Staying in Türkiye after your degree

Law 6458 provides a short-term residence category for people who completed higher education in Türkiye and apply within six months of graduation: it may be granted once for up to one year. The six-month application criterion is not permission to remain unlawfully until then. Check your current lawful-stay and transition deadlines with the migration authority. Other routes depend on their own conditions.

• Graduate short-term residence, if its conditions apply
• Further study with the relevant student-residence procedure
• Employment with the required work authorisation
• Genuine business activity or qualifying family circumstances, assessed separately

A postgraduate offer can support a new study plan, but does not automatically extend your current residence. Confirm admission, registration, funding and any gap between programs with the university and migration authority. Choose a qualification that serves your goals as well as checking the administrative route.

Research roles and employers before graduation. Confirm whether the role is open to foreign nationals, which permit route applies and who will prepare the application. Keep job-search plans separate from lawful-stay dates; neither sending applications nor receiving an offer automatically extends residence.

Company formation, residence and permission to work in the company are separate questions. Before investing, obtain qualified advice on the genuine business activity, tax and accounting obligations, and any permits required for your role. Do not treat company registration as automatic residence or work permission.

Ask the migration authority which dates apply to your case, what evidence is required and how a pending application affects travel. Keep written instructions and submission receipts. If your plans change, seek updated guidance promptly instead of assuming another route preserves the same deadline.