Turkish Residency Permits

[akyaka]

To stay any length of time in Turkey many people get Residency Permits. From 10 April 2014 this is changing and effectively ,unless you have lived in Turkey for 8 years ,12 month renewable visas will be issued. The procedures are also changing. The information in the link below gives the current position. The concern for first timers is that current thinking is they will have to be obtained from your the Embassy in your country of residence . There are exceptions and it would seem that , as with the last visa change a couple of years ago, pressure needs to brought on the authorities ,by I would suggest the same people, to add visiting yachtsmen to the list of exceptions .


http://www.yellali.com/news/article/31/new-turkish-residency-rules-explained

 

[Marsupial]

To stay any length of time in Turkey many people get Residency Permits. From 10 April 2014 this is changing and effectively ,unless you have lived in Turkey for 8 years ,12 month renewable visas will be issued. The procedures are also changing. The information in the link below gives the current position. The concern for first timers is that current thinking is they will have to be obtained from your the Embassy in your country of residence . There are exceptions and it would seem that , as with the last visa change a couple of years ago, pressure needs to brought on the authorities ,by I would suggest the same people, to add visiting yachtsmen to the list of exceptions .


http://www.yellali.com/news/article/31/new-turkish-residency-rules-explained

The draft I have seen suggest you are only allowed to get a 12 month visa and you can only renew it 4 times, so you will never get to the 8 years required for a longer visa, like I said the law of unintended consequences. AND how do you check into Turkey if you arrive from a country that is not your homeland/passport abode?

I have 3 years to run on a 5 year visa so it may be sorted out by the time I need to renew, as usual its Turkey, if it aint broke they fix it.

 

[akyaka]

The draft I have seen suggest you are only allowed to get a 12 month visa and you can only renew it 4 times, so you will never get to the 8 years required for a longer visa, like I said the law of unintended consequences. AND how do you check into Turkey if you arrive from a country that is not your homeland/passport abode?

I have 3 years to run on a 5 year visa so it may be sorted out by the time I need to renew, as usual its Turkey, if it aint broke they fix it.

Currently you can only renew your RP 4 times and hopefully this will be addressed as the new procedures are developed (incorrect See post #4 and #6 below). It won't affect me for another 2 years after my renewal next year by which time they will have no doubt resolved the problem.Its for the very reason you mention in your last sentence that I suggested that pressure was brought now to add arriving yachties to the list of exemptions from pre-application for RPs by first time applicants. Getting a tourist 90/180 visa should not be a problem even with all applications being on line from next April.

 

[Squeaky]

The draft I have seen suggest you are only allowed to get a 12 month visa and you can only renew it 4 times, so you will never get to the 8 years required for a longer visa, like I said the law of unintended consequences.

Good morning:

Would appreciate more details concerning the draft to which you refer.

Think you will find that you can only renew your permit four times before you have to purchase a new booklet.

You seem to be suggesting that a home owner would only be allowed to live in it for four years before having to leave Turkey.

Cheers

Squeaky

 

[Marsupial]

Good morning:

Would appreciate more details concerning the draft to which you refer.

Think you will find that you can only renew your permit four times before you have to purchase a new booklet.

You seem to be suggesting that a home owner would only be allowed to live in it for four years before having to leave Turkey.

Cheers

Squeaky

That's the way its written, the "before you purchase a new booklet" bit is missing from the paper I read, which by implication means you will have to leave Turkey as you will have outstayed your welcome. However, as I said before lets wait and see what it looks like when it's implemented. They backtrack on practically everything out here so lets wait.

Examples: Foreigners can buy cars, then foreigners can't buy cars then foreigners can buy cars but under special circumstances (need residency). Foreigners can buy property then can't then can, then can't - don't exactly know where we are with this at the moment but property is selling so someone is buying it. Foreigners must buy state health insurance then don't need it the do need it and it must be backdated then not, and then there is the visa saga which has been rolling along for about 4 years in terms of who can get what visa when and how they can renew it the same with the blue book (residency) and so it goes on. It all adds to the excitement.

Got ripped off in a restaurant in Kas yesterday, asked him why we had to pay 20% more he said its because we are foreign - some things never change, so that's another one on the avoid list. Thankfully they're not all like that - far from it but the odd one annoys.

 

[akyaka]

You are right Squeaky the number of visa renewals is unlimited and it is the Residency Permit book ( known as the Blue Book) which can only be used 4 times before needing renewal ; I apologise for the misinformation that I gave.

Some of Marsupials examples stray towards exaggeration . Foreigners have been able to buy cars for many years , over 15 years to my knowledge , but can only do so if in possession of a RP . The rules relating to property purchase has got easier, there was a delay a couple of years ago on sales going through when the rules and periods for military clearance were clarified and made quicker.There were some initial teething problems when foreigners were first allowed to join the state health insurance but at approx £90.00 per month for a couple its good value for money particularly as most people have been able to get pre-existing conditions accepted at no extra and you get major discounts at the private hospitals as well as free at the state facilities.He is right that it can at times be frustrating when dealing with jobsworth officials but its amazing how a little Turkish can ease the way.

