Myth Busted: Turkey Is Still Granting Residence Permits in 2025 — Here's the Proof

gamzeturker46
24 hours ago
3 min read

You may have heard it on Facebook groups, Reddit threads, or through anxious friends:

“Turkey isn’t giving residence permits anymore.”“Everyone’s getting rejected now.”“No point in applying — they’ve closed the door.”

Let’s be clear: This is a myth.

Turkey has not stopped issuing residence permits. The government is still granting thousands of approvals every month — but only to applicants who meet legal requirements and submit complete documentation.

In this article, we’ll walk you through what’s really happening, who’s still getting approved, and how to avoid common mistakes — all backed by 2025 data and real cases.

Official Numbers Don’t Lie

According to data from the Turkish Directorate General of Migration Management, as of April–May 2025, over 1.08 million foreigners were living legally in Turkey with valid residence permits.

Breakdown by Permit Type:

Type of Permit	Holders (approx.)
Short-Term	481,300
Student	187,800
Family	150,900
Other (work, humanitarian, long-term)	Remaining holders

Top Cities with Valid Permit Holders:

City	Number of Foreign Residents
Istanbul	534,000+
Antalya	114,500
Ankara	69,600

The permit system is still active — just more selective and regulation-driven than before.

Who Is Still Getting Approved?

Residence permits continue to be issued in these categories:

1. Short-Term Residence Permits

For:

Property owners
Medical treatment
Cultural exchange
Language school attendance
Tourism (in limited, well-documented cases)

2. Student Permits

Approved for those enrolled in:

Universities
Language programs
Erasmus exchange programs

3. Family Permits

For:

Spouses and children of Turkish citizens or legal residents

4. Other Categories

Humanitarian
Victims of domestic violence
Work permits (indirect residence rights)

Applicants in these categories continue to receive approvals when they follow the correct legal procedures.

Why the Myth Exists: Rejections ≠ System Closure

Let’s address the root of the confusion:

Yes, many first-time short-term residence permit applications are being rejected — especially those submitted with weak or incomplete documentation.
Yes, approval rates for basic tourist extensions have dropped sharply since 2023.

But here's the truth:

🟢 A rejection is not a system-wide ban.🟢 A tough policy does not mean the process is closed.🟢 A denied application with bad paperwork doesn’t mean everyone is being rejected.

Common Reasons for Rejection in 2025

Many applicants are denied due to:

Invalid or unregistered rental contracts
Fake or insufficient health insurance
Applying too late (after visa expiry)
Mismatch between visa type and intended residence purpose
Lack of financial proof (monthly minimum: TL 33,156)

If you apply without preparation — or through unqualified “agents” — your chances are low. But if you do it right, approval is still very possible.

Real Experiences from 2025 Applicants

“My student permit was approved within 25 days. I had my university letter, rental contract, insurance, and financial proof all in order.”— Erasmus student, Istanbul

“I applied for a family permit for my wife. Everything was notarized and translated. Got approved without any issue.”— Legal resident, Antalya

Even users on Reddit confirm that complete and clean applications still succeed — especially with family, student, and investment-based requests.

What Legit Law Recommends

To increase your chances of approval:

✅ Apply for the correct permit type — don’t try to force a tourist visa into long-term stay✅ Collect and translate all documents: passport, address proof, health insurance, financials✅ Start your application early (at least 15–20 days before visa expiration)✅ Avoid agents promising “guaranteed approvals” — there's no such thing

Final Word: Stop Believing the Hype

The idea that “Turkey no longer issues residence permits” is misleading and harmful. Yes, the bar has been raised — but the system remains open.

Thousands of people are still obtaining residence permits in 2025. The difference lies in how you apply.

At Legit Law, we help clients prepare the right documents, avoid rejection triggers, and follow current laws — giving them the best chance of success.