Which Districts Are Open for Residence Permits in Istanbul? (2026)
Most of Istanbul is open for residence permit applications, but not every address has always been. Since 2022, Turkey's Presidency of Migration Management (Göç İdaresi) has closed neighbourhoods, and in Istanbul whole districts, to new residence permits where the share of foreign residents became too high. The list changes, so the only safe approach is to check the exact address before you buy if you plan to apply for a residence permit through property.
How the Closed-Neighbourhood Rule Works
The rule is part of the government's policy to avoid high concentrations of foreign residents in one area.
| Date | What happened | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Early 2022 | Neighbourhoods where foreigners made up more than 25% of the population were closed: 781 neighbourhoods | Interior Minister, reported by Anadolu Ajansı |
| 1 July 2022 | The threshold was lowered to 20%; the number of closed neighbourhoods rose to 1,169 nationwide | Göç İdaresi announcement |
| 16 July 2023 | Göç İdaresi said 10 Istanbul districts were closed to new residence permit applications, and 54 neighbourhoods in Istanbul to new foreign registrations | Göç İdaresi statement, reported by DHA |
| June 2026 | Law firms and the press reported that e-İkamet was again accepting applications for most of Istanbul; some reports say Fatih and Esenyurt remain closed | Press reports; we found no published official announcement |
In a closed neighbourhood, Göç İdaresi does not accept new residence permit applications or new address registrations by foreigners. The official announcement lists exceptions for newborn children and nuclear family reunification.
Which Istanbul Districts Were Closed?
In its statement of 16 July 2023, Göç İdaresi said that Fatih and Esenyurt had been closed to new residence permit applications since January 2021, and that after a review in October 2022 eight more districts were added: Avcılar, Bahçelievler, Başakşehir, Bağcılar, Esenler, Küçükçekmece, Sultangazi and Zeytinburnu. The same statement rejected claims that all 39 districts of Istanbul were closed.
That list is from 2023. In June 2026, several law firms and news sites reported that the restrictions in Istanbul had been largely lifted, with Fatih and Esenyurt reportedly still closed. At the time of writing we have not found an official announcement from Göç İdaresi confirming this, so treat any list, including this one, as a starting point, not a guarantee. Göç İdaresi reviews the density analysis regularly and can reopen or close areas.
How to Check an Address Before You Buy
- Get the full address. You need the district (ilçe), neighbourhood (mahalle), street and building number, as they appear in the title deed and in the national address system. The neighbourhood is what matters, not the project's marketing name.
- Check with Göç İdaresi. The closure lists are published by Göç İdaresi and its provincial directorates on goc.gov.tr. When you apply on e-İkamet (e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr), the system shows whether the address can be used for a new application.
- Ask the Istanbul Provincial Directorate of Migration Management if you are unsure. It is the office that completes your application.
- Check again close to the purchase. A neighbourhood open when you reserve a flat can close before you apply, or the other way round.
Residence Permit, Not Citizenship
The closed-neighbourhood rule concerns residence permits and foreigners' address registration. It is not one of the criteria for Turkish citizenship by investment, which has its own requirements: property worth at least USD 400,000, with a three-year no-sale annotation on the title deed, and it covers your spouse and children under 18. If you buy for citizenship, confirm how your application will be processed with us or your lawyer. See our citizenship page.
The rule also does not stop a foreigner from buying property in a closed neighbourhood. You can own the home; you may simply not be able to use that address for a new residence permit.
Residence Permits Through Property: The Basics
- A residence permit through property is not automatic.
- The home must be worth at least USD 200,000.
- You apply online via e-İkamet, then complete the application at the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management.
- The permit can be renewed while you own the property.
Full details are in our guide to Turkish residency through a USD 200,000 property investment.
What This Means for Buyers
- If a residence permit is your goal, check the neighbourhood first, then choose the property.
- Do not rely on district-level lists alone. Closures have been applied at neighbourhood level as well as district level.
- Keep your documents in order. The title deed, the address registration and the rest of your file all have to match.
- Think beyond the permit. Transport, schools, building quality and resale demand matter for the years you own the home.
When you buy new-build property through CCT Investments, project visits and title deed follow-up are free. Ask us about a specific project's neighbourhood before you commit, and always confirm it on the official channels. Read our buyer guide, browse properties in Istanbul, or contact us.
Sources
- Anadolu Ajansı, 11 June 2022: the threshold lowered from 25% to 20% from 1 July 2022
- Göç İdaresi: neighbourhood closure announcement (1,169 neighbourhoods)
- DHA, 16 July 2023: Göç İdaresi statement on 10 closed Istanbul districts
- Türkiye Today, June 2026: reports that neighbourhood restrictions were removed
- e-İkamet (Göç İdaresi)
