The Turkish ikamet izni (residence permit) requires a 50×60mm photo for in-person applications and a 600×720px digital upload for the e-ikamet online portal. Two different numbers for the same document. The 600×720px portal spec is not the same as the 591×709px you'd calculate from 50×60mm at 300 DPI — use the portal's number, not the formula.
Turkey İkamet Photo Specifications (50×60mm)
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Size (print) | 50×60mm |
| Digital — e-ikamet portal | 600×720px |
| Digital — 300 DPI equivalent | 591×709px |
| Background | Plain white |
| Head position | Centred, facing camera |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed |
| Glasses | Not permitted (ICAO biometric standard) |
| Coloured lenses | Not permitted |
| Head coverings | Only for religious reasons |
| Photo age | Taken within the last 6 months |
The ikamet is issued by the Göç İdaresi Genel Müdürlüğü — Turkey's Directorate General of Migration Management. Applications are submitted through the e-ikamet portal at e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr. The digital photo upload spec on the portal calls for 600×720px, which is what you should use. Don't calculate from DPI and print size and arrive at 591×709px — that's the theoretical figure, not the portal's actual requirement.
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İkamet Print vs Digital: Why 50×60mm ≠ 600×720px
This is the most common source of confusion with ikamet applications. Calculate 50×60mm at 300 DPI and you get 591×709px. But the e-ikamet portal asks for 600×720px. The two numbers don't match.
Why the discrepancy? The portal spec takes precedence over the print calculation. Turkish migration authorities updated the digital upload requirement independently of the DPI formula. Use the portal spec — 600×720px — for any online application. Use 50×60mm for physical prints submitted to a Göç İdaresi office.
Types of Turkish İkamet Izni (Residence Permits)
Turkey issues several categories of residence permit. The photo requirement is the same across all types:
Turistik ikamet (short-term residence permit). For those staying beyond the visa-free 90-day period. Issued for 1–2 years. The most common type for newly arrived expats, remote workers, and retirees.
Aile ikamet izni (family residence permit). For foreign nationals married to Turkish citizens or residing with close Turkish family members.
Öğrenci ikamet izni (student residence permit). For foreign students enrolled in Turkish universities or language programmes.
Uzun dönem ikamet izni (long-term/permanent residence permit). After 8 consecutive years of legal residence. Holders have the same rights as Turkish citizens in most areas, excluding voting.
İnsani ikamet izni (humanitarian residence permit). Issued in specific circumstances at the discretion of Göç İdaresi.
The 50×60mm photo standard applies to all of these.
Turkey İkamet Processing Time and Fees
Processing takes up to 90 days. In practice, many permits come through in 4–8 weeks. The fee varies by permit type and nationality — check goc.gov.tr for the current schedule, as amounts are updated annually. Payment goes via PTT (Turkey's postal service) using a payment code generated during the e-ikamet application.
The residence permit card itself is valid for 1–2 years depending on the permit type. Renewal applications should be submitted before the current permit expires — ideally 30–60 days before the expiry date.
Göç İdaresi Appointment and İkamet Submission
The e-ikamet system generates an appointment at a Göç İdaresi office after you complete the online form. At the appointment:
- Bring all uploaded documents in physical form
- Bring two or more 50×60mm printed photos (even though you uploaded digitally — the officer may request physical prints)
- Bring your passport and copies
- Bring proof of address (rental contract, utility bill, or notarised lease)
- Bring proof of income or financial means (bank statements, employment letter, or equivalent)
- Bring health insurance valid in Turkey for the permit duration
Specific document requirements vary by permit type and your nationality. The e-ikamet portal lists what you need for your specific application.
Getting Your İkamet Photo Right as an Expat in Turkey
Most people applying for a Turkish ikamet are applying outside the normal Turkish photo infrastructure. You're in Ankara, Istanbul, or Izmir — often recently arrived — and you need a 50×60mm photo quickly.
Local fotoğrafçı shops are your fastest option. They know the 50×60mm NVI/Göç İdaresi format well. Show them your appointment letter or say "ikamet fotoğrafı" — they'll know exactly what to produce. Expect ₺60–100 for four to six prints and a digital file. The digital file is useful: if the e-ikamet portal requires a fresh upload, you already have the correct file ready.
For the digital upload, confirm the file is exactly 600×720px before uploading. The portal will reject files with wrong dimensions.
Common Turkey İkamet Photo Mistakes
Uploading 591×709px instead of 600×720px. Calculated from print size and DPI, this feels like the correct number. The portal disagrees. Use 600×720px.
Wearing glasses. The ICAO biometric standard prohibits glasses. The Göç İdaresi system applies the same automated checks as NVI. Remove glasses before the photo.
Submitting an old photo. The six-month rule applies. An ikamet application photo must be recent. If you've been in Turkey a while waiting to get your finances sorted, check the date on your photos before submitting.
Wrong aspect ratio. A 35×45mm photo cropped or resized to different pixel dimensions is not the same as a 50×60mm photo. The aspect ratio must be 50:60 (5:6). Don't try to submit a passport photo from another country in a different size.
Confirm your ikamet photo is 600×720px and white-backgrounded with the passportsize-photo.online checker before uploading to e-ikamet.
Expression and Appearance Rules for İkamet Photos
- Neutral expression — mouth closed, no smile, no frown
- Eyes open — both eyes fully visible, looking directly at the camera
- No glasses — all types banned per ICAO biometric standard
- Hair away from face — forehead and both eyes clearly visible
- Head coverings — women may wear hijab; full face from chin to forehead must remain visible
- Clean, even lighting — no shadows on face or background
- Recent photo — taken within the last 6 months
Turkish Document Photo Comparison: İkamet vs Passport vs ID
| Document | Size | Background | Glasses | Smile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| İkamet (Residence Permit) | 50×60mm | White | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Turkish Passport | 50×60mm | White | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Kimlik Kartı (National ID) | 50×60mm | White | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Sürücü Belgesi (Driving Licence) | 50×60mm | White | Not allowed | Not allowed |
All four Turkish identity documents share the same 50×60mm specification. One photo session covers every Turkish document. For the e-ikamet portal specifically, remember to use 600×720px — not the standard 591×709px calculation.
Quick Checklist for İkamet Photos (Print)
- Size: 50×60mm (4 biometric photos)
- Background: white
- Expression: neutral, mouth closed
- No glasses (any type)
- Photo taken within 6 months
Quick Checklist for E-İkamet Digital Photo Upload
- Dimensions: 600×720 pixels
- File format: JPEG
- Background: white
- No glasses
- E-ikamet application started at e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr
Also see: Turkey passport photo size | Turkish ID card photo requirements | Full Turkey guide
