What is a Student Visa?

It is a permit to enter Turkey for any education-related purpose. You cannot apply for a student visa to seek employment or start a business in the country. This visa enables an international student to settle in Turkey by applying for a residence permit temporarily. Turkey student visa is granted to individuals who intend to do an internship in this country, enrol in an educational institution/school/college/university, or attend a course.

Who Needs a Turkey Study Visa?

Except for Northern Republic of Cyprus nationals, students from all other nationalities worldwide will need a visa to travel to Turkey for educational reasons.

Exemptions from the Student/Study Visa Rule include the following:

1. International students who want to complete a bachelor's or master's degree from an educational institute in Turkey have previously completed their secondary/high-school education in Turkey.
2. Children of people living in Turkey with a residence permit and work visa.
3. Individuals holding a Blue Card.

If you want to visit for tourism and business purposes. check our article on Turkey Tourist Visa.

How Can You Apply for a Turkey Student Visa?

If you want to apply for a student visa, all you need to do is complete a visa form, collect several documents, and attend a visa interview.

When and Where to Apply?

It is recommended that you lodge your Turkish student visa application at the right time to avoid any complications. A standard time frame for visa submission is as follows:

1. Earliest application- sixty days before your date of departure to Turkey.
2. Latest application- 30-days/one month before your intended date of travel to Turkey.

You can submit your student visa application at a Turkish diplomatic missionin your home country, such as a Turkish embassy or consulate. Alternately, you can apply via a third-party visa application facility in your country of residence. In this regard, it is essential to note that the Turkish embassy is the only authority eligible and responsible for processing your visa application and make the decision regarding its approval or disapproval.

How to Select the Right Student Visa for Turkey?

If you are applying online, you can select from a range of education visa options, including the following:

1. Internship visa
2. Internship ERASMUS
3. Internship AIESEC
4. Turkish Language Course Purpose
5. Course Purpose
6. Education Purpose
7. Education in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus

Why do you need a Letter of Acceptance?

It does not matter if you are applying to study at a Turkish university, do an internship, or attend a course. You will present proof of your enrollment nevertheless. A Letter of Acceptance is that proof. You can submit the letter or its equivalent. It will not make a difference. However, for every individual applying for a Turkey Student Visa, providing proof of acceptance is mandatory. Therefore, prior to proceeding with the rest of the visa application procedures, you should get this letter in your hands.

Filling out Application Form at Pre-requirement Online System

Just like any other Turkish visa, you will need to complete an online form at the pre-requirement system when applying for a Study Visa. Once you have submitted this form, you will receive an appointment date. Please visit the Turkish embassy or consulate on your appointment date for your visa interview.

Documents Needed to Apply for a Turkey Student Visa:

The following documents are required to apply for a student visa:

1. Completed Student Visa application form .
2. A valid passport.
3. Passport size biometric photos as per the Turkish foreign ministry's visa photo specifications.
4. Flight booking proof, such as airline tickets.
5. Travel insurance, which should cover your entire length of stay in Turkey.
6. Letter of Acceptance indicates you have been accepted by a Turkish academic institution and your stay/course duration.
7. Valid proof of fees paid for the educational course/program you want to attend (if applicable).
8. Copies of past diplomas, transcripts, and certificates.
9. Financial means/resources proof indicates you have enough funds to stay in Turkey throughout your stay and pay the study fees. This can be proven by several documents, including bank statements, a letter of sponsorship if your parents, guardian, or another person will sponsor your stay and education, letter of scholarship (if applicable).
10. Accommodation proof.
    • a. If you want to say in a dormitory, you can submit a document proving that you have a reserved place.
    • b. if you wish to stay over at your relative(s) or friends(s) in Turkey, present a letter of invitation from the host. Or else,
    • c. if you will live in a rented place, present a valid rent agreement that you and the landlord have signed.

About Turkish Student Visa Appointment:

Before appearing for an interview, you must gather and arrange all the documents. Your documents must be following the specifications set by the mission. You will submit these documents on the day of your interview.

You will be notified about the interview date by the Turkish embassy. On that date, you will have to show up at the embassy/consulate in your area. This will be a brief Q&A session with a consular officer. He or she will ask you several questions about your trip and education.

It is crucial to keep all the required documents for Turkey visa with you because your visa application will be rejected immediately if you miss one. If this happens, you will have to reapply for the visa.

Moreover, try to leave a good impression on your interviewer because this session will play a crucial role in determining your visa application's fate.

Student Visa Application Processing Time:

Typically, a Turkey student visa application is processed within 15 days. However, the processing time varies from country-to-country. So, ultimately, the processing duration involved will be determined by the country you are applying from. In some countries, applicants can expect to receive a response within three days.

What Happens After You Arrive in Turkey?

Soon after arriving in Turkey with a Student Visa, register yourself at the nearest local police department. The next step is applying for a residence permit, for which you will have to visit the Provincial Directorate of Migration Administration.

