Job Discussion Forums

[gloomyGumi]

I mean after arriving on tourist visas, seeing the tourist sites, taking a decent beach vacation in a place like Bodrum, then realizing that we'd like to be residents for a good 6 months or so just to chill out and check out the employment potential, etc.... WHAT WOULD BE the best 1st step to take to start the residence visa process for a husband and wife?

Basically, is it better to go to the Police station in the city you want to reside in first? or is it better to go to the local tax office first and get/apply for? a tax number? I am already assuming that upon arrival in Turkey I will have a bank account at either Citibank or HSBC the balance of which will be sufficient to convince the Turkish authorities that we can subsist for 6 months or so.

p.p.s do we first need to have an address in Turkey at that early stage? It could only be a hotel at that point. I assume we cannot rent an apartment UNTIL we have obtained the residence permits?

[delal]

I know of people who have obtained residence permits while staying in pensions, so that shouldn't be a problem. All you need to do is
1)register with your local muhtar,
2)get ID photos done and see the Emniyet's website for other documents/photocopies you may need to produce
3)get a bank statement from the bank showing your balance (not Internet printout) and get that photocopied,
4)go to Yabanci Polis
5)fill in the form they give you there
6)wait a lot (depends on luck mostly)
7)pay your $85 (depending on where you come from) plus the blue booklet fee
8)wait a week (hopefully)
9) go back and pick up your stamped blue booklet
Done
PS If you rent a flat from a foreigner that can be easier than renting from a Turk (which can be restrictive)

[gloomyGumi]

great info nice and concise and to the point with no wavering and no vascillating. will try to do this in this manner soon. thank you!

[gloomyGumi]

guess a cell phone is needed for them to call me back for various steps in the process......must get cell phone before everything I guess, right?

[delal]

Hi
Well a phone is useful anyway and they do ask for a contact no on the application form
Back to "Step 6-waiting a lot"
You have to wait there while they check that all your papers are order etc etc. This when they make a decision about you. If there are no probs, they will then give you a piece of paper telling you how much to pay. That means that you will get the residence permit. You pay at the vezne, give the receipt to the police officer dealing with your application who then gives you a slip of paper telling when you can pick up the blue book
It's highly unlikely that they will call you in the meantime.
(They did call me once to let me know that I should go a day later to pick up my permit but that's very unusual.)

A note: despite what many may say, I have never had a problem with Yabanci Polis. Yes, the process takes a while but they have always been extremely helpful and friendly.

[coffeespoonman]

The only thing I'd add to this is that you need to make a reservation online first before going to the yabancı şubesi, unless that's changed. If you google yabancı emniyet, you'll find the website.

[delal]

Coffespoonman, that depends where you are.
In Antalya, for example, you just turn up (get there very early) and are given a number.