HomeWhat Documents Are Required for a Short-Term Residence Permit Due to Health Reasons? Conditions, Application, and Transition to Work Permit Guide (2026)
What Documents Are Required for a Short-Term Residence Permit Due to Health Reasons? Conditions, Application, and Transition to Work Permit Guide (2026)
A foreigner coming to Turkey for treatment, if they will stay longer than the period granted by their visa or visa exemption, must obtain a short-term residence permit. So, what documents are exactly required for this application? Can someone who comes for 90 days with a tourist visa or visa exemption apply? Can one switch to a work permit after a health-purpose permit?
In this guide, based on the Foreigners and International Protection Law No. 6458 (YUKK), its Implementing Regulation, and the official application document list of the Presidency of Migration Management; we thoroughly cover both the specific documents and conditions for those who will receive treatment, and all common documents and additional documents based on the reason for stay required for a short-term residence permit. You can access official statements from the residence permit types page of the Presidency of Migration Management.
Information: Residence permit application procedures, fee amounts, and provincial directorate practices may change from time to time. Before each application, the current version of the legislation and the **personalized document list** generated by the e-residence system should be taken as a basis; in case of doubt, support should be sought from an expert lawyer.
What is a Short-Term Residence Permit for Health (Treatment) Purposes?
The reason for treatment is a separate ground for application listed in the law for a short-term residence permit. Legal basis:
YUKK Art. 31/1-(f): “Those who will receive treatment, provided they do not carry one of the diseases deemed a threat to public health” can apply for a short-term residence permit.
YUKK Art. 32: General conditions required for a short-term residence permit.
Foreigners and International Protection Law (YUKK) art. 33: Cases of refusal, cancellation, and non-extension of the permit.
Implementation Regulation art. 28-29: Procedures and principles.
According to the official statement of the Directorate General of Migration Management, foreigners coming for treatment purposes are required to be admitted to public or private hospitals, and their residence permits are arranged to be consistent with the duration of their treatment. Those who document that they have paid all treatment expenses are not required to have health insurance.
Can a Foreigner Arriving with a Tourist Visa or Visa Exemption for 90 Days Apply?
Short answer: Yes. Since the purpose of treatment is a valid reason for stay under the law, there is no legal obstacle for a person who initially entered as a tourist or with a visa exemption to apply for a short-term residence permit on the grounds of “health/treatment.”
What is determinative is the procedure and timing:
The application is made through an online pre-application via the e-residence system (https://e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr), and an appointment is taken.
It is essential that the pre-application is made before the foreigner’s visa or visa exemption period (90 days in 180 days) expires.
If an appointment is taken within the period, the foreigner can legally stay in the country based on the pre-application form until the appointment date.
Attention: Those who come to Turkey with a visa exemption and apply for a residence permit for the first time within their legal stay period, as well as those who violate the legal stay period, must pay a single entry visa fee for the application (excluding country groups and foreigners exempt from this fee). Therefore, making the application before the period expires prevents both violation penalties and unnecessary fee burdens.
COMMON DOCUMENTS Required for Short-Term Residence Permit Applications
The following documents are required for all short-term residence permit applications, regardless of the reason for stay (including medical treatment).
1. Residence Permit Application Form
Must be signed by the foreigner and/or their legal representative or their attorney with power of attorney.
2. Photocopy of Passport or Document Replacing Passport, and Visa (if any)
Photocopy of the page containing identity information and photo, and pages showing visa information, if any. The original document must be present with you on the appointment day.
3. Two (2) Biometric Photographs
Must have been taken within the last 6 months, with a white background, biometric, and in compliance with ICAO standards.
4. Document/Receipt Showing Payment of Residence Permit Fee and Document Fee
Citizens of countries exempt from residence permit fees do not pay a fee; they only pay the document (card) fee.
5. Document/Receipt Showing Payment of Single Entry Visa Fee
It is mandatory for those who come to Turkey with a visa exemption and apply for a residence permit for the first time within the legal period, as well as for those who violate the legal period of stay. Exempt are country groups and foreigners exempt from the single entry visa fee.
6. Valid Health Insurance
The insurance period must cover the requested residence permit period. One of the following is considered sufficient:
An e-signed/signed and stamped/sealed document obtained from the provincial social security unit stating that health services are benefited from in Turkey under bilateral social security agreements,
An e-signed/signed and stamped/sealed provision document obtained from SGK,
An e-signed/signed and stamped/sealed document regarding the application made to SGK to become a general health insurance policyholder,
Private health insurance policy (the first page containing the policy number must be submitted with the application).