Marsupial instead of accepting the rip off why did you not threaten to or report the restaurant to the local Zabita or you could telephone or E mail the complaint hotline ALO 179( alo.179@hotmail.com )which from experience deals very quickly with such complaints in Mugla Province, they speak English.

 

[Marsupial]

You are right Squeaky the number of visa renewals is unlimited and it is the Residency Permit book ( known as the Blue Book) which can only be used 4 times before needing renewal ; I apologise for the misinformation that I gave.

Some of Marsupials examples stray towards exaggeration . Foreigners have been able to buy cars for many years , over 15 years to my knowledge , but can only do so if in possession of a RP . The rules relating to property purchase has got easier, there was a delay a couple of years ago on sales going through when the rules and periods for military clearance were clarified and made quicker.There were some initial teething problems when foreigners were first allowed to join the state health insurance but at approx £90.00 per month for a couple its good value for money particularly as most people have been able to get pre-existing conditions accepted at no extra and you get major discounts at the private hospitals as well as free at the state facilities.He is right that it can at times be frustrating when dealing with jobsworth officials but its amazing how a little Turkish can ease the way.

Marsupial instead of accepting the rip off why did you not threaten to or report the restaurant to the local Zabita or you could telephone or E mail the complaint hotline ALO 179( alo.179@hotmail.com )which from experience deals very quickly with such complaints in Mugla Province, they speak English.

No none of it is exaggeration, its the way it is!! You are bit wrong on the car thing; we were almost at sign on the dotted and throw some cash when they said sorry you cannot have the car you are a foreigner that was 2008 it has changed since but you do need a RP and at the moment I am trying to negotiate to buy a new car outright for cash (its the only deal you get as a white man) AND be able to take it out of Turkey - at the moment they are saying it must stay in Turkey, (am in touch with the Turkish Auto Club so that should get sorted), the rules they just "make up" around here are astonishing at times. Teething problems is an understatement on the property thing - at least it was round here; it was a nightmare for many, but as you say it did get sorted out in the fullness of time.

"Marsupial instead of accepting the rip off why did you not threaten to or report the restaurant to the local Zabita or you could telephone or E mail the complaint hotline ALO 179( alo.179@hotmail.com )which from experience deals very quickly with such complaints in Mugla Province, they speak English."

Its not the money its the attitude, blatant unrepentant - your're a foreigner you pay more; they're not all like that but a higher percentage in Kas are (in our experience). Why would I want to eat there again?

I speak reasonable Turkish, but I also value my limbs . . . he will have to be content to see us walk by - many times every week; I shall wave and smile and tell him he is too expensive for a foreigner. Kas isn't in Mugla bye the way.

There are few bad eggs out here but we like it.

 

[akyaka]

You are bit wrong on the car thing; we were almost at sign on the dotted and throw some cash when they said sorry you cannot have the car you are a foreigner that was 2008 it has changed since but you do need a RP

That was the same year we bought our car and had no problems. Life seems to be a little easier further along the coast . It will be interesting to compare notes as the new process for obtaining/renewing RP develops particularly living in different Provinces where as we both know interpretations can be different.

 

[Marsupial]

Reading through this it sounds like Turkey is some sort of penal colony and we live under the kosh, its not like that at all but it can and does have its moments - just smile sweetly and it hobbles along with no one getting fraught. Similar to the tales I can regale about near misses and close shaves I've had or seen while yachting, it sounds like its a constant battle against equipment, weather and authorities but hell I've been at it for over 50 years so 50 years of antics condensed into 5 minutes can make sailing sound a bit dire, same with Turkey. The great majority of the time its great.

Edit: I have just been reminded I've been sailing for 54 years so its time to stop - cheek!

 

[akyaka]

Reading through this it sounds like Turkey is some sort of penal colony and we live under the kosh, its not like that at all but it can and does have its moments - just smile sweetly and it hobbles along with no one getting fraught. Similar to the tales I can regale about near misses and close shaves I've had or seen while yachting, it sounds like its a constant battle against equipment, weather and authorities but hell I've been at it for over 50 years so 50 years of antics condensed into 5 minutes can make sailing sound a bit dire, same with Turkey. The great majority of the time its great.

Edit: I have just been reminded I've been sailing for 54 years so its time to stop - cheek!

+1 except the years sailing where I bow to your slightly longer experience Marsupial.

 

[Wife of Lofticus]

We are new to Turkey this winter and are still on the 90 day visa at the moment.
We have completed the paperwork for our RP. Many others in Finike have already obtained their RP. One of the forms the marina gave us asks why we want a RP. The last category is yacht tourism and this is the one they have all used.
Two weeks ago the local police/ foreigners police representative came to the marina and held a meeting with a Q and A session. Over 80 liveaboards attended. We were told that this category, yacht tourism, would still exist when the new legislation comes in. Despite not being mentioned in the draft they told us that we would continue to be able to apply for up to five years RP under this. They assured us they do not wish to make it more difficult for us, that the change would be where we applied for the RP, that renewals to existing RP's would proceed as before.
Being new to Turkey not sure how much to rely on this information but they made the effort to come to us to pass on this reassurance. We will watch with interest how this unfolds, in the meantime we will consider very carefully how long we take out our RP for in January 2014.

