Türkiye Bursları Visa & Residence Permit Guide 2027

Visa & Residence Permit Guide

Once accepted, you need a student visa to enter Türkiye and then a residence permit (ikamet) to stay. The process varies dramatically by city, and bureaucratic delays are the norm rather than the exception.

Step-by-Step Process

1. 1
   Get a student visa before departure

   Apply at your nearest Turkish embassy or consulate with your acceptance letter. Processing takes 2–6 weeks and some embassies are notoriously slow, so apply as soon as you're accepted.

2. 2
   Enter Türkiye on your student visa

   Your student visa is typically valid for 30–90 days. Within that period you must apply for a residence permit. Do NOT let your visa expire.

3. 3
   Apply online for a residence permit

   Apply at e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr. The system lists the documents you need on your application form — typically passport, photos, acceptance letter, proof of address (from KYK or your landlord) and health insurance document.

4. 4
   Attend your appointment

   Go to the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management (Göç İdaresi) in the province where your university is — you can't apply in a different province. You may get fingerprints and a photo taken, and up to 30 days to supply missing documents. Your application document serves as proof of legal residence meanwhile.

5. 5
   Receive your residence permit card

   The plastic ikamet card is posted to your address. With it you can open a bank account, get a tax number and access services. Processing varies: Istanbul 1–4 weeks, some cities up to 3 months.

City-by-City Processing Times

Renewals and Travel

• Apply to extend your permit from 60 days before it expires, and always before it expires, by booking an appointment on e-ikamet.
• You can't extend with an expired passport, and you can't apply from abroad. If your permit expires while you're away, you re-enter under the normal visa rules for your nationality.
• Missing your appointment means your application isn't processed. If your permit has already expired, you are in breach of residence rules.
• While your first application is pending, the application document — once approved by the migration directorate — lets you leave and re-enter Türkiye if you return within 15 days.
• Document (card) fees for extensions are not covered by YTB.

Immigration Office Reports

Some scholars, particularly from African countries, have reported discrimination and rudeness at immigration offices. It isn't universal, but experiences include:

• Being sent away multiple times for "missing documents" that weren't actually required
• Staff refusing to communicate in English even when they can
• Significantly longer waits than other nationalities
• Inconsistent document requirements between visits

Tips: bring a Turkish-speaking friend or your TB coordinator, keep all documents in a clear folder, and be patient and polite but firm about your rights. Contact YTB if you face serious issues.

What You Can't Do Without Ikamet

• Open a bank account — most Turkish banks need your ikamet.
• Get a registered phone plan — prepaid SIM cards work, but registered plans need ikamet.
• Sign a rental agreement — landlords legally require ikamet for formal contracts.
• Receive your stipend — it may be delayed until your bank account is set up.

Next: Healthcare in Türkiye

Once your permit is in progress, sort out your health insurance — see the healthcare guide.