Study in Turkey

First, you'll apply for a Turkish student visa. Once you land in Turkey, you have one month to apply for your Student Residence Permit; this is what lets you stay for your whole course.

Want to work while you study? You'll need a separate work permit called a çalışma izni. Your residence permit only lets you live and study, not work. Undergrads need to wait until they've finished their first year before they can apply for a work permit. Master's and PhD students don't have to wait at all; they can apply as soon as they start their programme.

Once you're eligible, you can work up to 24 hours a week during term time, and full-time during university holidays. After you finish your degree, the Short-Term Residence Permit for Graduates lets you stay in Turkey for up to a year while you look for a job. Keep working in Turkey for a few years after that, and longer-term residency could be on the table too.

Student Visa and Residence Permit:

• Duration: Lasts the full length of your programme and renews along with your residence permit.
• Work Rights: Up to 24 hours a week for undergrads who've finished their first year. Postgrads can start working right away, no waiting required.
• Eligibility: An admission letter from a recognised Turkish university, plus the usual visa documents: passport, health and travel insurance, and proof you can cover your costs.

Graduate Residence Permit:

• Duration: Up to 1 year.
• Work Rights: This permit alone doesn't let you work. To work legally, you'll need an employer to apply for a separate work permit (çalışma izni) on your behalf.
• Eligibility: You must have graduated from a recognised Turkish university and apply within 6 months of graduation.
• Next Step: Land a job within the year, and your employer takes care of the work permit for you.