Life at BİLGİ
Life in İstanbul
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. If you contact the Centre for International Programmes soon after making your application for a student visa, we can contact the embassy to speed up the process.

A residence permit should be obtained by application to the local authorities within one month of a student's arrival. Our advisors will also help students obtain their residence permits)

For Turkish Consulates abroad please visit Republic of Turkey Ministry of Foreign Affairs site.

For Turkish Embassies 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, you should bring an extra $1,500 to $3,000. 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 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:

Travel Tips
•  Safety: Keep your passport and travel documents with you at all times. A pack that fits around your waist and holds everything in front of your body is best
•  In case the airline loses your luggage, have everything you need for one night's emergency stay in a bag with you on the airplane.
•  MAKE AND KEEP COPIES OF ALL YOUR IMPORTANT PAPERS AND YOUR PASSPORT.
•  Put your name and both your home and Turkey addresses and telephone numbers INSIDE your baggage and on a label outside of your baggage. You can use the BİLGİ Kuştepe Address if you do not have an address in Turkey .

Orientation
At the beginning of the each academic year the Centre for International Programmes organises an orientation programme for international students. These dates will be announced on our web page.

Holidays in Turkey
October 29, 2004 (Republic Day)
November 14-16, 2004 (Ramadan Holiday )
January 1, 2005 (New Year's Day)
January 20-23, 2005 (Religious Holiday)
April 23, 2005 (National Sovereignty and Children's Day)
May 19, 2005 (Youth and Sports Day)
August 30, 2005 (Victory Day)

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