Turkey Residence Card Photo (50×60mm) Requirements and Size Guide

Everything you need to know about Turkey residence permit (İkamet İzni) photo requirements for foreign nationals living in Türkiye, including exact dimensions, background color, and how to take a compliant photo at home.

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Turkey Residence Card Photo Specifications

RequirementSpecification
CountryTurkey (Türkiye)
Document TypeResidence Permit Card (İkamet İzni / İkamet)
Photo Size50 × 60 mm (5.0 × 6.0 cm)
Resolution (DPI)600
Head Size35–48 mm from chin to top of head (70–80% of photo)
Background ColorPlain white
PrintableYes — on matte or glossy photo-quality paper
Digital Photo Size1181 × 1417 pixels (at 600 DPI)
ColorColor only (black and white not accepted)
RecencyTaken within the last 6 months
Quantity4 photos (for İkamet application)
Important: Turkey uses the 50×60mm photo size for residence permit (ikamet) applications, which is larger than the common 35×45mm ICAO standard used for passports. Make sure your photo is cropped to the correct dimensions before submitting your application.
Don't worry about getting the perfect photo. Upload any photo taken at home, and our AI-powered tool will automatically crop to the correct 50×60mm size, remove and replace the background with white, adjust the head size, and ensure your photo meets all official requirements.

Detailed Turkey Residence Card Photo Requirements

The İl Göç İdaresi (Provincial Directorate of Migration Management) under the Ministry of Interior issues residence permits. Foreign nationals staying in Turkey for more than 90 days must obtain a residence permit. Below is a comprehensive guide to ensure your ikamet photo is accepted.

Types of Residence Permits

  • Short-term residence permit (kısa dönem ikamet izni): For tourism, business, education, medical treatment, or other temporary purposes, valid for up to 1 year
  • Family residence permit (aile ikamet izni): For foreign family members of Turkish citizens or residence permit holders, valid for up to 3 years
  • Student residence permit (öğrenci ikamet izni): For foreign nationals enrolled in Turkish educational institutions
  • Long-term residence permit (uzun dönem ikamet izni): For foreigners who have continuously resided in Turkey for at least 8 years
  • Humanitarian residence permit (insani ikamet izni): For individuals under temporary protection or with exceptional circumstances

Photo Basics

  • Your photo must be in color — black and white photos are not accepted
  • Must be a recent photo, taken within the last 6 months
  • The photo must be clear and in focus, with no blurriness or pixelation
  • No filters or editing — do not apply social media filters or digitally alter your appearance
  • Must reflect your current appearance

Size and Dimensions

  • Photo size: exactly 50 × 60 mm (5.0 × 6.0 cm) — the ikamet standard
  • Your head (from chin to top of head) should measure approximately 35–48 mm, occupying 70–80% of the photo
  • Printed on matte or glossy photo-quality paper

Pose and Expression

  • Face the camera directly — your head must not be tilted or turned
  • Maintain a neutral facial expression with your mouth closed
  • Both eyes must be open and clearly visible
  • Ensure your face is fully visible from chin to forehead, and ear to ear

Background

  • Use a plain white background
  • No patterns, textures, or objects visible behind you
  • No shadows on your face or behind your head

Glasses

Glasses are not recommended. If you must wear prescription glasses, ensure there is no glare on the lenses and no tinted lenses are used. Sunglasses are never permitted.

Head Coverings and Hats

  • No hats or head coverings are allowed, unless worn for religious purposes
  • If worn for religious reasons, your full face must still be visible from chin to forehead
  • No headphones, earbuds, or wireless hands-free devices

Clothing

  • Wear normal everyday clothing
  • Do not wear uniforms, except religious clothing worn daily
  • Avoid wearing white or very light-colored tops that may blend with the white background

Children and Baby Photos

  • The child must be the only person in the photo — no parent's hands or arms visible
  • The child's eyes must be open and visible
  • No toys, pacifiers, or other objects visible in the photo
  • A plain white sheet may be used as a background for babies
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How to Take a Turkey Residence Card Photo at Home

You don't need a professional studio. Follow these simple steps to take a compliant Turkish ikamet photo at home using your smartphone.

1

Use a Smartphone or Digital Camera

Any modern smartphone camera is more than capable. Make sure the lens is clean and set to the highest resolution. Place your phone on a tripod or ask someone to take the photo for you.

Taking residence card photo with smartphone
2

Find Good Lighting

Stand facing a window with natural daylight for even lighting. Avoid direct sunlight, which creates harsh shadows.

Tip: Don't worry if your background isn't perfectly white. Our AI tool will automatically replace it with white.
Proper lighting setup
3

Dress Appropriately

Wear normal everyday clothing. Avoid uniforms and white tops. Make sure your hair does not cover your eyes.

Appropriate attire
4

Pose Correctly

Stand about 1.5 meters in front of the camera with your head facing directly forward. Keep your shoulders relaxed and head level.

Correct posing
5

Maintain a Neutral Expression

Keep your face relaxed with a neutral expression. Both eyes must be open and your mouth closed. No smiling or exaggerated expressions.

Neutral expression

Good and Bad Examples of Turkey Residence Card Photos

Good and bad examples of residence card photos

Comparison of acceptable and unacceptable residence card photos

Frequently Asked Questions

What size is a Turkey residence card photo?

A Turkey residence card (ikamet) photo must be exactly 50×60mm (5.0×6.0 cm). This is larger than the standard 35×45mm used for most passport photos.

What background is required?

The background must be plain white. No patterns, objects, shadows, or other people should be visible.

Can I wear glasses in my Turkey residence card photo?

Glasses are not recommended. If you must wear prescription glasses, ensure no glare and no tinted lenses. Sunglasses are never permitted.

Can I take my Turkey residence card photo with my phone?

Yes! Upload it to PassportPhoto.help and our AI will automatically crop to 50×60mm, remove the background, and ensure it meets all official requirements.

How many photos do I need for a Turkey residence permit application?

You need 4 identical photos for a Turkish ikamet (residence permit) application. The photos must be recent, taken within the last 6 months.

Can I smile in my Turkey residence card photo?

No. You must maintain a neutral facial expression with your mouth closed and both eyes open.

Who needs a Turkish residence permit?

Foreign nationals staying in Turkey for more than 90 days must obtain a residence permit (ikamet izni). This includes students, workers, family members of Turkish citizens, and long-term residents.

Can I wear a head covering in my Turkey residence card photo?

Only religious head coverings are permitted. Your full face must be visible from the bottom of your chin to the top of your forehead. Fashion head coverings, hats, and caps are not allowed.

Last updated: May 4, 2026