Student Visa to Türkiye - Steps to Apply for a Turkish Student Visa

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If you are an international student planning to study in Türkiye and obtain a student visa to Türkiye, you will likely need a student visa to do so.

To obtain your student visa, you will need to apply in person at the location nearest to you. Turkish Embassy Or at the consulate in your country, or through one of the Turkish visa application offices. This is because you must have a student visa before you can enter Türkiye.

Once you arrive in Türkiye, you will need to apply for a residence permit that allows you to stay in the country after 90 days.

See: Free Turkish Government Scholarship 2025 (Complete Guide)

Steps to obtain a student visa to Türkiye

Here are the steps you must follow in order to obtain your Turkish study visa:

To be accepted into a study program in Türkiye: You can only apply for a visa once you receive a letter of acceptance from a university in Türkiye.
Arrange an appointment at your local consulate: You must submit your application in person at the nearest Turkish embassy or consulate. You should be able to book an appointment online.
Complete your application and application documents: When you attend your visa appointment, you need to complete and sign the visa application, and submit it with the required documents (listed below).
You can sometimes track the progress of your application on the Turkish Consulate website.
You may apply for a Turkish visa through one of the approved offices.
Applying for a residence permit: Upon your arrival in Türkiye, you will need to apply for a residence permit within one month.

Attend your visa appointment

On the day of your appointment at the Turkish consulate or embassy, you will have a brief interview with a consular officer. They will ask you questions about your plans and your trip to Türkiye. This procedure varies from country to country.

This interview will affect whether or not you'll be granted a visa, so it's important to make a good impression. You should also make sure you have all your documents with you when you go to your appointments, as missing even one could result in your application being rejected.

Turkish student visa

The following documents must be submitted when applying for a Turkish student visa.

Completed student visa application form .
Valid passport .
Passport-sized biometric photos according to the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs' visa photo specifications .
Proof of flight reservation, such as flight tickets .
Travel insurance , which must cover the entire duration of your stay in Türkiye.
Acceptance letter By a Turkish academic institution and the duration of your stay/course.
Valid proof of fees paid For the course/educational program you wish to attend (if applicable).
Copies of previous diplomas, transcripts, and certificates .
Proof of financial means of support/that you have sufficient funds to remain in Turkey for the duration of your stay and pay tuition fees. This can be proven through several documents, including bank statements, a sponsorship letter if your parents, guardians, or other person will sponsor your stay and education, and a scholarship letter (if applicable).
Proof of residence.
- If you have booked to stay in student housingYou can send a document proving that you have a reserved place.
- If you want to stay with your relatives or friends in Türkiye , then submit an invitation letter from the host. Or another,
- If you will be living in a rented place Provide a valid lease agreement signed by you and the landlord.

Student residence documents in Türkiye

In order to stay in Türkiye beyond the 90 days allowed by your student visa, you must apply for a residence permit at the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management.

You will need to provide the following documents:

Application form
Passport, including copies and your student visa
University acceptance letter
Proof of residence
Four passport-sized photos
Pay tax

Your residence permit will be valid for one year, but you can renew your permit 60 days before it expires by visiting the local authorities and completing a renewal application form.

Visa issuance period

It can take between 3 and 15 days to process your visa application, but this may vary depending on the embassy or consulate you used.

Although the processing time for a Turkish student visa is relatively short, it's worth applying as soon as possible. Unforeseen delays or missing documents could mean you won't receive your visa in time if you leave it to the last minute to apply.

Why is the Turkish visa rejected?

If your Turkish visa application is rejected due to incompleteness, you must apply for another visa after correcting any errors. You can apply for a new visa within 24 hours of receiving the rejection, and if all information is correct, you can receive your visa within the next three days after submitting your application.

If you believe your application has been unfairly rejected, you should contact the Turkish embassy or consulate in your country. It can take weeks or even months to schedule an appointment, so it's worth applying for a visa in advance before making any travel plans.

When you visit the embassy or consulate, take any documents you need to prove your application was accepted. If you cannot reach the consulate in person, write to them explaining why you believe your refusal was unfair and include any supporting evidence.

What happens after you arrive in Türkiye?

Shortly after arriving in Türkiye with a student visa, you will be required to formally enroll at a university. The next step is Apply for a residence permit , where you have to visit the Regional Directorate of Immigration Management.

Once you have your residence permit, called an ikamet in Turkish, you'll be eligible to live in Turkey and do many things, such as open a bank account. Make sure to extend your ikamet before it expires. Ideally, you should apply six weeks before its expiration.

Student work in Türkiye

In recent years, Turkey has embraced the idea of having international students in the country. However, the language barrier is a serious obstacle, as students need to be able to speak Turkish. This is why most international students studying in Turkey come from the western regions of China, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. These are the regions where the language is commonly spoken.

Students wishing to study in Turkey can only apply for a Turkish student visa once they have been accepted by an educational institution in Turkey. A letter of acceptance will be required when submitting the visa application. The educational institution can be a school or a university—the level of education does not matter as long as the student is accepted.

There are certain conditions that allow students to legally work in Turkey. Once a student has obtained a student residence permit, they can legally begin working. Students coming from abroad and enrolled in a bachelor's program or a two-year associate's program will not be allowed to work until they complete their first year of study. Students enrolled in a two-year associate's program will not be allowed to work more than 24 hours per week.

Obtaining a student visa for Turkey takes only about 24 hours if applied online. However, it can take up to 90 days when applicants apply through a foreign consulate or representative. This is the fastest time given the accuracy of all documents and information.