1. When should I start visa application for Türkiye?

    After receiving your acceptance letter, it is highly recommended that you contact the representative offices of the Republic of Türkiye located in your country to learn the bilateral visa regime and to acknowledge which documents you would need to collect for your visa application as soon as possible if you need a visa. 

    Please note that (unless there are specific bilateral arrangements between countries), students who come to study in Türkiye must obtain a student visa from the nearest Turkish Republic Consulate or Embassy. 

    Student visa procedures can take time; therefore, it is important that you start collecting your documents and apply for a student visa as soon as you can. 

    You can check country-specific visa regulations of Türkiye via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Link. 

    For locating the nearest Turkish Embassy or Consulate in your home country, here is an A-Z country list for Turkish representations: http://www.mfa.gov.tr/turkish-representations.en.mfa 

    You can view the KHAS International Office Page regarding Visa and Residence Permit here: Link 

    If you need any further documents from our side, we would be happy to issue them to facilitate your visa application. 

    For your future mobilities, you might need to apply for a visa for Germany and North Macedonia while you are in Türkiye. Please ensure that your passport is valid for your entire duration of study and that you have enough empty pages for new visa applications. 

    1. Do I need a residence permit for my stay in Türkiye?

    YES. The main document for your stay in Türkiye is your Residence Permit. 

    According to Turkish Migration Regulations, all international students must apply for a residence permit from the Turkish Migration Office. 

    You can apply for a residence permit only after completing your registration at the university and after your physical arrival in Türkiye. 

    Please review the Presidency of Migration website for residence permits: https://en.goc.gov.tr/residence-1 

    1. When should I start my visa application for Germany?

    Since students’ first mobility destination is Türkiye, you first need a student visa for your studies in Türkiye. Following that, if your second mobility destination is Germany, you can apply for your German visa while you are stationed in Türkiye. 

    International students with proof of admittance to a German university will be issued a student visa (“Visum zu Studienzwecken”), also known as the National Visa D. 

    Please be aware that a Schengen visa is only for tourist purposes or short-term student stays (such as final thesis research or summer school) in Germany. A Schengen visa can never be converted into a local residence permit. 

    As Erasmus Mundus students, you will most probably secure an appointment in Istanbul rather quickly, and the processing times are relatively fast. However, it will take at least four weeks, so plan ahead. The sooner you can take care of it, the better. Please check the website of the Consulate/Embassy of Germany in İstanbul to learn the most up-to-date information regardingrequired documents and current wait times. 

    1. When should I start my visa application for North Macedonia?

    Since students’ first mobility destination is Türkiye, you first need a student visa for your studies in Türkiye. Subsequently, if your second mobility destination is North Macedonia, you will apply for your visa for North Macedonia while you are based in Türkiye. 

    Please be aware that before traveling to the Republic of North Macedonia as a student, you are required to obtain an entry visa. 

    The documents required for obtaining this visa must be submitted to the nearest consulate or Embassy of the Republic of North Macedonia (the directory of consulates and embassies is available at: www.mfa.gov.mk). Similar to the processes in Türkiye and Germany, upon your arrival in Skopje, you will be required to apply for a local residence permit issued by the administration of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. 

    1. What are the necessary documents for my visa applications?

    For exact visa documentation, you must check the respective embassies’ or consulates’ web pages, as policy changes can occur which the CyberMACS consortium might not be immediatelyaware of. Typically, you will need to prepare the following items: 

    • Official letter of admission/acceptance 
    • A valid passport with at least two free pages 
    • A recent passport-sized photo fulfilling official biometric criteria 
    • Proof of funding (such as your formal Erasmus Mundus scholarship award letters) 
    • Supporting application items: Travel insurance, proof of accommodation arrangements, etc. 

    Please feel free to reach out to us if you require additional supporting letters or documentation from our coordination office; we are happy to issue them to facilitate your application. 

    Please note that it remains the student’s sole responsibility to keep track of the most up-to-date visa requirements for all designated CyberMACS host countries. 

    1. When should I start my registration at Kadir Has University?

    Kadir Has University utilized rolling enrolment timelines depending on the student status. The coordination team will send a dedicated email to all accepted students detailing your exact registration window. 

    1. How should I make my registration to Kadir Has University?

    We will send a step-by-step instruction manual via email to all accepted students regarding how to submit your registration. During your enrolment at Kadir Has University, every student will set up their official university email account. This institutional KHAS email address is the mandatory channel used for all official notices, academic updates, and university announcements. 

