Goreme1990

If you left Turkey without being approved or receiving your new ikamet then yes you will need to obtain a visa before re-entering.

Thank you for checking and clarifying this Ken.

As Ken points out, the date you enter on your passport is recorded, so this suggests you'd have to leave on that passport and then re-enter on the other passport. That said, I don't know if this is strictly legal - the computer system may well match your name and DOB.

Thank you for confirming this information. Much appreciated.

I have read on Doc Martin's site that you do not need a translated and noterised copy of your passport when you are making a first application for and RP. Is this still correct?

Yes it's important. An individual living in Istanbul recently had their application to renew their resident permit denied because they had failed to register their change of address. They had to stay out of Turkey for 3 months and when they returned had to wait another 3 months before applying for a residence permit again. And there's a fine for not registering.

Thank you Ken and everyone for your comments. I only just saw this post today.

That's good to know. Good luck and let us know if you get your parcels.

You will have to ask at the PTT. In the past you could send things to any post office, anywhere, poste restante. The item would be held by the post office and you would have to go and pick it up. With this method they don't tell you when it arrives, you just have to guess and ask them. Poste restante is postrestant in Turkish. If you have enough Turkish you can go and ask them Postrestant var mi? and if they say yes ask, Postrestant adres beni yazabilir mi? (Can you write the poste restante address for me). However the most secure way is to give your home or work address.

22 April is not a holiday in Turkey so the PTT and Banks will be open. Please note that 23 April is a holiday. At the PTT you can send items like letters and envelopes by normal mail or boxes and larger things by cargo. How much it costs depends on the weight and dimensions of the item and who fast you want it delivered.

Like Redders said, if you are a foreigner in Turkey and you want to use a phone, wherever it's from, you need to register your yabanci kimlik number with the service provider.

You also have to register if you have a pay as you go SIM card. I successfully added my TC Kimlik number using the Digital Operator link provided by Turkcell.

Any imam can conduct a religious wedding ceremony in Turkey but it is not a legal binding marriage contract and gives no legal rights to either party.

Avcilar is about one and half hours from Zincirlikuyu (which is near lots of vibrant areas) and is a very Turkish district. Unless your mother is fluent in Turkish or already has a good social network in Istanbul she might feel isolated. Your budget for a 3 bedroom apartment is quite low unless you pick remote suburbs. The price difference could be down to the number of metres squared, the quality of the materials used, if the apartment is in a site which includes a gatehouse, parking, gym and pool and lots of other variables. If you do buy a new property make sure the iskan (habitation certificate) has already been issued, use you own lawyer (not one recommended by the real estate agent selling the house) and make sure to check the tapu (title deed) information against the seller's kimlik (ID card).

Before you can ships things into Turkey you will need to have a residence permit. Then, you can bring in one shipment of personal belongings tax free, provided you do this no less than 2 months and no more than 6 months after your last entry into the country.