What is a residence permit (ikamet)? 
Foreign nationals that enter Turkey with a valid passport or a substitute document as a passport are allowed to stay in our country during the term of their visa or a of a visa exemption. However, foreign nationals that wish to stay longer than the term of their visa or visa exemption period are obliged to get a residence permit.

When should you apply for a residence permit?
Foreign nationals that wish to get a residence permit must apply before their visa or visa exemption expires as of the date they enter in Turkey with their passport. Applications after expiration of their visa or visa exemption will not be accepted, and the foreign national will be asked to leave the country.

Where should you apply for a residence permit?
Residence permit applications will be made to our representation offices abroad as of January 1, 2015. However, applications will be made to the police departments or immigration offices, if any, in turkey until the preparations are concluded by the representation offices.

Which documents are required for applying for a residence permit?
Foreign national that asks for a residence permit must have entered in the country with a proper visa or visa exemption, and the passport must have been sealed with the last date of entry.

How to extend the expired residence permit?
Foreign nationals that have a residence permit are obliged to have it extended in a timely fashion if they wish to stay longer in Turkey. Foreign nationals that ask for an extension should apply for an extension two months before the residence permit expires.
Foreign nationals that fail to have the residence permit extended in the prescribed time may be categorised as “runaways”, and asked to leave the country. However application by foreigner nationals that have a “reasonable” excuse may be accepted.

What should be done in case the residence adress changes?
Foreign nationals that move to another province different from the province of residence permit must file an application in the new province latest in 20 business days for a new residence permit. If the type of residence permit remains unchanged, a new residence permit is issued only, without having to pay for fee a new.

What should be done in case the residence permit is lost?
In case the residence permit is lost, stolen or worn out, it will be re-issued. Foreign nationals that get their residence permit lost go t the police department in place of residence, fill out a “lost property report”, and apply to the relevant institution that issued the residence permit as soon as possible. In this case, the price of the residence permit will be fully charged, and the fee will be charged in half.

For more information go to http://www.e-ikamet.com/en.