Tourist Residence Permit

65POSTS

4 years ago

Hello,

There are a lot of news on social media suggest that tourist residence permit is no longer issued in Turkey. However, I heard that the situation in Alanya is different and applications are being accepted with approvals.

Did anyone here receive their tourist residence permit recently? Can you confirm this information?

Thank you 🙂

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Randomguy2000 Serial expat

276POSTS

4 years ago

Turkey is still giving out Ikhmet visas. They have not stopped them. But it is rumored that they have started rejecting large amount of applications from specific countries E.G. African countries, Iran, Afghanistan, etc.

Also the new rule is if one area has 25% foreigners or more they will reject your application for there, so you have to be in an area with less then 25% foreigners as the population. This effects areas in Istanbul like Fatiah, and a few others.

Randomguy2000 Serial expat

276POSTS

4 years ago

@FeminineHeart

One other thing I would highly suggest for you to think about. If you are an arab or look like an arab. Stay far away from Turkey. The people here are extremely xenophoic, and they hate arabs, or anyone who looks like an arab. So unless if you want to come to Turkey, and deal with a bunch of unneeded stress, unneeded drama, and a bunch of people giving you a hard time for no reason then I would suggest going to find another country.

I live in Turkey, I am an American but Turks apparently don't know the difference between Italians, and Arabs. So all the time they confuse me for an arab, and I run into many issues because of this, and openly get discriminated against, and the same is for all the other arabs here as well. If you have no other choice but to live here, or have no other options then to live here. You can eventually deal with it, and learn to live with it. But if you have other choices, and better choices then take them and go to those countries instead.

1 member reacted to this post

cdw057 ViP

2051POSTS

4 years ago

Intreresting, I was not so much aware, I am aware of the Syrian refugee problem and what drips down (quite far), in Mahmutlar quite some Arabs (Syrian, Iraq, .. (do not know about Iranians but that is another matter anyhow (religion). Thanks for your insight, I will continue to keep my eye open.

We know some Arabs and so far they have been very friendly and welcoming, perhaps also because my wife and me are not Turkish (but Dutch) I do not know.

FeminineHeart Active member

65POSTS

4 years ago

@Randomguy2000 What about the Arabs? Are they rejected too? I learned from a Palestinian man online that he got his Ikhmet last week in Alanya.

Randomguy2000 Serial expat

276POSTS

4 years ago

@FeminineHeart

I have not heard of arabs getting rejected for no reason by the Turkish government. But again you have to make sure you are in an area that does not have 25% foreigners or more. Also at the end of the day its up to the Turkish government to accept or reject people. So even though one person my get accepted the other may not.

But as far as I know it is only Africans, Afghans, and Iranians, and Pakistanis, and Indians that are being rejected for the ikhmet now for no reason.

FeminineHeart Active member

65POSTS

4 years ago

@Randomguy2000 I am sorry for your bad experiences, and thank you for the advice.

Discrimination is everywhere. If we are going to base our decision based on that, then the only option we will have is to live in our hometowns. I have been to Turkiye twice and people were friendly with me.

My family and I don't have many opinions. I am Yemeni and I live in Saudi Arabia. Life has become so expensive here that we will have to move out. We cannot go to Yemen because it is facing humanitarian problems. Turkiye seems to be a good option for us. We at least hope so.

FeminineHeart Active member

65POSTS

4 years ago

@cdw057 Where do you live in Turkiye?

Randomguy2000 Serial expat

276POSTS

4 years ago

#10

@Randomguy2000 I am sorry for your bad experiences, and thank you for the advice.

Discrimination is everywhere. If we are going to base our decision based on that, then the only option we will have is to live in our hometowns. I have been to Turkiye twice and people were friendly with me.

My family and I don't have many opinions. I am Yemeni and I live in Saudi Arabia. Life has become so expensive here that we will have to move out. We cannot go to Yemen because it is facing humanitarian problems. Turkiye seems to be a good option for us. We at least hope so.
- @FeminineHeart

Visiting on a vacation is far different then living in Turkey. Hotels, and AIRBNB won't reject giving you service. But there is many people who will refuse you apartments, and many other services that are necessary to live here. For example I had to end up getting my Turkish friend to put the internet under his name because after weeks of trying over, and over again the employees at the store refused to do business with me. Once everything is established then its not so much of a problem.

