How to Pay Residence Permit Fees and Card Costs in Turkey (2026 Guide)
Applying for a residence permit in Turkey is not just about preparing documents. One of the most overlooked yet critical stages of the process is paying the fees correctly and on time. In practice, many applications are delayed or rejected due to simple payment mistakes. These are usually not legal issues, but procedural errors.
In this guide, you will find a practical, application-oriented explanation of how to pay residence permit fees in Turkey, where to make payments, and what to pay attention to.
📌 Which Fees Are Paid Under a Residence Permit Application?
Before making a payment, it is important to understand which items you are paying for.
In a standard residence permit application, the following fees apply:
• 💳 Residence Permit Card Fee: This is the cost of printing and delivering your residence card. For 2026, it is 964 TL and is mandatory for all applicants without exception.
• ⚖️ Residence Permit Fee: This amount is automatically calculated by the system based on the applicant’s nationality and the requested duration (1 year, 2 years, etc.), in accordance with the “principle of reciprocity.”
• 🛂 Single Entry Visa Fee: This is a one-time fee charged to those who enter Turkey with visa exemption. The updated amount for 2026 is 9,376.40 TL. It does not apply in every case; the system determines it automatically.
The total amount is not fixed. It varies depending on your nationality, requested duration, and type of application.
👉 For detailed calculation methods and updated amounts, you can review our article titled:
How to Calculate Residence Permit Fees in Turkey (2026 Guide)
📝 Post-Application Payment Stages: When and How Do They Appear?
Many applicants wonder how much they will pay before applying. However, exact amounts are only finalized after completing the application:
• 📄 Accrual Statement: Once you complete and approve your application form via the e-Residence system, the system automatically generates an “Accrual Statement.”
• 🔢 Amount Determination: This document, usually located on the last page of the application form, clearly states both the card fee and the calculated residence permit fee based on your nationality and length of stay.
• 💻 Payment Screen: If you choose to pay online, clicking the “Make Payment” button in the system will display the exact total amount you need to pay, down to the last cent.
⚖️ Our team of attorneys provides professional assistance to ensure your online application is completed accurately and smoothly. See the details of our services here.
📲 Payment Channels and Practical Guide
You must pay your fees before your appointment and include the receipt in your application file.
🌐 Online Payment (Digital Tax Office): This is the fastest and most reliable method in practice. You can make payments by credit card through the official system of the Revenue Administration between 00:10 and 23:50.
🧾 How to Pay Turkey Residence Permit Fees Online (Step-by-Step Guide 2026)
Paying your Turkey residence permit fee online is the fastest and most reliable method. Since the Digital Tax Office system is only available in Turkish, the key buttons are shown below with both their Turkish names and English explanations to help you complete the process easily and without mistakes.
Step-by-Step Online Payment via Digital Tax Office
Access the Digital Tax Office System
Visit: https://dijital.gib.gov.tr/Select the Residence Permit Payment Option
From the main menu, click:
“Göç İdaresi İkamet Tezkeresi Harç Ödeme”
(Immigration Administration Residence Permit Fee Payment)Enter Your Application Details
On the next screen, fill in:
“Başvuru Numarası veya Tahakkuk Numarası”
(Application Number or Accrual Number)Check Your Fee Amount
Click “Sorgula” (Search / Query) to view your application record and the exact amount payable.Complete the Payment
After confirming your details, click “Öde” (Pay) and complete the payment using a debit or credit card.Download Your Receipt
Once the payment is successful, download your receipt as a PDF and keep it for your residence permit application file.
This method is especially recommended in practice because:
• The payment is instantly processed in the system.
• Receipts are directly visible in the system.
• There is no uncertainty about whether the payment has been made.
• Since the system is integrated with the immigration authority, the risk of errors is significantly reduced.
🏛️ Tax Offices: Payments can also be made at tax office counters in your province using your 15-digit accrual number. This method is generally preferred by applicants who are not familiar with online systems.
During this process, you should have your passport or foreign ID number and application details with you. Simply stating that you want to pay the residence permit fee is sufficient. However, it is important to know the correct amount in advance to avoid incorrect payments.
🏦 Contracted Banks: Payments can also be made through certain public banks: Ziraat Bankası, VakıfBank, Halkbank. However, in practice, this method does not always work smoothly. Since some branches do not frequently handle such transactions, applicants may encounter incorrect guidance or processing errors. Therefore, payment via banks is generally not recommended as the first option.
⏱️ Why Timing Matters
Paying the correct amount is important, but so is when you make the payment.
You should pay attention to the following:
• Payment must be completed before your residence permit appointment.
• Receipts must be printed and kept ready.
