Visa, Visa Calculation, and Common Mistakes

For example, Azerbaijani citizens are allowed to stay in Turkey visa-free for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. However, students often make serious errors in calculating these days, leading to fines. Anyone wishing to stay longer than 90 days must apply for a residence permit. The Migration Office has a legal review period of 90 days for residence applications. This period is not part of your visa days; it’s the Migration Office’s processing time, so don’t confuse them.

1. “I can leave and re-enter to renew my 90 days.”

This is a common mistake. Your visa days reset every 180 days, not after each 90-day stay. For example, if you enter Turkey on January 9, 2024, your days reset only on June 9, 2024. During this time, you can stay up to 90 days within that 180-day window. If you exceed 90 days within this period, you’ll face fines for overstaying.

2. “I have 90 days; there’s no rush to apply for a residence permit.”

This is a common misconception for new students. Due to increased migration issues, the processing time for student residence applications can now take the full 90-day period, especially in larger cities, where it typically takes around 80 days. If your permit expires while you are outside of Turkey, you’ll face penalties upon re-entry. Therefore, it’s best to apply as soon as you arrive in Turkey.

3. “My residence application is still being processed, but I need to leave Turkey. What should I do?”
You have three options:

a) If your application is approved but you haven’t received your card, you can download the Application Document online from the E-İkamet website. This document allows you to leave Turkey for up to 15 days. Exceeding this period may lead to cancellation, although it’s rarely enforced for students.
b) If you have applied but there’s no result yet, you can request the Application Document directly from the Migration Office. Larger offices may only issue this document under urgent circumstances. Smaller offices may provide it more easily.
c) You can leave Turkey without any documents and pay the fine at the border. If your application is still in process and you have no debt upon re-entry, you will be directed to the Migration Office at the airport, where your application will be verified, and you’ll be allowed to enter.

4. “I received a fine or deportation order at the border. What should I do?”

This penalty is typically applied only to students who overstay by more than 2 months. If this happens, pay the fine at the border. Then, in Azerbaijan, go to SEFA VISA (located in Caspian Plaza near Nizami Metro in Baku) to apply for re-entry. The cost is approximately 290 AZN, and processing can take up to a month. Once you have the visa, you can re-enter Turkey and must apply for a residence permit within 10 days.

5. “I applied for a residence permit within 90 days, but my visa expired while my application was still processing. Can I be deported?”

No, once you have applied, you’re considered to have permission to stay. If you’re checked by police, present your application form and be polite. If your application is denied after your visa expires, you’ll need to leave within 10 days and pay any fines for overstaying.

6. “Does a new 90-day visa start after my residence permit expires?”

No, this is a common misunderstanding. The 90-day visa period applies only to tourist entries. For residence permit holders, your last valid day is the expiry date of your permit.

For example, if your residence permit expires on October 18, 2024:

Scenario 1: You’re in Turkey on October 18. Migration Offices allow you to apply up to 60 days before your permit expires, so you can apply from August 18, 2024. If you don’t apply by October 28, you’ll need to leave and re-enter Turkey, paying any fines at the border. You’ll have 10 days to apply for a new permit upon re-entry.
Scenario 2: You’re not in Turkey on October 18, and you enter after this date. In this case, the 90-day visa rule applies for your stay.