LumenCan I leave Turkey while my residence permit application is pending?
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Yes. Turkey's implementing regulation lets you leave with your residence permit application document and proof that you paid the permit fees, as many times as needed, within the period you applied for. If you come back within 15 days each time, you enter without a visa. If you stay away longer, ordinary visa rules apply.
Key facts
| What | The law says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Who gets an application document | People who complete an in-country first application or a renewal application | Regulation, art. 21(8) |
| What you carry at the border | The application document and proof that the residence fees are paid (unless the document says you are exempt) | Regulation, art. 21(9)(d) |
| How often | More than one exit is allowed, while you are within the permit period you asked for | Regulation, art. 21(9)(d) |
| Coming back | Within 15 days each time: no visa needed on re-entry | Regulation, art. 21(9)(d) |
| Away longer than 15 days | General visa rules apply; the 90 days in 180 days rule still applies | Regulation, art. 21(9)(d); Migration FAQ |
| Approval of the document | First applications: issued by the provincial migration directorate on the appointment day. Renewals: issued by the system, and it must be approved by the directorate | Migration FAQ; Migration general information |
How the rule works
The regulation (art. 21(9)(d)) lets applicants leave Turkey without waiting for the decision, as long as they show that they paid the residence fees and are still within the permit period they asked for. Each time they come back within 15 days, they are exempt from the visa requirement, even nationals who normally need a visa, according to the Presidency of Migration Management’s FAQ.
The FAQ adds that you exit without paying a penalty residence fee at the border, and that the document allows multiple exits and entries as long as each trip is no longer than 15 days.
If you stay away longer
The regulation and the FAQ both say that after 15 days you are treated under the general visa rules. The FAQ also reminds you that the 90 days in any 180 days limit on visa or visa-free stays still applies.
Related questions
- How long the decision takes: at most 90 days from complete documents (Law 6458, art. 21(5); Regulation, art. 22(2)).
Sources
- Regulation on the Implementation of Law No. 6458, art. 21(8)–(9) (consolidated text, mevzuat.gov.tr) checked 2026-10-25
- Presidency of Migration Management: residence FAQ (İkamet Sıkça Sorulan Sorular), questions on leaving during the 90-day assessment checked 2026-10-25
- Presidency of Migration Management: residence general information (İkamet Genel Bilgiler), '15 Günlük Çıkış-Giriş Hakkı' checked 2026-10-25
Change history
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This is general information, not legal advice, and Lumen is not a law firm. Rules change and offices differ: check the official sources above before you act. Found something wrong or out of date? Write to support@lumen.observer.