• All fee items must be paid in full.
Residence permit applications are evaluated by the Directorate General of Migration Management. Procedural deficiencies may lead to a negative outcome.
❗ Common Mistakes in Practice
The most common issues encountered in practice include:
• Paying only the permit fee but forgetting the card fee
• Entering the wrong ID number
• Making payment based on the wrong duration
• Not bringing the receipt to the appointment
• Making the payment after the appointment date
These mistakes are not legally complex but can negatively affect the course of the application.
💰 Fee Refunds: What Happens in Case of Overpayment?
Overpayment is quite common in practice. For example, even if a 1-year fee is paid, a shorter residence permit may be granted. In such cases, a refund can be requested for the unused period.
Refund process:
• 📍 Application Authority: The Treasury Office of the Tax Office to which your residence address is registered.
• 📋 Required Documents: Refund petition, original payment receipt, copy of residence card, and your personal IBAN number.
• ⏱️ Process: After review by the administration, the refundable amount is determined. Although the duration may vary, the refund is usually transferred to your bank account within 30–90 days. However, in practice, delays may occur depending on workload.
⚠️ In case of rejection, you can only request a refund for the “Residence Permit Fee.” The card fee and visa fee are generally non-refundable.
📊 Practical Tips
To ensure a smooth process:
• ⏰ Payment Hours: Online payment systems (Digital Tax Office) are active between 00:10 and 23:50. If your appointment is early in the morning, it is advisable not to leave payment until the last minute.
• 📅 Payment Before Appointment: All fees (card fee, residence permit fee, and visa fee if applicable) must be paid before your appointment time. Unpaid fees may result in rejection of your application.
• 📄 Always Keep Receipts: Even if you pay online, make sure to print the PDF receipt. If you paid at a bank, ask the officer for a stamped “original copy” or two copies, as physical documents are added to your application file during the appointment.
• 💸 Non-Refundable Item: If your residence permit application is rejected, the Card Fee (964 TL) is not refunded. You may only request refunds for overpaid or unjustly charged fees.
• 🔢 Check Accrual Number: When making a payment, ensure that the transaction is linked to the correct accrual number or application number. Payments made under incorrect numbers may appear as “unpaid” in the system.
• 📞 Official Support (YİMER 157): For official confirmation, you can call the Directorate General of Migration Management’s 24/7 hotline YİMER 157 (Foreigners Communication Center).
From Turkey: 157
From Abroad: +90 312 157 11 22
This multilingual hotline provides information on residence permits, visa procedures, and international protection. It also serves as a support line in emergencies. However, appointment date changes cannot be made through this line.
• 🌍 Country Exceptions: Some nationalities (e.g., Iraq) may be exempt from the single-entry visa fee. If this fee does not appear in your system, you can confirm your exemption via YİMER 157.
🔗 Related Article
To learn how residence permit fees are calculated in detail:
👉 How to Calculate Resident Permit Fees in Turkey (2026 Guide)
(step-by-step fee calculation guide)
🔗 Official Authorities
For accurate and up-to-date information, official sources should always be consulted first:
• Directorate General of Migration Management
• Revenue Administration
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What fees are paid for a residence permit application in Turkey in 2026?
Generally, the residence permit fee, card fee, and in some cases a single-entry visa fee are paid. The total amount varies depending on nationality and requested duration.
👉 For more details, see our article:
How to Calculate Resident Permit Fees in Turkey (2026 Guide)
How are residence permit fees paid in Turkey?
They can be paid via the Revenue Administration’s online system (ivd.gib.gov.tr), tax offices, or certain public banks. In practice, online payment is the most reliable and widely used method.
Can residence permit fees be paid online?
Yes. Online payment is recommended as the fastest and most reliable method.
Is it mandatory to pay before the appointment?
Yes. All fees must be paid before the appointment date. Otherwise, the application may not be processed or may be delayed.
What happens if payment is not made before the appointment?
The application may be delayed or not processed.
What if the wrong amount is paid?
If underpaid, you may be asked to complete the payment. If overpaid, you can request a refund.
Can I get a refund if a shorter permit is granted?
Yes. If a shorter residence permit is granted than requested, you can apply for a refund of the unused portion from the tax office where the payment was made.
⚖️ Legal Support
You can contact us for professional legal assistance in residence permits, extensions, work permits, and other legal processes. Learn more about our services here.
📩 Contact
🌐 www.yourturkeypermit.com
📧 info@yourturkeypermit.com
🟢 WhatsApp: +90 543 525 7479
⚖️ Legal Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Although it is based on current legislation as of 2026, practices may change. It is recommended to check official sources or seek professional assistance before applying.
