Family Residence Permit 2026: Requirements, Documents and Application

Family residence permit is a type of residence permit that can be granted to certain foreign family members of Turkish citizens, persons falling under the scope of Article 28 of the Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901, foreigners holding a residence permit in Turkey, refugees, and subsidiary protection beneficiaries. The application is not accepted solely based on a marriage certificate or kinship bond; the conditions required by law must be simultaneously met by both the sponsor and the applicant.

Short answer: A family residence permit may be granted to the foreign spouse of the sponsor, the minor foreign child of the sponsor or their spouse, and the dependent foreign child. The permit may be issued for a maximum of three years at a time and, in the case of a foreign sponsor, cannot exceed the duration of the sponsor's residence permit. Income, health insurance, address registration, the genuineness of the family bond, and other legal conditions are examined on the file.

For all types of residence permits in Turkey and the general application system, our guide to residence permits in Turkey you may review. This article focuses solely on the conditions, application stages, and legal consequences of the family residence permit for the year 2026.

What is a Family Residence Permit?

The family residence permit is a special type of residence permit aimed at maintaining family unity in Turkey. Its legal basis is Articles 34 to 37 of the Law on Foreigners and International Protection No. 6458. Implementation details are regulated in Articles 30 to 34 of the Regulation on the Implementation of the Law on Foreigners and International Protection.

At the center of the permit are two groups of individuals: the sponsor , whose status in Turkey forms the basis for the family residence permit, and the foreign family memberrequesting the permit depending on the sponsor. Therefore, not only the applicant but also the sponsor must meet the statutory conditions. Current official statements on the residence permit types page of the Presidency of Migration Management published.

Does a family residence permit grant the right to citizenship?

No. Family residence permit and Turkish citizenship are different legal statuses. Obtaining a family residence permit does not automatically make a foreigner a Turkish citizen. Marriage to a Turkish citizen also does not provide automatic citizenship; the duration and other conditions under Law No. 5901 must be separately evaluated for citizenship applications.

Does a family residence permit grant the right to work?

A family residence permit alone does not constitute a work permit. As a rule, a foreigner wishing to work in Turkey, either on a dependent or independent basis, must also obtain a work permit or work permit exemption. Having a residence permit does not render unauthorized work lawful.

To Whom Can a Family Residence Permit Be Granted?

Pursuant to the law, a family residence permit may be issued for the following foreign family members:

• The foreign spouse of the sponsor,
• The minor foreign child of the sponsor or their spouse,
• The dependent foreign child of the sponsor or their spouse.

Applicant	Basic evaluation
Foreign spouse	It is examined whether the marriage is valid and genuine, whether both spouses have reached the age of 18, and whether there is an intention to cohabit.
Minor foreign child	Lineage, custody, and, where necessary, the consent of the other parent are evaluated.
Dependent adult foreign child	Special circumstances and documents demonstrating that the child is dependent on the sponsor despite their age shall be required.

If family members hold a shared or joint ownership right over a residence in Turkey, a short-term residence permit based on property ownership may also be evaluated, provided that the conditions are met. Regarding the title deed share, the condition of 200,000 USD in a single residence, and the required documents, our property residence permit guide you may review.

Family residence permit through a Turkish citizen spouse

The foreign spouse of a Turkish citizen may apply for a family residence permit if they meet the conditions. However, the mere existence of a marriage does not guarantee a favorable decision. It may be examined whether the marriage was contracted for the purpose of obtaining a family residence permit, whether the spouses live together or intend to live together, and whether the application is based on a genuine family union.

Family residence permit through a foreign spouse

A foreigner holding a valid residence permit in Turkey may also act as a sponsor for their spouse and children specified by law. In this case, the duration of the family residence permit shall under no circumstances exceed the duration of the sponsor's residence permit. The expiration, cancellation, or non-extension of the sponsor's permit may also affect the status of the family members.

Residence permit in the case of multiple spouses

If the sponsor has more than one spouse, a family residence permit may be issued for only one of the spouses. Conversely, all children of the foreigner may be evaluated within the scope of the family residence permit, provided that the other conditions are met. The valid marriage system and public order rules in Turkey shall also be taken into consideration.

Who Can Be a Sponsor?

Persons who may act as sponsors with respect to a family residence permit are as follows:

• Turkish citizens,
• Persons within the scope of Article 28 of Law No. 5901,
• Foreigners holding one of the residence permits in Turkey,
• Refugees,
• Beneficiaries of secondary protection status.

The documents to be submitted and the manner in which certain conditions are applied may vary for each type of sponsor. In particular, a sponsor being a Turkish citizen versus a foreigner holding a residence permit for a specified duration does not yield the same legal consequences. Therefore, the application file must be prepared in accordance with the sponsor's current legal status.

What Are the Requirements Sought in the Sponsor?

The sponsor must meet the requirements regarding income, insurance, criminal record, duration of residence, and address registration. The general framework is shown in the table below:

Condition	Explanation
Sufficient monthly income	The total income must not be less than the minimum wage, and the share falling to each family member must not be less than one-third of the minimum wage.
Health insurance	There must be valid health insurance in Turkey covering all family members.
Criminal record	A record demonstrating that the sponsor has not been convicted of crimes against family order within the last five years is required.
Residence in Turkey	As a rule, the sponsor must have resided in Turkey for at least one year prior to the application date; legal exceptions are reserved.
Address registration	The sponsor must be registered in the address registration system.

The sponsor's registered address, the residence declared by the applicant family member, and the actual living arrangement of the spouses must be consistent with one another. For detailed information regarding the address investigation, the absence of spouses or family members at the address during the inspection, and the legal remedies available against adverse findings, residence permit address inspection and investigation process you may review our guide.

