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mrauc941 · Joined: 23 Mar 2004 Posts: 20 Location: Istanbul!

So I'm here on a tourist visa and need to open an account now that I've been paid. Are there others here who have opened an account as a tourist? Any special info I should know about it?

I called Garanti and they tell me that I can do it but 'most people choose not to because there is so much paperwork for this type of account'. Is it true? Or were they maybe trying to discourage my interest? Any reccomendations or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

ghost · Joined: 30 Jan 2003 Posts: 1693 Location: Saudi Arabia

The easiest way is to get your school manager to reference you for their bank. This is what happened with Ghost in Eskisehir, who got a reference from the school director to open an account at the IsBankasi.

The Bank does not really care whether you are "legal" or not. The important thing is the reference, and if your school is decent, they will do it for you.

naf · Joined: 22 Sep 2004 Posts: 15 Location: Istanbul

My banks have all asked for a tax number which you can get after your residency.

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

Most banks ask for a tax number and resıdence permit. I believe Yapı kredi don't ask for it though

Volodiya · Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2004 9:30 am Post subject: Bank accounts for tourists

Here is my experience with Turkish Banks.

I've maintained bank accounts in Turkey for the last six years, or so- current accounts, savings accounts and time deposit accounts, in the currencies of my choice- with three different banks.

In the early years, I opened accounts just for my convenience when I was in the country for tourism and left money in the accounts for my use on future visits. In each case, I signed documents to open the accounts and presented my passport. My address abroad was my address for banking purposes.

In 2003, I spent two months in Turkey and after a talk with my banker, I decided Turkey would be a good place to bank most of my money and more convenient in some ways than my bank in the U.S. After I transferred the money in, I was told that I would need a tax number. They explained that it wouldn't be an inconvenience to me- that the law required them to have a tax number on everyone who had more than a few thousand on deposit- that they would apply for it for me and taxes would be withheld at the source (at about 18% of the gross interest paid); and, that in my case, since my only income in Turkey would be from interest on bank accounts, I would not be not required to file an annual Turkish tax return (unless I wanted to get the taxes refunded to me!).

I have never lived in Turkey (though I can't seem to get the idea out of my mind), and have never had a problem of any kind with the banks there.

mrauc941 · Joined: 23 Mar 2004 Posts: 20 Location: Istanbul!

Thanks guys. Some very helpful replies.

corall · Joined: 23 Apr 2004 Posts: 270 Location: istanbul, turkey

my bank is turkiye is bankasi - spelling may be bad. big bank, my school set it up and i am a 'tourist' as well. not a great bank with interest (i think??) and you can only use the bank card with that bank only. sending money home is easy and the paper work was simple too. no tax number or resident stuff needed. also have a very good help line in english.

mrauc941 · Joined: 23 Mar 2004 Posts: 20 Location: Istanbul!

I never added that I managed to open an account with Garanti. Which is good because now I can handle a lot of stuff on their website. Saves frustration and time. No tax number...nothing more than giving my tourist visa, my turkish cell number and US address. But if you want an ATM card you need to give them a turkish address to send it to.

Would have been hard to do without my turkish friend though.

preston · Joined: 08 Dec 2004 Posts: 107

I got an account at işbank with just a passport...but my school has an account with them