NEWS is emerging of major changes to residency permits in Turkey – with the controversial 120 day limit for absence being scrapped.

The Ministry of Interior’s Twitter account – https://twitter.com/Gocidaresi – suddenly posted a number of tweets today (Tues Aug 16) announcing a number of changes. However, none of the changes have been announced officially on its website.

Key changes announced include the one year short term residence permit (STRP) being increased to a maximum of two years. The 120-day limit on absence – basically meaning if you are out of the country for more than 120 days the permit is at risk of being scrapped – has itself been axed.

Equally, the 180 day limit on absence on the family residence permits is also to be scrapped. Family residence permit can be expanded up to three years.

There’s a suggestion that a Turk with foreign dependents – such as a wife and children – will be able to obtain a five-year permit.

Undergraduate and graduate students are removed from the weekly limit of 24 hours work limit.

The information is fresh and has caught many on the hop, so we will post clearer information – such as and when this kicks in – in due course.