Turkish Immigration LawyerVisas, residence and work permits, citizenship, entry bans and deportation appeals in Istanbul

1.What does a Turkish immigration lawyer do?

Most immigration matters in Turkey are decided by the administration, not by a judge. Residence permits are granted by the provincial migration offices of the Presidency of Migration Management, work permits by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, and citizenship by the Ministry of Interior. A Turkish immigration lawyer prepares the application so that it meets these authorities' requirements, follows the file, and takes the case to court when the administration refuses, cancels or deports.

• Before the application: choosing the right permit type, checking documents, translations and legalisation, and spotting risks such as an old overstay, an unpaid fine or a restriction code.
• During the process: filing on e-İkamet or e-İzin, preparing petitions, answering requests for additional documents and following the file with the authority.
• After a negative decision: administrative objections, annulment lawsuits and requests for stay of execution before the administrative courts, and applications to the criminal judgeship of peace in detention cases.

2.Visas and visa-free entry

Entry to Turkey is governed by Articles 11 to 18 of Law No. 6458. Depending on nationality, a foreigner may enter visa-free, with an e-Visa or with a visa issued by a Turkish consulate. A visa or visa exemption generally allows a stay of up to 90 days in any 180-day period; it does not allow work.

• e-Visa: for tourism and business trips by eligible nationalities, issued online.
• Consular visa: required for nationalities not eligible for an e-Visa and for purpose-specific stays such as work, study or family reunification.
• Work visa: a foreigner who receives a work permit after applying from abroad enters Turkey with a work visa obtained from the consulate.
• Annotated visa: in some cases a person with an entry ban can enter with a visa issued for a specific purpose, such as marriage, work or study, if the authorities allow it.

3.Residence permits

Foreigners who will stay longer than their visa or visa exemption allows, or longer than 90 days, must obtain a residence permit (Law No. 6458, Arts. 19 to 49). Applications are filed on e-İkamet, followed by an appointment at the provincial migration office. The passport must be valid at least 60 days longer than the permit requested. Full guide: residence permit in Turkey.

3.1. Short-term residence permit

Issued for purposes such as tourism, owning residential property, business connections, scientific research, medical treatment, Turkish language courses and investment. It is granted for up to two years at a time (up to five years for qualifying investors). For residential property bought on or after 16 October 2023, a permit based on property ownership requires a title deed sale price of at least USD 200,000. Some neighbourhoods are closed to new residence registrations by foreigners, so the address must be checked before signing a lease or buying.

3.2. Family residence permit

The foreign spouse and minor or dependent children of a Turkish citizen, of a residence permit holder, or of a refugee or subsidiary protection holder may apply. The sponsor must show monthly income not below the minimum wage, health insurance and suitable housing, and both spouses must be at least 18. The permit is granted for up to two years at a time and cannot exceed the sponsor's own permit.

3.3. Student residence permit

Granted for the duration of associate, bachelor's, master's or doctoral studies at a Turkish university. A student who wants to work needs a separate work permit; the student permit does not count towards the in-country work permit route.

3.4. Long-term residence permit

Foreigners who have lived in Turkey for at least eight uninterrupted years on residence permits may apply for an indefinite long-term permit, provided they have not received social assistance in the last three years, have sufficient income and health insurance, and pose no public order or security threat.

3.5. Humanitarian and trafficking-victim permits

A humanitarian residence permit can be granted for up to one year at a time where other permits are not available but the person must stay, for example because of the best interests of a child or because removal is not possible. Victims of human trafficking receive an initial 30-day permit, which can be extended in six-month periods up to three years in total.

4.Work permits and the Turquoise Card

Work permits are issued under International Workforce Law No. 6735, generally on the employer's application through the e-İzin system. A valid work permit or Turquoise Card also counts as a residence permit (Law No. 6458, Art. 27). Full guide: work permit in Turkey.