Once you receive your residence permit, which in the Turkish language is called ikamet, you will become eligible to live in Turkey and do many more things, such as open a bank account. Make sure to extend your ikamet before it expires. Ideally, you should apply six weeks before its expiration.

Can I work in Turkey with a Student Visa?

In recent years, Turkey has embraced the idea of having international students in the country. However, the language barrier is a serious one where students need to be able to speak in Turkish. This is the reason why most international students studying in Turkey come from the Western areas of China, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. These are the regions where the language is commonly spoken

Students who wish to study in Turkey can only apply for a Turkish student visa once an educational institute in Turkey has accepted them. An acceptance letter would be required at the time of visa application. The educational institute can be a school or a university – the level of education does not matter as long as the student is being accepted.

There are a few conditions that allow students to work legally in Turkey. Once a student obtains a Student Residence Permit, he or she can legally start working. Students coming from abroad and are enrolled in an undergraduate program, or a two-year associate program will only be allowed to work once completing the first year if study. Those students who are enrolled in a two-year associate program will not be allowed to work for more than 24 hours in a week.

Getting a student visa for Turkey only takes about 24 hours if applied online. However, it takes up to 90 days when the applicants apply through a consulate or a foreign representative. This is the quickest time when all the documents and representation of information is accurate.

Does Turkey Give Work Permit after Study?

Since Tukey is becoming a popular choice for students all over the world, the question of building a career there remains an important one. The cheaper costs of study, and living with a high level of quality education makes Turkey a top choice for many. The courses offered in the universities of Turkey are the right ones to get students ready for the corporate world internationally.

Getting a student visa is an easy process that can be done online. Applicants can apply for a student visa using the online portal and obtain their visa within 24 hours. This is only possible if all the required documents are accurate and complete. Undergraduate and two-year associate programs also allow students to work while they study in Turkey.

Once a student graduates and applies for a full-time job, he or she can apply for a work permit. This allows them to continue living in Turkey and work with a legal work permit. However, the condition for working in Turkey after completing the degree must be kept in mind. The student, now turned employee, needs a job offer letter before he or she can apply for the work permit visa.

Once the documents are complete and the applicant has all the necessary documents in hand, they will be granted a work permit. This will allow them to complete their term with the company that offered them the job. Once the term is complete, they can move anywhere within Turkey to work.

Is IELTS Required for Turkey Student Visa?

Turkey is the hub of European and Oriental feels that attracts millions of tourists from around the world. The cities are rich in history and culture that makes the country one of a kind to live in. However, the country has taken things far above and beyond in terms of it being in demand.

The government of Turkey focuses on quality education that is cheaper than other countries around the region. Making Turkey an educational hub for international students. Students from the world prefer to study in Turkey since it is welcoming and supportive of its foreign students.

However, like all international institutes around the world, to study in Turkey, the student needs an IELTS band. Since all the Turkish educational institutes use English as their primary language, it is important that all students enrolling in Turkish universities speak, read, write and listen to Basic English.

Taking the IELTS is compulsory for all students who wish to get admission in a Turkish institute. This test is very common and assesses the English language capability of the student. Some universities require a higher IELTS score while others require a lower one.

Yasar University requires an IELTS band of only 5.0, while Maltepe University asks for a minimum band of 5.5. Ozyegin University also needs 5.0 and Middle East Technical University requires 6.0, so does the Izmer University of Economics. While a band of 6.0 is highest for educational institutes in Turkey, many universities around the world require more.

Studying & Working in Turkey as an International Student

It is illegal for students to work in Turkey on a Turkish Student visa. However, if they obtain a Work Permit for Students by the government, they can work. It is quite a challenge to get a part-time job in Turkey since the language barrier is a great one. Employers give jobs to those who speak and understand the Turkish language fluently. The jobs that are available have very low rates as compared to the USA, Canada and other European countries. It requires extensive research and the right contacts to land a good part-time job as a student.

A recent law in Turkey prevents students who are taking undergrad courses or short programs from working legally. Only students who are pursuing formal courses and seeking a higher educational degree will be issued a study work permit. Once foreign students get a Turkey Work Permit, they can enjoy the privileges of the residence permit. The ministry of foreign affairs of Turkey will look after the procedures and principles of employing foreign students. This is a great benefit postgraduate students enjoy while working in Turkey.

All foreign students who successfully completed their studies from a recognized Turkish university can apply for a work permit. The application is sent to the International Labour Policy Advisory Board who reviews and makes the final decision. However, the students must keep in mind that this application has to be made within one year after graduation.

The most important point to note is that a Bachelor’s degree graduate does not qualify for the Turkey Work Permit. Although, the fact that the student holds a valid short-term residence permit or studied under a state scholarship in Turkey does not count. Only students who have obtained a higher degree will qualify for a valid work permit.