Additional Documentation Now Required for Dependent Residence Permits

Employers should plan ahead for document gathering in cases where foreign workers in Turkey will be accompanied by dependent family members. Over the past several weeks, authorities have been clarifying these requirements, which include background clearances as well as proof of accommodations, medical insurance, and sufficient financial support, on a case-by-case basis. 

As previously reported, guidance on how dependent residence permit applicants can meet new document requirements was not specified when the immigration reform law that introduced the requirements took effect on April 12. Since then, the local police stations that process these permit applications have only provided additional guidance orally on a case-by-case basis. Because some of the required documents can take some time to obtain, employers should plan document gathering efforts early in the application process. 

Though requirements may not be consistent across all local police stations, the following documents are now generally being requested for dependent residence permit applications:

• Background Clearances: A police clearance certificate for the principal showing an absence of family violence crimes that covers the five years prior to the date of application. Currently in our experience, local police stations are requesting a clearance certificate from Turkey only, regardless of how long the principal has been in Turkey. However, police stations are expected to soon require clearance certificates from all jurisdictions where the principal has resided in the prior five years. 
• Proof of Accommodations: In most cases, a notarized copy of the lease agreement for the principal’s place of residence in the principal’s name. But because Turkish residential leases commonly reference an informal or incorrect address, the principal must also provide the residence’s Deed of Trust or a Municipality Address Registration document (Belediye Numartaj Kayiti). Note that if principal is accompanied by an unmarried partner or an adult dependent child, a lease that also references these family members may be requested as well. 
• Proof of Medical Insurance: For each dependent, either: registration in Turkey’s national health system, or private medical coverage from a Turkish entity, evidenced by an official insurance letter that includes details of the coverage. Local police stations currently are not accepting international medical insurance policies if there is no local entity, but may do so in the future. 
• Proof of Sufficient Financial Support: A payroll record for the principal that is signed and sealed by a signature authority of the principal’s employer, either the Turkish or overseas entity.

What This Means for Employers and Foreign Nationals 

If a foreign worker will be accompanied by dependent family members while in Turkey, he or she and the employer should begin gathering the necessary documents well in advance. Some documents, such as notarized leases and other proof of accommodation, may take several weeks to procure. 

How Fragomen Can Assist 

Fragomen assists clients with dependent residence permit applications and can confirm case-specific document requirements and provide additional document procurement services where necessary. Fragomen also works with clients to consider requirements for accompanying family members when devising immigration strategies for upcoming relocations. 

Fragomen worked closely with Bener (Istanbul) to prepare this alert. It is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen, or send an email [email protected].

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