    1. How and when will the scholarships be paid?

    Students with scholarships will receive €1,400 per month for a total duration of 24 months, granted by the European Commission to finance their participation in the two-year CyberMACSprogramme. Your first scholarship stipend will be paid exactly one month after your documented arrival date. For instance, if you arrive in İstanbul on September 07, 2026, you will receive your first scholarship disbursement on October 07, 2026. 

    Please note that payments are strictly conditional upon the student providing a valid, personal Euro bank account nominally assigned to the student at the specific partner bank the Consortium works with. Disbursements are subject to the full fulfilment of student obligations as delineated in your signed Student Agreement. 

    Scholarship payments will cease immediately if the scholarship holder withdraws from the Programme or fails to comply with the terms laid down in their Scholarship Contract and/or Student Agreement. 

    For operational details regarding opening your local bank account, please reference the corresponding bank account questions below, or contact us for direct coordination. 

    1. When should I be in Istanbul/Türkiye?

    For the 2026–2027 edition, we encourage you to arrange your travel and arrival in Istanbul starting from September 7, 2026 onward. 

    Between September 10–12, 2026, you will participate in our mandatory Cultural Orientation Week. Following that, between September 14–16, 2026, we host the Joint Integration Week, which includes parallel introductory coursework. On September 28, 2026, the Fall Semester will officially begin. Link 

    Please organize your flight itineraries and travel arrangements according to this schedule: 

    • Arrival in Türkiye:  7 September 2026 
    • Cultural Orientation Week: 10-12 September 2026 
    • Joint Integration Week: 14–16 September 2026 
    • First Semester Officially Starts: 28 September 2026
    1. When does the semester start at Kadir Has University?

    The Fall Semester for the 2026 academic year is scheduled to officially begin on September 28, 2026. If any administrative modifications occur, the coordination team will update you immediately via email. 

    1. What is CyberMACS insurance policy?

    In strict compliance with EMJM regulations, all registered CyberMACS students—regardless of scholarship status—must be covered by a comprehensive health and accident insurance policy. 

    This coverage spans the entire duration of the two-year master’s program. Students do not need to make any out-of-pocket payments for this insurance plan. 

    The policy fully covers: 

    • Sickness, pregnancy/childbirth, and medical accidents: Including direct payment for hospital admissions, full reimbursement of outpatient medical care, 100% coverage for physician fees, prescribed pharmaceuticals, diagnostic analyses, emergency dental care following an accident, and medical repatriation in the event of severe illness. 
    • Non-accident emergency dental care: Covered up to €250 per year. 
    • Mental health: Coverage includes non-permanent and non-chronic mental health disorders. 
    • Pregnancy care: Covered for pregnancies of less than 6 months at the time of departure from your home nation to begin the program. 
    • Accidental Death & Permanent Invalidity: Covering transport of mortal remains, funeral costs, or partial/full disability support resulting from an injury. 
    • Third-party liability: Covering physical or material damage occasioned to third parties. 
    • Theft and loss of personal belongings: Protection covering essential travel identity documents (passports, IDs), transit tickets, and luggage. 
    • Temporal scope: Valid across the entire enrolment window, including active mobility switches and personal worldwide travel required during the program. 

    The consortium works exclusively with certified insurance providers that fulfil all European Commission Mundus criteria. If you require your insurance certificate to support a visa application, please notify us. The provider utilizes an online registration portal where student confirmations are uploaded immediately upon enrolment; individual insurance policy documents will be systematically sent out upon request starting after proof-of-arrival is recieved. 

    1. When and how should I send my student agreement/scholarship contract?

    The student agreement is a legally binding document outlining the academic regulations, administrative milestones, and financial structures of your CyberMACS path. You are welcome to sign, scan, and email the digital document back to our office at your earliest convenience. However, please note that we will require you to submit an original, wet-ink signature version upon your physical arrival in Istanbul. 

    1. Will Kadir Has University provide accommodation?

    Kadir Has University does not maintain its own student dormitories and does not provide an individualized apartment-hunting service. However, the university’s main campus is located in the historic neighbourhood of Cibali within the Fatih district of Istanbul, situated directly on the shore of the Golden Horn, making it highly accessible via major public transit networks across the city. 

    You can check accommodation openings and contact info for select student dormitories managed by the Turkish Ministry of Youth and Sports, which our international cohorts frequently utilize, via the resources below: 

    • For shared flatting and international student housing networks, you can explore: Erasmus-Houses 

    Please secure your housing arrangements as early as possible, as September represents the absolute peak season for tourist travel and academic arrivals throughout Istanbul. 

