When you first arrive in Istanbul or Ankara, there are usually three things you want to sort out as quickly as possible: a SIM card so you can make calls and get online, a bank account to send and receive payments, and the tax number required for almost every transaction. These three steps are interconnected: opening a bank account often requires a tax number and a Turkish phone number, and uninterrupted use of your phone line depends on the device's IMEI registration. If you get the order right, you can comfortably set up the basic infrastructure of daily life within your first week in Turkey. In this article we have prepared a first-week to-do list for foreigners newly arrived in Turkey: how foreigners obtain a tax number, choosing an operator and getting a SIM card, IMEI registration for a phone brought from abroad, opening an account at a Turkish bank, and practical tools such as e-Devlet and public transport cards. We also share the recommended order of steps and a document list. At Yeni İpekyolu (New Silk Road), we accompany newly arrived clients through the settling-in process every day.
The right order for your first week in Turkey: tax number, SIM card, bank
Many people go straight to a bank as soon as they arrive in Turkey, only to learn that they first need a tax number and a local phone number. To avoid unnecessary back-and-forth, the order we recommend is: get your tax number first, then obtain a SIM card and complete IMEI registration, and open a bank account last. The tax number is the basis for almost every subsequent transaction, while a Turkish phone number is needed for verification codes sent by banks and public systems. Once these two steps are complete, opening a bank account goes much more smoothly and your first-week plan in Turkey fits a realistic schedule.
Throughout this process, always carry your original passport and keep several photocopies of the passport data page on hand. If you have a rental contract or hotel accommodation document, bring it along to show your address in Turkey. If you already have a residence permit, your residence card and foreign identification number make many procedures even easier. Keeping digital copies of your passport and visa on your phone is also a practical habit. Gathering your documents in a single folder saves time during visits to institutions and keeps your first week on track.
How do foreigners obtain a tax number?
In Turkey, foreigners can obtain a tax identification number by applying with their passport at any tax office; the process is usually completed the same day. The Revenue Administration (Gelir İdaresi Başkanlığı) also offers an online option: foreigners can apply for a potential tax identification number through the Interactive Tax Office (İnteraktif Vergi Dairesi). Whichever method you choose, you must provide details such as your first name, surname, date of birth and parents' names exactly as they appear in your passport. Because the tax number is often the first official step for foreigners, entering the information correctly ensures that all your records remain consistent in the future.
The tax number has a very wide range of uses: it may be required for opening a bank account, signing a rental contract, buying a home or car, subscribing to electricity, water and natural gas, registering a phone line and many other transactions. After you receive a residence permit, your foreign identification number is usually linked to your tax records and can be used directly in many transactions. We recommend keeping the certificate or a screenshot once you receive your tax number. At Yeni İpekyolu we accompany you to the tax office or fill in your online application together with you, so you complete your first official step within minutes.
How do you get a SIM card in Turkey? Operators and required documents
Turkey's main mobile operators are Turkcell, Vodafone and Türk Telekom; all three have many stores in major cities and wide network coverage. Foreigners can get a SIM card by applying with their passport at the operators' official stores and choose between prepaid and postpaid plans. During the process, the store records your passport details; for some plans, a tax number or address information may also be requested. We recommend choosing official operator stores so the line is registered correctly and directly in your name. At the store you can also ask about the plan's data package and international calling options.
When choosing a plan, consider your data needs, whether you will make international calls and how long you will stay in Turkey. If you will live in Turkey for a long time, you may consider updating your line details with your foreign identification number after obtaining a residence permit; this makes it easier to use e-Devlet and banking services. It is important to settle on your phone number as early as possible, because it will be entered into your bank records, public systems and the apps you use every day. Changing numbers frequently can cause problems with verification codes. Starting with a permanent number makes things easier from the outset.
IMEI registration: how do you register a phone brought from abroad?
In Turkey, mobile phones brought from abroad must undergo IMEI registration to be used permanently on the mobile network with Turkish SIM cards. Unregistered devices may lose access to Turkish networks after a certain period of use. Matters such as registration rules, the number of devices that can be registered, the fee payable and timing are set by current legislation and may be updated from time to time. That is why we recommend adding IMEI registration to your first-week to-do list after arriving in Turkey. We confirm the current rules and fee amount for you, so your phone keeps working without interruption.