But of course you are going to be playing the yearly game with the ikhmet and worrying if it is going to be renewed for you or not. If you own a home in Turkey that is over 60 thousand USD then its not a problem, and they will keep renewing it. But if you are a renter the rules are always changing, and there is no guarantee for year to year.

Also as a reminder: If you are on a tourist ikhmet you are not allowed to work at all, and if they catch you working inside of Turkey they will arrest you, and deport you. They have been cracking down on illegal workers, and have deported over 50,0000 illegal workers so far from Turkey which included Africans, Pakistanis, Arabs, etc.

I don't know your families situation so I won't ask.

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cdw057 ViP

2051POSTS

4 years ago

#11

In most countries for accepting expats is to make sure they do not draw of the labour market (un-official) and any social security, this is already the case within the EU (or even Schengen). In Hungary for a residence permit we have to bring bank-statements to show we can take care of our-self (having an own property of course helps).

Bottom line most countries in the world do want expats (but they have to bring money and not be a burden). I think this is logical in a way and I do understand.

If I am fully broke I would probably go back to the Netherlands, asking for support in Turkey (but for that matter in other countries in the world) is not viable.

We do own our home in Turkey and indeed what I hear is life is easier indeed rather then renting, some or for example German retirees (on very very limited budget (and renting)) might consider to return. This might also be part of the plan, making space for turkish citizens at limited cost to the economy (but perhaps I am too cynical).

Clearly for Turkey it is good to limit foreigners who spend quite a bit. No foreigners who come here to survive.

Sad really, but this applies to most countries.

Luckily people (in my experience) do not look at how you look (perhaps on race or alike , but that is another matter).

I have never cared on how I look anywhere in the world and it worked quite far, but I wear shabby clothes, look like a hippy (I did not cut my hairs for 7 years), I have not many teeth left, taking a shower is also not my hobby.

In my view what is inside is important, not the outside. (of course the wallet is important, but on first view I doubt they can assess that).

FeminineHeart Active member

65POSTS

4 years ago

#12

@Randomguy2000 Sharing your experience has been very useful, and it is likely to happen to anyone. My family and I are still deciding on which country would be most suitable for us (not many options though). If we decided to take the risk and move to Turkiye, we will try to start a business. I believe it is legal. We will see. Thank you again very much your help.

Randomguy2000 Serial expat

276POSTS

4 years ago

#13

@Randomguy2000 Sharing your experience has been very useful, and it is likely to happen to anyone. My family and I are still deciding on which country would be most suitable for us (not many options though). If we decided to take the risk and move to Turkiye, we will try to start a business. I believe it is legal. We will see. Thank you again very much your help.
- @FeminineHeart

Yes. It is legal to start a business, and then you could all apply for a business ikhemet.

Randomguy2000 Serial expat

276POSTS

4 years ago

#14

@FeminineHeart

We are running into the same problem. Not too many countries to live in, and its even harder because many of the countries either have no work at all, or chance for business, or the work that they have pays so little you are barley suriving(Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, Qatar, etc).

Randomguy2000 Serial expat

276POSTS

4 years ago

#15

@cdw057

Most countries atleast western countries have laws against discrimination in employment, housing, etc. There is no such thing in Turkey, and if there is its another non-enforced law by the government. Even people openly discriminate against foreigners or others in their ads if your looking to rent an apartment. If the same thing was done in the USA you would be getting sued out of existence.

The same thing for the jobs here in the country, or offering you services. I have been told so many times to change the way I dress, or that I have to shave my beard off if I want to work in Turkey, etc.

nomansddq Active member

39POSTS

4 years ago

#16

hi my name is noman recently i moved from pakistan to turkey, i have also submitted my ikamet application, i dont know what will happend, my experices so far in turkey is like that i summarise below

1. find a cheap hotel (staff was very friendly)

2. then i searched for rental appartments and find a decent appartment in baseksher area, which is not included 25% foreigner area on 5500 rent

3. still i am searching to do something for my 3 kids and a disabled sisterin law

4. most of the people i found there were very helpful.

