How to Apply for a Visa to Move to İzmir, Turkey: Our Family’s Journey
- Angela Reading
- Apr 8
- 5 min read
TL;DR: Moving to İzmir with a Family – The Quick Version 🇦🇺➡🇹🇷
Thinking of relocating your family from Australia to İzmir, Türkiye? Here’s the short version of what worked for us (a family of six who’ve been living here for over six years):
Choose Your Visa: Most families start with a Short-Term Residence Permit and renew later.
Apply Online Early: Use the e-Ikamet portal within 30 days of arrival.
Get a Tax Number: Required for nearly everything. Apply at your local office or online.
Secure Turkish Health Insurance: Aussie insurance won’t count—try Allianz Turkey.
Rent a Place (Even Short-Term): You’ll need a notarised lease. Try Sahibinden.
Book Your Immigration Appointment: Print everything and bring the kids too.
Pay Fees: Around ₺3,000–₺5,000 per person. Check the latest fees.
Wait for Your Card: You’ll get a paper permit first—your Ikamet card arrives by mail.
Set Up e-Government Access: Use e-Devlet for schools, healthcare, and services.
Bonus Tips: Bring extra passport photos, join expat groups, and don’t panic when the process gets weird. It will. Quick note, any reference to money can change so quickly due to high inflation. Please ensure you find the present figures.
👉 Scroll on for full step-by-step details, official links, and our real-life experience navigating it all with four kids in tow!
How to Apply for a Visa to Move to İzmir, Turkey: Our Family’s Journey
It was not really that long ago that the life I live and where I live would’ve sounded completely unbelievable to me. But now, we’re an Aussie family of six living a whole new life on the Aegean coast of Türkiye.
Sure, the move brought joy, adventure, and loads of baklava. But it also introduced us to an entirely different challenge: navigating the Turkish visa process.
This post is for Australians or other foreigners considering a move to Turkey with their families. I’ll walk you through the exact steps we took, sprinkle in a few hard-earned tips, and include official links to help you get started confidently.
Why İzmir?
Before we dive into forms and embassy visits, let me tell you—İzmir is a gem.
As Turkey's third-largest city, İzmir offers a relaxed Mediterranean atmosphere, rich historical roots, and a truly family-friendly lifestyle. It’s affordable but not sleepy, cosmopolitan yet grounded, and the people? Absolutely welcoming.
We chose İzmir because it offered a perfect mix of culture, climate, and cost of living. The community—both local and expat—helped us settle in smoother than we expected. If you want sea breezes without the chaos of Istanbul, İzmir might be your spot too.
How to apply for a visa to move to Izmir, Turkey
Step 1: Know Your Visa Options
Australians can enter Turkey visa-free for up to 90 days within any 180-day period—but that’s not going to cut it if you’re relocating.
Most families choose from the following options:
Short-Term Residence Permit (Ikamet) – for tourism, owning property, or studying.
Family Residence Permit – once one spouse is approved, the rest of the family can apply under it.
Student or Work Visas – not as common for families, but worth noting.
Turquoise Card – Turkey’s version of a “green card” for skilled migrants. More difficult to get, but an option for long-term planners.
💡 Helpful Link: Directorate General of Migration Management (DGMM) – Turkey’s official immigration site.
Most families start with the Short-Term Residence Permit, and either renew it or switch to a different category later.
Step 2: Start the Application Process Online (Before or Soon After Arrival)
Once we landed in İzmir, we had 30 days to lodge our residency applications. If you’re planning to stay, get started as soon as possible.
Where to apply:
What you’ll need:
Valid passport (with at least 6 months before expiry)
Biometric photos
Proof of Turkish address (rental agreement or utility bill)
Private health insurance from a Turkish provider
Your tax number (more on this next)
Completed online application
Each family member—including children—needs their own application and documents.
Step 3: Get a Tax Number
You can’t do much officially in Turkey without a Vergi Numarası (tax number). You’ll need it for:
Renting property
Setting up a bank account
Utilities and more
How to get it:
Visit your local Vergi Dairesi (Tax Office) with your passport, or
Apply online: 👉 https://ivd.gib.gov.tr
It’s free and usually issued on the spot.
Step 4: Secure Health Insurance
Turkish private health insurance is mandatory for visa approval. Your Aussie provider won’t count here unless you have international health insurance.
Costs vary by age and coverage period.
Make sure you get the signed original policy, as it's required for your visa appointment.
Step 5: Rent a Home (Even Short-Term)
To apply for residency, you’ll need proof of address in Turkey, and that means a notarised rental contract in your name—even for short stays.
We found our first place using Sahibinden.com (Turkey’s version of Gumtree). You can also go through an English-speaking agent if you prefer.
Step 6: Book Your Appointment
Once your online application is submitted, you’ll be given an appointment at your local Göç İdaresi (Immigration Office). Ours was in the Konak district of İzmir, and the process was relatively friendly.
Bring:
Printed application form
Copies of passport
Biometric photos
Insurance policy
Payment receipt
Kids must attend the appointment too—any child over 6 will have fingerprints and photos taken.
Step 7: Pay the Fees
Your residency card and processing fees are paid at a tax office or bank. As of 2025, you can expect to pay around ₺3,000–₺5,000 per person, depending on your nationality and permit type.
💡 Check the latest fees here:👉 Current residence fees (DGMM)
Step 8: Wait for Your Ikamet Card
Once approved, your residence card (Ikamet) will arrive by registered mail—ours took about 3 weeks.
Until then, you’ll receive a temporary paper permit at your appointment, which acts as legal proof of residence.
👉 Track your card delivery here: PTT Turkey
Our Tips for Families
Bring extra passport photosYou’ll need them for schools, banks, and every bit of bureaucracy.
Hire a local translator or fixerA bilingual assistant helped us tremendously those first few months.
Be patientTurkish bureaucracy has its own rhythm. Expect surprises.
Join expat groupsFacebook groups like “Expats in İzmir” or “Australians in Turkey” are packed with local tips.
Get access to the e-Devlet portalAfter getting your Ikamet, you’ll need a Turkish ID number to access the e-Government system for school registrations, healthcare, and more.
Relocating to İzmir with four kids was no small feat—but we’d absolutely do it again.
Yes, the visa process is a bit of a maze, but with good prep, a calm mindset, and a bit of help, it’s completely manageable. After over six years here, Turkey has become more than a new country—it’s home.
How to Apply for a Visa to Move to İzmir, Turkey
If you’re considering making the move, don’t be discouraged by the paperwork. A big family can do this. And if you need recommendations for local coffee or schools—drop us a message. 😊
🧭 Useful Links Recap:
Turkey offers not just culture and adventure—but a deeply meaningful journey of growth and trust.
Welcome to new ventures and fresh beginnings. Hoş geldiniz!
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