Turkish Resident Visa

[svBeBe]

Today we picked up our Turkish 1-year Resident Permit (blue book) in Fethiye which we obtained using the new streamlined process. Total cost was less than $200 USD each, including taxi fare, new passport photos with something written in Turkish on the bottom, and photo copy fees. Very easy to handle yourself; no agent required......at least in Fethiye.

We were surprised to find that the 1-year permit is based on the starting date of when one initially arrives in Turkey and receives the standard 90-day visa-on-arrival.

We had assumed the 1-year resident permit would start as of the date of our application for this permit. Or the date that the permit was actually issued. Nope; it starts when you first arrived.

Make your arrival and departure plans accordingly.

Judy

[atoll]

after all the hulla-ballo it will probably work out cheaper,easier and more flexable than the old 90 day system!

apart from the implications for eu pensioners who will now be recieving their pensions in a non eu country to which they are now residents,instead of just tourists,resulting in an aprox 50% reduction of the pension.
(not notifying the public pension scheme of their new status will most likely be treated as fraud in these austere times)

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by atoll

after all the hulla-ballo it will probably work out cheaper,easier and more flexable than the old 90 day system!

apart from the implications for eu pensioners who will now be recieving their pensions in a non eu country to which they are now residents,instead of just tourists,resulting in an aprox 50% reduction of the pension.
(not notifying the public pension scheme of their new status will most likely be treated as fraud in these austere times)

There are double taxation agreements in place to mitigate these things.

Dave

[atoll]

Originally Posted by goboatingnow

There are double taxation agreements in place to mitigate these things.

Dave

correct for uk non residents as we have a recirecal agreement.

[svBeBe]

We are American. We do not need to worry about taxation issues. Our "pension" is taxed by the US govt regardless of where we live.

[goboatingnow]

That fact that you are "taxed" once does not mean you can't be taxed again on the same amount . Yes if you become a resident of a country you need to be aware of the local taxation laws. You need to check out what the double taxation rules are between Turkey and the US.

DAve

[svBeBe]

We have already been to the tax office in Turkey. It is our understanding that as we receive no income in this country that we owe no taxes here other than the tax we paid in order to apply for the Residents permits. It might be a different situation if we had a Turkish bank account and received pension income into that Turkish bank, as non-Turkish residents who do not live on their own boats might do.

Turkey has implemented special rules for visiting sailors on their own boats who wish to remain in Turkey under the Residents permits. The rules are not the same as for people living on land under Residents permits. Sailors are not required to open Turkish banking accounts. As residents are not allowed to be gainfully employed in Turkey, there is no income in Turkey to be taxed. Our pensions are received into USA banks. And we are only temporary residents in Turkey, not permanent residents. I think that 'permanent resident' status is the key here.

http://istanbul.angloinfo.com/countries/turkey/tax.asp

"In Turkey, income taxation is defined in the 1960 Income Tax Law...... Turkey taxes on worldwide income for any residents of a period longer than 6 months on the following incomes:
--Salaries
--Business profits
--Agricultural profits
--Rental income
--Income from any self-employment
--Income from capital investment
--Any other income and earnings; this is where non-recurring capital gains tax is dealt with by Turkish income tax law"

USA pensions received into a USA bank do not fall into any of those categories.

But that is our understanding after visiting just the one tax office. Maybe we are in for a surprise later.

Judy

[Chuteman]

Originally Posted by svBeBe

Today we picked up our Turkish 1-year Resident Permit (blue book) in Fethiye which we obtained using the new streamlined process. Total cost was less than $200 USD each, including taxi fare, new passport photos with something written in Turkish on the bottom, and photo copy fees. Very easy to handle yourself; no agent required......at least in Fethiye.

We were surprised to find that the 1-year permit is based on the starting date of when one initially arrives in Turkey and receives the standard 90-day visa-on-arrival.

We had assumed the 1-year resident permit would start as of the date of our application for this permit. Or the date that the permit was actually issued. Nope; it starts when you first arrived.

Make your arrival and departure plans accordingly.

Judy

Was your residence permit based on having a Marina / Boat Yard contract?
or some other basis?
Thanks in advance

[svBeBe]

Originally Posted by Chuteman

Was your residence permit based on having a Marina / Boat Yard contract?
or some other basis?
Thanks in advance

Sorry for the delay in response. The answer is a resounding NO.

In fact, we provided a copy of a long-term contract where we will berth next winter. The official handed back that contract copy and said that was no longer required for yacht owners. They did want an address and phone number where we could be contacted during our time in Turkey, but did not want a contract.

Judy

[jckb]

Originally Posted by Chuteman

Was your residence permit based on having a Marina / Boat Yard contract?
or some other basis?
Thanks in advance

I believe the basis is that you own a yacht based in Turkey, as proved by a valid Cruising Permit. That's all.