Understanding the Turkish Family Visa

Turkey is very popular among travelers, expats, and families looking to reunite with their loved ones or enjoy residence in this culturally rich country. In case you are willing to bring your family to Turkey or join the members of your family who already stay there, you will need to apply for a Turkish Visa. In that respect, this page will cover essential information that you need to know including the application process, eligibility requirements, and supporting documents for a family visa to Turkey.

What is a Turkish Family Visa?

A Turkish Family Visa is a type of long-term residence permit that is issued to foreign nationals who would like to join their family members residing lawfully in Turkey. It is usually granted to the:

Spouses of Turkish citizens or foreign nationals resident in Turkey
Dependent children under 18 years of age
Parents, or other close family members in specific situations.

It allows the relatives to enter into Turkey and further on apply for a residence permit with the purpose to live in the country for longer periods.

Who can apply for a Turkish Family Visa?

For an application for a Turkish Family Visa to be successful, certain set criteria must be met by both the applicant, the family member, and the sponsor, the person resident in Turkey. A resident in Turkey can either be a citizen of Turkey or a foreigner owning a valid residence permit or a valid work permit. Here are the main eligibility requirements:

1. The Sponsor (Resident in Turkey)

Following are the sponsor's eligibility criteria:

Criteria	Details
Legally resident in Turkey	The sponsor must be a Turkish citizen or possess a valid residence permit, which should be valid for at least one year or be based on a work permit.
Income requirement	The sponsor must demonstrate sufficient financial means to support the family without needing government assistance. This can be shown through salary slips, bank statements, or an employment letter.
Accommodation	The sponsor must provide proof of suitable accommodation for the family, either by showing a tenancy agreement or proof of property ownership.
No criminal record	The sponsor must not have a criminal record, and proof of this is often required during the application process.
Health Insurance	The sponsor must have health insurance that covers all family members, providing adequate health care throughout their stay in Turkey.

2. Applicant's Conditions-Family Member

A family member who applies for a visa must satisfy the following requirements:

Marriage certificate: Only spouses are required to produce a marriage certificate.
Birth certificate: This is to prove the relationship in the case of dependent children.
Clean criminal record: As in the case of the sponsor, this also needs to be clean on behalf of applicants.

Documents required for a Turkish Family Visa

The application for a Turkish family visa requires a number of supporting documents. Here's a checklist:

Completed visa application form: Can be filled online or at a consulate in your home country.
Passport: should be valid for at least six months beyond the intended stay in Turkey, with at least two empty pages.
Recent passport-sized photos - usually two photos that meet the photo requirements for a Turkish visa
Relationship document: marriage certificate, if the applicant is a spouse, or birth certificates if the applicant is a child

Sponsor documents that includes:
- A copy of the residence permit/work permit of the sponsor.
- Proof of income/financial stability; three months payslips and bank statements
- Proof of adequate accommodation
- Health insurance to cover all family members.
Criminal record check: Provided from the applicant's home country.
Proof of health insurance: Required if it is not covered by the sponsor.

How to Apply for a Turkish Family Visa

The application process to get a Turkish Family Visa might vary depending on each nationality of the applicant; here is a step-by-step guide in general:

Documents Preparation
Collect all the required documents needed for the application of the visa. Translate these documents to Turkish, if needed, and make sure they become notarized.
Make an appointment at the consulate
Applications should be made personally via the Embassy or Consulate in your country of origin. You need to make an appointment through the consulate's online system.
Application
Appear with the application form already filled, with all the required documents on the appointment date. Then, after that, you will be required to pay the applicable fee for the class of visa.
Attend an interview if required
Some country's consulates may demand an interview from the applicant; be prepared to answer some questions regarding your relationship with the sponsor and your plans in Turkey.
Wait for visa approval
The processing time of a Turkish Family Visa will range from 15 days up to a few weeks, depending on the consulate and the individual case. Once approved, the visa will be stamped on your passport.

Turkish Family Residence Permit

After arriving in Turkey with a Family Visa, one must apply for a Family Residence Permit within 30 days of arrival. With the Family Residence Permit, one may stay in Turkey for an even period of up to two years with the possibility of renewal.

Residence Permit Required Documents Include:

Application form: It is necessary to complete and sign the residence permit application form.
Valid passport: And a copy of the visa should be considered valid.
Proof of address: a leasing contract or proof of house ownership.
Biometric photos: several recent passport-sized pictures.
Sponsor's documents: residence permit, proof of income, and health insurance.
Marriage and birth certificates: in cases of application with spouses and children.

Turkish Family Visa Processing Time and Fees

A Turkish Family Visa fee may vary considerably, given the different nationality of the applicant and which country is submitting the application. Each country may have its pattern of consular fees, hence the varying costs for the same type of visa. The total amount may differ since this is either a single or multiple entry visa. It is recommended to check the exact visa fee on the official website of the consulate or through the consulate in your country for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

The general processing time for the Turkish Family Visa is about 15 to 30 days; however, it could be longer for some cases. Therefore, it is advisable to apply well in advance before your expected travel date.

Family Visa and Residence Permit Renewal

A Turkish Family Residence Permit is granted for a maximum period of two years and can be renewed if the sponsor is still eligible to have the residence permit. Renewal applications need to be made 60 days before the expiration date of the currently held residence permit and, in any case, before its expiration date.

Rights of Family Visa Holders

Family visa holders have the following rights:

To reside in Turkey for the relevant period granted by the visa and residence permit;
To benefit from health care services and education.
Apply for Turkish citizenship after residing in Turkey for at least 3 years if married to a citizen.

However, in most instances, family visa holders are not allowed to work, except when a separate work permit is applied for.

Frequently Asked Questions

Spouses: The foreign spouses who are married to Turkish citizens or foreign residents in Turkey with long-term residence permits.
Children: Children of Turkish citizens or foreign residents with long-term residence permits.
Dependent relatives: Sometimes, dependent relatives like parents or siblings may also be entitled.

Generally, it takes a few weeks to a few months, depending on the specific situation and overload of work that the authorities are experiencing.

While there are possibilities of online applications for certain types of visas, generally, an application for a family visa requires personal submission at a consulate or embassy.

No, a family visa doesn't permit one to work. If you are looking to work in Turkey, then you will need to apply for a different work permit altogether.

You may extend a family visa when your situation is still valid. However, the extension may be prepared with added requirements and fees.

Disclaimer: The information on this page is for general guidance and subject to change. For current information, refer to the official websites before lodging an application. Please note that this page was last updated in January 2025; thus, some visa rules might change.