Residence Permits

International students in Türkiye must obtain a student-type residence permit in accordance with the Law on Foreigners and International Protection. This permit grants students the right to remain in Türkiye for the duration of their studies. All international students must apply for the student residence permit within their legal stay. To initiate the process, students must complete an online residence permit application on the website https://e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr/. Following the application, they must submit the required documents to the International Office within 13 days of the online application. You may see the list of the required documents in the Declaration/Control document at the bottom of the page. It is the students' responsibility to compile and submit all required documents on time.

Students who have made residence permit applications twice within the last six months through the e-ikamet website and have not submitted their completed and correct files, will not be able to make new applications. They must return to their countries.

To stay informed, students are advised to regularly check the Immigration Office's official website for updates on the Law on Foreigners and International Protection at http://en.goc.gov.tr.

We are accepting residence permit files from students every week on Tuesdays at the Şile Campus International Office.

RESIDENCE PERMIT APPLICATION STEPS:

1) Online Application

The first step in your application is to apply online via https://e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr.
It is your responsibility to make a first application or apply for an extension if your current residence permit card has not yet expired. You must apply online before your visa expires.

If you have an existing residence permit card and it has not expired, you can apply 59 days before the expiration date, but your new card will be sent after your current card expires.

After completing the online application, you have 13 days to complete the steps below and submit your file. Therefore, we kindly ask you to prepare for the 13-day application process considering the expiration date of your current residence permit card.

2) Collect The Required Files

• A printout of your online application form (you must download it after you complete the online application, after you give your fingerprints they will write a fingerprint code on the top)
• Declaration/Control document (you must print it and fill the form)
• 4 biometric headshot photos
• Passport (we must see your original passport)
• Photocopy of passport pages (the page with your photo, the page where validity and expiry dates are written, and the page with the last entry stamp and visa)
• Student Certificate in Turkish which shows your Active Student Status (must be recent, you may request it from e-campus)
• Health Insurance Policy in Turkish (must be valid for one year minimum)
• 810 TL Residence permit card fee receipt
• E-visa printout (for students who have an e-visa)
• Photocopy of Previous Residence Permit Card if you are applying for renewal (front and back sides)
• NENS application form which you can get from PTT (for persons who already have a foreigner ID number and are therefore applying for renewal)
• Proof of Address

-If you are staying in the university dormitories, you must get a dormitory document from the dormitory management, and get it signed by Emrah Ülger (H Block 1st floor).

-If you are staying in your own house, a copy of the title deed (for extension applications, "document showing the place of residence and a bill" is sufficient).

-If you are staying in accommodations such as hotels, outside dormitories etc., a proof of your stay in these places such as a document with a QR code, or a document with a signature circular, as well as a a payment receipt showing the payment for the period of stay

-If you are in a rental apartment, you must get a notarized rental contract at the notary with your landlord (homeowner) by your side.

-If you are staying with someone and not paying rent, you must obtain a notarized undertaking of the host (if the host is married, also the notarized undertaking of the spouse). The host can give an undertaking to a maximum of 2 people.

• Students who are under 18 years old must also submit:

- A notarized parental consent letter: You have to obtain a letter of parental consent written by your parents allowing you to study at Işık University and live in Türkiye. The consent letter must mention that the parents give permission to the student to study at Işık University in Türkiye and will be financially supporting the student. It should have an Apostille and must be officially translated into Turkish in Türkiye. You should get a certified copy of it by the notary. If you come from a country that does not have an Apostille agreement, then you should also get the approval from your consulate in Istanbul or the district governorship (kaymakamlık) in Türkiye after getting it translated and approved by a notary in Türkiye.

- A birth certificate: Notarized Turkish translation is required.

- A notarized letter of consent to the 3rd person, given by the parent/guardian/legal representative.

3) Pay the 810 TL Tax Fee

In 2025 this amount is 810 TL. It can be paid by:

• Going to any Tax Office (they will give you an original tax payment receipt, which you must add to your file)
• Online from the website: https://dijital.gib.gov.tr/hizliOdemeler/gocIdaresiIkametTezkeresiHarciOdeme

You must print out the payment receipt and add it to your file.

