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Turkey Student Visa from Pakistan

To study at a university in Türkiye you need a student visa from a Turkish embassy or consulate before you travel; the e-Visa is only for tourism and business. After you register at your university, you apply for a student residence permit through the Presidency of Migration Management, and that permit is what lets you stay for your studies.

Last reviewed 8 October 2026

At a glance

Who issues it
Turkish missions issue the visa; the Presidency of Migration Management issues the residence permit
Apply from
The Turkish embassy or consulate that covers where you live in Pakistan
Main document
Acceptance letter from a Turkish university
After arrival
A student residence permit, applied for through e-İkamet after you enrol
Work while studying
Needs a work permit, with tighter limits for undergraduates
Scholarship route
Türkiye Scholarships, the government programme, has its own application

Who this is for

  • Students admitted to a bachelor's, master's or PhD at a Turkish university
  • Applicants to English-taught programmes at state or foundation universities
  • Türkiye Scholarships recipients starting their programme
  • Students who can show money for fees and living costs

When another route fits better

  • If you only want to learn Turkish at a language centre, you will not get a student residence permit; a short-term residence permit is the usual route.
  • Open education (distance) programmes do not qualify for a student residence permit, so study them from Pakistan instead.
  • For a short trip to see universities, apply for a tourist visa rather than a student visa.

Documents to prepare

For the visa

  • Passport valid well beyond your planned stay, with blank pages
  • Completed visa application form and recent photos
  • Acceptance letter from the Turkish university
  • Degrees, transcripts and HSSC or A level results, verified by HEC or IBCC and attested by MOFA if asked
  • Proof of funds, such as bank statements or a scholarship letter
  • Travel health insurance, if the mission asks for it
  • Flight reservation and accommodation details, where requested

For the residence permit

  • Student certificate from your university, e-signed or stamped
  • Proof of address, such as a dormitory letter or a rental contract
  • Biometric photos that meet ICAO standards
  • Receipt for the residence permit fee
  • Health insurance, or registration with general health insurance once you are eligible

Step by step

  1. 1

    Get admitted

    Apply directly to universities or through Türkiye Scholarships. Each university sets its own entry rules, which may include its own exam, international test scores or your HSSC or A level results.

  2. 2

    Prepare your documents

    Have your degrees and transcripts verified and translated if the university or mission asks. Keep several attested copies, as both the university and the migration office may want them.

  3. 3

    Apply for the student visa

    Apply at the Turkish mission that covers your area, through the appointment system it uses. Do not use the e-Visa, which is only valid for tourism or commerce.

  4. 4

    Travel and enrol

    Enter Türkiye on your student visa and complete enrolment. Your university then issues the student certificate you need for the residence permit.

  5. 5

    Apply for the student residence permit

    Apply online through e-İkamet, choose the student residence permit, then submit documents as instructed, often through your university's international office. Your application receipt gives you temporary legal stay while the permit is processed.

  6. 6

    Renew each year

    Student permits are issued for up to a year at a time. Renew with a new student certificate while you remain enrolled.

Costs to plan for

  • The student visa fee charged by the Turkish mission
  • Tuition, which differs widely between state and foundation universities
  • The residence permit fee and the permit card
  • Health insurance until you are covered by general health insurance
  • Attestation, translation and courier costs
  • An accommodation deposit and living costs

Why applications get refused

  • Travelling on an e-Visa or tourist visa and expecting to switch to study later
  • An acceptance letter that cannot be verified, or from an institution not recognised by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK)
  • Insufficient or unclear proof of funds
  • Missing or unattested academic documents
  • Not applying for the residence permit promptly after enrolment
  • Enrolling only in a Turkish language course and applying as a degree student

Tips before you apply

  • Apply for your residence permit through e-İkamet as soon as you have your student certificate. Appointments are free, so do not pay anyone just for a slot.
  • Check that your university and programme are recognised by YÖK and, for medicine or other regulated fields, that the degree will be accepted by the relevant Pakistani council.
  • Look at Türkiye Scholarships early; it is a separate application with its own deadlines.
  • Keep your passport valid well beyond your permit dates, as Türkiye checks validity against your stay.

Questions people ask

No. Türkiye's e-Visa is only valid for tourism or commerce. For study you need a visa from a Turkish embassy or consulate.

No. After registering at your university you must apply for a student residence permit. It is issued for up to a year at a time and renewed while you stay enrolled.

Only with a work permit, which an employer normally applies for. Undergraduates face tighter limits than postgraduates, so do not plan to fund your studies through work.

It is the Turkish government's scholarship programme for international students. It has its own online application, and successful applicants are placed at Turkish universities.

Not for English-taught programmes, though daily life is easier with some Turkish. Turkish-taught programmes expect you to reach a set level, often after a preparatory year.

Official sources

Fees, fund requirements and processing times change. Check the current figures on the official site before you apply.

Last reviewed 8 October 2026. This guide is general information, not legal advice. VisaWala is not affiliated with any embassy or government, and only the issuing authority decides a visa application.