For a foreign journalist who obtains a work permit the residence question is largely settled - because the Law combines the two.
The Basic Rule
Art. 27 of Law No. 6458 on Foreigners and International Protection is headed "A work permit counting as a residence permit": a valid work permit, and the Work Permit Exemption Confirmation Document issued under Art. 10 of Law No. 4817 of 27/2/2003 on Work Permits of Foreigners, count as a residence permit.
There Is a Condition
The second paragraph of Art. 27: for a work permit to be issued or extended, it is required that the foreigner does not fall within the scope of Art. 7.
Address Registration: Twenty Working Days
The second paragraph of Art. 26 brings a practical duty: foreigners coming to Turkey with a residence and work permit obtained from consulates must register with the address registration system within twenty working days at the latest of the date of entry.
Two Separate Notifications
| Obligation | Period | To whom | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registration with the address registration system | 20 working days | The address registration system | Law No. 6458 Art. 26/2 |
| Notification of a change of residence address | 1 month | The Directorate of Communications | Press Card Reg. Art. 41/1-b |
The Duration of a Residence Permit
Art. 23 of Law No. 6458 sets a general rule: residence permits are issued sixty days shorter than the validity period of the passport or the document replacing it, tied to the purpose of stay, and separately for each foreigner.
The second paragraph of the same article: the form and content of the residence permit are determined by the Ministry, and the form and content of the work permit counting as a residence permit are determined jointly by the Ministry and the relevant institutions.
Art. 24: residence permits may be extended by the governorships.
Tied to the Passport Period
Its Relation to the Press Card Period
Art. 39 of the Press Card Regulation provides that a card may be issued to foreign media members valid until the end of the year of issue and not exceeding the period of duty.
| Document | Time limit |
|---|---|
| Work permit | At most 1 year on a first application (Law No. 6735 Art. 10) |
| Residence permit | 60 days shorter than the passport period (Law No. 6458 Art. 23) |
| Press card | Not exceeding the period of duty + the end of the year of issue (Reg. Art. 39) |
The Turquoise Card
Law No. 6735 also defines a long-term option. Under Art. 3, the Turquoise Card is the document granting a foreigner the right to work in Turkey indefinitely and, under the provisions of the legislation, granting their spouse and dependent children the right of residence. The card holder's spouse and children are issued a document showing that they are a relative of a Turquoise Card holder, which counts as a residence permit.
If They Acquire Turkish Citizenship
Art. 41/1-c of the Press Card Regulation requires a foreign media member acquiring Turkish citizenship to give written notice to the Directorate within one month and return the press card. The card type also changes then: the route to a post-linked press card opens (Art. 10).
Summary
- A valid work permit counts as a residence permit under Art. 27 of Law No. 6458; no separate residence permit is needed.
- Those coming with a permit obtained from a consulate register with the address registration system within twenty working days.
- Residence permits are issued sixty days shorter than the passport period and may be extended by governorships.