Treatment-specific exemption: Foreigners who document that they have paid all treatment costs, and foreigners whose accommodation/subsistence/health expenses are covered by relevant public institutions and organizations during the treatment period, are not additionally required to have valid health insurance (and proof of financial means).
7. Document/Declaration Stating Sufficient and Regular Financial Means for the Period of Stay
8. Document Showing Address Information
8.1. Up-to-date Residence Certificate An up-to-date “Residence Certificate” to be obtained from E-Devlet (www.turkiye.gov.tr) and one of the electricity, water, natural gas, or landline phone bills, or a subscription contract for new subscribers. (Address registration is mandatory for those applying for extension and transition; those applying for extension or making changes in type or province must submit the “Residence Certificate” to the administration.)
8.2. Document Showing Place of Stay (one of the following):
If you are staying in your own home: address numbering document along with a photocopy of the title deed,
If you are staying by rent: a copy of the notarized rental agreement containing the landlord’s information,
If you are staying in hotel etc. accommodation: a document proving your stay and a receipt showing that the accommodation has been paid for the duration of the residence permit application period,
If you are staying in a student dormitory: an e-signed/signed and sealed/stamped document proving your stay in the dormitory,
If you are staying with a third person: the notarized undertaking of the person you are staying with (if the guarantor is married, also the notarized undertaking of their spouse) and a current bill/subscription contract in the name of the guarantor.
9. National Electronic Notification System (UETS) Address
In extension and transition applications, a document showing the UETS address to be obtained from PTT central branches. (A UETS document is not required for individuals under 18 years of age.)
Additional Documents Required for Applications Made on Behalf of a Child
If the mother and/or father cannot be identified from the passport/national ID, the child’s certified birth certificate,
In case of divorce, the child’s certified custody document; if custody is shared or if the other parent has visitation rights, the other parent’s certified letter of consent,
In case of the death of one of the parents, a certified death certificate,
If there is a decision of disappearance regarding a parent, a certified certificate of disappearance,
A single parent document showing that the custody of a child born out of wedlock is with the other parent,
(If applicable) a photocopy of the mother’s and/or father’s residence permit, work permit / work permit exemption card, or residence permit application document,
For those under 18, a certified letter of consent from the parent(s) or legal guardian abroad, and, provided it is stated in this letter of consent, a notarized undertaking to be given by real/legal persons in Turkey.
Rule for authentication of foreign documents: If these documents are obtained from Turkish authorities, they must be e-signed/signed and stamped/sealed; if obtained from abroad, they must have an Apostille annotation and a notarized Turkish translation. If the country is not a party to the Apostille Convention (or if there is no annotation), the documents must be authenticated by the relevant country’s authorities (consulate/embassy approval and Ministry of Foreign Affairs/authorized Turkish authorities) and require a notarized Turkish translation.
Additional Documents by Purpose of Stay (Full List)
In addition to the common documents, the following documents are required depending on the reason for stay that the application is based on.
a. Those coming for scientific research purposes:A visa appropriate for the purpose obtained from foreign representations for archaeological excavation and surface research; an official, e-signed/signed and sealed/stamped document showing the duration and location of the research.
b. Those with real estate in Turkey:A photocopy of the title deed showing that the residence belongs to the applicant (the value of the residence as of the acquisition date must be at least 200,000 USD equivalent in TL). The real estate must be a residence and used for this purpose; it cannot be used for income-generating purposes such as rent. If family members have shared/joint ownership, a document showing the individuals whose information is on the title deed and the family relationship; in acquisitions via inheritance/donation, an up-to-date real estate appraisal report; for initial applications, a street numbering document from the municipality; for extensions, a title deed continuity document.
c. Those establishing commercial connections or businesses:A visa appropriate for the purpose from foreign representations; notarized company activity certificate, tax plate, trade registry gazette, and signature circular from the individuals/companies to be contacted.
d. Those participating in in-service training programs: An e-signed/signed and sealed/stamped document from the public institution/organization providing the training, indicating the duration and location of the training.
d. Those coming within the scope of agreements or student exchange programs:Education certificate from the institution where education will be received; an e-signed/signed and stamped/sealed document showing that the individual is part of an “exchange program” for Erasmus, Mevlana, etc. programs.
e. Those staying for tourism purposes: Travel plan and information/document regarding the place of accommodation. For applications under family ties; photocopy of the legal stay document of a first-degree relative (mother, father, spouse, child) who has a residence/work permit (or exemption) in Turkey, marriage certificate or Full Civil Registry Record. Also, a document showing sufficient and regular income (pensioner card + monthly allocation document, last 3 months’ bank account statements, stamped-signed company letter, bank deposit income document, title deed + rental agreement for rental income). Sufficient income: at least 1.5 times the net minimum wage for individual applications; for applications with family, income at least at the minimum wage level for each family member (e.g., 4 minimum wages for a family of 4). Regular income: documentation of having earned this amount for at least the last 3 months.
