How long can a foreigner who's the spouse/child of a Turkish citizen or permit-holder stay (Aile İkamet İzni)?
General information, not legal advice. For high-stakes decisions, confirm with the official institution in the next-step below, or consult a qualified Turkish lawyer.
Pending expert review. This fact is sourced but has not yet been reviewed by an independent legal expert. Treat as a starting point.
The Aile (Family) İkamet İzni is issued for up to 3 years per issuance, renewable. One hard rule: the family permit can never exceed the destekleyici (sponsor)'s own residence permit duration. If your sponsor's permit runs out in 18 months, yours runs out in 18 months, no matter what you applied for.
Who qualifies: spouses of Turkish citizens, holders of Law 5901 Article 28 status, holders of any residence permit, refugees, and secondary-protection holders. Also the sponsor's (or their spouse's) under-age foreign children and dependent foreign children.
Polygamy clause. If the sponsor has multiple spouses, only one can be granted an Aile İkamet İzni — but all children of the sponsor can be granted one.
Watch-outs
- Aile permit holders under 18 can attend Turkish primary or secondary school without a separate student permit. This is the route many family-permit children take through schooling.
- After 3 years on the Aile permit, and on turning 18, the holder can apply to switch to a Kısa Dönem permit in their own right. This is the standard transition out of family-dependent status.
- After 3 years of an Aile permit obtained through marriage to a Turkish citizen, the spouse can apply for a Kısa Dönem permit independently if divorced. The 3-year requirement is waived if domestic violence is established by court order.
- For children, the consent of any non-Türkiye-resident parent who shares custody is required. Missing consent stops the application.
Next step
If you're a sponsor planning to bring spouse or children, check your own ikamet has enough remaining duration (the family permit cannot outlast yours) and that you meet the sponsor requirements: health insurance for all family members, income of at least one-third of minimum wage per person, no family-order crimes in the last 5 years, at least 1 year of residence in Türkiye, and current address registration.
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