What documents do I need to move to Turkey as a Russia citizen?

Typical pathway: Residence Permit

Last verified: August 5, 2026

Russian Federation international passport (valid 60+ days beyond requested permit period) (before) — Source: https://en.goc.gov.tr/residence-
Ordinary Russian biometric passport used for entry. Official rule: applicants must hold a passport or passport-substitute document valid for at least sixty days longer than the requested residence permit period; an application cannot be finalised on an expired passport. Note that Russian ordinary-passport holders enter visa-free, but holders of official/special/service passports are not covered by the exemption and must obtain a visa before travel.
Purpose-specific Turkish entry visa from a Turkish consulate in Russia (work / student cases only) (before) — Source: Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Foreign Affairs / Turkish Consulate General in Russia
If the residence permit basis is employment or study rather than tourism/property, the corresponding work or student visa must be obtained from a Turkish Embassy/Consulate in the Russian Federation before departure; the student visa is the basis of the later student residence permit. Not needed for applicants entering under the visa-free regime for tourism/property purposes.
Apostilled Russian criminal record certificate (справка о несудимости) with sworn Turkish translation (before) — Source: https://e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr/Ikamet/BasvuruIstenenBelgeler/BasvuruFormuIstenenBelgeler?tur=0
Required for specific short-term categories, notably the investor basis, covering the last five years, and for long-term permit applications. Documents issued abroad must carry an apostille and a notarised Turkish translation; if not apostilled, consulate/Ministry of Foreign Affairs certification plus translation is accepted. Not requested for ordinary tourism-based short-term applications — verify with the provincial migration office, practice varies by province.
Apostilled Russian civil-status certificates (birth certificate, marriage certificate) with notarised Turkish translation (before) — Source: https://e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr/Ikamet/BasvuruIstenenBelgeler/BasvuruFormuIstenenBelgeler?tur=0
Needed for family-tie based applications and for accompanying minor children. Russian ZAGS-issued certificates must be apostilled and translated into Turkish by a sworn translator. If a child travels with only one parent, a certified consent of the absent parent is requested; certified custody or death certificates apply in divorce/widowhood cases.
Proof of sufficient and regular income for the stay (before) — Source: https://en.goc.gov.tr/residence-
One of: pensioner identification card plus pension allocation certificate, bank statements showing the last three months of account movements, or a stamped and signed employer/company income document. Income documents obtained outside Türkiye must be translated into Turkish by a sworn translator. For short-term and student permits the foreigner's own declaration may be sufficient unless the administration specifically requests documents.
Turkish potential tax identification number (Potansiyel Vergi Kimlik Numarası) (before) — Source: https://dijital.gib.gov.tr/foreigners/kimlikNoBasvuru
Free 10-digit tax number for foreigners without a YKN, obtainable online from the Digital Tax Office with a scan of the passport photo page. Needed to pay residence permit fees, open a bank account, sign utility contracts and complete a property purchase before the ikamet card is issued.
Signed printout of the e-ikamet residence permit application form (during) — Source: https://e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr
The online application is completed at e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr, where the permit type is selected and a photo uploaded; the system then assigns an appointment at the provincial Directorate of Migration Management. The generated PDF must be printed, signed and brought to the appointment. The online application must be submitted before the visa-free stay or current permit expires.
Four biometric photographs of the applicant (during) — Source: https://e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr/Ikamet/BasvuruIstenenBelgeler/BasvuruFormuIstenenBelgeler?tur=0
Four recent passport-standard biometric photos taken against a white background, submitted in the application file. These are physical prints and are separate from the digital photo uploaded into the e-ikamet form.
Photocopy of the passport plus notarised Turkish translation of passport pages (during) — Source: https://e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr/Ikamet/BasvuruIstenenBelgeler/BasvuruFormuIstenenBelgeler?tur=0
Copies of the identity page, the last entry stamp page and the visa/e-visa page, with a notarised Turkish translation of the passport. This is a paper copy set for the file and is distinct from the original passport, which must also be presented on the appointment day.
Valid private health insurance policy for foreigners covering the full permit period (during) — Source: https://en.goc.gov.tr/residence-
In principle insurance must cover the entire requested residence permit period; the first page of the policy is generally sufficient. Buying a policy for more than one year supports a longer permit. Alternatively, an official SGK application/provision document for General Health Insurance (GSS) is accepted where the applicant is covered by state insurance.
