Short-term residence permit: which foreign documents need a translation

Short-term residence permit: which documents need a translation

A document issued outside Türkiye needs two things for a short-term residence permit: an apostille on the original and a notarised Turkish translation. If the issuing country does not use the apostille, or your document has none, it goes through a longer legalisation chain first. The notarised translation is still required in both cases.

The Presidency of Migration Management (Göç İdaresi Başkanlığı) sets the document list and publishes it on its website. The regulation does not list the documents. The list changes, so use this page as a guide to the translation and legalisation side only. Your provincial migration directorate (il göç idaresi müdürlüğü) answers questions about your own file. For the wider picture, read our residence and citizenship overview.

Foreign documents in a short-term permit file

Which documents you file depends on your situation and on the current list. The translation rule is the same for every document that comes from abroad.

The lists name these foreign documents:

• Birth, custody, death, absence and single-parent documents, when a child is the applicant.
• A consent letter from a parent or legal representative who lives abroad, when the applicant is under 18.
• A criminal record certificate from your home country, for a short-term permit based on investment.

Each of these needs an apostille and a notarised Turkish translation. The consent letter follows the same rule as any other foreign document.

The criminal record has a second route. If you have not lived in Türkiye recently, the list asks for a record from your home country. Otherwise it accepts a record from Turkish authorities or from e-Devlet, the Turkish government portal. The list sets what counts as recently, so read it on the day you apply. A Turkish record needs no translation.

Your passport is different. The lists ask for a copy and for the original at the appointment. They do not ask for a translation of the passport.

Apostille or consular chain for short-term permit documents

The apostille goes on the original document. The authority of the country that issued the document adds it. It confirms the signature, the capacity of the signer and, where relevant, the seal or stamp. It says nothing about the content of the document.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Dışişleri Bakanlığı) adds nothing to a document that already carries an apostille. Present it as it is.

Suppose the country is not a party to the Apostille Convention, or your document has no apostille. The list then asks for three approvals in order:

1. approval by the authorities of the country that issued the document;
2. approval by that country’s consulate or embassy;
3. approval by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or another authorised Turkish authority.

Check with the issuing country’s authorities which route applies to you before you order the translation.

Notarised translation for a short-term residence permit

A notarised translation is a notary’s translation act. A sworn translator prepares the Turkish text. The notary then adds an endorsement under the text, recording the translation act. The endorsement states the translator’s identity and address. The notary dates, signs and seals it.

A sworn translator takes the oath at a notary’s office, and the notary keeps the oath record on file. A notary cannot use a translator whose record is missing from that office. A notarised translation counts as valid until someone proves otherwise.

A translation office issues neither the endorsement nor the apostille. We prepare the translation and tell you which route your document needs.

You hand the notary the original. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs authentication FAQ, a Turkish notary cannot certify a copy of a foreign authority’s document. A notarised translation that you use inside Türkiye needs no apostille of its own.

If you do not speak Turkish, a sworn interpreter must accompany you at the notary. This applies to any notarial act you sign at a Turkish notary.

Turkish documents and next steps

Documents issued by Turkish authorities need no translation. They must be e-signed, or signed and stamped.

If the current list asks for proof of accommodation, check on e-İkamet which form it accepts. The family permit list names a notarised rental contract copy or a host’s notarised undertaking. For a short-term permit based on business contacts, the Turkish company’s activity certificate, tax plate, trade registry gazette and signature circular are filed as notarised copies. These are copies, not translations.

Provincial directorates may ask for further documents. If you plan a longer stay later, see documents for a long-term permit. For a full first-time list, use our first-permit checklist.

Göç İdaresi warns applicants to ignore third parties who ask for money to book an appointment. Book through e-İkamet yourself.