Reasons for student residence permit refusal in Turkey

This article is about the reasons for student residence permit refusal in Turkey. We reviewed the reasons that may lead to the rejection of the student residence permit application, and we learned about this residence and its conditions.

The Turkish government rejects many residency applications, especially those from students, and many are unaware of the reasons for the rejection of a student's residency in Turkey. The Turkish government grants student residencies to foreign students coming to study in Turkey; however, sometimes this residency may be denied. In this article, we will discuss the reasons for the rejection of student residency applications and examine the conditions and requirements for obtaining this residency in Turkey.

What are the Reasons for the Rejection of a Student's Residency in Turkey

The Turkish government employs meticulous methods in verifying and scrutinizing the documents and papers submitted, in its commitment to enforcing the laws and preventing unwanted individuals from entering Turkish territory. Thousands of students apply each year for student residency in Turkey, but sometimes these applications are rejected. Below are some of the reasons that may lead to the denial of a student residency application in Turkey:

Incomplete submission of the required documents and proofs for obtaining student residency.
Failure to meet the conditions that qualify the student for residency, or the loss of any of those conditions.
The student’s discontinuation of studies, which, when discovered by the Turkish government, leads to the denial of residency.
Detection of any forgery or falsification in the submitted data, or any form of manipulation.
If it is proven that the student has used this card for purposes other than those intended.
If there is a deportation order from Turkish territory or a ban that prevents the applicant from entering.

What is Student Residency in Turkey

It is a legal document granted by the Turkish government to foreign students coming to Turkey to study, whether at public or private universities, and whether through a scholarship or self-financed. This card enables the student to reside within Turkish territory and move freely, and it provides many important benefits, such as discounts on public transportation and admission to parks, tourist attractions, and more. It is similar to tourist residency in its requirements, but it does not require the student to have a rental contract or a bank account. The student must apply for this residency within 90 days of entering Turkey, or within the period specified on the student’s visa.

Who is Eligible for Student Residency?

The eligibility requirements for obtaining student residency in Turkey are outlined in the following provisions of Article 38 of the Turkish Law:

Student residency permits are granted to foreigners who will receive education at a higher education institution in Turkey, whether in institutes or universities, at the undergraduate, master's, or doctoral levels.
A student residency permit can be granted and extended to foreigners who will receive education at the primary or secondary level, whose expenses and guardianship are assumed by natural or legal persons, with the consent of their parents or legal representatives throughout their education, for a period equivalent to one year at a time.
The student residency permit does not grant the right to the student’s mother, father, or other relatives to obtain a residency permit of any kind.
The duration of the residency permit for a student whose education lasts less than one year cannot exceed the duration of their education.

Documents Required to Obtain Student Residency

The required documents and proofs for this type of residency are as follows:

The “ÖĞRENCI BELGESI” (Student Document) issued by the educational institution the student has enrolled in, serving as proof that the student has commenced studies at that institution.
A valid passport.
A copy of the passport translated into Turkish and certified.
A health insurance document valid for the entire period of study.
A tax number, which can be obtained free of charge from any tax office.
Four recent passport-sized photographs with a white background.
The registration application form.

Steps to Apply for Student Residency

Applying for student residency in Turkey is not considered difficult. Below are the detailed steps for submitting an application for this residency:

Obtain all the required documents and papers, prepare them, and translate any documents that are not in Turkish.
Access the Immigration Administration website under the “First Time” section, and fill out the registration form with your personal information and state the reason for applying for residency, which is for study.
Once the form is completed, the website will schedule an interview appointment with a specified date, detailed location, and time.
Print the registration form on paper by converting it to a PDF file, then printing it and attaching it to the other documents.
Ensure that all documents and papers are complete, that the form is signed by the student, and compile them into one folder to present at the interview.
Attend the interview on the specified date and time without delay; during the interview, you may request a free translator.
After submitting the documents, pay the residency fees at the treasury office in the same building.
After payment, obtain a payment receipt and attach it to your application documents.
Subsequently, the immigration officer will grant you a document proving that you have applied for residency, which allows you to remain until the official residency is issued.

Tips for Obtaining Student Residency in Turkey

Many new students may be unaware of the laws and requirements for obtaining student residency, which may result in them being denied this document. Therefore, here are some tips to help ensure your application is not rejected:

Make sure to apply for residency before your entry visa expires.
Ensure that your passport is valid for at least 6 months.
Always check your SMS messages, as the Immigration Administration sends texts if any required documents are missing, providing a 30-day period to complete them.
Pay the fees in full in cash and in the local currency, and attach the payment receipt to your application documents.
Do not miss the interview appointment issued by the Immigration Administration, as it is very important and precise.
If you are under 18, bring one of your parents or your legal guardian to the interview.
Ensure that all necessary stamps and signatures are present.

Agricultural Engineering Specialization in Turkey

Advantages of Obtaining Student Residency in Turkey

Upon receiving the residency card, the student gains many benefits and facilities, including:

Legal residency in Turkey for the entire duration of the study.
Freedom of movement within Turkey.
Obtaining a transportation card that provides significant discounts on public transportation.
A student holding residency can work in Turkey, provided they obtain a work permit and their working hours do not exceed 24 hours per week.
When leaving Turkey, a student holding residency does not need to obtain a new entry visa.
The residency card provides discounts on admission to parks, museums, historical sites, and tourist attractions.

Thus, we come to the end of this article about the reasons for the rejection of student residency in Turkey, in which we reviewed the factors that may lead to the denial of a student residency application, examined the concept of this residency, its conditions, the necessary documents for obtaining it, and the application process, as well as provided some tips to help ensure your applications are not rejected.