Can my spouse work in Turkey on a family residence permit?

No. A family residence permit grants the right to reside in Turkey but does not authorise employment. If your spouse wishes to work for a Turkish employer, they must obtain a separate Turkish work permit through that employer. Working remotely for a foreign employer does not require a work permit.

Does my child need their own permit?

Yes. Each family member — including minor children — requires their own individual residence permit card. However, all family members' applications are submitted and processed together as a single family case. Ikamet coordinates simultaneous submission for all family members to minimise waiting time.

What if my spouse does not speak Turkish?

There is no language requirement for a family residence permit. Neither the applicant nor the sponsor is required to speak Turkish. All official documents must be translated into Turkish by a sworn translator, which Ikamet arranges on your behalf.

Can I include parents or siblings on a family permit?

No. Turkish family residence permits are issued only to the spouse and minor children (under 18) of a Turkish citizen or valid permit holder. Parents, siblings, and other relatives do not qualify under the family permit route. They must qualify independently under another permit category — for example, a short-term permit based on income or property ownership.

What happens to my family's permits if I leave Turkey or lose my permit?

Family permits are directly tied to the sponsor's permit status. If the sponsor's permit expires, is not renewed, or is cancelled, the family permits are also affected and family members may no longer have valid residence status. If you are a sponsor considering leaving Turkey or facing a change in permit status, contact Ikamet immediately so we can advise on the safest path for your family.

Family Permits

Family Residence Permit Turkey 2026

If you hold a Turkish residence permit or are a Turkish citizen, your spouse and children under 18 can join you in Turkey on a family residence permit. Ikamet manages the full application — apostilles, translations, submissions, and appointments — for your entire family.

Apply for Family View Pricing

Spouse & children

Who qualifies

Matches sponsor

Permit duration

4–8 weeks

Processing time

All nations

Nationalities

Eligibility

Who can apply for a family permit.

Spouse of a Turkish citizen

✓ Valid marriage certificate (apostilled)
✓ Sworn Turkish translation of marriage certificate
✓ Sponsor's Turkish ID (T.C. Kimlik)
✓ Proof of shared or suitable residence
✓ Health insurance for the applicant

Marriage to a Turkish citizen is one of the strongest bases for a family permit. Processing is typically faster than for non-citizen sponsors.

Spouse of a permit holder

✓ Valid marriage certificate (apostilled)
✓ Sworn Turkish translation of marriage certificate
✓ Sponsor's current Turkish residence permit
✓ Proof of sponsor's continued eligibility
✓ Health insurance for the applicant

The family permit cannot extend beyond the sponsor's current permit end date. Both permits must be renewed together.

Children under 18

✓ Birth certificate (apostilled)
✓ Sworn Turkish translation of birth certificate
✓ Sponsor's Turkish permit or citizenship ID
✓ Health insurance for each child
✓ If one parent is absent: custody documentation

Children who turn 18 during the permit period do not automatically lose their permit but must transition to an independent permit at renewal.

Sponsor Obligations

What the sponsor must prove.

The sponsor — the Turkish citizen or permit holder bringing their family to Turkey — must meet specific requirements before family permits can be issued. Immigration officers assess the sponsor's capacity to support all dependent family members.

Valid permit or citizenship

The sponsor must hold a current Turkish residence permit or Turkish citizenship. An expired or pending-renewal permit may delay or block family applications.

Sufficient income

The sponsor must demonstrate at least ₺9,358 per person per month — covering every family member including themselves. Bank statements, payslips, or pension income are accepted.

Suitable registered address

The registered address must be large enough to accommodate the entire family. Turkish immigration uses square metreage and bedroom count as a guide.

Health insurance for all members

Each family member — including each child — requires a separate compliant Turkish health insurance policy for the full permit period.

Minimum Income by Family Size

Sponsor only

₺9,358/mo

Sponsor + spouse

₺18,716/mo

Sponsor + spouse + 1 child

₺28,074/mo

Sponsor + spouse + 2 children

₺37,432/mo

₺9,358 is Turkey's 2026 minimum wage. Immigration expects this level of income per person. Ikamet recommends demonstrating a comfortable margin above this threshold to avoid complications.

Documents

What to prepare.

Sponsor documents

✓ Valid passport (original + all page copies)
✓ Current Turkish residence permit or citizenship ID
✓ Bank statements showing income for 3–6 months
✓ Payslips, pension statements, or other income proof
✓ Rental contract or property title for the family address
✓ Address registration confirmation (adres teyit belgesi)

Family member documents

✓ Valid passport for each family member (original + copies)
✓ Marriage certificate — apostilled by issuing country
✓ Sworn Turkish translation of marriage certificate
✓ Birth certificate for each child — apostilled by issuing country
✓ Sworn Turkish translation of each birth certificate
✓ Turkish health insurance policy for each family member
✓ Biometric photographs for each applicant (4 recent)
✓ Custody documentation if one parent is not present (children)

Apostilles must be obtained in the country that issued the document. Ikamet guides you through the correct authority for your nationality. Sworn translations are arranged by Ikamet in Turkey.

How It Works

Five steps to your family permit.

Family applications require careful coordination. Apostilles must come from the right authorities, translations must be certified, and all applications must be submitted together. Ikamet manages this process so nothing falls through.

Confirm sponsor eligibility

We verify the sponsor's permit status, income, and registered address to confirm they meet the requirements to sponsor family members.

Apostille all foreign documents

Marriage and birth certificates must be apostilled by the issuing country's competent authority before they are accepted by Turkish immigration.

Sworn translations into Turkish

All non-Turkish documents require sworn translation by a certified translator recognised in Turkey. Ikamet arranges this in all major cities.

Submit all applications together

We submit the sponsor's renewal (if due) and all family member applications simultaneously. We attend all appointments with the family.

Card collection and delivery

Permit cards are collected from PTT and delivered to your registered Turkish address. All family cards are typically issued within the same processing window.

Start Your Application Get Document Checklist

Important notes

— The family permit cannot extend beyond the sponsor's permit expiry date. Both must be renewed simultaneously.
— All family members must renew together. Individual renewals without coordinating the full family will cause complications.
— If the sponsor's permit is refused or revoked, the family permits are also directly affected. Contact Ikamet immediately in this situation.

Permit validity rules

Maximum duration

Cannot exceed sponsor's permit end date

Children over 18

Must apply for independent permit at renewal

Divorce / separation

Affects permit status — contact Ikamet

Sponsor leaves Turkey

Family status affected — seek advice first

Pricing

Family permit pricing.

Per-person and family bundle options. Government fees are separate and itemised upfront.

Essentials

$490 /person

For single applicants with all documents ready.

✓ Document review and checklist
✓ Application submission
✓ Appointment booking
✓ Email support throughout

Get started

Family permit FAQs.

All Residency FAQs

Ready to bring your family to Turkey?

We handle the apostilles, translations, and appointments.

Family applications require exact coordination. Ikamet manages every step — from verifying your documents to collecting your family's permit cards.

Apply for Family →