The most common and costly errors made by new arrivals in Istanbul.
Action checklist
Complete these steps in order for the fastest, safest setup.
1Don't skip phone IMEI registration — SIM locks after 60 days
2Don't pay rent in cash without a bank receipt
3Don't rely on Google Maps alone — Yandex Maps is better for Istanbul traffic
4Don't ignore the 90-day visa rule — overstaying has real consequences
City context: Istanbul
These steps are tailored for newcomers in Istanbul. Costs, availability, and requirements may differ in other cities — switch the city selector above to switch context.