Your first 90 days in Turkey: the arrival checklist
The visa got you in — this is what turns you into a functioning resident: the registration clock, the ID number everything else depends on, and the money, healthcare, and license steps in the order they actually unlock. Each step links the official source so you can verify the current rule.
Checked against official sources · July 2026 · how we verify
The catch that burns new arrivals
Kapalı mahalle: neighborhoods above ~20% foreign density are closed to new residence-permit addresses — a lease signed in one sinks the application; the list changes, and the address is checked per-application.
The checklist, in the order it unlocks
İkamet izni: residence permit application via e-ikamet, then address registration at the Nüfus (civil registry)
Apply within the visa/visa-free window; address registered within 20 working days of first-permit approval
Appointment (randevu) waits vary by province; the application document keeps the stay legal while pending; biometric photos, valid health insurance, and a notarized lease are the usual pack.
Get your Vergi Kimlik Numarası (Tax Identification Number)
Required for bank accounts, notary transactions, utilities, and paying residence-permit fees.
Generated instantly online via the Interactive Tax Office (ivd.gib.gov.tr) with passport details, or same-day at any tax office.
Open a bank account
Banks commonly want the residence permit plus tax number plus Turkish address proof (utility bill or notarized lease); passport-only openings depend on the branch. Wise/Revolut bridge the permit wait.
Enrol in healthcare
Private health insurance covering the permit period is itself a permit requirement for under-65s; after 1 year of continuous residence, voluntary state GSS enrollment opens — employees get SGK cover from hire.
Sort your driver's license
A foreign license is valid 6 months from entry; residents then convert at the civil registry with a notarized translation and health report — direct exchange applies for many countries, commonly including the US.
Deadlines and requirements vary by nationality, visa type, and region, and they change — this is information current as of 2026, not legal or immigration advice. Verify each step with the official source before you rely on it.
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Information only, not legal advice — we never file anything with any government. Requirements change; verify with the official source or a licensed immigration advisor before you apply.
First 90 days in Turkey: FAQ
What do I have to do first after arriving in Turkey?
İkamet izni: residence permit application via e-ikamet, then address registration at the Nüfus (civil registry) — Apply within the visa/visa-free window; address registered within 20 working days of first-permit approval. Appointment (randevu) waits vary by province; the application document keeps the stay legal while pending; biometric photos, valid health insurance, and a notarized lease are the usual pack. Verify the current rule with the official source before you rely on it.
What is the Vergi Kimlik Numarası and do I need one?
Vergi Kimlik Numarası (Tax Identification Number) is Turkey's personal tax/ID number. Required for bank accounts, notary transactions, utilities, and paying residence-permit fees. Generated instantly online via the Interactive Tax Office (ivd.gib.gov.tr) with passport details, or same-day at any tax office.
Can I drive in Turkey on a US license?
A foreign license is valid 6 months from entry; residents then convert at the civil registry with a notarized translation and health report — direct exchange applies for many countries, commonly including the US. Rules differ by nationality and change — check the official source before the window closes.
How do I get healthcare after moving to Turkey?
Private health insurance covering the permit period is itself a permit requirement for under-65s; after 1 year of continuous residence, voluntary state GSS enrollment opens — employees get SGK cover from hire. See our healthcare-systems guide for how Turkey's system treats foreign residents.