What is a Family Residence Permit?
Family residence permit is a type of residence permit that allows foreign nationals living in Turkey to reside in Turkey together with their spouses and children. People who have a residence permit in Turkey or who are Turkish citizens can obtain this permit for their family members. Family residence permit, Article 34 of Law No. 6458 on Foreigners and International Protection regulated within the scope of
Family residence permits are generally granted to foreign spouses, children and dependent family members married to Turkish citizens. However, applicants must fulfill certain conditions.
Family Residence Permit Application Requirements
In order to obtain a family residence permit, both the applicant and the sponsor must meet certain conditions. These conditions are as follows:
- The sponsor (Turkish citizen or foreign spouse) must have a residence permit for at least 1 year or be a citizen of the Republic of Turkey.
- The sponsor has sufficient financial income. It is essential to have a regular income to support family members.
- Provision of suitable housing conditions. The address of residence in Turkey must be appropriate and officially declared.
- Health insurance. The applicant must have a valid health insurance in Turkey.
- Criminal record. The sponsor and the applicant must not have a criminal record that threatens public order.
People who meet these requirements can apply for a family residence permit.
Documents Required for Family Residence Permit
When applying for a family residence permit, the following documents must be prepared in full:
- Application form
- Passport or passport substitute
- 4 biometric photographs
- Proof of income of the sponsor (pay slip, bank statement, etc.)
- Marriage certificate or official document showing family ties
- Document showing the address of residence in Turkey
- Fully comprehensive health insurance
- Criminal record
After these documents are completed, application procedures are carried out through official authorities.
Family Residence Permit Application Process
Family residence permit applications are evaluated and finalized by the Ministry of Interior Directorate General of Migration Management. The application process consists of the following steps:
Online Application: Residence permit applications are made through the e-residence system. The application form must be filled in completely.
Making an Appointment After the online application is completed, the applicant will be assigned an appointment date and time.
Preparation of Documents: Required documents must be completed and submitted at the application appointment.
Payment of Residence Fee and Card Fee: The set fees and card fees must be paid.
Migration Management Assessment: Applications are reviewed and approved by the Migration Management.
Family Residence Permit Duration and Renewal Procedures
The family residence permit is granted for a maximum of 3 years. However, if the duration of the sponsor’s residence is shorter, the family residence permit is also granted for a shorter period.
A renewal application must be submitted 60 days before the family residence permit expires. If the renewal application is not submitted, family members cannot legally stay in Turkey and may face the risk of deportation.
Reasons for Refusal of a Family Residence Permit
Family residence permit applications may be rejected or canceled in certain circumstances. The most common reasons for refusal are:
- Submission of incomplete or false documents.
- The sponsor does not have sufficient financial income.
- The applicant has a previous visa or residence violation.
- Establishing that there was no real marriage.
- The applicant poses a risk to public safety.
In such cases, the applicant can exercise his/her right of appeal or defend his/her rights by applying to an administrative court.
Family Residence Permit Revocation and Consequences
A family residence permit can be revoked in some cases. Reasons for revocation include the following:
- Dissolution of marriage (However, persons who have been married for at least 3 years can apply for an independent residence permit)
- The sponsor leaves Turkey or dies.
- Violation of residence permit conditions.
- The applicant has been involved in a crime.
Persons whose residence permit has been revoked may face deportation if they do not leave Turkey within the specified period.
Objection to Family Residence Permit and Legal Procedures
When a family residence permit is refused or revoked, the applicant can follow these steps
- Administrative Appeal: The applicant can apply to the Migration Management with an official petition and request a reconsideration of the decision.
- Application to Administrative Court: After objecting to the rejection decision, the legal process can be initiated by applying to the court.
- Seeking Legal Assistance: It may be useful to seek the support of an immigration lawyer for the legal process to proceed more smoothly.
Family residence permit is a type of permit that allows foreign nationals living in Turkey to live with their families. The application process is subject to certain conditions and documents, and the process must be followed meticulously.
In order for applications to be accepted, it is of great importance that the necessary documents are complete, the material and legal conditions are met and the application is submitted on time. In case of rejection, it is possible to protect the rights by appealing through legal means.
If you are having problems with your family residence permit, you can manage the process better by getting professional legal support.
