The Student Visa Application Process
To study at a university in Turkey, you must apply for a student visa at the nearest Turkish embassy or consulate in your country. You must be in possession of a student visa before entering Turkey.
The only exceptions are students from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, students whose parents are in Turkey on a work visa, and Blue Card holders.
Turkey Student Visa Application Process
You can follow these steps to obtain a student visa:
Obtain a university acceptance letter:
Once you have received an acceptance letter from a university in Turkey, you can start your visa application.
Make an appointment at the consulate:
You must apply in person at the nearest Turkish embassy or consulate. If you can make an appointment online, you can speed up the process.
Applying and submitting documents:
On the way to your appointment, you will need to complete and sign the visa application form and submit the required documents in full.
Waiting for the visa decision:
It can take between 3 and 15 days for your application to be processed. You can check the status of your application on the consulate’s website.
Applying for a residence permit:
You must apply for a residence permit within 30 days of your arrival in Turkey.
NOTE: If you are a citizen of a country that can travel to Turkey without a visa, you can enter Turkey without a student visa and apply for a residence permit after completing your university registration.
Letter of acceptance to study in Turkey: Your guide to university admissions
The first step for international students wishing to study at associate, bachelor, master and doctoral level in Turkey is to obtain a letter of acceptance. This official document shows that the university you are applying to has accepted you and is also used to apply for a student visa, which you will need to study in Turkey. This document is mandatory for students who wish to obtain a student visa from the Turkish Consulate.
How do I get an offer of admission to a private university in Turkey?
When you apply to private universities in Turkey, you will first receive a conditional offer letter. This letter states that the university accepts your application and contains your study details. The conditional offer letter includes information about your tuition fees, the length of your studies and the department you are applying for. To complete your enrolment, you must pay the deposit specified in your offer letter into the university’s account and then receive your acceptance letter.
Letter of acceptance for admission to public universities in Turkey
For applications to state universities, you will receive an acceptance letter directly. You do not need to make any payment at this stage. The acceptance letter process at public universities may differ from that at private universities. Find and Study speeds up your application process and ensures that you receive your acceptance letter from both public and private universities as quickly as possible. In addition, you can take advantage of scholarship opportunities at private universities and receive an education under more favourable conditions.
Fast enrolment and scholarship opportunities with Find and Study
Find and Study offers students a fast and smooth application experience by following the enrolment processes of both public and private universities. You can easily enrol at public universities in Turkey and start your education with scholarship opportunities at private universities.
When you attend your visa appointment at the consulate or embassy in Turkey, you will have a short interview with a consular officer. During this interview you will be asked a number of questions about the engineering or medical faculty you wish to study at in Turkey, as well as your educational plans and reasons for travelling. This interview can determine whether or not your visa is approved, so it is important to make a good impression.
Make sure you bring all your documents to the interview. Even one missing document can result in your application being rejected.
Documents required for a student visa to Turkey
When applying for a student visa, you will need to provide the following documents
- Passport valid for at least 90 days
- Fill in and sign the visa application form
- 2 passport sized photographs
- Letter of acceptance from your university (stating the length of your stay)
- Proof of valid travel insurance
- Proof of medical insurance
- Bookings for flights to Turkey
- Proof of sufficient financial resources
- Visa processing fee (may vary depending on your nationality)
- Proof of accommodation (document showing where you will be staying in Turkey)
- Certificates or diplomas showing your educational qualifications
It is important that you submit these documents in full in order for your application to be processed smoothly.
To stay in Turkey for longer than the 90 days allowed by your student visa, you must apply for a residence permit at the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management. You will need to submit the following documents with your application:
- Application form: Must be completed and signed.
- Passport: Must include your student visa along with photocopies.
- University Acceptance Certificate: A document from your university confirming that you are studying.
- 4 Passport sized photograph: In accordance with passport standards.
Residence Permit Duration and Renewal
- Period of validity: The student residence permit is valid for one year when first applied for.
- Renewal: 60 days before your permit expires, you can apply for a renewal by visiting the local authorities. You will need to fill in a renewal application form.
You can prolong your stay in Turkey by preparing all the documents related to this process in time.
Receive Letter of Acceptance
For the visa application, get your final acceptance letter from your university in Turkey.
Book an Appointment
Make an online appointment at your nearest Turkish consulate and apply in person.
Submit Documents
At your appointment, complete the form and submit your documents in full.
Wait for the Result
The result of your application will be known within 3-15 days. Use the consulate's website to follow up.
Residence Permit
Apply for a residence permit within 30 days of arriving in Turkey and enrolling at university.
Receive Letter of Acceptance
For the visa application, get your final acceptance letter from your university in Turkey.
Book an Appointment
Make an online appointment at your nearest Turkish consulate and apply in person.
Submit Documents
At your appointment, complete the form and submit your documents in full.
Wait for the Result
The result of your application will be known within 3-15 days. Use the consulate's website to follow up.
Residence Permit
Apply for a residence permit within 30 days of arriving in Turkey and enrolling at university.
Turkey Visa Requirements
When do you need to apply for a student visa in Turkey?
If you plan to study in Turkey for more than 6 months, you must apply for a student visa. You can apply for a student visa up to 3 months before you leave for Turkey. It is important to submit your application as soon as possible, as it can take a long time.
How do I apply for a student visa to Turkey?
Students wishing to study in Turkey should apply for a student visa at the nearest consulate of the Republic of Turkey. Visa processing can take some time, so it is recommended that you start the application process as soon as you receive your acceptance letter. You can also check the visa requirements of your country of citizenship for Turkey on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey:
Website: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey Visa Information
Attending your visa appointment
On the day of your appointment, you will attend a short interview at the Turkish consulate or embassy. The consular officer will ask you a few questions about your study plans and travel to Turkey. This interview can affect whether or not your visa is approved, so you should take care to make a positive impression at the interview. You should also make sure that you have all the documents required for your application with you, as even one missing document can result in your application being rejected.
Armed with this information, you can easily manage your visa process.
Visa Information for Foreigners
You can easily access valid visa information by selecting your country from the menu below.
