Türkiye Burslari Documents Checklist 2026

Required Documents

Your documents are the first thing reviewers see. Incomplete, blurry, or incorrectly formatted documents are the #1 reason for automatic rejection — before anyone even reads your motivation letter.

Interactive Document Checklist

0 / documents ready

Required for All Levels

Passport Color scan, valid for at least 18 months. PDF or JPEG, under 2MB. If expired, renew BEFORE applying.

Passport-Size Photo White background, taken within last 6 months. JPEG format. No selfies, no filters, no sunglasses.

Academic Transcript Official transcript showing all grades. Must be translated to English or Turkish if in another language. Sworn translation required.

Diploma / Graduation Certificate Or expected graduation letter if still studying. Translated to English or Turkish.

Motivation Letter 1,500-4,000 characters. Entered directly into the portal. See motivation letter guide.

Study Plan / Research Proposal Outline your academic goals and research interests. More detailed for Master's/PhD applicants.

Recommendation Letter #1 From a teacher, professor, or supervisor. Must be on letterhead with signature. Translated if needed.

Recommendation Letter #2 Second academic or professional reference.

Additional for Graduate Students

CV / Resume Academic CV with publications, research experience, and relevant work.

Language Certificates (Optional) IELTS, TOEFL, or other English proficiency. Not required but strengthens application.

Medical Form Requirements

The medical report is required after acceptance, not during application. But many applicants are caught off guard by the requirements. Start preparing early.

What's Included

Complete blood work (CBC, liver function, etc.)
Chest X-ray (tuberculosis screening)
Hepatitis B and C tests
HIV test
General physical examination
Vaccination records

Important Notes

Must be less than 6 months old
Must be translated to English or Turkish
Must be from an authorized medical facility
Costs vary by country ($50-300)
Processing can take 2-4 weeks
Some countries require apostille

Translation Requirements

Sworn Translation

All documents not in English or Turkish must be translated by a sworn/certified translator. The translation must include the translator's stamp, signature, and certification number. Notarized translations are also accepted in most cases.

Apostille (Some Countries)

Documents from Hague Convention countries need an apostille. Non-Hague countries need consular legalization from the Turkish embassy. Check your country's requirements early — this process can take weeks.

The Expired Passport Problem

Your passport must be valid for at least 18 months from the date of application. If it expires within this period, you need to renew it BEFORE applying. Here's why this catches people:

1. Passport renewal takes 2-6 weeks in many countries
2. The application deadline is Feb 20 — if you start renewal in February, you might miss it
3. Your name on the application must match your new passport
4. Visa applications later will also require a valid passport

Check your passport expiry NOW. If it expires before mid-2027, start the renewal process immediately.

File Format & Upload Tips

Format

PDF or JPEG only. Some fields accept PNG. DO NOT upload Word documents (.docx) — they won't be accepted.

File Size

Under 2MB per file. Use PDF compression tools (iLovePDF, SmallPDF). Large files fail silently — no error message.

Quality

Use a scanner, not a phone camera. If using a phone, use CamScanner or Adobe Scan. Ensure all text is legible and pages are straight.