As a student
Studying in Türkiye: how long to residence and citizenship
The thing a visa list won't tell you
Unusual shape: citizenship is assessed at five years while long-term residence takes eight — here, citizenship can arrive before permanent residence.
Your ladder
- 4 years
Student permit
✓ counts toward citizenship
Permanent residence at
8 years
Citizenship assessed at
5 years
Still to serve after these rungs
1 year
Sources
- · Student residence permit under Law 6458 (2026)
- · Long-term residence permit after 8 years' uninterrupted legal residence (Law 6458)
- · Naturalisation after 5 years' legal residence with interruptions under six months in total
Keep going
- All study and work routes →
- Working in Türkiye instead →
- How to find a regulated immigration lawyer in Türkiye →
- What buying a home in Türkiye actually costs →
Not immigration advice. Orientation only. Immigration rules change often and decisions are discretionary — nothing here is a promise of residence or citizenship. Check your case with a licensed immigration adviser. Rules reviewed 2026-07. (2026-07)