 

[akyaka]

Two weeks ago the local police/ foreigners police representative came to the marina and held a meeting with a Q and A session. Over 80 liveaboards attended. We were told that this category, yacht tourism, would still exist when the new legislation comes in. Despite not being mentioned in the draft they told us that we would continue to be able to apply for up to five years RP under this.

Are you sure he wasn't referring to the period up to April 2014 when the existing law still applies.
The link below gives information on what is happening when the new law comes in including a copy of the law in Turkish and accords with information from other normally reliable sources which is essentially that the maximum period of the renewable Residency Permit will be 12 months unless been in Turkey 8 years.

http://kalkan.turkishlocalnews.com/portal/kalkan-news/288591-new-turkish-residency-laws-starting-2014-an-update

This link is more up to date and refers to the procedures that will be put in place next April including taking away renewals from the Police and first time applicants having to do this through the Embassy in their own country.

http://www.yellali.com/news/article/29/new-residency-procedures-in-turkey

in the meantime we will consider very carefully how long we take out our RP for in January 2014

In view of the above and the usual Uncertainty I would suggest that you apply for your RP sooner rather than later ; I presume that you know that you have to apply for a Residency Permit within one month of arriving on a 90/180 Tourist Visa and that whilst being processed you are not supposed to leave Turkey.

 

[Squeaky]

In view of the above and the usual Uncertainty I would suggest that you apply for your RP sooner rather than later ; I presume that you know that you have to apply for a Residency Permit within one month of arriving on a 90/180 Tourist Visa and that whilst being processed you are not supposed to leave Turkey.

Good evening:

I am not sure that you have to apply within one month of arriving. Unless something has dramatically changed you just have to apply before the end of the visa - in fact, I was once told you had to apply during the last 15 days of the visa.

Cheers

Squeaky

 

[akyaka]

It is some long time since I first applied but I understood that despite what it says on the Consulate site currently it is within one month of arrival. Either way as I see it it has to be well before the end of the 90 days you are allowed in the country which may not tie into the end date of the visa. There is still I believe a requirement for you to stay in Turkey whilst its being processed as you are subject to checks; we along with others that I know had visits from the local jandarma about 10 days after application who essentially was checking the veracity of the information you had provided , had a chat and cay and left .I suspect this may not happen to marina based applicants but I wouldn't leave to the last days.

Sqeaky applying during the last 15 days refers to renewal of your RP I believe.

 

[Marsupial]

In view of the above and the usual Uncertainty I would suggest that you apply for your RP sooner rather than later ; I presume that you know that you have to apply for a Residency Permit within one month of arriving on a 90/180 Tourist Visa and that whilst being processed you are not supposed to leave Turkey.

I suppose it depends on where you are, but in Fethiye you should apply swiftly within the first 14 days of arrival and you wont be able leave Turkey until the RP is granted because the authorities will have your passport. At least they had ours for just over 2 weeks.

As far as I can tell the "new" rules are still in the rumination/speculation stage so lets wait and see what happens.

 

[akyaka]

Marsupial , Wife of Lofticus refers to them being "on the 90 day visa at the moment" and says " we will consider very carefully how long we take out our RP for in January 2014" and it is this which gave rise to my comment as they would be under current rules.

I totally agree with your comment about wait and see re the new rules particularly as some say it will be through the Vali and some a new department.

 

[Wife of Lofticus]

Akyaka, totally sure they were talking about the new arrangements, the questions were in English and the replies translated by a cruiser who is half Turkish and half English, so nothing lost in translation either way.
We were told that the draft does not specifically talk about yacht tourism as a category but assured us that this would continue to exist, and that up to five years would still be ok under the new law. However odd this may sound, I understand that yacht tourism is not specifically mentioned in the current legislation, but actually works at present.
I have not read all the details so can only comment based on experience on the ground in Finike.
Majority of cruisers applying for RP over the last month have travelled to Kemer to complete this and almost all of them have been returning with their RP on the same day.
We were also assured that applying for our RP in January when we return to Turkey with about 50 days outstanding on our visa will be absolutely fine. In practise, I will report back in January.
Does anyone else have any knowledge/ or used this yacht tourism category? Seems tailor made for yotties! Are there any drawbacks that anyone is aware of?
Looks like this may be one of those occasions when only time will tell how it works in practice.

 

[akyaka]

The new rules are in a law, not draft, which has been signed off by the president and gazetted and there is a copy in Turkish in a previous post. It may be worth passing onto your translator to read ;something to do when the winds howling and the rain lashing down , as it is with us at the moment The two facts which all the sources I have seen are in agreement with is - its going to be a maximum 12 month visa and the Police are not going to administer it directly .
Yacht Tourism was I understand introduced as an additional category to the current law following representations from the yachting fraternity and is clearly established so can see no reason why it would change but perhaps there needs to be an initiative with regard to this to amend the new law as well as one to allow yatties to be an exception to applying for their first RP in their country of origin.

Good to hear that you have an efficient local office and resolved your way forward with your RP application.