Faaliyet Alanları
Immigration Law in Türkiye
Legal advice and representation for foreign nationals on Turkish residence and work permits, deportation, administrative detention and citizenship.
Immigration law in Türkiye (in Turkish, "yabancılar hukuku") governs the entry, residence, employment and removal of foreign nationals. Its main sources are the Law on Foreigners and International Protection No. 6458, the International Labour Force Law No. 6735 and the Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901.
Foreign nationals who live, work or plan to settle in Türkiye deal directly with Turkish administrative authorities on their residence, employment and legal status. The decisions taken in these procedures determine whether a person may stay in the country, live with their family and work. This page explains how these matters work under Turkish law.
Residence permits
Law No. 6458 provides for short-term, family, student, long-term and humanitarian residence permits, as well as permits for victims of human trafficking. Applications are filed with the Presidency of Migration Management. Choosing the right permit type, preparing complete documents and tracking expiry dates are decisive in avoiding a refusal or cancellation.
Challenging a refusal or cancellation
Refusing an application or cancelling an existing permit is an administrative act that can be challenged before the Turkish administrative courts in an action for annulment. Time limits are short, so the date on which the decision was served should be recorded.
Work permits
As a rule, foreign nationals may work in Türkiye only with a work permit issued under International Labour Force Law No. 6735. The law covers fixed-term and independent work permits as well as the Turquoise Card for qualified professionals. Working without a permit can lead to administrative sanctions for both the employee and the employer.
Deportation, administrative detention and entry bans
Deportation orders can be challenged before the administrative court, while administrative detention can be challenged before the criminal judgeship of peace. Lifting an entry ban or a restriction code requires a separate legal assessment. In most of these cases time limits are short and acting promptly directly affects the outcome.
International protection
Applications for international protection, status determination and appeals against negative decisions are also governed by Law No. 6458. Consistent statements supported by documents are important throughout the procedure.
Turkish citizenship
Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901 provides for acquisition by general naturalisation, by marriage and on exceptional grounds. General naturalisation requires a period of uninterrupted residence; acquisition by marriage requires the marriage to have lasted for the statutory period with the spouses living together. For citizenship by investment, see our Foreign Investment and Relocation Law page.
Hizmet kapsamı
- Residence permit applications, renewals and changes of type
- Court actions against refusal or cancellation of permits
- Work permits and the Turquoise Card
- Actions for annulment of deportation orders
- Challenges to administrative detention
- Lifting entry bans and restriction codes
- International protection applications
- Citizenship by naturalisation or marriage
Sık sorulan sorular
- What can I do if my Turkish residence permit is refused?
- A refusal is an administrative act that can be challenged before the Turkish administrative courts. The time limit runs from service of the decision and is short, so note the service date and seek legal advice without delay.
- Where is a deportation order challenged in Türkiye?
- Deportation orders can be challenged before the administrative court. If administrative detention is also applied, it can be challenged separately before the criminal judgeship of peace.
- Does a residence permit allow me to work in Türkiye?
- No. As a rule a residence permit does not include the right to work; a separate work permit under Law No. 6735 is required. A valid work permit, on the other hand, also counts as a residence permit.
- Does marrying a Turkish citizen grant citizenship automatically?
- No. Applying for citizenship by marriage requires the marriage to have lasted for the statutory period, the spouses to live together as a family and the other legal conditions to be met. The authorities assess each application individually.
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