Documents for a residence permit application

This page is based on the official document checklists the Presidency of Migration Management publishes in the e-İkamet system (first applications for short-term, family and student permits). Fees, quotas and processing times are deliberately left out — they change often. The focus is what a translator knows best: which document needs translation, and which needs an apostille.

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Documents required for all three permit types

Residence permit application form (from the e-İkamet system)
Copy of the passport's ID and visa pages — bring the original on your appointment day
2 biometric photos — taken within the last 6 months, white background, ICAO standard
Valid health insurance covering the whole permit period (SGK or a private policy)
Proof of address: title deed plus numarataj, notarised rental contract, accommodation certificate, or a notarised undertaking by your host
Receipts showing the permit fee and card fee have been paid
Document/declaration of sufficient and regular financial means for your stay
For extensions and transitions, a UETS address certificate from PTT (not required under 18)

Type-specific documents come on top of this common core: a marriage document and criminal record for the family permit, a current student certificate for the student permit, and a birth certificate plus parental consent for children. That is exactly where translation and apostille come in — broken down below.

Which documents need an apostille, which only a translation

The official checklists apply three different regimes, and mixing them up is the most common cause of delay. In short: civil-status and judicial documents need apostille + translation, income documents need translation only, and insurance needs neither.

1.0

Apostille + notarised translation

Marriage document · Criminal record · Birth certificate · Custody / parental consent

For civil-status and judicial documents obtained abroad, the official checklist requires two things together: an apostille on the document and a notarised Turkish translation. The apostille is issued in the country that produced the document — it cannot be obtained in Turkey afterwards. If your country is not party to the Hague Convention, or the document carries no apostille, the route changes: certification by your country's authorities, consulate/embassy legalisation and the Foreign Ministry — plus, again, a notarised Turkish translation.

2.0

Sworn translation + notary only

Income documents obtained abroad

For income documents obtained abroad, the Migration Directorate's official FAQ requires a notarised copy of a translation made by a sworn translator — it says nothing about an apostille. Pension and salary certificates are the typical examples. Provincial directorates may still request additional documents, which is why getting the full translation done upfront is safest.

3.0

No translation needed

Health insurance · Documents from Turkish authorities · Student certificate

No official checklist requires translating or apostilling insurance: for in-country applications a private policy must already be concluded in Turkey, and SGK documents are in Turkish. Documents issued by Turkish authorities with e-signature/stamp, and student certificates from the school or e-Devlet, are submitted as they are.

How the application works — details from the official texts

The application is made online through the e-İkamet system (e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr); on the assigned appointment day you bring the required documents to the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management where you live. The appointment is free of charge — the official page explicitly warns against third parties demanding money for it. During the assessment the directorate may request additional information and documents. Once a first permit is approved, address registration is mandatory within 20 working days. A residence permit does not grant the right to work in Turkey — the work permit is a separate process.

Frequently asked questions

Does the criminal record from my country need an apostille?

Yes — for a criminal record obtained abroad, the official checklist requires both an apostille and a notarised Turkish translation. The apostille is issued in the country of issue. If you have lived in Turkey for the last 5 years, the record can be obtained from Turkish authorities or via e-Devlet. The official checklist also recommends requesting the document at least 3 months before applying, as obtaining it can take time.

Does my health insurance policy need to be translated?

The official checklists contain no translation or apostille requirement for insurance. For in-country applications a private policy must already be concluded in Turkey, so it is issued in Turkish. If your situation is unusual, confirm with the provincial directorate.

Is an apostille mandatory on my pension or income certificate from abroad?

The official FAQ requires only a notarised translation made by a sworn translator — it does not mention an apostille. Since provincial directorates can request additional documents, confirming before your appointment is the safest course if in doubt.

Which documents are required for my child?

The child annex of all three official checklists is identical: the child's birth certificate and — if one parent is outside Turkey or custody is shared — a custody document or the other parent's consent declaration. Documents obtained abroad must carry an apostille and a notarised Turkish translation. A UETS certificate is not required under 18.

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