted for up to 3 years for family members of Turkish citizens, and up to the expiry date of the work permit for family members of work permit holders. We prepare the e-ikamet application for each family member.
By Burak Ünal, Founder & Managing Partner, Gordion Partners · Updated
Key facts (as of October 2026)
- Who can be sponsored
- The spouse and the children younger than 18 of a Turkish citizen or of a foreigner who holds a residence or work permit in Turkey
- Sponsor's income
- A total monthly income of at least the minimum wage in force, and at least one third of the minimum wage per family member
- Duration
- Up to 3 years for family members of Turkish citizens; up to the expiry date of the work permit for family members of work permit holders
- Application
- Online at e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr for each family member, followed by an appointmentSource: e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr (opens in a new tab)
- Decision time
- Up to 90 days; times vary by provinceSource: Göç İdaresi, istanbul.goc.gov.tr (opens in a new tab)
- Visa-free stays
- Up to 90 days in any 180-day period; a family member in Turkey applies while the stay is legalSource: Göç İdaresi, goc.gov.tr (opens in a new tab)
- Long-term permit
- Years on residence permits count towards the 8 years of continuous residence; student permits count at halfSource: goc.gov.tr (Law No. 6458) (opens in a new tab)
- Citizenship by investment
- The investor's spouse and children younger than 18 can apply with the investor, on the same investment
Each figure links to its official source. Rules change, so we confirm the current position before you act.
Who it is for
- Foreign spouses of Turkish citizens
- Spouses and children of foreigners who work or live in Turkey on a permit
- Families relocating to Turkey together
- Families planning a long stay that may lead to a long-term residence permit
Who can apply
A family residence permit is for the foreign family members of a sponsor who lives in Turkey: a Turkish citizen, or a foreigner who holds a residence permit or a work permit in Turkey. It covers the sponsor's spouse and the sponsor's children younger than 18.
The permit is granted for up to 3 years for family members of Turkish citizens, and up to the expiry date of the work permit for family members of work permit holders.
What the sponsor must show
The sponsor carries much of the file. The sponsor's total monthly income must be at least equal to the minimum wage in force, and the monthly income per family member must be at least one third of the minimum wage. The minimum wage changes, so the figure is checked against the minimum wage in force when you apply. The sponsor must also show health insurance for the family members and suitable accommodation with a registered address, and a foreign sponsor must hold a valid permit.
Families of investors and of other permit holders
If you are applying for Turkish citizenship by investment, your spouse and your children younger than 18 can apply with you, on the same investment (see family members). For the family of a foreigner who lives in Turkey on a work permit, a property-based permit or another residence permit, we check whether a family residence permit or another type fits each person.
Who it does not suit
- Parents, brothers, sisters and other relatives: they are generally not covered and need a permit of their own.
- Family members who want to work: a family residence permit does not replace a work permit.
- Partners who are not married: the permit is for spouses.
The application
The application is made online through e-ikamet for each family member, followed by an appointment at the provincial migration directorate. A family member who is already in Turkey applies while the stay is legal, within the visa or visa-free period of 90 days in any 180-day period; family members abroad may need a family unification visa first (see our family unification visa guide). The authority may take up to 90 days to decide, and times vary by province. The family permit is linked to the sponsor's own status, so the two are planned and renewed together.
Foreign civil status documents, such as marriage and birth certificates, must be translated into Turkish and certified in a form accepted in Turkey, and names must be spelled the same way in every document.
Costs
The state fees for each permit and card, the health insurance premiums and the translations and certifications are paid separately; we confirm the current amounts for your case. Our own fees are not published: contact us for fees, questions and service scope.
Common mistakes
- Marriage or birth certificates without the required certification or translation.
- Names or dates of birth that differ between documents.
- A sponsor whose income is below the minimum wage in force or below one third of the minimum wage per family member, or whose health insurance does not cover the whole family.
- Applying after the family member's legal stay has ended.
- Letting the sponsor's permit lapse while the family permits depend on it.
Guides
- The family residence permit for foreigners
- Documents for the family residence permit
- Spouse and children of a Turkish citizen
- Families of work permit holders
Book a consultation or message us on WhatsApp: tell us who is in your family and who the sponsor is, and we will tell you what each person needs.
How the process works
Family plan
We list every family member and confirm who can be sponsored, and who needs another type of permit.
Sponsor's file
We prepare the sponsor's evidence with you: the income, measured against the minimum wage in force, the health insurance, the accommodation and the registered address.
Family members' documents
Marriage and birth certificates are translated into Turkish and certified in the form required, and we check that names match in every document.
e-ikamet applications
An application is filed online for each family member, and the appointments are booked.
Appointments and decision
The documents are submitted at the provincial migration directorate; the authority may take up to 90 days to decide.
Cards and renewals
The permit cards are delivered by post; we plan the renewals together with the sponsor's own permit.
Documents checklist
- Passport of each family member, with a copy
- Marriage certificate and birth certificates, translated into Turkish and certified in the form required
- Biometric photographs
- Health insurance for each family member
- The sponsor's identity card, or residence or work permit
- Proof of the sponsor's income and of the family's accommodation in Turkey
Your full list depends on your situation; we prepare it with you.
Updated
The information on this page is general and is not legal, tax or investment advice. Rules, amounts and procedures change; contact us to confirm the current requirements before you act.
Frequently asked questions
Who can get a family residence permit in Turkey?
The foreign spouse and the children younger than 18 of a sponsor who lives in Turkey: a Turkish citizen, or a foreigner who holds a residence or work permit in Turkey.
What income does the sponsor need?
The sponsor's total monthly income must be at least equal to the minimum wage in force, and the monthly income per family member must be at least one third of the minimum wage. The minimum wage changes, so the figure is checked against the minimum wage in force when you apply.
How long is a family residence permit granted for?
Up to 3 years for family members of Turkish citizens, and up to the expiry date of the work permit for family members of work permit holders. The family permit is linked to the sponsor's own status, so the two are renewed together.
Can my parents get a family residence permit?
Parents, brothers and sisters are generally not covered by the family residence permit and need a permit of their own. We check which options fit them.
Can a family member work with a family residence permit?
A family residence permit does not replace a work permit. A family member who wants to work in Turkey needs a work permit.
How long does it take?
The authority may take up to 90 days to decide on an application filed through e-ikamet, and times vary by province. Missing or inconsistent civil status documents are a common cause of delay.
Do family permits count towards a long-term residence permit?
Years on residence permits count towards the 8 years of continuous residence needed for a long-term residence permit; periods on a student permit count at half.
We are applying for citizenship by investment. Do my spouse and children need a family permit?
Your spouse and your children younger than 18 can apply for citizenship together with you, on the same investment. We plan the residence permits that the citizenship file needs with you.
Related services
- Short-Term Residence PermitFor stays beyond 90 days in any 180-day period: tourism, business connections, property ownership or a language course.
- Family MembersWho can be included in the investor's application: the spouse and children, the documents and the military service rule.
- Turkish Work PermitWork permits for foreigners employed by a company in Turkey.
- Long-Term Residence PermitFor foreigners with at least 8 years of continuous residence in Turkey on permits.
Other residence permits
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“I have been applying through Gordion Partners for the past five years, and they have always been incredibly helpful and professional. They are honest, friendly, and truly care about their clients. The team is always up to date with the latest government regulations, which makes the entire process smooth and stress-free. When it comes to applying for my kimlik, I completely trust them. They are reliable, kind, and genuinely supportive throughout the whole process. I highly recommend their services to anyone looking for trustworthy and professional assistance.”
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