• From inside Turkey: possible for foreigners holding a valid residence permit of at least six months; student residence permits do not qualify.
• From abroad: the foreigner applies at the Turkish consulate and the employer completes the online application; after approval the foreigner enters with a work visa.
• Duration: the first permit is issued for up to one year, then up to two years and three years on extension with the same employer.
• Extension: filed in the last 60 days before expiry and always before the permit ends; late applications are refused.
• Indefinite and independent permits: available, subject to conditions, to long-term residence holders or foreigners with eight years of legal work, and to qualified professionals working independently.
• Turquoise Card: for highly qualified foreigners, investors and scientists; it gives indefinite work rights after a transition period.

5.Turkish citizenship

Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901 provides several routes to citizenship. The final decision always rests with the Ministry of Interior after a security review; meeting the conditions does not create an automatic right.

5.1. Citizenship by investment

• Real estate worth at least USD 400,000, with a three-year no-sale annotation on the title deed;
• fixed capital investment of at least USD 500,000;
• a bank deposit of at least USD 500,000 held for three years;
• government debt instruments of at least USD 500,000 held for three years;
• real estate investment fund or venture capital fund shares of at least USD 500,000 held for three years;
• creating employment for at least 50 people.

For the real estate route, the valuation report, the bank's foreign currency sale certificate and the title deed must all show the qualifying amount. After the land registry issues the certificate of conformity, the investor and family apply for residence and then for citizenship. The spouse and children under 18 can be included. Full guide: Turkish citizenship by investment.

5.2. Citizenship by marriage

A foreigner married to a Turkish citizen for at least three years, with the marriage still continuing, may apply (Art. 16). The couple must live together as a family, and the applicant must not act against the marriage and must not pose a threat to national security or public order.

5.3. General naturalisation

Under Article 11, a foreigner who has lived in Turkey for five uninterrupted years before the application, intends to settle, speaks sufficient Turkish, has an income or profession, and has good moral character may apply. Absences abroad totalling more than six months in those five years break the continuity.

6.International protection

Foreigners who fear persecution or serious harm in their country can apply for international protection to the provincial migration offices. Law No. 6458 recognises refugee status, conditional refugee status and subsidiary protection. Article 4 prohibits returning anyone to a place where they would face torture, inhuman treatment or persecution. Syrians who arrived after 2011 are covered by a separate temporary protection regime. Interviews, rejections and appeals in these files have strict deadlines, so legal support from the first interview is important.

7.Entry bans and restriction codes

Overstays, deportation, unpaid fines, public health concerns or security assessments can lead to a restriction code (such as Ç, G, N or V codes) in the foreigner's record and an entry ban under Article 9 of Law No. 6458.

• An entry ban is imposed for at most five years; if there is a serious threat to public order or security, it can be extended by up to ten more years.
• For foreigners who overstayed and applied to leave before being caught, the ban cannot exceed one year.
• The code and its reason can be checked through the migration office, a consulate or a lawyer with power of attorney.
• Some bans can be lifted by application; others require an annulment lawsuit at the administrative court.

Full guide: Turkey entry ban removal.

8.Deportation and administrative detention

Article 54 of Law No. 6458 lists the grounds for deportation, such as working without a permit, violating entry or exit rules, using false documents or posing a threat to public order. Article 55 lists people who cannot be deported, for example where there is a serious risk of torture or inhuman treatment.

• Appeal: a deportation decision can be challenged before the administrative court within 7 days of notification (Art. 53). While the case is pending, removal generally does not take place.
• Administrative detention: detention in a removal centre cannot exceed six months; in limited cases it can be extended by up to six more months. The need for detention is reviewed monthly.
• Challenging detention: the detained person or their lawyer can apply to the criminal judgeship of peace at any time.

Because these deadlines are short, the decision should be taken to a lawyer the same day it is served. Related guide: litigation for foreigners in Turkey.

