Knowledge Base
We compiled the most popular topics for our international community at KU on this page.
Below you can find answers for the frequently asked questions:
Who is eligible to apply for a Student Residence Permit in Türkiye?
Any individual registered for an official academic program for at least 1 semester in Türkiye can apply for an SRP.
Why do students have to apply for a residence permit in Türkiye?
Turkish SRP allows a student to legally stay and study in Türkiye beyond the period granted by a visa or passport.
Have a valid residence permit for a different university in Istanbul?
You do not have to apply for a residence permit again if you provide the following documents within 20 days from registration to our office. In this situation, you won’t have to re-apply for a new residence permit until the current one expires.
- Photocopy of residence permit (both sides),
- Photocopy of passport (ID and last entry stamp pages),
- Graduation or exit document from the previous university,
- KU enrollment certificate (Öğrenci Belgesi).
Have a valid residence permit for a non-Istanbul university?
Students who come from a non-Istanbul university with a valid residence permit must still apply for a new residence permit. This application, if possible, must be made within 10 days from exiting the former university to avoid penalties. For up to 3-month time in between the graduation or deregistration, a new application can be made with a certain amount of penalty if the residence permit is valid during this time. After 3 months no application is allowed. The student must leave Türkiye and come back.
If the students who come from another university that is not in Istanbul make an entrance and exit with a new visa after their graduation within 10 days, the
application for a residence permit, within their visa duration, will not be penalized.
Have a valid family residence permit?
Students who have a touristic or family purpose residence permit that is valid for a short time can use the remaining time or apply for a Student Residence by using the Transfer Application option.
Additional documents for students below 18
International students below 18 must bring their apostilled birth certificates and apostilled consent letters signed by their parents. The consent letter must mention that the parents are aware and have permission that the student will be studying at KU in Türkiye and he/ she will be financially supported by his or her parents.
These apostilled documents must be translated to Turkish and notarized in Türkiye for the residence permit application. We suggest the 23rd Notary Public since its location and the translation service it provides are convenient.
If your country is not a party to the apostille convention
You have two options:
- Before arriving in Türkiye, you can contact a Turkish mission in your country. The Turkish mission can translate and approve your certificates.
- After arriving in Türkiye, you should visit the consulate of your country and get your certificates stamped. Then you should visit the Sarıyer District Governor (Kaymakamlık- 5th floor) to have your stamped documents approved. Finally, you must get them translated to Turkish and notarized. We suggest the 23rd Notary Public since its location and the translation service it provides are convenient.
List of Parties to the Apostille Convention
Please click here to see the Apostille Convention Countries (Convention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents).
I am transferring from another university in Türkiye.
If you have a valid residence permit for another university in Istanbul
You do not have to apply for a residence permit again if you provide the following documents within 20 days from registration to our office. In this situation, you won’t have to re-apply for a new residence permit until the current one expires.
- Photocopy of residence permit (both sides),
- Photocopy of passport (ID and last entry stamp pages),
- Graduation or exit document from the previous university,
- KU enrollment certificate (Öğrenci Belgesi).
If you have a valid residence permit for a non-Istanbul university.
Students who come from a non-Istanbul university with a valid residence permit must still apply for a new residence permit. This application, if possible, must be made within 10 days from exiting the former university to avoid penalties. For up to 3-month time in between the graduation or deregistration, a new application can be made with a certain amount of penalty if the residence permit is valid during this time. After 3 months no application is allowed. The student must leave Türkiye and come back.
If the students who come from another university that is not in Istanbul make an entrance and exit with a new visa after their graduation within 10 days, the
application for a residence permit, within their visa duration, will not be penalized.
Renewal with a new passport.
If you have never traveled with your new passport
You should use your old passport number and enter the dates of your new passport (date of issue and date of expiry).
In this case, please attach the photocopies of your old passport ID, last entry stamp, and visa pages into your application file.
If you have used your new passport while entering Türkiye
You can enter your new passport information.
Health Insurance
First-time residence permit
International students are required to have health insurance that is valid in Türkiye and covers the complete duration of their specific academic program. Each student must share a copy of the insurance policy in English or Turkish (if obtained in Türkiye) with his/her program advisor upon arrival to campus. Students who fail to do so will be de-registered from their program, as health insurance is not only for their own safety, but it is a legal obligation for foreign residents in Türkiye.
Accepted Health Insurance Options:
- International Health Insurance valid in Türkiye: Any insurance from anywhere that offers service in Türkiye and coverage for you in Türkiye.
- Private Student Health Insurance in Türkiye: If you do not arrive in Türkiye with an insurance policy, you can use this option and purchase insurance by emailing either Guard Me (salesturkey@guard.me) or Gulf Insurance (travel.tr@gulfsigorta.com.tr). They offer service in English and can arrange your insurance fairly quickly without a Tax ID (most companies need a Tax ID). Please note: We do not provide assistance or assume any responsibility with health insurance. You must contact the agencies, follow through all transactions, and make sure you understand your policy coverage very well.
- Home Country Social Security (based on eligibility): You can use this option if you are coming from a European country that has a Social Security agreement with Türkiye. More information is available here.
Residence permit renewal
If you are insured by the university, you should contact the human resources office to collect your originally signed health insurance policy and a letter ensuring the extension of your health insurance upon expiration. You can request these documents by e-mailing (nesigirci@ku.edu.tr).
If you are not insured by the university, you must obtain your private health insurance in Türkiye which covers the period you are applying for your residency. Below you can find accepted health insurance options:
- International Health Insurance valid in Türkiye: From any insurance company that has an office in Türkiye and offers coverage for you in Türkiye.
- Private Student Health Insurance in Türkiye: If you do not arrive in Türkiye with an insurance policy, you can use this option and purchase insurance by emailing either Guard Me (salesturkey@guard.me) or Gulf Insurance (travel.tr@gulfsigorta.com.tr). They offer service in English and can arrange your insurance fairly quickly without a Tax ID (most companies need a Tax ID). Please note: We do not provide assistance or assume any responsibility with health insurance. You must contact the agencies, follow through all transactions, and make sure you understand your policy coverage very well.
- Home Country Social Security (based on eligibility): You can use this option if you are coming from a European country that has a Social Security agreement with Türkiye. More information is available here.
Traveling While Waiting for Your Residence Permit
After successfully applying for a residence permit you are entitled to a document called “Ikamet Izni Muracaat Belgesi – Residence Permit Application Form” which can be obtained from Istanbul Immigration Office by going there in person with original passport.
This document allows you to travel and stay outside Türkiye for up to 15 days while your application is in process. This document becomes available usually within 10 days after the ICO submission dates. Therefore, if you need this document, please visit the immigration office within 10-15 days from the ICO submission date. If you are traveling with this document you must re-enter Türkiye within 15 days. Transit directions and instructions to obtain this document can be found here.