Temporary protection: Türkiye
🛰️ Varta monitors 7 official sources for this country — checked daily.
Legal basis: Law No. 6458 on Foreigners and International Protection (YUKK) + Ukraine–Türkiye visa-free agreement (90 days in any 180, since 01.06.2017 also with ID cards) • there is no single national date — the period is printed on your card
Steps
- 1
Visa-free entry — 90 days in any 180
Ukrainians enter with a passport (incl. non-biometric) or a biometric ID card. Count your days: 90 in total within any 180. Under wartime practice Ukrainians who overstayed because they could not return were generally not fined, but do NOT rely on this — get an ikamet.
📍 Any border crossing⏰ 90 days in any 180-day period💳 Free - 2
Get a vergi numarası (tax number)
The tax number is needed to pay ikamet fees, open a bank account, sign rental and utility contracts. Issued free with your passport at any vergi dairesi or online at ivd.gov.tr (“Potansiyel Vergi Kimlik Numarası”).
📍 Vergi dairesi / ivd.gov.tr⏰ Before the ikamet application💳 Free - 3
Apply for ikamet online via e-ikamet
BEFORE your 90 days expire, complete the application at e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr (Russian and English available): “İlk Başvuru” (first application), type — kısa dönem (short-term, usually 1–2 years) or, if you cannot return due to the war, ask the İl Göç İdaresi about the insani ikamet (humanitarian). The system assigns a randevu (appointment) at your provincial migration directorate.
📍 e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr (online)⏰ Before the 90 days of stay expire💳 Free (fees are paid before the appointment) - 4
Randevu: documents and biometrics at the İl Göç İdaresi
Attend on the assigned day with the full package: printed application, passport + copies, 4 photos, insurance, proof of address, payment receipts. 2026 fees: card (belge bedeli) — 964 TL + state fee (harç) depending on nationality and duration — see goc.gov.tr/belge-bedeli-ve-harc-miktari. After filing you get a müracaat belgesi legalising your stay until the decision.
📍 İl Göç İdaresi Müdürlüğü of your province⏰ On the randevu day💳 Card 964 TL (2026) + harç per tariff - 5
Receive the ikamet card by PTT post
Decisions usually take up to 90 days; the card is sent by registered PTT mail to your registered address. Track the application at e-ikamet or via YİMER 157. Report address changes to the Göç İdaresi within 20 working days.
📍 By post to your address💳 Included in the paid fees - 6
Work: çalışma izni via your employer
An ikamet alone does NOT allow you to work. The work permit (çalışma izni) is filed by the employer with the Ministry of Labour (ÇSGB) online; in-country filing is possible if you hold an ikamet valid for at least 6 months. The çalışma izni also counts as a residence permit.
📍 Employer → ÇSGB (online)💳 Fees are paid by the employer
Documents
Foreign passport (or biometric ID card for entry)
requiredFor ikamet the passport must be valid at least 60 days beyond the requested permit period. Non-biometric passports are accepted.
4 biometric photos (5×6 cm, white background)
requiredTaken within the last 6 months.
Private health insurance (özel sağlık sigortası)
requiredWithout a valid policy the ikamet application is not accepted. The policy must cover the whole permit period.
Proof of address
requiredNotarised rental contract, owner’s taahhütname or hotel booking. The address must NOT be in a “closed” neighbourhood.
Tax number (vergi numarası) and fee payment receipts
requiredThe vergi numarası is issued free at the tax office (vergi dairesi) or online via ivd.gov.tr.
Proof of financial means
if availableDeclared in the application; a bank statement may be requested.
Ukrainian Embassies and Consulates
Map
Document samples and how to fill them
Choose “İlk Başvuru” (first application) → “Kısa Dönem İkamet İzni”. If you already hold an ikamet — “Uzatma” (extension).
Name, number and validity exactly as in the passport. It must be valid 60 days beyond the requested period.
Your real ground: tourism, rented housing etc. If you cannot return due to the war — say so at the randevu and ask about the insani ikamet.
The address from your lease. CHECK in advance that the neighbourhood is not “closed” to foreigner registration.
Enter the private policy number and validity; it must cover the whole ikamet period.
Save/print the randevu confirmation and bring the full document set to the İl Göç İdaresi.
❌ Filing after the 90 visa-free days have expired ❌ Address in a “closed” neighbourhood — automatic refusal ❌ Insurance not covering the whole permit period ❌ Passport valid less than the ikamet period + 60 days ❌ Fees unpaid by the randevu day
Choose “Potansiyel Vergi Kimlik Numarası” and enter your passport details in Latin letters.
Enter your latest entry date (per the stamp) and your actual address.
Download/print the letter with the 10-digit number — banks and fee payments require it.
With your vergi numarası pay the belge bedeli and harç at the tax office, a bank or online, and keep the receipts for the randevu.
❌ Name transliteration differs from the passport ❌ Lost fee payment receipts ❌ Payment under the wrong fee code (confirm at the vergi dairesi that it is for the ikamet)
Benefits
State benefits
There is no Turkish state cash aid for Ukrainians. The Kızılay ESSN programme covers geçici koruma holders (Syrians) — Ukrainians are not eligible.
How to apply: Not applicable
UNHCR counselling and social support
Ukrainians and other foreigners in Türkiye.
How to apply: Line 444 48 68 (Mon–Thu 9:00–17:00, Fri until 16:00)
School for children
Children with an ikamet (registered at their address).
How to apply: District education directorate (İlçe Milli Eğitim Müdürlüğü) of your area
Healthcare
Public healthcare is not free for tourists or ikamet holders — private insurance is required. After 1 year of continuous residence you may voluntarily join the state SGK (GSS) scheme with a monthly contribution.
