The naturalization of students in Turkey is considered one of the most important issues sought by international students so that their presence on Turkish soil is legal. However, a foreign student can apply for a student residence permit, which gives their stay in Turkey a legal status. In this article, we will present the requirements for obtaining Turkish citizenship, along with detailed information about student residence—who can obtain it, the application requirements, the necessary documents, and the advantages of obtaining this residence.
Can Students Be Naturalized in Turkey?
Being a foreign student at one of the Turkish universities does not grant you the right to obtain Turkish citizenship, since you have not met all the conditions set by the Turkish government through which citizenship is granted to those who meet these conditions. Let us explore the most important requirements that enable students and individuals to apply for Turkish citizenship:
- The applicant must be capable of renouncing their original citizenship and must have the ability and awareness from the perspective of Turkish laws and regulations.
- The applicant must reside in Turkey for 5 consecutive years without interruption and must not have been absent from Turkey for more than 6 months.
- The applicant must not suffer from any contagious disease that poses a risk to the community.
- The applicant must possess good morals and an excellent reputation.
- The applicant must be proficient in the Turkish language to the extent that they can communicate as needed.
- The applicant must be employed and capable of supporting themselves or their family.
- The applicant must have a clean criminal record, free of any judicial verdict that could pose a risk to society or affect Turkey’s national security.
- The applicant must demonstrate a genuine desire to reside in Turkey to enhance the chance of student naturalization, by undertaking one of the following options:
- Purchasing a residential or commercial property in Turkey.
- Establishing a business in Turkey.
- Investing in Turkey and starting any type of project.
- Relocating their business center and trade to Turkey.
- Obtaining a work permit in Turkey.
- Marrying a citizen who holds Turkish citizenship.
- Submitting an application for citizenship for all family members.
- Having a relative—such as a mother, father, brother, or son—who has previously obtained Turkish citizenship.
- Completing one's education at one of the Turkish universities, although this case is not considered a general or officially legislated one in the country.
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After learning about the most important requirements for the naturalization of students in Turkey, let us now explore student residence in Turkey, which is considered the best option for foreign students who have not yet obtained Turkish citizenship.
Student Residence in Turkey
Student residence, or study residence, is one of the rights of foreign students in Turkey, provided that they pursue their studies at Turkish universities or secondary institutes. It can be renewed annually until the completion of the full study period and is a good alternative for those who have not obtained student naturalization in Turkey.
A foreign student must submit an application for a student residence permit from the moment they enter Turkish territory and before 90 days have passed since their entry into Turkey. The student residence permit is somewhat similar to the tourist residence permit in terms of requirements, except for two conditions related to the rental contract and bank account, which are not mandatory for obtaining a student residence permit.
Who Is Eligible to Obtain a Student Residence Permit in Turkey?
Turkish law, in Article (38), specifies who may apply for a student residence permit, as follows:
- A student residence permit is granted to foreigners who have not yet obtained student naturalization in Turkey and who will be receiving their education at an institution of higher education in Turkey, whether at a vocational school or a university, and at any level—be it undergraduate, master's, or doctoral.
- It is possible to grant and extend a student residence permit to foreign students who are receiving education at the primary or secondary level, and who will have their expenses covered either by individuals or legal entities, with the consent of their parents or legal representatives, for a period equal to one year at a time.
- The student residence permit does not grant the right for the applicant's family members, such as the mother, father, or other relatives, to obtain any form of residence permit.
- The duration of the student residence permit for a student whose study period is less than one year must not exceed the duration of that study period.
What Are the Requirements for Applying for a Student Residence Permit in Turkey?
For international students studying in Turkish schools at any level—whether primary or secondary—there is no need to obtain a student residence permit because family residence is sufficient for this purpose.
However, a student residence permit is granted to foreign students who are over 18 years old; here, the term refers to students at Turkish universities. The requirements for obtaining a student residence permit for foreign students in Turkey are:
- Submission of a document or address that proves the student's stay in Turkey.
- The student must not be one of the foreigners who have been banned from entering Turkish territory.
- Submission of all the required information and documents regarding any scholarship (if applicable).
Documents Required to Obtain a Student Residence Permit in Turkey
A foreign student must submit several official documents to obtain a student residence permit. These documents are:
- The final acceptance letter obtained from the university, school, or language institute. Upon the student's arrival in Turkey, this letter is converted into a student identification document.
- The application form for the student residence permit.
- A valid passport or a document proving the student's identity.
- A recent biometric photograph with a white background of the applicant.
- The student document "Öğrenci Belgesi."
- A tax number, which the student can obtain free of charge from any tax office.
- An address document issued by the neighborhood muhtar; if the student is in student housing, this is issued by the housing administration.
- A copy of the receipt for payment of the student fees.
- An appointment from the immigration office, which is booked online through the official immigration website.
What Are the Advantages of Obtaining a Student Residence Permit in Turkey?
A foreign student who obtains a student residence permit in Turkey enjoys many benefits, the most important of which are:
- Legally remaining in Turkey until the end of the study period.
- The ability to travel between Turkish provinces without the need for a travel permit or similar document.
- The ability to travel to one's home country and return to Turkey without needing a visa or entry permit.
- The student is granted a student transportation card, which provides significant discounts on transportation fares in Turkey.
It is worth noting that the naturalization of students in Turkey is considered a better benefit than merely obtaining a student residence permit.
Student Residence Fees in Turkey
The health insurance cost for a foreign student is approximately 300 Turkish Lira per year, and it varies continuously. It is recommended to obtain price quotes from several offices due to the price differences in order to get the best option for the student.
The state fees vary according to the student’s nationality, with the student residence fees ranging between 80 and 350 Turkish Lira, so the total will be between 380 and 650 Turkish Lira per academic year.
We have reached the end of our article on the naturalization of students in Turkey. We discussed the requirements for obtaining Turkish citizenship and detailed all the aspects related to obtaining a student residence permit in Turkey. For more details, please feel free to contact Skyline Educational.