How is the income requirement calculated?

Two thresholds are considered together in the income assessment: The total monthly income of the family must not be less than the current minimum wage, and the income corresponding to each family member must not be less than one-third of the minimum wage. The calculation is made not only through the applicant spouse, but also based on the family structure that the sponsor is obliged to maintain and which is included in the file. It is essential that the income is legal, regular, and documentable.

Does the one-year residence requirement apply to everyone?

No. The requirement of "residing with a residence permit for one year" does not apply to a sponsor who is a Turkish citizen. Furthermore, the law stipulates that the one-year residence requirement shall not apply to those holding residence permits for scientific research purposes, those within the scope of Article 28 of Law No. 5901, and foreigners married to Turkish citizens. In the case of refugees and subsidiary protection beneficiaries, it is possible that the conditions sought in the sponsor may not be applied. Therefore, an absolute statement valid for every file stating that "the sponsor must have resided for one year" is incorrect.

From whom is the criminal record certificate requested?

For family residence permits, regarding offenses against the family order, the criminal record certificate is requested from the sponsor, not from all applicant family members. On the Directorate of Migration Management's residence permit frequently asked questions page this distinction is also explicitly stated.

What Are the Requirements Sought in the Foreign Applicant?

• To submit information and documents demonstrating the family tie and the purpose of stay in Turkey,
• To demonstrate living together with the sponsor or the intention to do so,
• If the application is made through a spouse, both spouses must have completed the age of 18,
• Not being within the scope of Article 7 of the YUKK regarding foreigners who will not be permitted to enter Turkey,
• The marriage not having been concluded solely for the purpose of obtaining a family residence permit,
• Possessing a valid passport and meeting the legal stay requirements necessary for the application.

How is the suspicion of a marriage of convenience evaluated?

The Administration may conduct an investigation if there is reasonable suspicion that the marriage was concluded solely for the purpose of obtaining a residence permit. The spouses' cohabitation, knowledge of each other, age difference, common language, previous marriages, and contradictions in the file may be taken into consideration during the evaluation. However, a single fact does not prove in every case that the marriage is one of convenience; the decision must be based on concrete and objective data.

Required Documents for Family Residence Permit

The document list may vary depending on whether it is an initial application or an extension, the citizenship and residence status of the sponsor, and whether the application is made through a spouse or a child. Generally, the following documents are required:

• e-Residence application form,
• The original passport or substitute document and photocopies of the relevant pages,
• Biometric photograph,
• Marriage certificate or official records demonstrating the family bond,
• The sponsor's identity card, residence permit, or status document,
• Documents evidencing income,
• Valid health insurance or health coverage document covering all family members,
• Criminal record of the sponsor,
• Address registration and accommodation documents,
• In applications for children, birth certificate, custody order, and, if applicable, consent letter,
• Receipts proving the payment of fees and residence permit document costs.

The current and personalized document list prior to the application from the e-Residence required documents screen must be verified. For documents obtained from a foreign country, an apostille or endorsement by the relevant diplomatic mission, along with a notarized Turkish translation, may be required.

Consent and custody in applications for children

If there is another parent abroad who shares joint custody of the child, the consent of that parent may be required for the family residence permit application. In cases such as divorce, custody, or the death of one of the parents, the relevant court order or death certificate must be submitted. The usability of foreign documents in Turkey must also be ensured.

How to Apply for a Family Residence Permit?

1. The appropriate permit type is determined: The status of the sponsor and the eligibility of the family tie for a family residence permit are reviewed.
2. The e-residence application is created: The form must be completed in full by selecting either the initial application or extension option.
3. Documents are prepared: Documents pertaining to the sponsor and the applicant shall be completed in accordance with the current checklist.
4. Appointment and submission procedures are carried out: The application file shall be submitted in accordance with the procedures determined by the system and the Provincial Directorate.
5. Requests for missing documents are monitored: Requested documents must be completed within the period granted by the administration.
6. The decision and card issuance process are tracked: In the event that the application is approved, the residence permit card shall be dispatched to the notified address.

Failure to complete the missing documents requested by the administration within the granted period may result in the dismissal of the file, distinct from a substantive rejection of the application. For detailed information regarding the consequences of a decision of dismissal and re-application options, withdrawal of the residence permit application from processing you may review our guide.

If an appointment has been scheduled for the applicant and the sponsor, the obligation to be present at the date and location specified in the system must be complied with. For detailed information regarding the consequences of missing an appointment, valid excuses, and the possibility of re-application, what happens if you do not attend the residence permit appointment you may review our guide.

The application is exclusively The official e-Residency system of the Presidency of Migration Management must be generated through. Marital status, address, passport, income, and family information on the application form must strictly correspond to the submitted documents.

Can one travel abroad before the application is concluded?

A properly issued and approved residence permit application document along with fee receipts may provide a specific exit-entry opportunity, provided that you return within 15 days of each departure. Traveling abroad without verifying the nature and approval status of the document may result in a visa violation or entry issues into the country.

In order for a family residence permit to be extended, the sponsor must continue to meet the requirements regarding income, health insurance, address registration, and other conditions, in addition to the continuation of family ties. For the application period, UETS obligation, and common documents, our residence permit extension application guide you may review.

If the basis of the family residence permit terminates due to divorce, the death of the sponsor, or for another reason, it may be possible for the foreigner to transition to a different residence permit appropriate to their situation. For the application period, conditions for transitioning to a short-term residence permit, and other examples, our residence permit transition application guide you may review.