Once a complete file reaches the Trade Registry, the official investment guide says the registration process can be completed within the same day. The realistic end-to-end project is longer because company design, foreign document legalisation, translation, address, appointment availability and bank onboarding happen around that registry step. Treat the registry day as one milestone, not the whole timeline.
| Stage | Dependency | Planning rule |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | Name, activity, shareholders, managers and capital | Resolve before MERSIS filing |
| Foreign documents | Notarisation, apostille or consular certification and translation | Start before travel or appointment |
| Trade Registry | Complete MERSIS file and signatures | Official guide: same-day completion when complete, checked 23 July 2026 |
| After registration | Tax follow-up, books, bank and operating setup | Track as separate workstreams |
What MERSIS does
MERSIS is the central electronic registry used for trade registry processes. It stores records and gives active legal entities a unique number. The filing still depends on correct company data and the required signatures.
A realistic sequence
Confirm structure, prepare foreign-issued records, reserve the address, draft and submit the articles in MERSIS, complete signatures and registry filing, then follow tax, accounting and bank onboarding. Regulated activities may add permissions.
Documents and preparation
- Passports for individual shareholders
- Activity certificate and corporate resolutions for a corporate shareholder
- Articles of association and management details
- Power of attorney if the process is followed by proxy
- Address evidence and tax number preparations
- Apostille or consular certification and Turkish translation where applicable
Risks and checkpoints
- Booking travel before the foreign documents are usable
- Promising a fixed completion date before registry review
- Confusing registration with bank account approval
- Leaving regulated-activity permissions until the end
Official sources and verification date
Official sources checked 23 July 2026.
- Invest in Türkiye — Establishing a Business — Official sources checked 23 July 2026.
- T.C. Ticaret Bakanlığı — Şirket Bilgileri — Official sources checked 23 July 2026.
Coordinate the file through our company registration guidance and corporate services. For remote execution, continue with the non-resident guide.
Frequently asked questions
Can registration be completed in one day?
The official guide states same-day completion for the registration process when the file is complete; preparation and post-registration work take additional time.
What is MERSIS?
It is the central electronic registry system used for trade registry procedures and records.
Can foreign documents be used as issued?
Documents issued abroad generally need the applicable notarisation, apostille or consular route plus official Turkish translation.
Is bank onboarding part of trade registration?
No. It is a separate review by the bank and may have its own timeline and document requests.
