The provisions for the long-term residence permit are laid out in Articles 42 to 45 of the Law No. 6458 on Foreigners and International Protection. Moreover, Articles 40 to 43 of the Regulation on the Implementation of the Law on Foreigners and International Protection also regulate the long-term residence permit.
Foreigners Eligible for a Long-Term Residence Permit:
- Foreigners who have resided in Türkiye for at least eight uninterrupted years with a residence permit or meet the conditions set by the Ministry are granted an indefinite residence permit by the governorates with the approval of the Ministry.
- Refugees, conditional refugees, secondary protection status holders, humanitarian residence permit holders, and those granted temporary protection are not eligible for the transition to a long-term residence permit. (For detailed information, you can refer to our article titled “Humanitarian Residence Permit.”)
For How Many Years Can a Long-Term Residence Permit Be Issued?
A long-term residence permit is issued indefinitely.
What Are the Conditions for a Long-Term Residence Permit?
For a long-term residence permit to be issued, foreigners must meet the conditions specified in Article 43 of the Law.
- Having lived in Türkiye for at least eight uninterrupted years with a residence permit (For the calculation of the uninterrupted eight years, half of the duration of the student residence permit and the full duration of other residence permits are considered according to Article 38 of the Law),
- Not having received social assistance in the last three years,
- Having sufficient and regular financial resources to support themselves and their families, if any,
- Having valid health insurance,
- Not posing a threat to public order or public security (except for foreigners deemed appropriate by the Migration Policies Board)
Rights Provided by the Long-Term Residence Permit
Foreigners with a long-term residence permit can benefit from the rights granted to Turkish citizens, excluding the obligation to perform military service, the right to vote and be elected, entering public service, importing vehicles duty-free, and rights related to social security as reserved by special laws.
Reasons for Rejection, Cancellation, or Non-Renewal of the Long-Term Residence Permit
- If the foreigner poses a serious threat to public order or public security,
- If the foreigner stays outside Türkiye for more than one year uninterruptedly for reasons other than health, education, and compulsory public service in their country,
In these cases, the long-term residence permit is cancelled.
Foreigners whose long-term residence permit has been cancelled due to staying outside Türkiye for more than one year uninterruptedly, excluding health, education, and compulsory public service or duty in their country, can reapply for this permit.
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