Turkish Government Decision Grants Foreign Graduates Up to Two Years of Residency

The Turkish Council of Higher Education (YÖK), in cooperation with the Presidency of Migration Management, has issued an official decision allowing foreign students who graduate from Turkish universities to obtain a short-term residence permit — known as a “graduate residence permit” — for a total period of up to two years.

The decision aims to make it easier for foreign graduates to enter the Turkish job market or continue their higher education.

Under the new decision, eligible graduates will initially be granted a one-year short-term residence permit under Article 31 of Turkey’s Law No. 6458.

The new rules also allow the residence permit to be extended for a second additional year, bringing the total period to two years, provided that the graduate applies for the extension at least 90 days before the first year expires and meets the general legal requirements for residence permits.

The basic requirements include submitting the online application form, a temporary graduation certificate or diploma, valid health insurance in Turkey, proof of a registered residential address (Yerleşim Yeri), and recent biometric photos