f. Those who will receive medical treatment:
A single physician’s report stating the condition (verifiable from the e-report system) to be obtained from the public or private hospital where treatment will be received, confirming that treatment will be received, or a report approved by the physician and chief physician/responsible director, indicating the illness and duration of treatment,
A document approved by the provincial social security unit, confirming that those coming for treatment under bilateral social security agreements are covered by the agreement.
g.1 Request of administrative authorities / g.2 Decision of administrative authorities: An e-signed/signed and stamped/sealed document to be obtained from administrative authorities, stating that the person must remain in Turkey (the duration of stay must be specified, not exceeding the periods stipulated in Law No. 6458).
g.3 Request of judicial authorities / g.4 Decision of judicial authorities: An e-signed/signed and stamped/sealed document to be obtained from judicial authorities, stating that the person must remain in Turkey (the duration of stay must be specified).
ğ. Those transitioning from family residence permit to short-term residence permit: Photocopy of the previous residence permit document (the original is submitted to the administration on the appointment day); court decision regarding divorce (divorce from a Turkish citizen after a period of 3 years or more; the 3-year requirement is not sought in a court decision indicating that the person is a victim of domestic violence); death certificate of the supporter (approval/Apostille rules apply).
h. Those who will attend Turkish language courses: A visa for the purpose of a Turkish language course from foreign representations; an e-signed/signed and sealed/stamped document from the authorized institution/organization, also indicating the duration of the training.
ı. Those who will attend education, research, internships, and courses through public institutions: An e-signed/signed and sealed/stamped document from the relevant public institution/organization, indicating the duration and location of the program.
i. Those who have completed higher education and apply within 6 months: Photocopy of diploma or temporary graduation certificate or a document obtained from e-Devlet (the original must be with you at the appointment).
j. Investors:Eligibility Certificate; criminal record (from their own country’s authorities if not residing in Turkey for the last 5 years — it is recommended to request at least 3 months before applying, as the procurement period can be long; from Turkish judicial authorities/e-Devlet if residing in Turkey for the last 5 years); document showing family ties if family members are also applying (approval/Apostille rules apply).
k. Citizens of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus: Photocopy of TRNC identity document (the original must be with you at the appointment).
Application Checklist for Those Receiving Treatment
To see at a glance the documents required for health/treatment-related applications:
Common documents
Residence Permit Application Form (signed)
Passport/document + visa photocopy if any (original at the appointment)
2 biometric photographs (taken within the last 6 months, white background, ICAO)
Residence permit fee + document fee payment receipt (citizens of exempt countries only pay the document fee)
Single entry visa fee receipt if required (for first application with visa exemption / in case of violation)
Valid health insurance (those who document that all treatment costs are paid are exempt)
Document/declaration of sufficient and regular financial means (those whose expenses are covered by a public institution are exempt)
Place of Residence Document + invoice/subscription
Document showing place of stay (title deed+address registration / notary approved rental agreement / hotel receipt / dormitory certificate / notary undertaking)
(For extension-transition) UETS address document — excluding those under 18 years old
Documents specific to treatment
Single physician report indicating status from a public/private hospital (verifiable from e-report) or a report approved by a physician + chief physician/responsible director, showing the illness and treatment duration
(If covered by a bilateral social security agreement) provincial SGK approved scope document
Double verification note: The common and treatment-specific documents above have been confirmed with the Directorate General of Migration Management’s official “Documents Required for Short-Term Residence Permit Applications” list and “Types of Residence Permits” explanation.
Can a Work Permit be Applied for After a Residence Permit for Health Purposes?
This is one of the issues that leads to the most loss of rights in practice.
1) A residence permit alone does not grant the right to work. As clearly stated in the official information of the Directorate General of Migration Management, a residence permit does not provide the right to work in Turkey. Foreigners who will work must additionally apply for a work permit (or a work permit exemption for those covered by an exemption) under the International Labor Force Law numbered 6735. Being in the country with a treatment permit and actually working leads to the cancellation of the permit due to misuse of purpose and an administrative fine for the employer.
2) It is possible to transition to a work permit from within the country — but there is a 6-month condition. Work permit applications are generally made by the employer through the Ministry of Labor and Social Security’s e-Permit system. For applications from within the country, the foreigner must have a residence permit that is still valid and has a duration of at least 6 months at the time of application.
