Job Discussion Forums

ezronamo · Joined: 13 Dec 2008 Posts: 12

my friend has been in istanbul for about 8 months, living on a tourist visa, and is worried that he will catch suspicion from the authorities if he keeps making border runs. He has done it a few times I guess and works under the table giving private lessons. What is a reasonable amount of time someone could get away with this for? What is the record? haha. any stories would be appreciated. My girlfirend is thinking of doing something similar but is a little worried.
thanks

barabbas · Joined: 22 Aug 2009 Posts: 58

forever, from what I know, though it would be interesting to hear otherwise...

coffeespoonman · Joined: 04 Feb 2005 Posts: 512 Location: At my computer...

I know someone who's been here for 10 years doing that. She had a residence permit for a few years of that, but never any legal job. The border guards don't really care. Nobody's breaking any laws by being a perpetual tourist here.

However, I'd recommend your friend get a residence permit to save himself the hassle (and so that he can get utilities in his name and stuff like that). Unless of course, that few days' run to the border and back is the only holiday he gets. In that case, milk it!

misterkodak · Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 10:24 am Post subject:

I"ve been in Turkey 11 years now. For about 9 years I've had a residence/work permit. The Residence Permit isn't difficult to get. The rules change all the time, but I concur with Coffeespoonman. If you want to work and live there, it's probably the best thing.
Now, I do know people who have had problems at the border because they had multiple tourist visa stamps in their passports. It's all up to the borderguards on duty at the time. My advice is to go for the Residence Permit. Most firms, if they're worth their salt will try to help teachers get them - even English Crime did that for their teachers!