The information in the first paragraph is almost correct. Once the container lands, it'll incur storage costs until you arrange for it's discharge. To do that you have to have a Residence Permit. Once you have your RP you can arrange discharge through a shipping agent and, once all import taxes and any other costs are paid, you can arrange delivery to to your residence. You can either attend the port yourself, or you can give the agent Power of Attorney to act on your behalf.

The information in the second paragraph is a load of bo**ocks. Unless you're a real "dodgy character" there's no reason why you should be turned down for a RP nor for it to take upto a year.

A Residence Permit can be obtained in a day if you're prepared to do some legwork and have a Turkish speaker to guide you through the process.

In general though, you have 2 choices, pay someone to arrange for an "express service" and you'll have your RP and passport back within about a week or just go through the normal process and it'll be completed within about 5 weeks.

One thing you do have to bear in mind though, is that to obtain your RP in SOME provinces, you have to send your passport in with the application. So, you may be without your passport for say 5 weeks. Naturally, they'll give you a receipt for it, but you can't travel outside of Turkey using the receipt.

At last some sense.
Thanks for that KayaKoyuWalker. Now I know what to do.
All the best for 2010

hallo,

i am bosnian passport holders and we already have a turkish tax number since 2008,as well as bank account. we would like to bay rezident property in istanbul to move in. we don't need a viza for entering turkey up to 60 days with common passport. now, we are interested can we obtain rezident permit in nearest police office in istanbul after we entering turkey within 60 day's? we have money on saving account in turkish bank and that would be good for 2 year's staying? also in mean time we will bay a property in istanbul area around bahcelevlier or esenyurt? can you tell us more about forbiden areas for expats in istanbul to owen property so we can see which one is good for selling to expats.also, is it possible to find somebody, i mean privat law agency to arrange resident permit for us as well as pass baying process in istanbul. thank you and best regards,alen

If you use the search function at the top of the page, and type in your questions, you will find the answers to your questions. having had a tax number and a turkish account will certainly make things easier for you. the amount of money needed in your account, depends on how long you want your residency permit to be valid for.

we would like to bay property in istanbul and stay one year to set up the bussiness and i think,according by related post's we have enough money. but i am interested is it possible to obtain from turkey becouse of common passport?/no need visa for bosnian passport up tu 60 day's/ is that all we need?/enough money in the bank,valid passport's,tax number, and our own resident property/ thank you for quick response.

yes because with American passports we also dont need a visa to enter turkey, but once we are in we can apply for a residence visa.

are you american? i am working for u.s. gov. in meadle east as contractor and after my contract get done i was gonna move with family in istanbul and set a bussiness. where you staying? thank's for answer and have a good day. best regards,alen