Notarised Turkish residential lease agreement (noter tasdikli kira sözleşmesi) (during) — Source: https://e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr/Ikamet/BasvuruIstenenBelgeler/BasvuruFormuIstenenBelgeler?tur=0
Proof of accommodation for tenants: a lease agreement notarised in Türkiye and containing the property owner's details. Important: new foreign address registration is closed or restricted in a large number of neighbourhoods and districts (including several in Istanbul), so confirm the specific address is open to new foreign registration before signing — verify with the local Directorate of Migration Management or Nüfus office.
Title deed (Tapu) copy plus municipal numbering (numarataj) certificate — property-owner applicants (during) — Source: https://www.invest.gov.tr/en/investmentguide/pages/obtaining-a-residence-permit.aspx
For applicants basing a short-term permit on property ownership, the property must be registered in the applicant's name in the Turkish land registry; a title deed copy is submitted with a numbering certificate from the municipality on first application (and a title-deed continuation certificate on extension). A minimum declared property value threshold applies and has been raised in recent years — verify the current figure with the Presidency of Migration Management, as reported thresholds vary by source.
Notarised host commitment letter (yabancı misafir taahhütnamesi) with host's residence certificate and utility bill (during) — Source: https://e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr/Ikamet/BasvuruIstenenBelgeler/BasvuruFormuIstenenBelgeler?tur=0
Only for applicants staying at a third party's home instead of their own lease or property: a notarised undertaking by the accommodation provider (co-signed by the spouse if married), a current utility subscription/invoice in the host's name, and the host's residence certificate. Migration Management has significantly tightened acceptance of commitment-letter registrations, including occupancy-per-dwelling checks.
Residence permit fee and card fee payment receipts (during) — Source: https://dijital.gib.gov.tr
After submitting the online form the system produces an accrual number (tahakkuk numarası); the residence permit fee and the card fee are paid against it and the receipts are added to the application file. Payment can be made online via the Digital Tax Office or in cash at a tax office depending on the fee type and province.
Fingerprint registration at the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management (during) — Source: Presidency of Migration Management (Göç İdaresi Başkanlığı)
Biometric fingerprints are taken at the migration office for first-time applicants. If a fingerprint number already appears on the documents of an extension or transfer applicant, new fingerprinting is not required.
Residence permit card (ikamet kartı) with Foreigner Identification Number (YKN) (after) — Source: https://en.goc.gov.tr/residence-
The physical card is dispatched from Ankara by PTT after approval; processing typically takes several weeks and varies by province. The card carries the 11-digit Yabancı Kimlik Numarası, which becomes the primary identifier for taxation, banking, property and utility transactions. If lost or stolen, file a police loss report and re-apply at the provincial migration office with the report, a biometric photo and address registration proof.
Address registration and residence certificate (yerleşim yeri belgesi) (after) — Source: https://www.turkiye.gov.tr/nvi-yerlesim-yeri-ve-diger-adres-belgesi-sorgulama
Once the permit is approved, the address must be registered in the national address system. Since mid-2024 an appointment must first be booked through the Migration Management appointment system; walk-in manual registration was discontinued. The resulting residence certificate can afterwards be downloaded from e-Devlet and the entry checked in the National Address Query System using the YKN.
UETS registered electronic notification address (Kayıtlı Elektronik Posta) from PTT (after) — Source: https://e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr/Ikamet/BasvuruIstenenBelgeler/BasvuruFormuIstenenBelgeler?tur=0
A National Electronic Notification System address obtained in person at a PTT office. Required in extension and transfer residence permit applications (applicable from 15.04.2024); not required for applicants under 18.
Separate work permit application (İŞKUR/Ministry of Labour) if employment is intended (after) — Source: https://e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr/Ikamet/BasvuruIstenenBelgeler/BasvuruFormuIstenenBelgeler?tur=0
A residence permit does not itself grant the right to work. Foreigners intending to work must apply for a work permit under International Labour Force Law No. 6735, or for a work permit exemption under Article 48 of its implementing regulation. Income supporting a tourism-based short-term permit must come from outside Türkiye.
Notification of change in personal circumstances to the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management (after) — Source: Presidency of Migration Management (Göç İdaresi Başkanlığı)
Any change of name/surname, marital status, passport, address, employer, or school/programme must be reported to the provincial migration office immediately after it occurs, to keep the permit valid and avoid problems at renewal.

Not legal advice. Based on cached research — verify with official sources before making decisions.

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