Emigration to Turkey: how can Ukrainians move in 2025?

Turkey attracts emigrants with its warm climate, unique culture, employment opportunities, moderate living costs and high salaries and pensions. Find out how to choose the right visa for Turkey, how to prepare a package of documents and where to go to make the emigration process successful

Legal advice on migration issues

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The Migration Service reports that Ukrainians rank 10th among foreign nationals with residence permits in Turkey. It is also known that the majority of Ukrainian citizens in Turkey do not have refugee status, but rather meet their financial needs on their own.

Thus, Ukrainians in Turkey have opportunities for employment and a settled life, so it is logical that this country attracts more and more immigrants. In January 2025, Charge d'Affaires of Ukraine in Turkey Oleksiy Chernyshev (citing data from the Turkish Migration Service) said in a commentary to Ukrinform that 31583 Ukrainians live in Turkey, of whom

- 20543 people have a short-term residence permit;

- 4571 people have a long-term residence permit;

- 6469 people are registered through family reunification.

You can find out all the details of immigration to Turkey here, and in this article we have collected answers to the most frequently asked questions:

- Does Turkey accept refugees from Ukraine?

- Do Ukrainians need a visa to Turkey?

- How is education in Turkey organised for Ukrainians?

- What are the conditions for obtaining permanent residence in Turkey for Ukrainians?

Read on to find out more.

Visa to Turkey for Ukrainians 2025: main types and requirements

There is a visa-free regime between Turkey and Ukraine, so a visa is not required for short-term trips. A short stay is defined as a stay in the country of up to 90 days within 180 days. If you plan to stay for a longer period, you need to apply for a visa according to the purpose of your trip.

Long-term visas include:

- Student;

- work visa;

- family reunification.

Student visa

In order to obtain a student visa to Turkey, Ukrainian citizens need to take several important steps and prepare a certain package of documents. Here are the main features of this process:

1. Enrolment in an educational institution:

The first and most important step is to receive an official invitation (admission letter) from a Turkish university, college or language course accredited by the Turkish Ministry of Education. Without this invitation, it is not possible to apply for a student visa.

2. Applying for a visa:

After receiving the invitation letter, you need to apply for a student visa at the Embassy or Consulate of Turkey in Ukraine. This is usually done in person.

The application must be submitted no earlier than 60 days and no later than one month before the planned date of departure to Turkey.

3. Required documents:

The standard list of documents for obtaining a student visa to Turkey includes:

International passport: Original and copy (the passport must be valid for at least 90 days after the end of the planned stay in Turkey).

Completed visa application form: Usually available on the website of the Turkish Embassy/Consulate or issued upon personal application.

Photos: Two or more passport-size photographs taken recently in accordance with the requirements (usually biometric).

Acceptance Letter: An original or copy of the official letter from the Turkish educational institution confirming your enrolment. The letter must include the name of the programme, the duration of the course and other important information.

Proof of financial solvency: Documents confirming that you have sufficient funds to pay for your studies and accommodation in Turkey (e.g. a bank statement from the student's or sponsor's bank account, a sponsorship letter).

Proof of health insurance: A health insurance policy valid in Turkey for the entire period of study.

Police clearance certificate: May be required, depending on the requirements of the consulate.

Medical certificate: May be required by the consulate.

Receipt of payment of the consular fee

4. Interview:

In some cases, the consular officer may invite you for an interview to clarify the details of your travel and study.

5. Obtaining a visa:

After your application and documents have been reviewed, if approved, you will be issued a student visa. The validity of the visa usually corresponds to the duration of your study programme.

6. Registration upon arrival:

After your arrival in Turkey, within one month, you must apply for a residence permit (İl Göz İdaresi Müdürlüğü) at the local office of the Foreigners' Department (İkamet İzni). For this purpose, you will need to submit an additional package of documents, including a copy of your visa, a letter from the university, photos and other documents that will be provided to you at the local office.

Employment visa

Obtaining a work visa to Turkey for Ukrainian citizens has its own peculiarities and requires certain procedures to be followed by both the employer in Turkey and the employee in Ukraine. Here are the main aspects of this process:

1. A job invitation from a Turkish employer:

The key stage: First of all, you must have an official job offer from a company registered in Turkey. The employer must express a desire to hire you for a particular position.

Request for a work permit: The Turkish employer is responsible for applying for a work permit (Çalışma İzni) for the foreign employee to the Turkish Ministry of Labour and Social Security (Çalışma ve Sosyal Güvenlik Bakanlığı). This process starts in Turkey.

2. Applying for a work visa in Ukraine:

Once the Ministry of Labour and Social Security of Turkey approves the employer's request and issues a work permit for you, you will need to apply for a work visa at the Embassy or Consulate of Turkey in Ukraine. Usually, the application for a work visa is submitted in person.

