WELCOME TO ISTANBUL: A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO PAPERWORK
So, you’ve just arrived in Turkey, and you have no idea what to do in terms of getting your paperwork done so that you can legally stay longer than your tourist allowance. First of all, welcome to the land that’s ruled by cats! Just kidding, there’s more to the country than cats. You’ll probably figure that out on your own, and I assure you it’ll be an interesting journey. Enough talking. Let’s get to business.
HOUSE CONTRACTS
Finding a place to stay in Turkey can be exciting but tricky if you’re not familiar with the process. Most rentals are formalized through a “kira sözleşmesi” (rental contract). Always make sure your contract is written, signed, and includes all the necessary details: the duration of the lease, monthly rent, deposit, and any additional costs. Keep a copy for yourself because you might need it for other paperwork, like getting your residence permit.
Where to find houses
There’s an app called Sahibinden, which is probably the easiest way to find a place. You can search by neighborhood, type of house, and price range, then contact the landlord directly but most of the times through a real estate agent.
Legally Binding House Contract
Before signing anything through a real estate agent, ask if the landlord will formally do government notarized contract with you. This is crucial because many landlords try to evade taxes, and if you don’t do this step, your contract won’t be valid for your residence permit.
You’ll need a translated copy of your passport. Translators can overcharge, so haggle—some don’t even do much when translating, but still ask for high fees. The landlord must be present at the notary.
Alternative to house contract: Tahutname
If you know someone who already has a house contract, you can go to a notary and get something called a tahutname. Basically, it’s a statement from the person saying that you will stay with them. This is also legally recognized for residence purposes.
Utility Bill
Make sure at least one utility bill is in your name, especially if you’re renting alone. This will be useful for other paperwork, like your residence permit. Again this is the landlords responsibility.
RESIDENCE PERMIT APPLICATION
students
If you’re a student, most universities handle the submission of your application. Your job is to gather all the required documents. Applications are submitted through the Göç İdaresi (Directorate General of Migration Management) website.
non-students and workers
If you’re not a student and not officially employed, the process gets a bit trickier—you’ll need to handle all the paperwork yourself. But honestly, if your house contract has been legalized, you’ve already crossed the biggest hurdle. Almost all required documents are listed on the Göç İdaresi website. One thing I really want to emphasize: biometric photos are taken in Istanbul, so don’t forget that step.
CRUCIAL TIPS
the application website crashes a lot, and it’s almost always because of the language settings. My advice: set the official language to Turkish and use Google Translate to read each page in English. Don’t switch the site to English, even though it might look easier, doing so will usually cause it to crash eventually. Most of the frustration comes from this small detail, so keeping it in Turkish will save you a lot of headaches.
FINAL THOUGHTS
If you’ve made it this far, congratulations! Turkey’s bureaucracy can seem daunting at first, but once you understand the steps, it’s manageable. The house contract is your biggest hurdle, and getting that legalized sets you up for almost everything else. After that, it’s mostly gathering documents, following instructions, and being patient.
Oh, and don’t forget to enjoy the small things along the way—the cats, the tea, the street markets. It might feel confusing at first, but it’s also part of the adventure.