Your first month in Türkiye: a 10-step checklist for international students

You have arrived in Türkiye and registered at your university — now the first-month tasks begin. Save this list and tick it off.

10 steps

1. Final registration (kesin kayıt). Passport, school certificate, denklik, photos. More: certificate equivalency.
2. Student certificate (öğrenci belgesi). Get several copies — for residence, insurance and transport card.
3. Residence permit (ikamet izni). Online application and appointment. More: visa and residence.
4. Health insurance. The GSS deadline is 3 months from first registration. More: health insurance.
5. Accommodation. Read your dorm contract: meals, laundry, deposit. Costs: student costs in Istanbul.
6. Phone number. Buy a Turkish SIM. Note: a phone brought from abroad works with a Turkish number only for a limited time, then needs IMEI registration. In 2026 the fee is over 50,000 TL, so buying a phone in Türkiye is often cheaper.
7. Tax number. Needed for a bank account and some contracts, from the tax office or online; your residence card will carry a foreigner ID number.
8. Bank account. Passport, student certificate and tax number; some banks also ask for the residence card.
9. Student transport card. In Istanbul, the öğrenci İstanbulkart (593 TL monthly pass in 2026); other cities have their own cards.
10. University accounts. Student e-mail, learning system, library card and the international office's contact.

Extra tips

• Keep scans of every document on your phone and in the cloud.
• Keep the entry stamps in your passport — they may be needed to recognise your diploma: diploma recognition in Azerbaijan.
• Join orientation events — new friends and useful information.

Still choosing a university? Start with programme search.

Sources: international offices of Turkish universities; IMEI fee — NTV (2026); İstanbulkart fare — Yeni Birlik (2026). Amounts may change.

2 min read