Glossary
The Turkish terms you will meet on forms, in notification letters and at counters — and what each one actually means for your file.
- e-ikametonline residence permit system
- The Presidency of Migration Management's online system through which residence permit applications are filed and appointments allocated. See applying for a permit.
- İkamet izniresidence permit
- The right to reside lawfully in Türkiye, granted in one of six categories under Law No. 6458. Distinct from a visa, which governs entry.
- Tahdit kodurestriction code
- An entry on a foreign national's record arising from an overstay, refused entry, removal decision or security assessment. It blocks permits independently of the merits of an application — see refusals and codes.
- Sınır dışı etme kararıdeportation decision
- A removal decision under Law No. 6458. Challenged before the administrative court within seven days — the shortest window in this field.
- Destekleyicisponsor
- The Turkish citizen or resident foreigner on whose status a family residence permit rests. Article 35 places the income, accommodation and insurance conditions on this person.
- Uzun dönem ikamet iznilong-term residence permit
- The indefinite permit granted after eight uninterrupted years under Article 42. See the long-term permit entry.
- Uygunluk belgesicertificate of eligibility
- The certificate issued by the ministry or authority responsible for an investment instrument, confirming that the investment meets the threshold for exceptional citizenship.
- Döviz alım belgesiforeign currency purchase certificate
- Evidence that the purchase price of an investment property was brought into Türkiye and converted through the banking system. Required for the investment route and impossible to produce retrospectively.
- Mavi KartBlue Card
- The status held by those who left Turkish citizenship with permission, and their descendants; preserves residence, work, property and inheritance rights. See the Blue Card entry.
- Turkuaz KartTurquoise Card
- A status under Law No. 6735 for highly qualified foreigners, granted first for a transitional period and then indefinitely, and a gateway to exceptional citizenship.
- İstisnai vatandaşlıkexceptional citizenship
- Citizenship granted by decision under Article 12 of Law No. 5901 without the ordinary residence conditions — the limb used for investment. See the entry.
- Vukuatlı nüfus kayıt örneğidetailed population registration record
- The civil registry extract showing marriages, divorces, children and other civil-status events. Requested in most citizenship applications.
- İskânoccupancy permit
- The certificate confirming a building may lawfully be occupied. A property without it is not a dwelling for residence permit purposes.
- SGKSocial Security Institution
- The Turkish social security body. SGK cover satisfies the health insurance condition and, where a family member is registered as a dependant, independently evidences the relationship.
- Yeminli tercümansworn translator
- A translator sworn before a Turkish notary. Foreign documents must be translated by one and notarised in Türkiye; translations notarised abroad are frequently refused.
- Apostilapostille
- The certificate under the 1961 Hague Convention authenticating a public document for use in another contracting state. Obtainable only in the issuing country.