Turkish Residency for Minors (Under 18)

Types of Turkish Residence Permits for Individuals Under 18

Choosing the correct type of residence permit is the first and most vital step in the immigration process. For individuals under 18, Turkish law provides specific paths based on family status or education.

Family Residence Permit (Aile İkamet İzni)

The Family Residence Permit is recognized as the most secure type of residency for children. This permit is granted to the spouse and children under 18 of an individual who holds a valid residency (work, property, or student) or Turkish citizenship. In this structure, the primary individual is known as the "Sponsor" (Destekleyici) and assumes financial and legal responsibility for their dependents. A key advantage of this type of residency is the right to free education in Turkish public schools without needing a student visa. The validity of this permit is usually aligned with the sponsor's residency and can be issued for up to three years.

Student Residence Permit (Öğrenci İkamet İzni)

In cases where the child's parents do not reside in Turkey, or the child has independently applied to study at international schools or universities, a student residence permit is issued. For minors in this category, there are very strict requirements to designate a legal representative or guardian within Turkey. Educational institutions in Turkey must confirm the individual's official admission, and the immigration office must ensure the child's safe accommodation and supervision.

Short-Term Tourist and Property Residency

If a family has purchased a property worth at least $200,000 in Turkey, children under 18 can receive short-term residency as dependents. However, regarding simple tourist residencies (based on a rental agreement), the general policy in 2025 is to not issue or renew such permits in most areas, except in specific and justified cases.

Document Checklist for Turkey Residency Under 18 (2025 Update)

The residency application process for minors requires the submission of documents that indisputably prove the legal relationship between the child and parents. Any ambiguity in these documents leads to the immediate rejection of the application.

Official Consent for Departure and Residency (Muvafakatname)

This document is the "Achilles' heel" of residency files for individuals under 18. The Turkish government is highly sensitive to family protection laws and the prevention of illegal child trafficking or movement. If the child is present in Turkey with only one parent, the official and notarized consent of the parent in the country of origin must be provided.

For foreign nationals, this consent must either be prepared in the notary offices of the home country and certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Turkish Embassy, or prepared at the home country's consulate in Turkey and then certified at the District Governor's office (Kaymakamlık). A legal nuance here is that the consent must explicitly mention "permission to obtain residency in Turkey" and "permission to study."

Birth Certificate and Identity Documents

Providing an official translation of the birth certificate is mandatory for children. If the home country is not a member of the Apostille Convention, hierarchical certifications (Judiciary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Turkish Consulate) are necessary for these documents to be valid at Turkish immigration offices. For infants born on Turkish soil, the birth certificate issued by the hospital must be taken immediately to the Population Registry Office to obtain a passport and subsequently a residence permit.

Restricted Neighborhoods in Turkey; 2025 List of Blocked Areas

One of the biggest obstacles to obtaining residency is the list of "restricted neighborhoods," which has been continuously expanding since July 2022. This law was enacted based on the logic that an excessive concentration of foreign nationals in one area challenges social cohesion and local demographic fabric.

Currently, 1,169 neighborhoods across Turkey are blocked for issuing new residencies. Families with children under 18 must check the status of the desired neighborhood on the official immigration office website before renting or buying property, as living in a blocked area leads to a definite rejection of the application, even if all documents are provided.

It is worth noting that these restrictions can be overlooked under specific conditions for infants whose parents already resided at that address or students admitted to schools in those areas.

Government Fees and New Health Insurance Conditions for Children in Turkey

As of April 1, 2025, new requirements for health insurance for foreign nationals have been introduced, increasing the cost of living in Turkey for families. The goal of these changes is to ensure adequate coverage for heavy medical expenses and reduce pressure on the Turkish public health system.

For individuals under 18, if they are covered under family residency and the parents' SGK insurance (especially parents with a work permit), separate private insurance may not be necessary. However, in short-term residencies, insurance is mandatory for all family members.

Government fees also include the Kimlik card fee (810 TRY) and the residency fee (Harç), which varies based on nationality and duration of stay, ranging between 4,000 and 12,000 TRY per year.

Guide to Studying in Turkish Schools and Denklik Procedures

One of the main motivations for the migration of families with minors is benefiting from the Turkish educational system, which has recently sought to align itself with European standards. Education in Turkey follows a 4+4+4 system (Primary, Lower Secondary, and Upper Secondary) and is mandatory for all children, regardless of their migration status.

Denklik Process (Equivalency of Educational Documents)

For a foreign student to enroll in a Turkish school, they must prove that their previous academic grade abroad matches the Turkish system. This process is called "Denklik."

1. Online Phase: Register the application at edenklik.meb.gov.tr and upload scans of certified educational documents.

2. In-person Phase: Visit the District National Education Directorate (Milli Eğitim) of the residence city with original documents and official translations.

3. Required Documents: Report cards from previous years, birth certificate, residence card (or Randevu paper), and passport.

Foreign families can choose between public schools (free with Turkish language), private schools (mid-range tuition with more facilities), and international schools (tuition in USD with English language).

Step-by-Step Randevu and Fingerprinting for Children at Immigration Office

Since 2024, the Turkish Immigration Office has implemented a fingerprinting and biometric authentication system for all residency applicants, including individuals under 18 (depending on the officer's discretion and age group). This data is stored in a central database and used for issuing Kimlik cards as well as border control.

The operational process on the interview day (Randevu) includes the following steps:

• Physical presence of the child with at least one parent (having consent from the other parent).

• Submission of the Pink Folder containing all translated documents and payment receipts.

• A brief interview regarding the purpose of stay and residence status.

• If approved, the Kimlik card is sent via PTT post to the registered address within 30 to 90 days.

Reasons for Turkey Residence Permit Rejection for Children and Prevention Tips

Based on statistical data analysis and experiences in 2024, more than 30% of initial short-term residence applications face rejection. The main reasons for individuals under 18 include:

• Consent Form Deficiencies: Use of non-standard formats or lack of certification by competent Turkish authorities.

• Address Issues: Registering an address in blocked neighborhoods or a mismatch of the tenant's name on utility bills.

• Sponsor's Weak Financial Standing: The sponsor must prove the ability to cover the child's costs (at least one-third of the base salary per person).

• Invalid Insurance: Use of low-cost insurance that does not comply with the new 2025 coverage caps.

Final Advice for Families

• Always start the renewal process at least two months before the visa or previous residency expires.

• Check the "open" status of the neighborhood from the municipality or immigration office before making any payments for rent or property purchase.

• Register any change of address within 20 working days in the "Nüfus" system; otherwise, your and your child's residency will be automatically revoked.

The developments of 2025 show that Turkey is no longer a destination for "simple and cheap residencies," but has become an environment where only individuals with a clear purpose (education, work, or investment) and complete legal documents can outline a stable future for their children. Understanding these new realities is the main key to success in the immigration journey of modern families.