TurkeyFamily

Türkiye family residence permit for spouses and children

Family residence permit (aile ikamet izni)

In short

A family residence permit lets the foreign spouse, minor children and dependent children of a Turkish citizen, a residence permit holder, a refugee or a subsidiary protection holder live in Türkiye. It is granted for up to three years at a time and never longer than the sponsor's own permit. The sponsor has to meet income, housing and health insurance conditions set in Article 35 of Law No. 6458.

Apply on e-İkamet checked 24 October 2026

Key facts

Maximum stay: For the permit period.
Validity: Up to 3 years per issue, never beyond the sponsor's permit.
Funds required: Monthly family income at least the minimum wage and at least one third of the minimum wage per family member.
Processing time: Within 90 days under the law.
Work: Only with a separate work permit.
Family: Spouse, minor children and dependent children of sponsor or spouse; only one spouse in polygamous marriages.
Path to permanent residence: Time counts in full towards the 8 years for long-term residence; after 3 years adults can switch to short-term residence.
Where to apply: Consulate abroad or, in practice, e-İkamet and the provincial migration directorate in Türkiye.

Who can be sponsored

The sponsor can be a Turkish citizen, a person covered by Article 28 of the Turkish Citizenship Law (Blue Card holders of Turkish origin), a foreigner with any type of residence permit, a refugee or a subsidiary protection holder. Eligible family members are the foreign spouse, the minor foreign children of the sponsor or spouse and their dependent foreign children. In polygamous marriages only one spouse can receive the permit, although children of the other spouses can.

Conditions for the family member

The applicant must document the family relationship, show that they live or intend to live with the sponsor, must not have married only to obtain a permit, and both spouses must be at least 18. Children of a parent with shared custody living abroad need that parent's consent. Governorships investigate marriages where there is reasonable suspicion of a marriage of convenience and can check again after the permit is issued.

Sponsor conditions

The sponsor must have a monthly income of at least one third of the minimum wage per family member, and the total may not be below the minimum wage. Housing must meet general health and safety standards for the family size, and health insurance must cover all family members. The sponsor must show by criminal record that they were not convicted of crimes against family order in the last five years, must be registered in the address system and must have held a residence permit for at least one year.

The one-year residence rule does not apply to sponsors with a research residence permit or work permit, Blue Card holders, or foreigners married to Turkish citizens. Refugees and subsidiary protection holders can be exempted from the sponsor conditions.

Switching to an independent permit

After at least three years on a family permit, a family member who has turned 18 can switch to a short-term residence permit. After a divorce, the foreign spouse of a Turkish citizen can receive a short-term permit if they lived in Türkiye for at least three years on a family permit; the three years are not required when a court has established that the spouse was a victim of domestic violence. If the sponsor dies, family members can receive a short-term permit without any minimum period.

What the permit allows

Children can attend primary and secondary school until 18 without a student permit. Adults need a separate work permit to work, although spouses of work permit holders do not face the one-year prior residence requirement. Time on a family permit counts in full towards the eight years for long-term residence.

Documents

Required documents

Identity

Passport of the family member, valid 60 days beyond the permit requested.

Money

Sponsor's proof of monthly income meeting the minimum-wage thresholds.

Family

Marriage certificate or child's birth certificate, translated and certified as required.

Insurance

Health insurance covering all family members.

Other

Sponsor's criminal record certificate and address registration.

Supporting documents (where they apply)

Family

Consent of the other parent with shared custody living abroad.

How to apply, step by step

Check the sponsor's income, housing, insurance and residence conditions.
Have the marriage or birth certificate translated and certified.
Fill in the family residence application on e-İkamet and print the form.
Attend the appointment at the provincial migration directorate with the originals and the sponsor's documents.
Pay the card and permit fees requested and wait for the decision, due within 90 days.
Extend from 60 days before expiry; after three years consider switching to a short-term permit.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need one year of residence to sponsor my foreign spouse as a Turkish citizen?

No. The one-year residence condition is a sponsor rule for foreigners and does not apply to spouses of Turkish citizens.

How much income is needed for a family of four?

At least one third of the minimum wage per person, so four thirds of the minimum wage for four people, and never less than one minimum wage in total.

Can the family member work?

Only with a work permit applied for by an employer.

What happens after a divorce?

A foreign spouse of a Turkish citizen with three years on a family permit can move to a short-term permit; victims of domestic violence confirmed by a court are exempt from the three-year rule.

Official sources

Law No. 6458 on Foreigners and International Protection (consolidated text, mevzuat.gov.tr) · checked 24 October 2026
Presidency of Migration Management: e-İkamet residence permit application system · checked 24 October 2026

Summarised from the official sources above. Rules, fees and processing times change: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before you apply.