Turkish Residence Permit for Children: A Complete Guide

Immigration to Turkey with children is becoming an increasingly popular solution for families from Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, and other CIS countries. The warm climate, affordable real estate, high-quality education, and developed infrastructure make this Mediterranean country an attractive place to live with children. However, parents face an important question: how to properly obtain legal status for minor family members?

In this article, we'll take a detailed look at how to obtain a residence permit for a child in Turkey: from the legal basis and required documents to the cost of the procedure and the rights a child with an ikamet receives.

Contents of the article:

1. 1. Digital Nomad Visa in Turkey – Everything You Need to Know
   2. Visa requirements
   3. How to Obtain a Residence Permit in Turkey for Remote Workers: A Step-by-Step Guide

Reasons for obtaining a residence permit in Turkey for a child

Turkish law clearly defines the status of minors: they are individuals under 18 years of age. Until this age, parents bear full administrative, social, and financial responsibility for their children and make all key decisions for them.

Turkish law defines the concept of "çekirdek aile," which translates as "the core family structure" or "the nucleus of the family." According to this principle, minor children automatically receive the right to legal residence in Turkey if at least one parent has legal grounds for residency in the country. This means that children do not need to apply for separate grounds for residence permits—their status is directly dependent on that of their parents.

Minor family members are entitled to a residence permit in the following cases:

• The parents purchased real estate in Turkey.
• One of the parents is officially employed by a Turkish company.
• The parent entered a Turkish university.
• The parent has received any other type of residence permit.

Age-related nuances and features of Turkish residence permits for children

Minor children enjoy the most simplified procedure for obtaining and renewing residence permits in Turkey. Their status is closely tied to that of their parents, providing security and stability. Here are a few features to consider:

• Applying for a residence permit for a minor along with their parents. Children under 18 can be included in the residence permit application along with their parents. There are two possible options:

1. Separately for each child.

2. In a common document with parents.

Both options are legally equivalent, differing only in the processing cost. A separate card (ikamet) is a standalone document, which may be more convenient in certain situations, such as when a child is traveling alone and accompanied by relatives.

• Parental health insurance. Parents do not need to purchase separate insurance policies for their children—minor family members are automatically included in their father's or mother's insurance coverage. This applies to both mandatory health insurance for obtaining ikamet and extended insurance programs.

Turning 18 significantly changes the situation regarding obtaining and renewing a residence permit. Turkish immigration law considers adults as independent applicants who must have their own grounds for residency in the country.

Upon reaching adulthood, the "çekirdek aile" (primary family structure) principle ceases to apply. The Turkish Immigration Service maintains that an adult must have independent grounds for obtaining a residence permit.

Thus, when issuing a residence permit based on real estate, the Migration Service operates on the principle that one apartment is intended for the residence of one family. When a child turns 18, legally, two separate families are claiming to live in the same apartment, which may be grounds for denial of a residence permit.

For adult children, there are several popular ways to obtain or maintain legal status in Turkey:

1. Purchase of separate real estate in the name of a child worth at least USD 200,000.
2. Admission to a Turkish university and obtaining a student residence permit is one of the most reliable options for young people aged 18–25.
3. Official employment and obtaining a work residence permit. This option is suitable for those planning to begin a professional career in Turkey.

Turkish law provides exceptions for special categories of adult children. Family residence permits may be extended for children over 18 years of age if they:

• They are disabled and incapacitated and require constant care.
• Have serious health problems that require regular medical supervision.
• Are dependent on their parents for documented reasons.

In such cases, it is necessary to provide medical certificates and other supporting documents.

Documents for a residence permit for a child in Turkey

Proper preparation of a complete set of documents is a key step in obtaining a Turkish residence permit for a child.

Paperwork to be prepared before departure

It is advisable to collect a certain number of documents in advance, either while in your home country or while traveling home:

• A birth certificate with an apostille. This is the primary document establishing the identity of a minor and confirming their blood relationship with their parents.

• Child's international passport.

• Consent of the second parent for departure. When a child is traveling to Turkey with only one parent, a notarized consent for the child's departure from the other parent is required. The document must be certified by a notary at the child's place of residence. It is crucial that the consent clearly states that the other parent approves the child's receipt of a Turkish residence permit.

• Confirmation of sole parental rights. When parental rights belong to only one parent, the relevant official documents (court order, records from guardianship and trusteeship authorities, death certificate of the other parent) must be provided.

This entire package requires an apostille and an official translation into Turkish. Note: If the child's birth certificate does not contain information about one of the parents, the procedure is significantly simplified—this entry automatically indicates the absence of the other parent.

Documentation to be completed upon arrival

Upon arrival in Turkey, you will need to collect an additional set of documents directly in the country of residence:

• Biometric photographs of the established format - 4 copies.
• Photocopies of the foreign passports of the minor and his parents.
• A duplicate of the parent's residence permit. If the parents have valid Turkish Ikamet cards, copies of them are required.
• Health insurance policy.
• Marriage registration document of parents (if the relationship is officially registered).

