Companion Visa for Spouses of Students in Turkey

Turkey not only offers an academic opportunity for foreign students, but also allows them to have their families with them. If you are a student studying in Turkey and want to live with your spouse or children, you may have heard the term “family residence permit” instead of “companion visa”. In this process, the conditions and documents required for student families to come to Turkey and stay here legally are very important.

What is a Family Residence Permit?

Family residence permit is a type of permit that gives the spouse and children of a foreign student studying in Turkey or a foreigner legally residing in Turkey the right to stay in Turkey legally for a certain period of time. Its purpose is to enable the family to live together and to protect the legal status of the family. This permit supports family members to be side by side in Turkey for a certain period of time and aims to preserve family unity. For more information, please visit The official page of the Migration Authority. It is quite common for foreign students, especially those studying in Turkey, to want to live with their families. The family residence permit is valid for the duration of the student’s studies, during which time spouses and children can live in Turkey. Moreover, with this kind of leave, family members feel the support and solidarity that comes with being a family.

Application Requirements and Documents

In order to obtain a family residence permit, the spouse and children of a foreigner with a student residence permit in Turkey must provide documentation that they meet certain requirements. Firstly, the sponsor (i.e. the student or legal resident) must have been a legal resident in Turkey for at least 1 year. He/she must also have a valid health insurance that covers all family members. In other words, it is very important for each individual to have health insurance in order to maintain a healthy family life. The list of documents required for the application also includes certain standards. These documents include the application petition, Residence Declaration Form, 4 passport size photos, passport and the identity card of the spouse in Turkey. You will also need to prove the existence of your family with a marriage certificate or similar official documents. The complete and accurate preparation of these documents is critical for the application process to proceed without a hitch.

Application Process

When applying for a family residence permit, the first step to take is to enter Turkey with a valid visa if you come from a country that is subject to a visa. There are countries where you can enter Turkey without a visa, in such cases you can enter directly. However, it is useful to review the visa requirements. In short, after entering Turkey with a visa, the most important thing to do is to apply to the Provincial Migration Administration within 30 days. You must submit the necessary documents in this process. Once your application for a residence permit has been submitted, the process of evaluation of the application begins. The duration of the family residence permit cannot exceed the duration of the residence permit of the supporting student. It is usually granted for initial applications for up to 3 years. Depending on the status of your marriage and the legal status of the sponsor, this period can be extended. So, if you and your family are planning to live in Turkey for a long period of time, it would be useful to have some information on how this process works.

Rights Recognized with Family Residence Permit

The family residence permit provides foreigners with various rights in addition to the right to reside legally in Turkey. These rights are specifically regulated under the Law No. 6458 on Foreigners and International Protection

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Right to Education

• Family residence permit holders foreign children under the age of 18 have the right to receive education in primary and secondary education institutions (public schools) in Turkey on equal terms with Turkish citizens for the duration of their residence permit.
• These children do not need to obtain a student residence permit.
• Students over the age of 18 must apply for a student residence permit to study at higher education institutions (university).

Health Services

It is a condition that the sponsor has valid health insurance

for all family members. This insurance allows you to benefit from health services in Turkey.

Legal Right to Residence and Travel

• Family residence permit allows the foreigner to reside legally in Turkey.
• Foreigners with a valid residence permit are visa exempt upon entry to Turkey.
• With the application certificate issued during the application evaluation phase, the foreigner may travel abroad for no more than 15 days in one departure.

Difference with Student Residence Permit

Foreign students have their own residence permit to continue their studies in Turkey and this is called a “student residence permit”. This permit is valid only for the person who is studying. However, family members, i.e. spouses and children, must also apply for a family residence permit in order to live in Turkey. This difference requires a separate arrangement for the families of students studying in Turkey to be able to continue their lives here. If spouses and children will be studying at student institutions, they will also need to apply for their own special permits. A family residence permit is an important step for foreign students who want to live together as a family in Turkey.

Take Action: Protect Your Family Integrity!

Start taking the necessary steps to benefit from the educational opportunities Turkey offers and live here with your family now! The family residence permit will help you and your family to provide an important environment of support and solidarity. When you prepare your permits and documents meticulously, you can minimize the difficulties you will experience in this process. Take action now to gather the information you need and apply for the life in Turkey of your dreams!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is a companion visa the same as a family residence permit?

No. In practice in Turkey, the term “accompanying visa” is not commonly used; it is mainly applied for spouses and children under the “family residence permit”.

2. Can someone who is in Turkey on a student visa bring their family?

Yes, a foreigner with a student residence permit can apply for a family residence permit for his/her family to live in Turkey.

3. Is it possible to work with a family residence permit?

Spouses arriving with a family residence permit are only entitled to work in Turkey if they obtain a work permit. Otherwise, there is no automatic right to work.

4. Until what age can children stay with a family residence permit?

Children can stay and study in Turkey until the age of 18 with a family residence permit. Later in life, they can switch to a student residence permit if necessary.