5. language is a basic problem here no body knows english , so i must have to good command on turkish language.

6. weather is great as well as turkey have great infrastructure , roads and transport system perhaps i mostly use uber , still have to understand the metro transport system.

in short if you found some work here and you have some money on your back then the survival is easy , other wise it is little difficult.

siamajidi New member

5POSTS

4 years ago

#17

@mikealex ,

Hi Mike, Cn you tell me if Americans comiong as a tourists to stay for three weeks need Medical Insurance (mandatory) for enterance? Thanks!

cdw057 ViP

2051POSTS

4 years ago

#18

@siamajidi Monay is fine, health insurance everywhere, just a rip off as another post.I am sure your company dealing with your flight can deal with it. No issue I would thinkg, just a top-up costs on your flight holiday,(I was surprised though if you have proper US coverage it should be good, but then again I am probably naiive, but cost sould be VERY minimal anyhow)

mohamed muhumed New member

4POSTS

4 years ago

#19

@Randomguy2000 it's not just Afghani or war torn countries that are rejected, I have seen American citizens getting rejections as well, the new rule says those who had previous touristic residence permits and didn't stay outside of Turkey for more than 120 days can extend their permits without a problem regardless of their citizenship, but let's say you're from Canada or Sweden or UAE and you're a tourist, if you apply a touristic residence permit it is straight rejection no matter the citizenship because it is first time application as the ministry of interior and migration announced.

Before you could come to turkey as a tourist and then register at a university and get a residence permit based on that, before you could come on a treatment visa and then apply to tourism or get student permit, you can't do that anymore, if you're student you must get a student visa from Turkish embassies abroad and then apply a student permit, and the same applies on other visa holders.

In summary

Treatment visa to treatment residence permit only

Student visa to student resident permit only

First time applicants of touristic residence permit = straight rejection

Tourism permit holders can extend their permits without a problem.

Good luck everyone

raregems11 New member

7POSTS

4 years ago

#20

@FeminineHeart

Hello,

Yes, this is true. Effective July 1st, there are thousands of cities including Alanya and most parts of Antalya that are closed for Residence Permit.

You can still buy property for investment and vacation home but you must leave Turkey before your visa expires and return to extend your stay. Pay attention to the copied link and more details below. Hope you find it useful.

[link moderated]

The Presidency of Migration Management made a new statement about the residence permit applications in Turkey on 30 June 2022. According to the immigration policy, foreigners will not exceed 20% of the population in a neighborhood and 10% in a town/district and city as of 1 July.

The main reason is to prevent irregular immigration in cities. So, the government determined 1169 neighborhoods in 58 different provinces to be closed for residence permit applications. New foreign applicants cannot obtain a permit even if they buy property in these closed neighborhoods.

But, if you plan to buy a property in Turkey for holiday purposes and do not apply for a residence permit, you can purchase a property wherever you want.

Best Regards,

Tekçe Overseas Gayrimenkul AŞ

Randomguy2000 Serial expat

276POSTS

4 years ago

#21

@raregems11

I read these new rules. Defiantly seems like they are trying to push out all non-house owning foreigners from Turkey, and half the neighborhoods they listed are questionable if they even have a foreign population that high.

Also the fact that they are turning all taxi cab drivers into immigration officers who will ask to see your documents before giving you a ride to see your legal status is also laughable. So before they scam you by charging you a large amount of money for a taxi ride they will check your immigration status. Im sure nothing will go wrong with that, and more scams, and extortion from them.

1 member reacted to this post

DSstilic New member

5POSTS

4 years ago

#22

we got a very cold shower by the news. we bought the flat in construction, back in 2021, and should have moved in beginning of 2023.

now, with the new law / decision, our neighborhood is closed for residence permits to foreigners regardless of the price of home (ours is over 60k). the idea to purchase came from our wish to spend sept - june in a warm place, and be home (bosnia) during the summer.

now, we cannot do that! we can stay 90 days within a 180-day period.

real bummer!

some say this does not affect those purchasing property before 01 july (which should be us), but others say it affects all those who are obtaining deed title after 01 july.

we don't know what is the truth and how to interpret it.

anyone?