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 Life at BİLGİ
Life in İstanbul
Living in Turkey
Living in Turkey
Visa Requirement
Students who are not Turkish citizens require a student visa to enter Turkey. Exceptions are made for those who are legal dependents of someone residing in Turkey on a diplomatic mission or with a valid residence and/or work permit. Student visas must be obtained before coming to Turkey.
How do I get a student visa?
Student visas must be obtained from a Turkish Consulate, nearest to your place of residence. Student visas cannot be obtained within Turkey. You must take, or mail, a copy of your "Letter of Acceptance" from BİLGİ and a completed visa application form to the Turkish Consulate. The consulate will provide you with an application form upon request. You must also pay an application fee for this. You should apply to the Turkish Consulate as soon as you receive a copy of your acceptance letter. The process of issuing a student visa for Turkey generally takes around 6 weeks.
A residence permit should be obtained by individual application to the local authorities within one month of a student's arrival in Turkey. Our Student Affairs advisers will help students obtain their residence permits. Erasmus students excluded, international students pay around 40 euros in fees to get a residence permit.
For Turkish Embassies and Consulates abroad please visit Republic
of Turkey Ministry of Foreign Affairs site.
 • Dress
Clothes for all seasons, including a warm winter coat are needed. For more information about seasons and weather in İstanbul, Turkey see Weather
• Money
The monetary unit is the New Turkish Lira (YTL). Traveler's checks are not favored in İstanbul. ATMs can be found in even the smallest Turkish towns. Most accept international credit cards or bank cards (a strip of logos is usually displayed above the ATM). Almost all ATMs have a language key to enable you to read the instructions in English.
Most commercial establishments accept international credit cards such as Visa, Master Card and American Express
The amount of money to bring is dependent on your housing situation. If you did not prefer the university residence hall, you should bring an extra 1,500 to 3,000 euros. This is because upon signing a rental contract, you may very well be asked to pay the first month rent, a deposit and sometimes you may have to pay the real estate agent the equivalent of a month's rent. In addition to this, you will need to spend a couple hundred dollars in buying books, furniture etc. If you are buying a computer, expect to pay at least about 1000 euros for a new one.
• VAT
The value-added tax, here called KDV, is 18%. Hotels typically combine it with a service charge of 10% to 15%, and restaurants usually add a 15% service charge.
Value-added tax is nearly always included in quoted prices. Certain shops are authorized to refund the tax so you must ask about this.
• Electricity
The electrical current in Turkey is 220 volts, 50 cycles alternating current (AC); wall outlets take Continental-type plugs, with two or three round prongs.
• Medication
Bring a supply of medications you take regularly. You may or may not find what you need in local pharmacies. While many pharmacies sell basic items for colds, headaches, or stomach-aches, you must see a doctor and get a prescription for many stronger medications. Both BİLGİ campuses have full-time doctors and nurses on duty that offer their services free of charge. It is advisable to check with your Turkish embassy with regard to medications that you can legally bring into Turkey.
•Before you arrive
Make sure you are covered for health
insurance for the period of time you are here.
Passport/VISA: Make a photocopy of your passport and visa. If you lose it or it is stolen, this will help you to obtain a new one. Also bring along a copy of your Letter of Acceptance.
Put these important phone numbers and addresses in the bag you will carry with you:
Center for International Programs (for Erasmus and other bilateral exchange students)
Beyhan Demir
Phone: (+90) 212 311 52 17
İstanbul Bilgi University
Kurtuluş Deresi Cad. No: 47 34440 Dolapdere – İstanbul, Turkey
International Student
Adviser:
Student Affairs Office (for degree and special students):
Burçak Viracalı
Phone
(+90) 212 311 64 35
İstanbul Bilgi University
İnönü Cad. No:28 34387 Kuştepe - Şişli İstanbul, Turkey |
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 Orientation
At the beginning of the each academic year the Center for International Programs organizes an orientation program for international students. These dates will be announced on our web page.
Major Holidays in Turkey
October 3-5, 2005 (Ramadan Holiday)
October 29 (Republic Day)
January 1 (New Year's Day)
January 10-13, 2006 (Religious Holiday)
April 23 (National Sovereignty and Children's Day)
May 19 (Youth and Sports Day)
August 30 (Victory Day)
 
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