3. Required documents for applying for a work visa in Ukraine:

International passport: Original and copy (passport must be valid for at least 6 months at the time of application).

Completed visa application form: Usually available on the website of the Turkish Embassy/Consulate or issued upon personal application.

Photos: Two or more passport-size photographs taken recently in accordance with the requirements (usually biometric).

Original work permit (Çalışma İzni): This document is sent directly from the Turkish Ministry of Labour and Social Security to the Embassy/Consulate, but the employer must also provide you with a copy.

Employment contract: A copy of the employment contract between you and your Turkish employer.

Diploma of education and other qualification documents: Originals and copies, may be required depending on the position. In some cases, a notarised translation may be required.

Police clearance certificate: May be required depending on the requirements of the consulate.

Medical certificate: May be required by the consulate.

Receipt of payment of the consular fee: The cost of a work visa may vary, so it is necessary to check the current amount at the Embassy/Consulate.

4. Interview:

A consular officer may invite you for an interview to clarify the details of your future work and travel.

5. Obtaining a visa:

After your application and documents have been reviewed, if approved, you will be issued a work visa. The validity of the first work visa is usually limited (for example, one year) and can be extended in Turkey.

6. Registration upon arrival:

Obtaining a residence permit (İkamet İzni): After arriving in Turkey, within one month, you need to apply to the local office of the Foreigners' Department (İl Göz İdaresi Müdürlüğü) for a residence permit, which will be issued on the basis of your work permit.

Registration in the SGK (Sosyal Güvenlik Kurumu) system: Your employer is obliged to register you in the Turkish social security system.

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How to go to Turkey: the stages of preparation

First step: choose the type of visa

Above, we have presented different types of visas, some of which allow you to obtain permanent residence. To choose the type that is right for you, you should contact a qualified visa specialist. He or she will consider the situation in detail, recommend the best options and help you prepare a package of documents to ensure that the process is quick and successful.

Be careful! Each type of visa requires a different list of documents.

Second stage: submitting documents

The visa application must be submitted to a diplomatic mission or visa application centre in person.

The third stage: biometric data collection

For Ukrainians, entry to Turkey is possible with a biometric passport. For most types of visa applications, including work, student and tourist visas, it is necessary to provide biometric data that will be used to identify the applicant.

Fourth stage: obtaining a visa

The processing time for your application package can vary from 2 weeks to 3 months. We recommend that you take care of your visa in advance!

Visit Ukraine specialists can help you at each stage of migration - get a consultation and make sure your emigration to Turkey is successful!

How to get a residence permit in Turkey?

Initially, you can only apply for a short-term residence permit (valid for 5 years). After you have lived in Turkey for 8 years, you will be able to obtain a long-term residence permit.

However, the Turkish authorities demonstrate loyalty to those who have tied their fate to the country's citizens. For persons who have obtained İkamet on the basis of marriage with a Turkish citizen, the waiting period for permanent residence is more than halved to only three years.

However, a long period of residence is not the only condition for obtaining permanent resident status. Ankara makes it clear that applicants for permanent residence must demonstrate their economic independence and responsibility to society. A stable source of income and valid health insurance are mandatory requirements.

Furthermore, the Turkish state requires social integration and independence from state support. Migrants applying for permanent residence should not apply for state benefits during the last three years of their stay in the country.

Special attention is paid to security issues. An applicant for permanent residence must not pose any threat to Turkish society. This provision underlines the authorities' desire to ensure peace and stability in the country.

The procedure for consideration of applications for permanent residence is characterised by efficiency. After submitting a full package of documents, the Turkish competent authorities are obliged to consider the application within 90 days. In case of a positive decision, the applicant receives a permanent resident card, which opens up new prospects for integration and long-term stay in Turkey.

What documents are required to obtain a permanent residence permit?

- an application signed by the applicant or his/her legal representative

- a copy of the passport (all pages)

- biometric photos (4 pieces)

- proof of financial status for personal security

- medical policy

- a valid residence document

- certificate of residence

- receipt of payment of the state fee

In what cases can you be refused a residence permit?

There are many reasons why you may be refused an Ikamet in Turkey, but the most common ones are as follows:

- Failure to fulfil one or more of the requirements for obtaining a residence permit.

- Using the residence permit for purposes other than those for which it was issued (for example, working on the basis of a tourist permit).

- If the expat suffers from a disease that is included in the list of those that pose a threat to the public.

- Lack of financial security for living in Turkey (own savings, regular salary, etc.).

- Lack of a health insurance policy that covers the entire period of stay in Turkey.

- Lack of living conditions that meet general health and safety standards.

- The expat did not provide information about the address of residence in Turkey.

- The application for a residence permit was submitted after violating visa regulations.

- The application was for a type of residence permit that is not suitable for the applicant.

Photo: Freepik

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