Before arriving in Türkiye, you should obtain your international visa if it is required for your country. There are different types of visas depending on your nationality and the duration of your stay in Türkiye. For details, please visit our Entry to Türkiye page.

If you have any questions upon visiting the page, you may contact us at ico@ku.edu.tr.

International students below the age of 18 who arrive in Türkiye without a student consular visa must bring two additional documents:

1.Apostilled birth certificate in Turkish (Doğum Belgesi)

2.Apostilled consent letter signed by both parents in Turkish (Muvafakatname)

– The consent letter can be prepared at a Turkish consulate/embassy or a notary public with their ready template. The letter must mention that both parents are aware and give permission to their children to study at KU in Türkiye, apply for a residence permit, do all bureaucratic transactions (legal actions), and they (as parents) will financially support the child for the duration of the study. If the parents are divorced or the student has only one parent, the legal guardian of the child should have a consent letter issued along with the court ruling. 

– If your country is not a party to the Apostille Convention, please have your birth certificate translated and notarized by a Turkish consulate/embassy. See the instructions below.  

For a document to be apostilled, the country should be a party to the Apostille Convention. Therefore, please check if your country is a party to the Apostille Convention or not.

By clicking here, you can see the Apostille Convention Countries. (Convention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents).

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If Your Country is a Party to the Apostille Convention

Before arriving in Türkiye, the apostilled consent letter and apostilled birth certificate should be collected from respective offices and translated to Turkish at the Turkish consulate/embassy or at a local notary public. We strongly recommend this process be completed before you come to Türkiye. 

If you arrive in Türkiye without having them translated, these apostilled documents must be translated and notarized for the residence permit application. We suggest the 23rd Notary Public since its location and the translation service it provides are convenient.

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If Your Country is NOT a Party to the Apostille Convention

In this case, your documents will not be apostilled before arriving in Türkiye, the consent letter and birth certificate should be translated and approved at a Turkish consulate/embassy. We strongly recommend this process be completed before you come to Türkiye.

If you arrive in Türkiye without having those documents translated and approved at a Turkish mission in your country, you should visit the consulate of your country in Istanbul and get your documents stamped. Then you should visit the Sarıyer District Governor (Kaymakamlık, 5th floor) to have your consulate’s stamp 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.

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NOTE: Students below 18 are not authorized to pay their residence permit card fees for themselves. Therefore, they should ask for a relative or a friend of theirs to pay their card fees under their name with their tax ID number.

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 on 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.

Please visit our Health & Emergency page for more information.

Please visit our Housing page for more information.

• Think about the climate and the duration of your stay at Koç University. Istanbul experiences all four seasons, so it is advised to bring attire for cold and rainy winters (with mild to harsh snowfalls), as well as for hot and humid summers.
• How to dress: Contemporary clothing is widely accepted, and there are no rules or restrictions; however, in order to avoid unwanted attention on public transportation or in places of religious worship, it is best to dress modestly. If you are traveling to different regions of Türkiye, it would be helpful to simply ask a Turkish friend about local customs (including dress code).
• European Grounded (Schuko) adapters are used in Türkiye, so depending on where you are from, you might need to bring an adapter for your electronic devices.
• Certain items and furnishings such as beds, closets, desks, chairs, refrigerators, etc. are provided in the dormitories. However, students are recommended to bring their own towels, pillowcases, and sheets. You can check the dormitory website for more details. 
• It is important to pack essentials, but remember that you can purchase some items once you arrive and are settling into your accommodations.

Are you curious who will be your future classmates? Looking for like-minded students who are also goin’ to Koç University? Via Goin’ Connect you can find other students already before arrival!

Goin’ is an online platform which provides an extremely easy way to find and connect with other students like you. Join groups, events and connect with your future classmates.

You can download the app for Android or Apple. Just enter the code sent to you via email and click on login and you can meet and connect with your future classmates.

The Buddy Program is one where current KU students are matched as friendly guide to degree-seeking undergraduate international students.

 

Buddies will be:

• assisting new students with settling in,
• helping them to navigate around procedures at KU,
• supporting them with their residence permit applications,
• creating new friendships.

 

Upon enrolment, ICO will send an email to all undergraduate students with their Buddy on CC along with their Buddy introduction card.

Check your email account for any information from Koç University.

Sign up for Koç University’s social media pages for information about events and activities.

Follow us on Instagram: icokocuniv

Don’t be afraid to ask questions! Contact the Registrar’s Office and ICO if you have any questions before you arrive in Türkiye.

Become familiar with the information provided on Koç University’s website and ICO’s website. The information and resources provided will help prepare you for your arrival in Türkiye and on campus.

Do some research about living in Istanbul and Turkish culture. Having an idea about what to expect will make your arrival and transition much easier.

Start thinking about a student budget. There are many useful websites to help with this, like Numbeo.