9.Overstays and exit fines

Staying after a visa, visa exemption or residence permit has expired is an overstay. On exit, an administrative fine is calculated according to the length of the overstay and the current fee tariff, and depending on the circumstances an entry ban may be imposed. An expired permit cannot be extended; the foreigner either applies for a new permit where the law allows it, regularises the stay, or leaves. Getting advice before going to the airport can prevent an unexpected ban.

10.Documents, translation and legalisation

• Passport: valid at least 60 days longer than the residence permit requested.
• Foreign public documents: birth and marriage certificates, diplomas or criminal records issued abroad need an apostille if the issuing country is party to the Hague Apostille Convention; otherwise they need consular legalisation.
• Translation: documents in a foreign language must be translated into Turkish by a sworn translator and notarised.
• Address: a notarised lease, title deed or a host's undertaking is required for residence applications, and the address must be registered.
• Health insurance: a valid policy covering the permit period is required for most residence permits.
• Power of attorney: issued before a Turkish notary (with a sworn translator if you do not speak Turkish) or at a Turkish consulate abroad.

11.When should you hire an immigration lawyer?

Many simple applications can be filed by the foreigner directly. Legal support is most useful when:

• your residence permit or extension was refused, or your permit was cancelled;
• you received a deportation decision or were taken to a removal centre;
• you have a restriction code or were refused entry at the border;
• you have overstayed, or your visa or permit is about to expire;
• you are buying property for citizenship and need the title deed, valuation and currency documents checked;
• you need to bring your spouse or children under a family residence permit;
• you are applying for international protection;
• you live abroad and want the process handled by power of attorney.

12.Key deadlines in Turkish immigration law

• 90 days in any 180 daysMaximum stay for most visa-exempt foreigners; apply for a residence permit before this period ends.
• 60 days before expiryResidence permit and work permit extensions are filed in the 60 days before the permit ends, and always before it expires.
• 10 daysTime to leave Turkey after an extension application is refused.
• 60 daysTime to file an annulment lawsuit against a refusal, cancellation or entry ban before the administrative court.
• 7 daysTime to challenge a deportation decision before the administrative court.
• 6 + 6 monthsMaximum administrative detention, with an extension only in limited cases.

13.Common mistakes

• Waiting until the last day to file an extension, or filing after expiry.
• Choosing a permit type that does not match the real purpose of the stay.
• Signing a lease in a neighbourhood closed to foreign residents.
• Paying for property through channels that do not produce a valid currency certificate for citizenship.
• Leaving Turkey after an overstay without checking whether a ban will follow.
• Missing the 7-day deadline in deportation cases.
• Submitting foreign documents without apostille or sworn translation.

14.Legal framework

• Law No. 6458 on Foreigners and International Protection: visas, residence permits, entry bans, deportation, administrative detention and international protection.
• Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901 and its implementing regulation: naturalisation, marriage and investment routes.
• International Workforce Law No. 6735: work permits, exemptions and the Turquoise Card.
• Administrative Procedure Law No. 2577: annulment lawsuits and stay of execution against administrative decisions.
• Attorneyship Law No. 1136: who may practise law and represent clients in Turkey.

15.How to choose an immigration lawyer in Turkey

• Bar registration: check the lawyer's name and registration number on the Union of Turkish Bar Associations (TBB) lawyer search.
• Language: make sure the lawyer can explain your file directly in a language you understand.
• Written engagement letter: the scope of work, fees and payment terms should be in writing; fees cannot be below the official minimum attorney fee tariff.
• Reporting: ask how and how often you will be updated on each step.
• No guaranteed outcomes: permits and citizenship are decided by the authorities; no one can guarantee approval.

16.How we work

1. First message

   Send your situation by WhatsApp or email; the case check at the top of this page prepares the message for you.

2. Consultation

   In person at our Skyland Istanbul office in Sarıyer, or online.

3. Document review

   We list the documents, translations and legalisations your file needs.

4. Engagement and power of attorney

   Scope and fees are agreed in writing; a power of attorney can be issued in Turkey or at a Turkish consulate abroad.

5. Filing and follow-up

   We file, follow the case with the authority or court and report each step to you.