⚠️ Important Notice:
The information provided in this content does not constitute an official legislative change published in the Official Gazette.
However;
as of 23.01.2026, based on:
- applications personally submitted by our clients to the Immigration Office, and
- up-to-date field information obtained from within immigration authorities,
it is clearly observed that a de facto change has been implemented in the address commitment letter (taahhütname) practice.
In recent days, many residence permit applications have been evaluated as “incomplete documents” solely due to address issues, and the difficulties experienced by foreign nationals called to the Immigration Office for missing documents are observed to be directly related to this change in the commitment letter practice.
📌 What Has Changed in the Commitment Letter Practice?
Previously, during residence permit applications in Turkey, address notification could be made through:
- a friend’s residential address,
- a property registered under an acquaintance’s name,
- a commitment letter issued by a third party.
However, according to the latest information obtained;
The Immigration Office no longer accepts commitment letters issued on behalf of third parties.
❌ Types of Commitment Letters No Longer Accepted by the Immigration Office
Commitment letters issued by the following persons are considered invalid:
- Friends
- Housemates
- Acquaintances
- Colleagues
- Non-family members
- Commitment letters issued solely for the purpose of showing an address
In other words, a foreign national can no longer apply for a residence permit using an address simply because they know someone in Turkey.
✅ For Whom Is the Commitment Letter Accepted?
According to the current practice, commitment letters are accepted only for first-degree relatives.
These include:
- Spouse
- Mother
- Father
- Children
- Siblings
For example;
A Turkish citizen or a foreigner holding a valid residence permit in Turkey:
✔️ may provide a commitment letter only for their own family members
❌ cannot provide a commitment letter for third parties under any circumstances
📍 How Can Foreign Nationals Declare an Address Now?
Under the current implementation, the address options available to foreigners applying for a residence permit in Turkey have become significantly limited.
The address types currently accepted are as follows:
✅ 1. Notarized Rental Agreement
- The rental contract must be notarized
- Handwritten agreements or verbal declarations are not accepted
- The landlord’s information must be complete
At present, this method is considered the most valid and secure address option.
✅ 2. Property Registered Under the Applicant’s Own Name (Homeowners)
If a foreign national:
- owns a property registered under their own name, and
- the property is not located in a closed neighborhood area,
this address may be used as a legal residence address for the residence permit application.
However, for properties located in closed neighborhoods,
property ownership alone does not guarantee approval of the application.
✅ 3. Dormitory Address for University Students
- State dormitories
- Private dormitories
- University-affiliated dormitories
For students, the dormitory address declaration practice continues without any change, and no modification has been introduced in this regard.
