Istanbul at a Glance

Moving to Istanbul

The Blue Mosque is named after the blue tiles decorating the walls.

Moving to Istanbul will raise various questions for you. How to deal with the local authorities upon moving to Istanbul? How to navigate the infamous traffic in such a huge city? Our article gives all the answers to your questions about moving to Istanbul, from administrative info to transportation.

When thinking about your impending move to Istanbul, the first things to come to mind probably include Turkish bazaars and historic buildings like the Hagia Sophia. In fact, Istanbul is not just Turkey’s cultural center. The city also boasts an impressive heritage.

In ancient times, many people were moving to Istanbul’s forerunners, then known as Byzantion, later on as Constantinople or Byzantium. It has been the capital of three successive empires and saw an influx of all kinds of ethnic groups. They came as colonizers, settlers, traders, conquerors, or migrant minorities, but they all left their mark.

Today, Istanbul is not only the biggest city in Turkey. People moving to Istanbul will experience a vibrant culture, a modern society, and a dynamic economy.

Moving to Istanbul: Geography

Upon moving to Istanbul, did you notice how the Bosporus seems to break the city in half? Istanbul is simultaneously located in Europe and Asia, giving people moving to Istanbul the chance to be in two continents at once. Its location makes it a bridge between the East and the West.

The Bosporus has always been an important passageway. It connects the Black Sea in the north with the Marmara Sea in the south. In this way, it has boosted Istanbul’s economic significance. Moving to Istanbul will take you to a place where the defining characteristics of two continents join with an abundance of historical sites, picturesque landscapes and waterfronts.

Move to Istanbul: Visa Requirements

If moving to Istanbul for work, you will have to secure a work permit, a work visa and a residence permit first. The first step is finding a Turkish Embassy or Consulate in your home country. There you will have to apply for a work permit and then for a work visa, in this order.

To apply for a work permit before you move to Istanbul, you have to provide the following documents:

Valid travel document
Work visa application form for moving to Istanbul
One passport-size photograph
One copy of your employment contract for Istanbul

Moving to Istanbul: Work Visa

After receiving your work permit, you can apply for a work visa at the same consulate or embassy. You have to turn in the following paperwork (in person), also prior to your move to Istanbul:

Valid travel document with your work permit
Non-refundable work visa processing fee
Non-refundable work permit processing fee

Moving to Istanbul: Residence Permit

Even after your move to Istanbul, you are not done with your paperwork. Now it is time to make your way to Aksaray Police Station in order to pick up your residence permit. This has to happen within 30 days after your arrival. Your residence permit will be valid for one year. You can renew it as often as you wish as long as you are employed in Istanbul.

Fortunately, Istanbul’s police office offers a step-by-step online form to make an appointment and find out which documents you need to provide. The Aksaray Police station is located on the European side of the city.

Moving to Istanbul: Taxis

Taking the taxi in Istanbul may not be as fast and convenient as in your home country. Private metered taxis are easy to find unless you travel during rush hour. However, before you hop on a taxi, keep in mind that traffic can be extremely heavy and the drivers quite reckless.

Unfortunately, only very few taxi drivers speak English or any other foreign language. Write down the address on a piece of paper and show it to the taxi driver. Do make sure that the driver knows the location before you get in the car.