Istanbul Residence Permit: Clarifying the Application Process for Foreigners

Misleading Reports Addressed

In recent times, there has been a surge of misleading reports circulating on social media, falsely claiming that 39 districts in Istanbul will no longer be accepting applications for residence permits from foreign nationals. Some even went as far as asserting that the entire city of Istanbul would deny and revoke all residence permits for foreigners. These claims, however, are baseless, and the Turkish government has explicitly reassured foreign nationals that it will continue to accept and process their residence permit applications.

Government's Press Release on the Matter

To dispel any confusion and prevent misinformation from spreading, the Turkish government released a statement on July 16, 2023, addressing the situation. The statement, titled "Press Release Regarding the Allegations of '39 Districts in Istanbul Being Closed to Residence Permit [Applications] by Foreigners,'" clarified the recent decisions taken by the government.

Measures for Fair Population Distribution

The directorate of migration management regularly conducts population density analyses of the foreign national population in various provinces, including Istanbul, at both the neighborhood and district levels. The aim is to ensure a more equitable distribution of foreign nationals and prevent overcrowding in certain areas. As part of these measures, the government took the following actions:

1. Closed Applications for Syrians under Temporary Protection: In 2019, Istanbul stopped accepting address registration applications from Syrians under temporary protection.
2. Districts No Longer Accepting Applications: In January 2021, the districts of Fatih and Esenyurt in Istanbul ceased accepting new residence permit applications. Furthermore, following an evaluation in October 2022, the districts of Avcılar, Bahçelievler, Başakşehir, Bağcılar, Esenler, Küçükçekmece, Sultangazi, and Zeytinburnu were also added to the list of districts no longer accepting new residence permit applications.

The Real Picture

As of July 1, 2022, across Turkey, a total of 1,169 neighborhoods in 63 provinces, where the proportion of foreign nationals to Turkish nationals exceeds 25%, have been closed to new registrations for foreigners. In the case of Istanbul, the number of neighborhoods not accepting new residence applications currently stands at 54. Therefore, the claims suggesting that 39 districts in Istanbul are closed to residence permits are not accurate. Only 10 districts in Istanbul are currently closed to new residence permit applications.

Checking Your Neighborhood's Status

For those uncertain about the status of their neighborhood or district in terms of accepting residence permit applications from foreigners, an interactive map and downloadable list have been made available for easy reference.

Easiest Residence Permits to Obtain

Currently, the most favorable residence permits to apply for in Turkey include family permits, reunification visas and permits, medical permits, and student permits. Additionally, the process of renewing residence permits appears to be smooth as long as all the required supporting documents, such as a mandatory utility bill in your name, a 6-month Turkish bank statement with sufficient funds, and a registered address at your place of residence, are complete.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Turkish government has clarified that the reports about Istanbul not accepting new residence permit applications from foreign nationals are untrue. The government's efforts to achieve a more balanced distribution of foreign populations in certain areas have led to the closure of residence permit applications in specific neighborhoods. However, the majority of Istanbul remains open to accepting applications from foreign nationals. If you are planning to apply for a residence permit in Istanbul, make sure to stay informed about the latest updates and requirements to ensure a smooth application process.