    If you prefer to search for long-term housing in person after you arrive, you can book a temporary stay at a hotel near the campus. Please inform us if you select this path, as our office can recommend nearby options and assist in securing student discounts where available. 

    1. Since we are starting after September 1st, will the first monthly scholarship (for September) be the full amount or less?

    Funded students receive a full monthly stipend of €1,400 for 24 months. Your first scholarship instalment is processed exactly one month following the official start of your mobility tracking (your arrival date in Istanbul). Therefore, if your documented arrival is September 08, 2026, your first stipend will be paid on October 08, 2026. 

    As detailed in your contract, please remember that all payments are conditional upon opening a valid, personal Euro bank account nominally registered to you at our designated partner institution, and remain subject to meeting your baseline academic obligations under the Student Agreement. 

    Scholarship disbursements will terminate immediately if a student drops out of the programme or fails to adhere to the core guidelines established within their Scholarship Contract or general Student Agreement. 

    1. If I leave earlier (less than 24 months, i.e., 23 Months and 10 days), do I still receive the full scholarship?

    Scholarship amounts are calculated and verified through the European Commission’s official Beneficiary Module (BM)platform, which the CyberMACS Consortium uses to log student mobility periods for EACEA reporting. 

    If you leave the programme early or withdraw before the 24-month duration concludes, your final scholarship allocation is calculated using a pro-rated day-count method. 

    1. I have an account with Wise (Formerly TransferWise) and it is in EUR currency with my personal BIC/IBAN information. Is this sufficient?

    Unfortunately, our administrative policies do not allow us to route official European Commission grant distributions through third-party digital payment platforms or online money-transfer services. 

    To completely avoid international wire fees and ensure you receive your full €1,400 stipend without deductions, all students must open a new Euro account directly at the commercial bank contracted by the CyberMACS Consortium. Our team will guide you through the local bank account opening procedures collectively during your orientation week in Istanbul. 

    1. I am a European Union citizen, does my personal bank account (which is in EUR) satisfy the requirement of a valid personal European bank account in Euro nominally assigned to me?

    Similar to the Wise policy detailed above, our consortium requires all active students to establish a local account upon arrival in Istanbul. Due to regulatory tracking rules and to bypass international transaction fees so that your monthly scholarship is delivered completely intact, we must utilize our primary partner bank. Complete account setup instructions will be provided in person when you arrive. 

    1. I am informed that I’m on the reserve list. When will I receive the final decision regarding my application status?

    For the 2026–2027 student intake, our admissions committee will communicate final decisions to candidates on the reserve list until September 2026. Please monitor your email inbox and spam folder regularly during this window. 

    1. I renewed my passport, and my passport number is changed, what should I do?

    Please scan and email a copy of your new passport page to the coordination desk immediately. We will update your internal student records, which are managed and securely stored in strict accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) frameworks. 

    1. Is a digital Euro account opened via neo-banks or online fintech platforms acceptable for standard programmatic tracking?

    As specified in previous updates, neo-bank architectures do not possess localized clearing connections with our primary payment clearing networks in Istanbul. To ensure swift, automated compliance audits via EACEA guidelines, every student must set up a localized brick-and-mortar checking account with our designated partner bank. 

    1. Are there opportunities to participate in short-term mobility programs or workshops outside the core curriculum?

    YES. CyberMACS students have regular opportunities to participate in fully funded European initiatives, such as Blended Intensive Programmes (BIP) and specialized seasonal events (e.g., the CyberUS Spring School). These activities focus on cutting-edge topics like agentic AI, industrial cybersecurity, and hands-on lab sessions. Information regarding applications, selection criteria, and travel grants for these extra-curricular academic opportunities will be systematically announced via email and posted on our official social media channels. 

    1. Can I work a part-time job during my studies in Türkiye or Germany?
    • In Türkiye: International students registered in a full-time degree program are legally permitted to work part-time, but you must obtain an official work permit from the Ministry of Labor and Social Security. However, due to the rigorous, fast-paced academic demands of the CyberMACS curriculum, the Consortium highly discourages taking on external employment during the semester. 
    • In Germany: International students holding a National Visa D or a German Residence Permit are legally allowed to work up to 140 full days (or 280 half days) per calendar year. 
    1. What is the language of instruction, and are local language courses mandatory?

    The absolute language of instruction for all academic lectures, lab seminars, and research theses across all partner universities is English. However, as part of your cultural immersion and integration, introductory local language courses (such as basic Turkish, German, or the language of North Macedonia) are integrated into your curriculum milestones. While these local language components are designed to help you navigate daily life, your core technical mastery and grading remain completely in English.