Immigration Law In Turkey: Legislations

To sum up the Immigration in Turkey, you may refer to the two main regulations that governs this work of field:

• Turkish Republic are Law of Foreigners and International Protection No.6458 ( to reach, please follow the link: https://www.resmigazete.gov.tr/eskiler/2013/04/20130411-2.htm)
• Regulation on Implementation of Law on Foreigners and International Protection ( to reach, please follow the link: https://www.resmigazete.gov.tr/eskiler/2016/03/20160317-11.htm)

Both legislations govern legal grounds for long term and short-term entrance, deportation, and protection of the foreigners.

Authorities On Immigration in Turkey

The main administrative bodies responsible for Immigration in Turkey are:

• Ministry of Interior (MOI), ( to reach, please follow the link: https://www.icisleri.gov.tr/ )
• Directorate General Of Migration ( to reach, please follow the link: https://www.goc.gov.tr/ )

The MOL and the Directorate General of Migration are responsible for the enforcement of Turkish immigration laws. The Parliament is responsible for adopting immigration laws in Turkey.

Entrance Into The Turkish Borders

In accordance with the Law No.6458, foreigners wishing to enter Turkey should carry a travel document with an expiration date at least 60 days beyond the “duration of stay”.

Visitors who are not exempt from entry visa must obtain their visas or schedule an appointment via (www.visa.gov.tr). The applicants who meet the requirements will be directed to the e-Visa system (www.evisa.gov.tr). In those countries where Turkey does not have a consular representation can also use online scheduling for appointments. For further information, you may visit https://www.mfa.gov.tr/general-information-about-turkish-visas.en.mfa

Immigration In Turkey: Residency

Turkish consular offices may issue visas with a maximum duration of stay of 90 days. The foreigners who wish to stay longer than 90 days in Turkey, should apply for “Short Term Residence Permit”. Foreigners may apply for the permit at the Provincial Directorate of Migration Administration in order to extend their residence.

Accorading to the Law No. 6458 Article 19, Foreigners who would stay in Turkey beyond the duration of a visa or a visa exemption or, [in any case] longer than ninety days should obtain a residence permit. The residence permit shall become invalid if not used within six months.

Applications for residence permits shall be lodged with the consulates in the foreigner’s country of citizenship or legal stay. Foreigners applying for a residence permit should hold a passport or a travel document valid at least sixty days beyond the duration of the requested residence permit.

Immigration In Turkey: Work

To work in Turkey, you must apply to the nearest Turkish mission to obtain work permit and visa. Your passport, visa application form and a letter from your employer are the necessary documents for your application. Your employer should submit the documents to the Turkish Ministry of Labor and Social Security within ten working days after your application. Ministry of Labor and Social Security concludes the Work permit applications. 

Foreigners who applying for work permits from abroad will not be required to apply for a residence permit at the same time. The work permit is also substitute applying for a residence permit. In case of application for work permit to be made within the country, a residence permit of at least 6 months is required. Therefore, applications from abroad will shorten the process further. For further information, you may visit https://www.invest.gov.tr/tr/investmentguide/sayfalar/obtaining-a-work-permit.aspx

Acquiring citizenship in Turkish Immigration Law

Citizenship In General

In general, you can get citizenship by later acquisition if you meet certain criterias:

• If reside in Turkey with a stateless person identity document or as a resident for 5 years without interruption
• Married to a Turkish citizen for at least 3 years and your marriage is sustaining.

Citizenship By Investment

There are also regulations in Turkish Immigration Law allowing a foreigner to acquire citizenship by investment. If you fulfill the financial investment requirements stated by laws, you may apply for a Turkish citizenship.

Exceptional Citizenship Acquisition

Turkish Immigration Law also contains provisions about acquisition of exceptional citizenship. For this, you must meet with certain criterias:

• Prove that you do not pose any threat to national security and public order,
• Proposal of the MOI and the decision of the Parliament.

Antroya has provided legal consultancy in many immigration applications for years and carried out the processes from beginning to end. To see our services in this field of work, you may visit https://antroya.com/practice-area/immigration-law/