Turkey Clarifies Residence Permit Payment Rules for 2026
Turkish Interior Ministry Clarifies Residence Permit Payment Rules
The Turkish Ministry of Interior has officially denied reports claiming the introduction of additional fees for residence permit applications. Authorities stated that all procedures related to residence permits are carried out strictly in accordance with existing legislation, and all official payments are clearly defined by law.
The Minister of Interior Mustafa Çiftçi explained that the duration of residence permits depends on the type of permit and several objective criteria established under Turkish law.
“The issuance of residence permits is regulated by legally established terms of stay for foreign nationals in the country. Short-term residence permits may be issued for up to two years, family residence permits for up to three years, and student residence permits remain valid for the entire duration of education,” said Mustafa Çiftçi.
The minister added that several factors are taken into account when determining the validity period of a residence permit, including:
- The validity period of the applicant’s passport
- The duration of health insurance coverage
- The purpose of stay in Türkiye
- Other legal requirements defined by legislation
Official Residence Permit Fee in 2026
Mustafa Çiftçi also addressed recent media reports suggesting the introduction of additional charges for residence permit applications.
The official residence permit application fee for 2026 is 964 Turkish lira.
He confirmed that no additional fees are applied beyond those officially established by law.
Applicants are still required to pay standard costs предусмотрed by legislation, including state fees, the cost of the residence permit card, and other administrative charges.
Earlier reports in some Turkish media outlets suggested possible increases in fees and additional charges for migration applications. However, these claims have been officially denied by the authorities.
Foreign Residents in Türkiye
According to the Ministry of Interior, as of May 21, 2026, more than 1.2 million foreigners hold valid residence permits in Türkiye.
The highest concentration of residence permit holders is in Istanbul, with approximately 600,000 foreign residents.
The leading nationalities among residence permit holders are:
- Turkmenistan citizens — 188,000
- Azerbaijan citizens — 96,000
- Syria citizens — 83,000
- Russia citizens — 75,500
The Ministry of Interior confirmed that residence permit applications continue under existing regulations, and reports about additional payments for faster processing are not accurate.
