SamD wrote
I was under the impression that I had to use an agent for the kitas. Too late now as I have already paid but I probably would have still used one anyway. I just don't like dealing with officialdom. And seeing all the documentation that my agent provided I don't think I would have been able to navigate the bureaucracy very well not being a native speaker.
You are only required to use an agent if you are applying for a retirement Kitas or Kitap. If you are being sponsored by your spouse, then no agent is needed, and in fact immigration told me they discourage the use of agents in such cases. In any event, immigration counters are typically staffed by polite young people these days, and they tend to be both helpful and professional. There is very little 'bureaucracy' to navigate. You get a list of documents you need to provide, plus the blank forms, and they will answer every question you might have. There are English speakers available if your wife doesn't want to accompany you to translate. Maybe next time...