4) Give your Fingerprints at a Göç İdaresi Office

Take your files and go to one of the offices below to give your fingerprints if you do not have a fingerprint ID number on your online application form:

-İstanbul İl Göç İdaresi Müdürlüğü

-Esenyurt İlçe Çalışma Grubu Başkanlığı

-Kumkapı Koordinasyon Merkezi

-Pendik İlçe Çalışma Grubu Başkanlığı

-Sultanbeyli İlçe Çalışma Grubu Başkanlığı

Working hours: 9 am - 5 pm Monday to Friday.

After you give your fingerprints, they will write a code onto your printed application form. This is required by the Immigration Office.

5) Submit your completed files to the International Office on Tuesdays

Submit your files to us on a Tuesday, making sure maximum 13 days have passed since your online application form date.

After we take your files, come back on Friday to the International Office for a receipt that you have submitted your residence permit files.

Notes About Health Insurance:

By law, all international students must have a valid health insurance that covers their medical expenses during their stay in Türkiye. This is not only for your protection but also a requirement to obtain a residence permit. Before your arrival, check if your current health insurance is valid in Türkiye.

There are two types of health insurance available in Türkiye: the General Health Insurance (GSS), provided by the state, and private health insurance, offered by private insurance companies. Private health insurance is generally more affordable than the GSS.

Without the right health insurance, you may face high medical costs.
It is important to note that health insurance does not guarantee free healthcare services. Healthcare systems differ between countries, so you might have to pay for services in Türkiye that are free in your home country, even with insurance.

If you do not have health insurance, you will not be able to obtain a residence permit, which means you cannot pursue your studies in Türkiye. Please be sure to review the information below about General Health Insurance and Private Health Insurance and take the necessary steps to secure your health coverage.

1.State-Provided General Health Insurance (GSS)

General Health Insurance (GSS) is provided by the Social Security Institution (SGK) in Türkiye and offers coverage to all residents. International students can apply for GSS within the first three months after their university registration, even if they do not yet have a foreigner identity number (YKN).

With GSS, students can access state hospitals free of charge, though language barriers may be a concern. In Şile, the only hospital is a state hospital (Şile Devlet Hastanesi), so GSS may be a good idea. Discounts are also available at private hospitals, but costs vary depending on the hospital's agreements with SGK. Be sure to check a hospital's agreement with SGK before your visit.

Students opting for GSS will need to make monthly payments, which can be done via banks, ATMs, or online banking. Unpaid premiums may accrue interest. The International Office can assist students with the GSS application process.

Students who miss the initial three-month window for applying to GSS can apply to the Social Security Centers after completing one year of residence in Türkiye. These students will need to pay monthly premiums and remain covered as long as they stay in Türkiye. General health insurance under this plan cannot be terminated unless the student acquires other insurance coverage.

2. Private Health Insurance

There are numerous private insurance companies in Türkiye offering health insurance policies, including those that support residence permit applications. Be mindful that low-coverage insurance for residence permits may not be sufficient for medical care. It's essential to choose a policy with adequate coverage.

Students can get assistance from the International Office when applying for private health insurance or can independently search for other insurance providers. Be sure to inform the company that you need the insurance for a residence permit and ensure the policy meets all necessary requirements.

• Please note that it is the student's responsibility to secure health insurance and manage all related procedures with the appropriate institutions. Take care in selecting a policy that provides the coverage you need.

IMPORTANT NOTES ABOUT THE RESIDENCE PERMIT:

• You do not need to wait for your appointment date to give your fingerprints. After you complete your online application and collect your files, you may go and give your fingerprints
• Files submitted after 13 days from the online application date will not be accepted.
• If you have a missing document status on the Track my Application page of  https://e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr, you must submit that document yourself to the Immigration Office in Fatih, İstanbul.
• Once your residence permit is evaluated, you will receive information from the Immigration office regarding the results.
• Your residence permit cards will be delivered to the Student Affairs for you to pick up
• Students cannot leave Türkiye before obtaining the residence permit document.
• Students are responsible for prolonging their residence permit according to their study period, if necessary.
• If you are coming from another university in Türkiye to Işık University, you must apply for a residence permit within 10 days after you leave your previous university.
• The university is not responsible for the timeline of you submitting your files or any missing documents.
• Students who are below the age of 18 when applying for the residence permit must submit a notarized parental consent letter, a notarized Turkish translation of a birth certificate, as well as a notarized deed of consent.