Student residence permit (öğrenci ikamet izni): acceptance, insurance and work rights
A foreigner admitted to a Turkish university, or to a primary or secondary school, applies for a student residence permit under Law 6458 art. 38–41. The permit follows the study programme, not the calendar year, and it comes with two things other permits do not: a three-month window to join state health insurance and a limited right to work. This guide explains the application, the documents and the rules for 2026.
Who applies and when
Students in associate, bachelor's, master's, doctoral, specialist medical and language-preparation programmes at Turkish higher-education institutions apply for the student permit. Most arrive on a student visa from a Turkish consulate and then apply on e-ikamet within the first 30 days; a foreigner already in Türkiye on another permit may switch to a student permit after enrolment. Primary and secondary school pupils apply with the school's documents and a parent's or guardian's consent.
The application is registered on e-ikamet; many universities host a Directorate desk on campus in September and October, which replaces the appointment at the provincial directorate for first applications. The permit is issued for the length of the programme, one year at a time for most students, two years where the remaining programme allows.
Documents in 2026
- Signed e-ikamet form and passport valid at least 60 days beyond the requested period, with student visa where applicable.
- Four biometric photographs.
- Student certificate (öğrenci belgesi) from the university, dated within the last month; an acceptance letter alone is not enough once the term has started.
- Health insurance for the requested period: a private policy meeting the Directorate's circular, or the SGK general health insurance (GSS) registration described below.
- Proof of address: dormitory letter, lease in your name, or a host's notarised undertaking.
- Proof of means: bank statement, scholarship letter or a parent's sponsorship declaration with the parent's income documents.
- For minors: apostilled and translated birth certificate and the parents' notarised consent.
- Card fee receipt; harç receipt where the nationality is not exempt.
Insurance: the three-month SGK window
Under Law 5510 art. 60(1)(g) a foreign student may register for general health insurance at the SGK within three months of first enrolment, at a reduced premium set each year by the SGK. The registration is voluntary, but the window does not reopen: a student who misses it must buy a private policy for the rest of the programme. Students covered by a bilateral social-security agreement, or by a scholarship such as Türkiye Bursları, may be insured through that route instead. The policy or GSS certificate must cover the whole permit period; see our health insurance guide for the private-policy minimums.
State fees and notarial tariffs are paid by you directly to the state or to the notary; they never pass through us and we receive nothing from any notary. The figures above are the official 2026 tariff, last checked 24.10.2026.
Last verified: 24.10.2026 · source: Law 6458 art. 38–41 — mevzuat.gov.tr; Law 5510 art. 60 — sgk.gov.tr; goc.gov.tr; Harçlar Kanunu 2026 — gib.gov.trWork rights for students
Students may work only with a work permit obtained by an employer under Law 6735. Associate and bachelor's students may apply from the second year of their programme and may work part-time, up to 24 hours per week; master's and doctoral students may work from the first day without the hours cap. Working without a permit ends the student permit and may bring an entry ban, so treat any job offer as a work-permit question for the employer; see our work permit guide.
Renewal, change of university and after graduation
Renewal follows the ordinary rule: apply on e-ikamet within 60 days before expiry with a fresh student certificate. A student who changes university or faculty must inform the Directorate within 10 days with the new enrolment. Students who do not register for the semester, take leave of absence or are dismissed lose the permit; universities report enrolment status to the Directorate automatically. After graduation the student permit ends; a graduate may apply for a short-term permit (a one-year post-graduation permit exists for some programmes) or a work permit through an employer.
Sources
- goc.gov.tr — Presidency of Migration Management: student residence permit document list
- mevzuat.gov.tr — Law 6458 art. 38–41; Law 6735 art. 19 (students' work)
- sgk.gov.tr — general health insurance for foreign students, Law 5510 art. 60(1)(g)
- yok.gov.tr — Council of Higher Education: foreign student admission rules
Questions
Can I apply for a student permit without a student visa?
If you entered on a tourist visa or visa-free and are then enrolled, you may apply for a student permit from inside Türkiye on e-ikamet before your lawful stay ends. Some consulates and universities still expect the student visa; check with the university's international office before travelling.
My permit expires in the summer. Do I renew in July?
Renew within the 60 days before expiry even if the new term has not started; the university issues a student certificate during the summer for enrolled students. A permit that lapses in August cannot be renewed in September; it becomes a first application.
Does the student permit let my spouse and children stay?
A student in a bachelor's programme cannot normally sponsor a family permit; master's and doctoral students can, subject to the sponsor's income and insurance conditions. See our family residence permit guide.