Family reunification — spouse and child residence permit

Who is entitled to apply for family reunification?

A Turkish citizen, a foreigner legally residing in Turkey with a residence permit, a refugee, and a holder of secondary protection status can each act as a "sponsor" for their family members to obtain a family residence permit, based on Article 34 of Law No. 6458 on Foreigners and International Protection. This right covers the foreign spouse, minor children, and also dependent adult children who are proven unable to support themselves due to a disability or health condition.

To ensure the application is accepted, the sponsor must have legally resided in Turkey for at least one full year before applying, be registered in the address registration system, and have a monthly income that covers the needs of the family members according to the standards set by the official authorities, along with valid health insurance covering all family members included in the application. There must also be no criminal record related to crimes against the family within the last five years.

In the case of polygamy, family residence is granted to only one wife of the sponsoring husband, while the children from the other wives retain their right.

Documents and general requirements

Important points to know

• Children turning eighteen while on family residence lose their eligibility for this type of residence, and must transfer to another suitable residence type, such as student residence, to remain in the country legally
• In the case of divorce, a foreign spouse who has spent at least three years on family residence has the right to apply for short-term residence without needing a new sponsor; the three-year requirement is waived in cases where domestic violence is proven by a judicial ruling
• In the event of the sponsor's death, family members covered by family residence can transfer to short-term residence
• A marriage proven to have been contracted solely to obtain residence exposes the application to rejection and holds both parties legally responsible
• Civil documents issued outside Turkey, such as a marriage certificate or birth certificate, must be duly authenticated (apostille or consular certification) and officially translated, otherwise they are considered legally invalid

Duration and validity

Family residence is granted for a maximum of three years at a time, and in all cases must not exceed the validity period of the sponsor's own residence permit. In other words, the validity of family members' residence is directly tied to the continuation of the sponsor's legal status in Turkey, and any change in their status, such as the expiry of their residence permit or a change in its type, can directly affect their family's residence permit. It's important to follow the renewal process within the officially specified time window before the expiry date to avoid any interruption in residence or subsequent legal problems.

Most common reasons for rejection or delay

• Missing required documents or contradictions between the information submitted
• Insufficient proven income for the sponsor according to official standards
• Suspicion that the marriage is fictitious or contracted solely to obtain residence
• A prior entry-ban or deportation decision against a family member
• Overlooking the authentication or certified translation procedures for foreign documents

Frequently asked questions

Can my adult children obtain family residence with me? No, family residence is intended for minor children, or for dependent adult children who are proven unable to support themselves due to a health condition or disability, as defined by law.

What happens to my son's residence when he turns eighteen? His eligibility for family residence ends, and he must transfer to another residence type suited to his situation, such as student residence, to remain in Turkey legally.

Is my family residence affected if my husband's or sponsor's residence status changes? Yes, the duration of family residence is directly tied to the validity of the sponsor's residence permit, and any change in their legal status may require reassessing the status of the rest of the family members.

Does the marriage certificate need to have been issued in Turkey? No, a marriage certificate issued outside Turkey can be relied on, but it must be duly authenticated and officially translated to be recognized by the relevant authorities.

Last updated: 2026-09-07