Residence Permit Validities Increased, Rules Regarding Staying Abroad Relaxed
September 8, 2016

The new work permit law will create longer validity periods for certain residence permit categories and has eliminated strict residence permit-related rules. The extended validity periods will not be issued until related regulations are implemented, which is expected to happen soon. The relaxed rules regarding stays abroad are effective immediately.
New Validity Periods
When the validity period rules are effective, short-term residence permits will be issued with up to two- instead of a one-year validity period.
Short-term residence permits for Northern Cyprus nationals, unemployed foreign nationals and their family members and foreign investors will be issued with up to a five year-validity period.
Dependent residence permits will be issued with up to a three- instead of a two-year validity period (but not longer than the validity of the principal applicant’s allowable stay in Turkey).
Relaxation of Rules Regarding Stays Abroad
Remaining abroad for more than 120 cumulative days in one year no longer renders a short-term work permit invalid.
Remaining abroad for more than 180 cumulative days in one year no longer renders a dependent residence permit invalid.
Work Hours Limitations for Students Removed
Undergraduate students under a work permit will no longer be limited to a 24-hour work week.
What This Means for Employers and Foreign Nationals
Employers should benefit from the ability to hire undergraduate students for full-time work.
Foreign residents should benefit from relaxed rules for residence permit validity periods and stays abroad.
Fragomen worked closely with the Bener Law Office of Istanbul to prepare this alert. It is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
Explore more at Fragomen

Media mentions
Partner Shayan Sultan discusses a rise in inquiries about UAE residency and remote work programmes amid global talent mobility trends.

Media mentions
Partner Rajiv Naik, Senior Manager Thomas Kingsmill and Manager Ko Ito highlight rising UK sponsor licence revocations and how HR and mobility leaders can manage the impact.

Media mentions
Partner Bo Cooper discusses the $100,000 H-1B fee and its impact on financial, banking and technology firms relying on international talent.

Media mentions

Media mentions
Partner Audrea Golding explains how the $100,000 H-1B fee could affect hiring across the tech industry.

Blog post
Immigration Supervisor Nathalie Pimenta and Immigration Programme Manager Frida Sakaj discuss the importance of planning visa applications and document services early to avoid delays and ensure compliance with UK regulations.

Media mentions
Partner Karolina Schiffter discusses how new regulations have led Polish companies to adjust their use of work permits.

Media mentions

Media mentions
Partner Bo Cooper discusses the potential implications of the $100,000 H-1B fee for employers, universities and research programs relying on international talent.

Blog post
Partner Natasha Catterson discusses how proposed changes to UK residency and citizenship rules could affect immigration planning and applicant eligibility.

Fragomen news
Partner Julia Onslow-Cole is recognised for her work shaping global immigration and workforce mobility.

Media mentions
Partner Shayan Sultan discusses a rise in inquiries about UAE residency and remote work programmes amid global talent mobility trends.

Media mentions
Partner Rajiv Naik, Senior Manager Thomas Kingsmill and Manager Ko Ito highlight rising UK sponsor licence revocations and how HR and mobility leaders can manage the impact.

Media mentions
Partner Bo Cooper discusses the $100,000 H-1B fee and its impact on financial, banking and technology firms relying on international talent.

Media mentions

Media mentions
Partner Audrea Golding explains how the $100,000 H-1B fee could affect hiring across the tech industry.

Blog post
Immigration Supervisor Nathalie Pimenta and Immigration Programme Manager Frida Sakaj discuss the importance of planning visa applications and document services early to avoid delays and ensure compliance with UK regulations.

Media mentions
Partner Karolina Schiffter discusses how new regulations have led Polish companies to adjust their use of work permits.

Media mentions

Media mentions
Partner Bo Cooper discusses the potential implications of the $100,000 H-1B fee for employers, universities and research programs relying on international talent.

Blog post
Partner Natasha Catterson discusses how proposed changes to UK residency and citizenship rules could affect immigration planning and applicant eligibility.

Fragomen news
Partner Julia Onslow-Cole is recognised for her work shaping global immigration and workforce mobility.