Iranians Exempt from High Turkish Residency Fees until 2027

Price Shock and Return to Previous Tariffs In late April 2026, news of a sudden 930% increase in residency tax (Harç) for foreign nationals in Turkey created a wave of concern among migrants, especially the large Iranian community living in the country. According to published reports, the cost of a one-year residency for many nationalities had risen to over $600 [2]. However, only 24 hours after the implementation of this decree, the Presidency of Migration Management (GÖÇ İDARESİ) announced in an official statement a return to previous rates. According to this new circular, Iranians are exempt from paying these heavy amounts and will continue to pay their fees based on the old tariffs until the end of the current calendar year [1].

Details of Residency Fees for Iranians in 2026 Currently, Iranians are required to pay two main types of fees to receive or renew a residency card (Kimlik). The first fee is the "residency tax," which is calculated based on the principle of reciprocity. For Iranians, this amount remains in the range of $80 to $90 for one year [10]. The second fee is the amount of 964 Lira for the physical issuance of the residency card (Belge Bedeli), which, according to Law No. 210, all foreign nationals are required to pay without exception [1]. The RASA STUDY institute has also confirmed that Iranian applicants who visited the Immigration Office in recent days successfully registered their requests with the same previous amounts.

Why is 2027 a Decisive Date? The significant point in the recent statement from the Immigration Authority is the setting of a specific deadline for current tariffs. The text of the government amendment explicitly states that this exemption and return to previous prices are only valid until January 1, 2027 [2]. This means that the Turkish government intends to implement the new fee structure, which will likely include a significant increase, for all nationalities including Iranians starting from the beginning of 2027. Experts believe this few-month window is a golden opportunity for individuals planning long-term residency renewals to act before the costs increase [3].

Practical Advice for Applicants Given the fluctuations in immigration laws in Turkey, applicants are advised to prepare their documents carefully and ahead of the scheduled time. Although Iranians are currently exempt from heavy fees, strictness in accepting tourist residency applications continues. Utilizing the consultation of reputable institutions such as RASA STUDY can be effective in preventing file rejections and the waste of deposited fees (which are non-refundable in case of rejection) [5]. Additionally, the payment of government receipts must be done exactly according to the amounts listed in the rendezvous system to avoid problems on the day of the interview.