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Long-Term Residence Permit, Indefinite Work Permit and Turquoise Card: Conditions, Rights and Application Process Law No. 6458 on Foreigners and International Protection Art.28, Art.42-45; International Labor Law No. 6735, art.10, art.11 was prepared based on the legislation in force as of 2026 and official sources dated October 2026.
There are three different permanent statuses for foreigners living in Türkiye for a long time: long-term residence permit, indefinite work permit and Turquoise Card. As a rule, long-term residence permit is issued after eight years of uninterrupted residence, indefinite work permit is issued for foreigners who have long-term residence permit or legal work permit for at least eight years, and Turquoise Card is issued for those who are considered as qualified foreigners. The conditions, rights and reasons for cancellation of the three statuses are different from each other. This guide explains which status is suitable for whom and what to consider during the application process.
What is a Long-Term Residence Permit and Who Can Get It?
According to Article 42 of Law No. 6458, long-term residence permit is issued indefinitely by the governorships, with the approval of the Ministry, to foreigners who have stayed in Türkiye with a residence permit for at least eight years without interruption or who comply with the conditions determined by the Ministry. Refugees, conditional refugees, subsidiary protection, humanitarian residence and temporary protection holders do not have the right to this permit (Art. 42/2).
What Conditions Are Required for a Long-Term Residence Permit?
Not to pose a threat to public order and public security.
Some of the above conditions are not required for permits granted under the conditions determined by the Ministry (Art. 43/2). What conditions will not be required and what the conditions determined by the Ministry should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
How to Calculate Eight Continuous Years?
According to Article 28 of the Law, stays abroad exceeding a total of six months in a year or exceeding a total of one year in the last five years, other than compulsory public service, education and health reasons, are considered an interruption in residence. In case of interruption, previous periods are not taken into account. In the calculation, half of the student residence permits and all other residence permits are taken into account.
In its decision dated 10 June 2021 and numbered E.2016/13651, K.2021/3225, the 10th Chamber of the Council of State examined an incident in which the long-term residence permit request was rejected on the grounds that there was an interruption in residence. The administrative court annulled the rejection, concluding that the plaintiff did not exceed the deduction criterion in Article 28 and that the other conditions in Article 43 were not examined, and the Council of State approved this decision. The decision shows that the way entry and exit records are calculated is supervised by the judiciary.
What Rights Does Long-Term Residence Permit Provide?
According to Article 44 of the Law, long-term residence permit holders benefit from the rights granted to Turkish citizens, except for military service, the right to vote and be elected, entering public office and importing exempt vehicles. The President may restrict these rights. Since the permit is indefinite, no extension application is required.
Under what circumstances is a Long-Term Residence Permit Cancelled?
Staying abroad for more than one uninterrupted year, except for health, education and compulsory public service.
The second reason is the most common situation in practice. Foreigners who hold a long-term residence permit must keep track of their stay abroad.
What is an Indefinite Work Permit?
According to the third paragraph of Article 10 of Law No. 6735, foreigners who have a long-term residence permit or a legal work permit in Türkiye for at least eight years can apply for an indefinite work permit. Fulfilling the application conditions does not provide absolute rights to the foreigner. A foreigner with an indefinite work permit benefits from all the rights provided by a long-term residence permit. The law allows Turkish citizens to benefit from the rights granted to them, without prejudice to their acquired rights in social security and excluding special law provisions. There is no right to vote, to be elected, to enter public office and there is no obligation to do military service (Art. 10/4).
The principles of extension of temporary work permits are the subject of a separate guide. Indefinite work permit is a separate status that can be reached at the end of these temporary permits.
What is the Turquoise Card and to whom is it given?
According to Article 11 of Law No. 6735, Turquoise Card is given to foreigners whose applications are deemed appropriate according to criteria such as education level, professional experience, contribution to science and technology, the impact of the activity or investment in Türkiye on the economy and employment, as well as the recommendations of the International Labor Policy Advisory Board and the procedures and principles determined by the Ministry. Fifth paragraph of the article; It evaluates as qualified foreigners those who have internationally accepted studies in the academic field, those who stand out in areas considered strategic in science, industry and technology, and those who make significant contributions to the national economy with their export, employment or investment capacity.
