EvimIstanbul Group®
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Study Permits & 
Education | FAQs

Please Note:

The information below is provided for educational and informational purposes only. While we do our best to keep it up-to-date, laws, procedures, and requirements in Turkey are constantly evolving. Every case is unique — your situation may differ due to nationality, personal background, or recent legal changes.

hat’s why we always recommend speaking with the expert advisors first.

Contact us for a FREE Consultation and receive personalized guidance based on your specific needs.

  • How do I get a student visa and residence permit for studying in Turkey? – First, you need to apply and be accepted to a Turkish educational institution (university, Turkish language program, etc.). With the acceptance/admission letter, you then apply for a student visa at the Turkish embassy/consulate in your home country. This visa allows you to enter Turkey for the purpose of study. After arriving, you must apply for a Student Residence Permit within 30 days. The student residence permit is obtained through the local immigration office (with your school documents, proof of address, health insurance, etc.). Essentially: acceptance letter -> student visa -> travel to Turkey -> residence permit application. Exchange students (like Erasmus) follow a similar procedure. Note: Some nationalities who can enter visa-free might skip the visa step and apply directly for the residence permit in Turkey, but it’s safer to get the student visa if required because immigration will ask for it.
  • What are the requirements for a student residence permit in Turkey? – You need to be enrolled in a Turkish school/university. Documents include: Passport, student certificate (Öğrenci Belgesi) from the school, 4 biometric photos, proof of address in Turkey (dormitory letter or rental contract), health insurance (students under 25 can often get cheap local insurance or use general health insurance by registering at SGK within 3 months), and proof of financial capability (sometimes asked to show you can support yourself, though for many nationalities it’s not strictly checked if you have sponsorship or scholarships). You fill the online application (e-ikamet), get an appointment, and bring these documents. There is a residence permit fee and card fee (students get a discounted rate or sometimes fee-waived for certain countries). Also, if you’re under 18, you might need parental consent letters and guardianship documentation for Turkey.
  • Can I work in Turkey while I’m on a student permit? – Undergraduate (bachelor’s) and two-year vocational students are allowed to work part-time after completing their first year of study. The law says undergraduate foreign students can work up to 24 hours per week. However, you still need to obtain a work permit (the employer must sponsor it) – having a student permit doesn’t automatically grant work rights, but it makes you eligible to apply for part-time work permit after year one. Master’s and PhD students can work (and often do internships, etc.) – they also technically need work permits for formal jobs, but many do part-time teaching or research with permission. In practice, opportunities for foreign students to work are limited due to language and the bureaucracy of hiring a foreign part-timer. Many students do freelance or online work instead. Note: If you work illegally on a student visa and get caught, it could jeopardize your permit, so follow the rules.
  • Do I need to know Turkish to study at a Turkish university? – Not necessarily. Many universities offer programs in English, especially at the Master’s level and in private universities. There are also programs in other languages (like some engineering or medical programs in English). If your program is in Turkish, you’ll need to prove Turkish proficiency or attend a prep year of Turkish language. If in English, you’ll need to prove English proficiency (TOEFL or equivalent) or attend their English prep if you don’t have it. Some universities also offer Turkish language year for foreign students to learn the language before starting their main course (for scholarship students, etc.). Day-to-day life will be easier if you know some Turkish, but for academic purposes, you can get by if enrolled in an English-medium program. It’s recommended to learn Turkish for social integration and perhaps to work after graduating.
  • What are the costs of studying in Turkey for foreigners? – Tuition fees vary: public universities are cheaper (and almost free if you get the government scholarship “Türkiye Bursları”). For foreigners, public university undergrad programs in English might range from $500 to $2000 per year. Private universities cost more, ranging from $5,000 up to $20,000+ per year, though they often give some scholarships. Cost of living for a student can be around $400–$600 per month (shared accommodation or dorm, food, transport). Dormitories can be as low as $50–$150/month for state dorms. Health insurance for students is affordable (or you can optionally join national health for about 1000 TL/year for students). Textbooks, etc., are extra but often not too expensive or available in libraries. So compared to Western countries, studying in Turkey is relatively low cost, especially at public universities.
  • Are there scholarships available for international students? – Yes, the Türkiye Scholarships (Türkiye Bursları) is a government-funded program that offers full scholarships to international students at bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD levels. It covers tuition, monthly stipend, dorm accommodation, health insurance, and even a one-year Turkish language course. It’s competitive and usually requires good grades and sometimes interviews. Many Turkish universities also offer their own partial scholarships or tuition discounts to international students based on academic merit or need. Additionally, some countries have bilateral scholarships. It’s definitely worth researching and applying, as thousands of students benefit from these each year.
  • How do I enroll my child in a Turkish school (K-12)? – If you are relocating with family, note that public schools in Turkey are free and generally taught in Turkish. Foreign children can attend, but if they don’t know Turkish it might be challenging initially (some schools might have Turkish as a Second Language support). There are also international schools (especially in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Antalya) that teach in English, French, German, etc., following various curricula (British, IB, American, etc.). These can be quite expensive and often have waiting list. To enroll in a public school, you need a residence permit for the child and go to the local education directorate to get assigned to a school based on your address. For private and international schools, you apply directly to the school (provide transcripts, maybe placement tests). Some expat families choose private Turkish schools that teach Turkish curriculum but with some bilingual content, as a middle ground. Overall, there are plenty of schooling options, but costs and language are deciding factors.
  • Is the education good in Turkey? – Turkish universities have some highly reputable programs (especially in engineering, medicine, humanities). Big public universities like METU, Bogazici, ITU, and private ones like Koç, Sabancı, Bilkent rank well globally in certain fields. The education style can be somewhat theory-focused, but many programs are modernizing. Student life is vibrant, and you’ll meet people from all over. For primary/secondary, public schools quality varies widely. Urban schools can be crowded but have decent teaching; rural ones might have less resources. Private schools often provide better facilities and smaller classes. International schools maintain global standards. So, as with any country, quality can range from excellent to average – but one perk is foreigners often find a very welcoming environment and a chance to learn a new culture.
  • Can I stay in Turkey after graduation? – After finishing a degree in Turkey, your student residence permit will expire. There isn’t an automatic post-study work visa like some countries have. However, if you find a job, you can have an employer apply for a work permit for you. Graduates of Turkish universities are sometimes more attractive to local employers (due to language skills or familiarity). There was talk of a potential “graduate visa” in draft laws to allow time to job search, but currently, you must transition to a work permit or another residence status fairly quickly. One option: if you pursue further study (master’s, PhD), you can extend your student permit. If you start a business, you could get a work permit through that. Also, years spent studying do count towards the 5-year residency requirement for citizenship (but only half of the student years count). In summary, you can stay but you need to switch to another residence category after your studies.