Foreigner ID (Yabancı Kimlik) application help

What is the foreigner ID number, and why does it matter to you?

The foreigner ID number (Yabancı Kimlik Numarası), popularly known as the "99 number" because it usually starts with the digits 99, is an 11-digit identification number issued by the Turkish immigration directorate to every foreigner officially residing in Turkey, and it becomes your sole reference in almost every government transaction: opening a bank account, registering in the health system and hospitals, school and university enrollment, notary transactions, and official electronic notifications.

In practical terms, this number isn't requested as a standalone service in itself; rather, it appears automatically as a result of another official procedure you carry out: applying for a residence permit, applying for a work permit, or obtaining temporary protection status. In other words, obtaining this number is tied to completing one of these paths, not a separate application submitted for its own sake.

As for someone who buys property in Turkey without holding a residence permit, the title deed transaction usually uses a separate temporary tax identification number issued by the Revenue Administration, not necessarily the foreigner ID number itself; and once the person later obtains a foreigner ID number through a residence permit, this number can be linked to their property ownership records with the land registry offices.

This number, under a circular issued by the Ministry of Finance in 2010, has also become used as a tax identification number for whoever holds it, making it more central to a foreign resident's daily and official life.

Important points to know

• The foreigner ID number is permanent; it's granted once and doesn't change throughout the person's life, even if their type of residence permit changes later (from student residence to work residence, for example)
• In principle, each person has only one number; cases where more than one number appears for the same person as a result of multiple transactions are treated as an administrative exception that is later corrected to ensure only one number remains active
• There's a difference between the foreigner ID number and the traditional tax number: someone who has a foreigner ID number also uses it as a tax number, while someone who doesn't yet have one is issued a separate temporary tax number for specific purposes such as buying property or opening an account, and this doesn't substitute for the foreigner ID number itself if residence is needed later
• Holders of temporary protection status have their own identification number process managed by the immigration directorate, which may formally differ from the usual process for holders of regular residence permits

Frequently asked questions

Does the foreigner ID number change if I change my type of residence permit? No. The number remains fixed for life once issued for the first time, regardless of the type of residence, its renewal, or any later change.

Is this the same number used at all government bodies? Yes, in principle; it's designed as a unified identifier used in health, education, banking, and notary transactions, and it's also the same number recognized as a tax number for whoever holds it.

Can I obtain the foreigner ID number without going through a residence or work procedure? Generally no; it's the result of another official procedure (residence, work, or temporary protection), not a standalone service requested by itself. Someone who needs an identifier for a specific purpose, such as buying property without residence, is usually issued a different temporary tax number instead.

What if I forget my foreigner ID number? The number is officially tied to your civil record with the relevant authorities, so it can be verified and retrieved through the approved official channels whenever needed, without being lost or cancelled.

Last updated: 2026-09-07