Graduating from a Turkish university is an important milestone for international students. However, completing your studies also means that your legal residence status changes, which makes it necessary to pay close attention to the procedures required if you wish to remain in Türkiye after graduation.
According to the official information published by the Turkish Directorate General of Migration Management, foreigners who have completed higher education in Türkiye may apply for a short-term residence permit based on graduation from a Turkish higher education institution, provided that they meet the required conditions and receive approval from the competent authorities.
Who is eligible to apply?
This type of residence permit is available to foreign students who have completed their higher education and graduated from an educational institution in Türkiye.
The application must be submitted within 6 months from the date of graduation.
How long is the graduate residence permit valid?
According to the information currently published by the Turkish migration authorities, graduates may be granted a short-term residence permit for up to one year, on a one-time basis.
It is important to note that the permit is not granted automatically upon graduation. The applicant must submit an official application, meet the relevant residence permit requirements, and obtain approval from the Directorate of Migration Management.
What happens to the student residence permit after graduation?
One point that often causes confusion is that the 6-month application period does not mean that graduates may remain in Türkiye for six months on the basis of their former student residence permit.
According to the official FAQs of the Directorate of Migration Management, the student residence permit ends on the date of graduation, even if the expiry date printed on the residence card is later.
If the graduate wishes to continue residing in Türkiye, they must switch to a residence permit type that matches their new reason for staying, while observing the applicable legal deadlines and procedures.
What about the “1+1” or two-year residence permit?
Some posts have circulated information suggesting that graduates may be able to obtain a residence permit for up to two years under a “1+1” arrangement.
However, based on the currently available information, there are no sufficiently clear official details confirming that a second year or an additional renewal is guaranteed for all graduates.
For this reason, the two-year period should not be treated as an automatic right or a confirmed general rule unless it is verified directly with the Turkish migration authorities.
How is the application submitted?
Residence permit applications are submitted through the official e-İkamet platform of the Directorate of Migration Management, together with the required documents and subject to the conditions of the relevant residence permit category.
If there is any uncertainty regarding a possible second-year extension, applicants are advised to ask the Directorate of Migration Management directly about the “1+1” graduate residence model and the legal basis for extending the permit for a second year.
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At Omran TRK, we aim to share information that helps residents, investors, and international students in Türkiye better understand the procedures related to residence, property ownership, and long-term settlement.
We always recommend relying on official sources before making any legal or financial decision.
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