IMEI registration usually requires your passport, your entry information to Turkey and your phone's IMEI number; you can see the IMEI number by dialing *#06# on your phone. Registration can be done through channels such as tax offices, an online application via e-Devlet and some operator stores; registration is completed once the relevant fee is paid. Dual-SIM phones usually have two separate IMEI numbers, so remember to check both during the process. At Yeni İpekyolu we check your details together and complete the IMEI registration process with you from start to finish.
Opening a bank account as a foreigner: what you need for an account at a Turkish bank
Foreigners can open personal accounts at commercial banks in Turkey, including Turkish lira and foreign currency accounts. Banks generally ask for a passport, tax number, Turkish phone number and address information; some banks may also request a residence permit or an explanation of income or source of funds. Because requirements can vary from bank to bank and even from branch to branch, getting information in advance or going to the branch with someone experienced speeds up the process. Once your account is opened, we recommend activating the mobile banking app right away; you can easily handle most transfers, bill payments and card transactions through it.
When opening an account, the bank carries out identity verification under "know your customer" rules and may ask about your purpose in Turkey and your occupation. Answering these questions clearly makes the process easier. If you have difficulty with the language, having an interpreter with you makes the meeting much more comfortable. If, in addition to a personal account, you want to open a corporate account in your company's name, the required documents and steps are more extensive, involving company documents, the signature circular and documents on the shareholding structure. Yeni İpekyolu's corporate banking team plans this process separately and coordinates communication with the bank on your behalf.
Other practical steps for your first week in Turkey: e-Devlet, transport card and apps
e-Devlet is Turkey's digital platform that brings public services together under one roof, allowing you to look up and carry out many official procedures online. After receiving your foreign identification number, you can obtain an e-Devlet password by applying at a PTT (post office) branch with your residence card, and then track your address registration, tax information and hospital appointments online. If you live in Istanbul, you can conveniently use the metro, buses, ferries and trams with an İstanbulkart; cities such as Ankara and Izmir also have their own transport cards. These tools make your daily life easier from day one.
- Original passport and copies, visa or entry information
- Tax number (from a tax office or online)
- Turkish SIM card and IMEI registration for a phone brought from abroad
- Proof of address: rental contract or accommodation document
- Bank account and mobile banking app
- City transport card; e-Devlet password after the residence permit
Yeni İpekyolu support with bank, SIM card and tax number procedures
At Yeni İpekyolu we offer newly arrived Chinese clients a "first week" accompaniment service: airport pick-up, accompaniment to the tax office for a tax number, choosing an operator and SIM card procedures, IMEI registration, bank appointments and accompaniment when opening an account, plus support with transport cards, home rental and residence permit applications. The entire process is conducted in Chinese and accompanied by team members who know it closely. While you focus your energy on your work and your new city, we make sure the official steps are completed in the right order and in full. This way, your first week in Turkey becomes an enjoyable start rather than a stressful one.
The current requirements and fees for each procedure are set by current legislation; before you come to Turkey, we confirm the latest rules for you and prepare your document list. If you are coming to Turkey soon, reach out to us in advance; simply share your arrival date and the city where you will settle. Let the Yeni İpekyolu team plan every step of your first week, from bank, SIM card and tax number procedures to house hunting. If needed, we also provide support with matters such as hospital accompaniment and school research for your children. With the right plan, you can begin your new life in Turkey with confidence from day one.
Frequently asked questions
Can you open a bank account in Turkey without a residence permit?
Some banks allow an account to be opened with a passport and tax number; however, requirements vary by bank and some may ask for a residence permit or additional documents. We find out the current practice of different banks for you.
Can a tax number be obtained online?
Yes. Foreigners can obtain a potential tax identification number through the Revenue Administration's Interactive Tax Office; alternatively, you can complete the process by visiting any tax office with your passport.
Can I use the phone I brought from China directly in Turkey?
You can use it for a while after your arrival; however, IMEI registration is required for permanent use with a Turkish SIM card. Registration rules and fees are set by current legislation, so we recommend registering early.
Can tourists get a SIM card in Turkey?
Yes. Tourists can get a SIM card with their passport from operators' official stores; operators also offer special packages for tourists.
What does Yeni İpekyolu's first-week accompaniment service include?
It covers airport pick-up, the tax number, SIM card and IMEI registration, accompaniment when opening a bank account and transport card procedures; if you wish, it can be extended to home rental and residence permit applications. The entire service is supported in Chinese.