Step-by-step registration procedure

The procedure for obtaining a child's first residence permit includes several mandatory steps:

1. The first and mandatory step is to obtain a Turkish tax identification number (Vergi Kimlik Numarası) for the child. This number is required for all financial transactions, including paying state fees for residency.

A tax identification number is obtained from the Tax Office (Vergi Dairesi) at the place of your planned residence. The procedure is free and takes approximately 15-30 minutes. The tax identification number is assigned immediately and issued as a printed document. This number remains with the child for life and is used for all official transactions in Turkey.

2. Make an appointment at the GEÇ. GEÇ (Göç İdaresi Başkanlığı) is the General Directorate of Migration of Turkey, which handles all matters related to residence permits and immigration procedures.

To schedule an appointment, please visit the official website e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr . The system works as follows:

• Registration on the portal using email.

• Selecting the type of service (initial receipt of a residence permit).

• Entering personal data into the application form and uploading the required documents

• Select a convenient date and time from available slots.

• Receiving confirmation by email with the registration number.

3. Submitting documents. On the appointed day, you must appear at the GECh office with all documents prepared. It is recommended to arrive 10-15 minutes before your scheduled time.

The entire procedure usually takes from 30 minutes to 1.5 hours, depending on how busy the office is.

4. Waiting for a decision. Once the documents are submitted, the application review period begins. Officially, the deadline is up to 90 days, but in practice, a decision is usually made within 30–45 days.

The cost of a residence permit for a child in Turkey in 2026 depends on a number of factors and is approximately 300 USD.

While the application is being processed, the child has the right to legally reside in Turkey based on a receipt confirming the submission of documents. This document should be carried with you at all times. You can track the status of your application on the official GECh website by entering your application number and passport details. If approved, you will receive an email notification informing you that the card is ready.

An application for extension of a temporary residence permit must be submitted no later than 60 days before the expiration of the current ikamet.

Rights and opportunities for children with a Turkish residence permit

Obtaining a residence permit opens up extensive opportunities for children to live a fulfilling life, study, and develop in Turkey. Let's take a closer look at the rights and privileges a child with a Turkish residence permit receives.

Right to education

The Turkish education system is accessible to all children legally residing in the country. Having a residence permit automatically entitles them to education in private and public kindergartens and schools.

Furthermore, those who completed their secondary education in Turkey have the right to enroll in Turkish universities on an equal basis with local applicants. This is a significant advantage, as higher education in Turkey is high-quality and recognized in many countries.

Medical care

Children's health is a priority for any family, and the Turkish healthcare system provides high-quality medical care for children with a residence permit.

The main advantage for minor children is automatic inclusion in their parents' health insurance. This means the child has full access to medical services without the need for a separate policy.

Turkish pediatrics are highly regarded. Pediatricians undergo extensive specialization training, and pediatric departments in major hospitals are equipped with modern equipment.

Social rights

Türkiye is a party to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and has extensive child protection legislation. The Turkish government strictly enforces children's rights and imposes severe penalties for any violations.

Basic legislative guarantees:

• Protection from all forms of violence and abuse.
• The right to decent living conditions.
• The right to a family environment and care.
• Protection from exploitation and forced labor.
• The right to rest, leisure and cultural development.

Turkey has a system of social services that monitor the well-being of children, including children of foreigners. When cases of child rights violations are identified, legal protection mechanisms are activated.

Conclusion

At Altop Real Estate, we understand that moving to Turkey with children and obtaining a residence permit is a process that requires careful attention and meticulous preparation. Our services include:

1. We select housing tailored to the needs of families with children. We'll help you choose a neighborhood with good schools, well-developed children's infrastructure, parks, and recreation areas. Our portfolio includes properties in a variety of price ranges in the best areas of Alanya, Antalya, and other cities in Turkey.

2. Consultations on obtaining a residence permit for the entire family are part of our after-sales services. Our specialists will help you properly collect and complete all necessary documents, schedule an appointment with the Migration Service, prepare your application, and oversee the entire process until you receive your Ikamet card.

3. Consultations on choosing educational institutions for children. We will help you choose a school that suits your preferences—public, private, Russian-language, or international.

4. Assistance with family adjustment, including assistance with obtaining health insurance, opening bank accounts, registering for schools, and other everyday matters.

Altop Real Estate makes moving to Turkey with children simple and straightforward. We handle all the logistics, allowing you to focus on what matters most—your family's comfort and well-being.

Contact us for a personal consultation and begin a new chapter in your family's life in sunny Turkey. Our experts will be happy to answer all your questions and develop a personalized action plan tailored to your specific situation.