Critical point: Since residence permits for health purposes are issued “in accordance with the treatment period,” they can often be short-term. If the permit is shorter than 6 months, a work permit application cannot be made from within the country; in this case, the application must be made from abroad (consulate). If a permit valid for at least 6 months has been obtained due to the treatment period, the employer can apply from within the country.
When the work permit is approved, this document replaces the residence permit; a new residence permit is not required. For domestic approvals, obligations such as submitting a declaration of insured employment within 30 days from the permit approval date must be followed.
Application channel: Residence permit appointments are obtained free of charge only from the official address https://e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr. Third-party institutions/individuals requesting payment should not be trusted.
Communication and document integrity: Contact information must be provided completely and accurately; application documents must be submitted completely on the appointment day and time.
Purpose of stay: Foreigners who will stay longer than their visa/exemption period or extend their permit must apply for one of the residence permits listed in Article 30 of the YUKK (Foreigners and International Protection Law). Applications of those who cannot justify their purpose of stay with a valid reason will be evaluated negatively.
Authority to request additional documents: Provincial Directorate of Migration Management may request additional information/documents during the evaluation.
False declaration: Sanctions will be applied to those who provide false information/declarations within the scope of the relevant legislation.
Address registration: Registration of address notification is mandatory for extension and transition applications; for initial applications, address registration must be completed within 20 business days following the approval of the permit.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
I entered as a tourist, and my treatment will exceed 90 days. Do I need to obtain a new visa? No. You can apply for a residence permit for treatment purposes via e-ikamet before your visa/exemption period expires. The determining factor is that you make the application within your legal period of stay and document your treatment with a hospital report.
I am paying for my treatment expenses myself. Is health insurance still required? No. If you document that you have paid all treatment expenses, separate health insurance is not required.
Can I work while I have a health permit? No. A residence permit does not grant the right to work. A separate work permit is required to work; otherwise, your permit may be cancelled due to misuse.
How do I switch from a health permit to a work permit? Your employer makes the application. For domestic applications, your permit must be valid for at least 6 months at the time of application and not have expired; if it is shorter than 6 months, the application must be made through the consulate.
Is insurance required for my companion? Valid health insurance is not required for a maximum of two companions of those arriving under Article 14 of Annex to Law No. 3359 when applying for a residence permit.
What should be included in the hospital report? The report must be a single physician’s status report (verifiable from e-report) or approved by a physician and the chief physician/responsible manager; it must show the illness and duration of treatment.
Can my lawyer make the application? Yes. The application can be made by the foreign national themselves, their legal representative, or an attorney with a power of attorney.
Why Is Expert Lawyer Support Necessary?
Although applications for health-purpose residence permits may seem simple at first glance, they harbor many technical risks: ensuring the application is made through the correct channel before the legal period expires, the hospital report fully meeting the content required by the legislation (illness + treatment duration + appropriate signature/approval), correctly justifying health insurance and financial means exemptions, planning the permit to be valid for at least 6 months if a work permit is targeted in the future, and establishing a strategy for an appeal/annulment lawsuit within the legal period in case of rejection. A procedural error at these stages can lead to the rejection of the application and difficult-to-remedy loss of rights.
2M Law Office was founded by Attorney Meryem Günay; from its office in Tuzla, it provides consultancy and representation services in immigration law, residence and work permit applications, and administrative lawsuits filed against these processes, primarily serving the regions of Pendik, Kartal, Maltepe and Gebze/Kocaeli. You can reach our team and contact information via this link.
2M Law Office, in addition to immigration law, also provides services with an experienced team of lawyers in condominium and complex/apartment management disputes, including Istanbul complex/apartment consultancy, condominium law attorney services, preparation of complex meeting invitations and minutes, as an Istanbul condominium law attorney and Tuzla condominium law attorney.
Result
A short-term residence permit for health (treatment) purposes is a valid application method recognized under YUKK m. 31/1-(f) for foreigners coming to Turkey for treatment and whose stay will exceed their visa/exemption period. Those arriving with a tourist visa or visa exemption can also apply before their legal stay expires and by submitting a hospital report. The permit does not grant the right to work; transitioning to a work permit is subject to the condition of having a residence permit valid for at least 6 months. Thorough preparation of the application with general and treatment-specific documents both reduces the risk of rejection and paves the way for subsequent steps.
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For current legislation, fee amounts, and provincial directorate practices, it is recommended to obtain confirmation from the official sources of the Presidency of Migration Management.
2M Law and Consultancy Office — Tuzla / Istanbul · Pendik · Kartal · Maltepe · Gebze – Kocaeli
