Can I obtain a residence permit for family members?

This option is available for marriage to a Turkish citizen and for the family of a foreign national. Generally, if one family member has obtained a residence permit, they can arrange residence permits for other relatives, such as a spouse, dependent children, and children under 18. Parents are not on this list: they apply for a residence permit on their own grounds. We have described all types of residence permits and the procedure in our article on how to obtain a Turkish residence permit, and the details of the family permit in our article on a Turkish family visa.

Contents:

• Two routes: a property-based permit or a family permit
• Documents for a family residence permit
• Who a family residence permit may not suit
• Frequently asked questions

Two routes: a property-based permit or a family permit

For apartment buyers, the first route is usually simpler: applications for the whole family are submitted at the same time and do not depend on how long one of the spouses has lived in Turkey.

Documents for a family residence permit

To obtain a residence permit for close relatives (family residence permit), you must submit documents confirming family relationships to the foreign affairs office, such as marriage or birth certificates. These documents must be translated into Turkish and notarized. If the certificates were issued abroad, they are first apostilled, and the translation is done by a sworn translator.

In addition, you need to collect a package of documents that includes:

• application (submitted on the website of the General Directorate of Migration);
• 4 photographs (3x4 cm), biometric, on a white background;
• passport, valid for at least 60 days after the residence permit expires;
• medical insurance issued in Turkey, for each family member;
• criminal record information for the sponsor: they must not have been convicted of crimes against the family in the last 5 years;
• bank statement/proof of currency exchange for the appropriate amount/income certificate;
• documents confirming your residential address in Turkey: a TAPU or a notarised lease; the apartment must be suitable in size for the whole family and located in a neighbourhood open to residence permits.

The application is submitted before the relatives' visa or visa-free period expires. A decision is made within 90 days, and the residence permit card costs TL 964 in 2026.

"For buyers relocating as a family, we advise applying for a property-based residence permit for everyone right away: the owner, the spouse and the children apply together, and there is no need to wait a year to become a sponsor. The main thing is to check the neighbourhood and the price in the TAPU in advance," says a sales manager at Yekta Homes.

Who a family residence permit may not suit

• Those who want to get a residence permit for their parents. The family permit does not cover them.
• Those whose sponsor has lived in Turkey for less than a year. A year of residence with a permit is needed first, unless the sponsor holds a work permit.
• Those who plan to work. A family permit does not give the right to work; a separate permit is required.

Each of these situations is visible in advance. The solution is a property-based permit for the whole family or separate grounds for parents.

Frequently asked questions

Who can get a family residence permit in Turkey?

A spouse over 18, children under 18 and dependent adult children.

Can you get a residence permit for your parents?

Not on family grounds. Parents apply for a short-term residence permit themselves, for example based on a lease or property.

What income does a sponsor need?

At least the minimum wage for the whole family and at least a third of the minimum wage per family member. In 2026, the minimum wage is TL 28,075.50 net.

For how long is a family residence permit issued?

Up to 3 years, but no longer than the sponsor's residence permit.