Turkey Increases Residence Permit Fees by Up to 930% for Nationals of 37 African Countries

Turkey's Directorate General of Migration Management announced an increase in residence permit application fees for nationals of Nigeria and 36 other African countries, with hikes of up to 930 percent in some categories. The changes, which took effect on May 1, 2026, also affect citizens of approximately 140 other countries across continents, including the United States.

Nearly all types of residence permits are subject to the new rates, including short-term tourist permits, family permits, permits for property owners, and those related to investment and educational programs such as TOMER courses. Work visa fees have also risen, with a standard single-entry work permit now costing about 12,575 lira, equivalent to $278, and a permanent work permit costing 125,800 lira, or $2,784.

Prior to the increase, the fee was roughly $85 per year. Under the new structure, a six-month permit costs $315, a one-year permit $631, a two-year permit $1,263, and a three-year permit $1,857.

African countries include Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Chad, Comoros, Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Eswatini, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

The list of impacted nations extends to countries such as the United States, Germany, France, United Kingdom, China, India, and many others in Europe, Asia, and the Americas.

University students, excluding those in TOMER language courses, and applicants for long-term permanent residence will pay only the residence card fee without additional tax surcharges. Foreign nationals entering Turkey visa-free with an inactive prior residence or work permit must now pay a single-entry visa fee of $208, up from $174.

Over 4,500 Nigerians were officially resident in Turkey as of February 9, 2023, including football player Victor Osimhen, who plays for the club Galatasaray. The fee increases apply to new applications and renewals, potentially affecting migration patterns and costs for individuals seeking to live, work, or study in Turkey.