Turkey Short-term permit visa requirements
Turkey's short-term residence permit for tourism needs income of at least 1.5 times the net minimum wage, health insurance unless you are over 65, and an address in Turkey.
What the law asks for, what the government charges, and how the application runs. Checked against Turkey's official sources on Oct 8, 2026.
- Minimum income
- 1.5x the net minimum wage There is no fixed amount in the law, which asks for sufficient and regular means for the length of the stay. For the tourism category, the Presidency of Migration Management sets sufficient income at no less than 1.5 times the net minimum wage in force on the day you apply, and regular income as proof that you received it for at least the last three months. The 2026 net minimum wage is ₺28,075.50 a month. Applying with family, you need at least the minimum wage for each family member. Law 6458; e-İkamet document list; Ministry of Labour. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
- Residency
- Up to 2 years per permit, renewable Law 6458; Migration Management; e-İkamet document list. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
- Government fees
- TRY 964 (about $20) Residence permit card (document fee). Migration Management. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
- Lawyer
- Not required Law 6458; Migration Management; e-İkamet document list. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
Who qualifies for the Short-term permit visa
Retirees who live in Turkey without working use the short-term residence permit, here in its tourism category: you apply from inside Turkey, show steady income from a pension, savings or rent, health insurance and an address, and renew the permit before it expires.
There is no fixed amount in the law, which asks for sufficient and regular means for the length of the stay. For the tourism category, the Presidency of Migration Management sets sufficient income at no less than 1.5 times the net minimum wage in force on the day you apply, and regular income as proof that you received it for at least the last three months. The 2026 net minimum wage is ₺28,075.50 a month. Applying with family, you need at least the minimum wage for each family member.
The short-term permit does not allow work in Turkey; a work permit is a separate permit.
Each permit lasts at most 2 years and the length is decided by the migration office. Time on the permit counts toward the 8 years of continuous residence for a long-term permit, but more than 6 months outside Turkey in a year, or more than a year in total over the last 5 years, breaks that count.
The general fee rates apply to nationalities without their own rate; many countries pay a different amount set by reciprocity, and e-İkamet calculates your fee when you finish the form.
If you move to another province, apply there for a new permit within 20 working days.
Short-term permit visa documents
Every residence permit
- Residence permit application form from e-İkamet, signed by you, your legal representative or your lawyer
- Copy of your passport (identity page and any visa), with the original at the appointment; the passport must be valid for at least 60 days longer than the permit you ask for
- Two biometric photos taken within the last 6 months, white background, ICAO standard
- Receipts for the residence permit fee and the card fee
- Valid health insurance covering the whole permit period: a private policy, a Social Security Institution (SGK) document, or proof of cover under a bilateral social security agreement; not required under 18 or over 65
- Proof of your address: a current residence certificate from e-Devlet with a utility bill, and the title deed of your home, a notarised lease or a hotel booking for the permit period
e-İkamet document list; Law 6458; Migration Management FAQ. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
This visa
- Travel plan and information on where you will stay
- Proof of income of at least 1.5 times the net minimum wage over the last three months: a pension award letter, bank statements, bank deposit income, or the title deed and lease of a rented property
- Receipt for the single-entry visa fee, if you entered visa-free and this is your first residence permit (some nationalities are exempt)
e-İkamet document list. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
Short-term permit visa fees
| Residence permit card (document fee), 2026 | TRY 964 (about $20) |
| Residence permit fee for the first month, general 2026 rate (₺348.10 a day, at most ₺3,359.90) | TRY 3,360 (about $70) |
| Residence permit fee for each further month, general 2026 rate | TRY 2,232 (about $50) |
Migration Management. Checked Oct 8, 2026. Lawyer and agency fees are not set by law; ask for a fixed written quote.
How the application runs
- Apply online in TurkeyFill in the e-İkamet form before your visa or visa-free stay runs out and book an appointment; applications are not taken from abroad.
- Pay the feesPay the residence permit fee and the ₺964 card fee before the appointment, by card in e-İkamet or at a tax office or Ziraat, Vakıf or Halk bank.
- Attend the appointmentBring the originals to the provincial migration directorate. You receive an application certificate that lets you leave and re-enter within 15 days.
- Get your card by postA decision is due within 90 days of a complete file, and the card is posted to your address.
- Renew in timeApply to renew in the 60 days before the permit expires, with a current residence certificate.
Spouses and children
A spouse, parent or child can apply in the same tourism category on the family tie, with a copy of your residence permit and a marriage or birth record. Applying together, the family needs income of at least the minimum wage for each member, so a family of four needs four times the minimum wage. Each person gets their own permit.
e-İkamet document list; Law 6458. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
Other ways to live in Turkey
Short-term residence permit for property owners
A short-term permit for foreigners who own a home in Turkey worth at least $200,000 in Turkish lira at the date it was bought, used as their own residence and not rented out. It needs the title deed, the address number certificate from the municipality, health insurance and the common documents.
Law 6458; e-İkamet document list. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
Long-term residence permit
An indefinite permit for foreigners with at least 8 years of continuous legal residence, no social assistance in the last 3 years, sufficient and regular income and valid health insurance. Over-65s can bring a document showing they cannot get insurance.
Law 6458; Migration Management; Migration Management FAQ. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
Turkish citizenship by investment
Citizenship for foreigners who buy property worth at least $400,000 and register a 3-year no-sale annotation on the title deed, or invest in other ways, such as a $500,000 fixed capital investment or bank deposit.
Population and Citizenship Affairs. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
Short-term permit visa questions
What documents does an American need to retire in Istanbul?
For the short-term permit: the e-İkamet form, a passport valid 60 days beyond the permit, two biometric photos, health insurance unless you are over 65, proof of your address, a travel plan, proof of income of at least 1.5 times the net minimum wage over the last three months, and the fee receipts.
How much income do I need for a Turkish residence permit?
For the tourism category, at least 1.5 times the net minimum wage on the day you apply, received for at least the last three months. The 2026 net minimum wage is ₺28,075.50 a month.
Can I get residency in Turkey by buying property?
Yes. A home worth at least $200,000 at the date you bought it, used as your own residence and not rented out, qualifies you for a short-term permit. Property worth at least $400,000 with a 3-year no-sale annotation qualifies you for citizenship.
How long does a Turkish short-term residence permit last?
At most 2 years per permit, renewable. After 8 years of continuous residence you can apply for a long-term permit with no end date.