How to apply: Private policy — with the ikamet application; GSS — at an SGK office
Wise — transfers without hidden fees
A multi-currency account and transfers between Ukraine and Europe at the real exchange rate. Handy for receiving salary and sending money to family.
Open a Wise accountThe price for you does not change; the commission supports our free guides.
Where to apply
İstanbul Provincial Migration Directorate
Ankara Provincial Migration Directorate
YİMER — 24/7 foreigners’ line (dial 157 in Türkiye)
Contacts
What happens after protection ends
There is no temporary protection for Ukrainians in Türkiye, so “after protection” means growing your regular status: extend the ikamet before it expires (uzatma via e-ikamet), switch to a çalışma izni (work, time counts), a student or family ikamet. After 8 years of continuous legal residence you may apply for the long-term permit (uzun dönem ikamet izni); after 5 years naturalisation can be considered (subject to conditions). Time on a tourist ikamet may not fully count towards some thresholds — consult your İl Göç İdaresi.
What happens when protection ends
These are options for the future — you will need to choose ONE, and not now.
These routes are available outside temporary protection — work, study, family, business, etc.
The description below is a general scheme, similar across countries. Check exact requirements, fees and timelines via the official link in each card — they differ by country and change over time.
💼 Work-based residence — Türkiye
Those with a valid employment contract in this country.
Passport; employment contract; proof of residence. Authority: İstanbul Provincial Migration Directorate.
- Foreign passport
- Employment contract
- Proof of residence
- Health insurance (optional)
İstanbul Provincial Migration Directorate
The employer or the applicant files; the immigration authority decides.
Before the current status or permit expires.
- Collect the card/decision
- Register address and social number
Renewable together with the contract.
Geçici koruma is for Syrians; Ukrainians get 90-day visa-free, then ikamet izni.
🎓 Study — Türkiye
Enrolment at an accredited institution.
Acceptance letter; proof of funds; housing; insurance.
- Foreign passport
- Acceptance letter
- Proof of funds
- Health insurance (optional)
İstanbul Provincial Migration Directorate
Apply via the institution or the immigration authority.
Before the semester starts.
- Register at the institution and locally
Yearly with continued studies.
Geçici koruma is for Syrians; Ukrainians get 90-day visa-free, then ikamet izni.
👨👩👧👦 Family reunification — Türkiye
Spouse, children or relatives of a resident or citizen.
Marriage/birth certificates; housing; sponsor income.
- Foreign passport
- Marriage/birth certificate
- Sponsor income proof
- Proof of residence
İstanbul Provincial Migration Directorate
The sponsor or family files; documents need apostille and translation.
Before the current status expires.
- Collect the family member card
Renewable; a path to permanent residence.
Geçici koruma is for Syrians; Ukrainians get 90-day visa-free, then ikamet izni.
🏢 Self-employment/business — Türkiye
Company or self-employment registration; business plan or contracts.
Registration documents; tax number; funds; housing.
- Foreign passport
- Company/self-employment registration
- Business plan or contracts (optional)
- Proof of residence
İstanbul Provincial Migration Directorate
Register the business, then apply for residence as an entrepreneur.
Before the current status expires.
- Tax registration and bank account
Tied to the company activity.
Geçici koruma is for Syrians; Ukrainians get 90-day visa-free, then ikamet izni.
🏠 Permanent residence — Türkiye
Usually after 5 years of continuous legal residence.
Stable income; housing; integration/language per national rules.
- Foreign passport
- Income proof
- Proof of residence
- Language/integration certificate (optional)
İstanbul Provincial Migration Directorate
Apply once the required residence period is met.
After the required residence period is met.
- Obtain permanent resident status
Permanent status; card replaced periodically.
Temporary protection time often counts towards the period (per national rules).
Opportunities: housing, jobs, grants
4 verified programmes: housing support, job portals, business grants, free courses — with direct official links and verification dates. Available with Varta.
Forms & samples (PDF)
FAQ
Can I get temporary protection (geçici koruma) as a Ukrainian?
NO. Geçici koruma in Türkiye was introduced for Syrian nationals and does not cover Ukrainians. For Ukrainians the legal path is the 90-day visa-free stay followed by a regular ikamet izni (short-term or, at the migration authority’s discretion, a humanitarian insani ikamet for those unable to return due to the war).
Can I stay longer than 90 days?
Yes, if BEFORE the 90 days expire you apply for an ikamet via e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr. After filing you wait legally (müracaat belgesi). Overstaying without a filed application is a violation: fines and entry bans are possible, although a lenient wartime practice has applied to Ukrainians.
Can I work in Türkiye?
Only with a work permit (çalışma izni) filed by your employer with the Ministry of Labour (ÇSGB). In-country filing requires an ikamet valid for at least 6 months. Working without a permit risks fines for you and the employer and can jeopardise your ikamet renewal.
What healthcare can I access?
There is no free public healthcare for tourists or ikamet holders — treatment is paid, hence the mandatory private insurance (also required for the ikamet). Emergency care in state hospitals is provided to everyone. After 1 year of residence you may voluntarily join SGK (GSS).
I have a non-biometric passport. Will I be admitted?
Yes. The visa waiver covers Ukrainian foreign passports, including non-biometric ones, and biometric ID cards (the plastic internal passport with a contactless chip). The old paper internal passport booklet is not valid for entry.
- Göç İdaresi — посвідки на проживання (ikamet izinleri) ✓
- Göç İdaresi — збори та вартість картки (belge bedeli ve harç) ✓
- e-İkamet — портал подачі заяв ✓
- UNHCR Türkiye — Information for Ukrainian nationals
- Gülaç Hukuk — бюлетень про ikamet для громадян України
This information is for reference only and is not legal advice.