Türkiye: Study, Work and Your Options for Starting a New Life

Türkiye: Study, Work and Your Options for Starting a New Life

Choosing Türkiye as a destination to study, work or settle begins with understanding the available options and the requirements for each path. ElWijha provides essential information on residence, education, scholarships, employment, housing and health insurance to help you plan your next step with greater clarity.

Entry requirements vary according to nationality, passport type and the purpose of your trip. Check the requirements that apply to you with the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Stays under a visa or visa exemption generally cannot exceed 90 days within any 180-day period, and the permitted stay may be shorter. Make sure you distinguish between visa validity and the authorised length of stay.

The electronic visa is intended for tourism and commercial travel. It does not replace the appropriate visa for study or work.

If your plans require a residence permit, including for study, check the appropriate category with the Presidency of Migration Management. Applications begin through the electronic residence system, followed by the required documents and procedures. Submitting an application does not guarantee approval.

Start by choosing a university and programme, then check admission requirements, examinations, teaching language, fees and application dates on the university’s website. These requirements vary between institutions and programmes.

The Study in Türkiye platform, run by the Council of Higher Education, helps you search for universities and programmes by subject and teaching language.

Before applying, check the required proof of language proficiency, whether a preparatory year is necessary and which documents the university requests. After admission, review the entry and student residence requirements.

Confirm fees directly with the university and ask what any discount or financial support covers. University admission does not mean you have received a scholarship.

The Türkiye Scholarships programme offers funding opportunities for international students. Depending on the programme and its conditions, full scholarships include placement in a university and programme, tuition fees, a monthly stipend, accommodation, health insurance, a year of Turkish language study and the travel support specified by the scholarship.

Eligibility, coverage and available study levels vary between programmes. Check the official announcement and application dates before applying.

A residence permit does not automatically give a foreign national the right to work. A work permit or a legal exemption applicable to the activity is generally required before starting work.

A fixed-term work permit is tied to an employer, position and workplace in accordance with the approval issued. A valid work permit also serves as a residence permit, with exceptions for certain protection statuses.

Before accepting a job, check whether foreign nationals may practise the profession and whether diploma equivalency or a professional licence is required. The Ministry of Labour and Social Security handles work permits.

An independent work permit is subject to assessment, taking into account factors such as education, experience, economic contribution and the activity’s impact on employment.

Establishing a company or owning shares does not automatically grant the right to work. Permit or exemption requirements vary according to the person’s role in the company and the nature of the activity.

Before starting your activity, check the Ministry of Labour and Social Security requirements that apply to your situation.

A family residence permit may cover a spouse and eligible minor or dependent children, depending on the status of the person living in Türkiye. Requirements include income, health insurance, housing and the sponsor’s circumstances.

Having a relative who resides in Türkiye does not automatically make every family member eligible. Check the conditions applicable to your situation with the Presidency of Migration Management.

Before moving, prepare a budget covering:

• Rent and a security deposit.

• Food, transport, electricity, water and heating.

• Phone services, Internet and health insurance.

• Tuition and administrative fees, where applicable.

Request up-to-date prices in your chosen city and read the rental agreement to understand advance payments and what the rent includes.

For your residence application, check the required proof of accommodation through the official electronic residence system.

Insurance requirements vary according to residence type and personal circumstances. Foreign students may apply to join the general health insurance scheme within three months of their enrolment date, subject to the applicable conditions.

If enrolment in the scheme is not requested within that period, suitable private health insurance is generally required for the residence application, unless an exemption or another accepted form of coverage applies.

Before purchasing insurance, check its coverage, exclusions and whether it is accepted for your application.

Graduates of higher education institutions in Türkiye may apply for a short-term residence permit on the basis of graduation if they apply within six months of graduating, subject to the legal requirements.

This deadline does not authorise a six-month stay without legal residence status. You must consider the validity of your current status and apply in time. This residence permit does not, by itself, grant the right to work.

Yes, programmes taught in English are available. Check the programme’s teaching language, the required proof of language proficiency and any preparatory-year requirements on the university’s website.

Yes, provided they obtain the appropriate work permit. Associate degree and bachelor’s students may work part-time after completing their first year. The first-year restriction does not apply to master’s and doctoral students, but a work permit is still required.