General Practical Information

STUDENT VISAS AND RESIDENCE PERMITS   

VISA REQUIREMENTS 

Exceptions are those who are legal dependents of someone in Turkey on a diplomatic visa or with a work visa. Students who come to Turkey without student visa will not be able to register as a student nor will get residence permits.

• Passport valid at least a year

• Completed visa application form taken from the Turkish Embassy  or Consulate

• Recent passport size photographs 

• Proof of their student status in their home country (Official paper taken from Registrar''s Office)

• The acceptance letter from COMU International Relations Office which the student will go for an exchange
• Non-refundable processing fee

!!! When you receive your visa check to see that it is a "student visa".

Although a time limit will be stamped on your visa, the student visa will be valid as long as you are enrolled in school.

As visa regulations may change quite frequently, please contact the nearest Turkish Embassy or Consulate in your country to obtain the most up-to-date and detailed information. 

You will be provided with a residence permit (İkamet Belgesi) valid for the period of time you will be studying at COMU as indicated on Student Visa. You should keep this document with you at all times.

Documentary requirements include school registration documents, five photographs, a copy of the passport with valid student visa, and approximately €34 residence permit fee. Application forms are available at http://www.iem.gov.tr/yabancilar/english.htm

WORKING IN TURKEY

FOR MORE INFORMATION

http://www.turkey.org/consularservices

http://www.turkishembassy.org/consularservices/forms/

http://www.iem.gov.tr/yabancilar/index.asp

http://www.mfa.gov.tr/MFA/Ministry/TurkishRepresentations/searchRepresentatives.htm

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Who must have a student visa?

Student visa is required to register as a student in Turkey. Exceptions are those who are legal dependents of someone in Turkey on a diplomatic visa or with a work visa. Students who come to Turkey without a student visa will not be able to register as a student nor will get residence permits.


How do I get a student visa?

Student visas must be obtained from a Turkish Consulate, generally the one nearest your place of residence. Student visas cannot be obtained within Turkey. You must take, or mail a copy of your "Letter of Acceptance" from COMU and a completed visa application form to the Turkish Consulate. They will provide you an application form upon request. Generally, you must also pay a fee.

It takes around six weeks from the time you submit your application until you receive your visa. The visa will be stamped in your passport. When you receive your visa, check to see that it is a "student visa".

What about the "Letter of Acceptance"?

The Internatıonal Relations Office sends a Letter of Acceptance, in English, to applicants who have been accepted into COMU. 

How long is a student visa valid?

Although a time limit will be stamped on your visa, the student visa will be valid as long as you are enrolled in school. However, it has to be renewed each year.


What is a Residence Permit?

All international students in Turkey, regardless of status, must register with, and obtain a Residence Permit (ikamet belgesi) from Security Office (Yabancilar Subesi). You can be required at any time to show your Residence Permit. COMU  also requires that you give a photocopy of the first seven pages of the Residence Permit to the International Office as soon as you have it.

When must a student register with the Directorate of Security?

Students must register within one month after entering Turkey. However, sometimes students can not complete all the procedures required within that month. Officials are lenient in such cases and at most there may be a small fine.

What documents are required for the Residence Permit?

• Your passport with the student visa

• A Student Certificate (Ögrenci Belgesi)

• Five passport size photographs

• Two copies of a one-paged Application Form

How long does it take to get a Residence Permit?

It usually takes at least three days.

How long is the Residence Permit valid and how are they extended?

Exchange students are given Residence Permits for the period of time they will be studying at COMU as indicated on the Student Visa. If the Student Visa states the student will be coming for six months, then the Residence Permit will be for 6 month.

Residence Permits are extended by providing all the above documents with the exception you will need only two photographs and one copy of Application form. Please note that you must submit a Student’s Certificate to renew your Residence Permit and Student’s Certificates can be issued only after you have registered at the university.


What happens if I lose my Residence Permit?

You must notify the International relations Office and  Canakkale Security Office Foreign Section by sumitting a petition, giving your name, address and other identifying data and stating when you lost it.