Choose the profile that fits you and get the steps in order, from the first document to being legally settled in Istanbul.
For Istanbul
Your situation
Open a step on the roadmap to see what it involves.
Rules change
There is no separate EU route: every foreign national staying beyond 90 days in 180, or beyond their visa, needs a residence permit from the provincial migration directorate. First-time short-term permits on tourism grounds are now rarely granted, so apply on the ground that genuinely fits. This is a general guide, not legal advice. Confirm each step with the Presidency of Migration Management (Göç İdaresi Başkanlığı) before you rely on it.