Turquoise Card is given as a transition period for the first three years. The Ministry may request information and documents regarding the activity from the employer or the foreigner during the transition period. The transition period record on the card that is not canceled within the transition period is removed upon the application of the foreigner and an indefinite Turquoise Card is issued. This application must be made one hundred and eighty days before the end of the transition period. After the period expires, the application is rejected and the card becomes invalid (Art. 11/2). This time rule is the most important point in terms of protecting the card.
The Turquoise Card holder's spouse and dependent children are given a document that replaces a residence permit (Art. 11/3). The Turquoise Card holder benefits from the rights provided by the indefinite work permit (Art. 11/4).
What are the Differences Between the Three Statuses?
Basic condition 8 years uninterrupted residence permit or conditions determined by the Ministry Long-term residence permit or legal work permit for at least 8 years Be deemed eligible as a qualified foreigner
family members It is also evaluated It is also evaluated Document that replaces residence permit for spouse and child
Long-term residence permit application To the governorships; The permit is granted indefinitely with the approval of the Ministry.
Application for indefinite work permit Long-term residence permit or 8-year legal work permit
Turquoise Card transition period First 3 years; Application must be made before the deadline
Case duration In case of rejection or cancellation, 60 days from notification (IYUK article 7)
Case Summary Form: Fictional example: A foreigner who has been living in Türkiye for ten years with a short-term and family residence permit applies for a long-term residence permit. The application is rejected on the grounds of "interruption in residence". It is stated in the file that the six-month limit was exceeded due to their stay abroad. Process: Entry and exit records are calculated on a daily basis. Periods spent abroad for compulsory public service, education and health reasons are also evaluated. If a difference arises between the administration and the applicant on this account, a lawsuit will be filed in the administrative court within 60 days from the notification. Result: If the interruption actually exists, a new uninterrupted period must be calculated. In this case, it makes sense to consider other residence types such as family residence or a work permit instead of a long-term residence permit.
How many years are required for a long-term residence permit?
As a rule, it is necessary to stay in Türkiye with a residence permit for at least eight years without interruption. Permits granted under the conditions determined by the Ministry are evaluated separately. Are the years spent on a student residence permit counted? Yes, but half of student residence permits are taken into account.
How long can a long-term residence permit holder stay abroad?
The law considers a stay abroad exceeding one uninterrupted year, except for health, education and compulsory public service, as a reason for cancellation.
Are indefinite work permits and long-term residence permits the same thing?
No. The two are different statuses regulated by different laws. The holder of an indefinite work permit benefits from all the rights of a long-term residence permit; However, application conditions and cancellation reasons are separate.
When does the Turquoise Card become unlimited?
The first three years are a transition period. If the card is not canceled within this period, an indefinite Turquoise Card will be issued upon application made 180 days before the end of the transition period.
Can the spouse and children of the Turquoise Card holder stay in Türkiye?
Yes. Spouses and dependent children are given a document that proves that they are a Turquoise Card holder relative and serves as a residence permit.
What to do if a long-term residence permit application is rejected?
An annulment lawsuit may be filed in the administrative court within 60 days from the notification.
Application without calculating the duration of stay abroad.
Failure to check whether social aid has been received in the last three years.
Application to remove the Turquoise Card pass period registration must be made after the period has expired.
Having a long-term residence permit and staying abroad for more than one year.
Confusion of residence permit and work permit statuses.
Long-term residence permit, indefinite work permit and Turquoise Card offer different ways for foreigners who want to live permanently in Türkiye. Choosing the right status, tracking the duration of stay abroad and maintaining the application deadlines are decisive in this process. Küheylan Law Firm provides legal support to foreign clients, from planning their permanent status to filing a lawsuit in the administrative court against rejection and cancellation decisions.
Important Legal Notice: The legal explanations contained in this guide have been prepared by Küheylan Law Firm for general information purposes and do not constitute legal advice. The unique conditions of each file may change the outcome. In order not to miss the application, objection and lawsuit deadlines, it is recommended to get legal support from a lawyer before the process begins. © 2026 Küheylan Law Firm. All rights reserved.
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