The Short-Term Residence Permit, Explained
Our visa guide compares all five residence pathways side by side. This cluster goes one level deeper on the one most newcomers actually use — the short-term tourist e-İkamet residence permit — covering the application itself, documents, translation requirements, and what happens if immigration asks for more.
The Short-Term Residence Permit
How e-İkamet actually works, step by step, once you have a lease.
ReadDocuments
The complete document stack, and which ones trip people up.
ReadTranslation & Legalization
Which documents need a sworn Turkish translation or an apostille, and where to get it done.
ReadImmigration Follow-Up
What a request for additional documents means, and how to respond.
ReadCommon Mistakes
The application errors that cause delays or rejections most often.
ReadBy Nationality
Entry rules and document legalization notes for 10 nationalities, from the US to Saudi Arabia.
ReadCompare All 5 Pathways
Digital Nomad Visa, work permit, real estate, family residence, and short-term — side by side.
ReadRules vary by nationality: which countries need a visa before entry, how long a visa-free stay lasts, and how foreign documents get legalized for a residence permit all depend on your passport. See the By Nationality pages for specifics, or let the Istanbul Route Check map out your exact route.