What types of residence permits are available to foreign nationals?
The Law on Foreigners and International Protection No. 6458 (YUKK) provides for different residence permits depending on the purpose of stay (YUKK Art. 30). Applications are made to the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management; missing documents or a late application may lead to refusal of the permit or to unauthorised stay.
- Short-term residence permit
- Family residence permit
- Student residence permit
- Long-term residence permit (after at least eight years of uninterrupted residence)
- Humanitarian residence permit
- Residence permit for victims of human trafficking
How do foreign nationals obtain a work permit in Turkey?
Under International Labour Force Law No. 6735, foreign nationals must obtain a work permit in order to work in Turkey. As a rule, the application is made by the employer to the Ministry of Labour and Social Security; a separate Turquoise Card system has also been established for qualified foreign nationals.
A valid work permit also serves as a residence permit (YUKK Art. 27). For this reason, a change of job or the termination of the contract means that the residence status must also be reassessed.
How do foreign nationals acquire Turkish citizenship?
Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901 provides several routes for the acquisition of citizenship after birth:
- General route: five years of uninterrupted residence in Turkey immediately preceding the application date (Art. 11)
- Through marriage: being married to a Turkish citizen for at least three years and living together as a family (Art. 16)
- Exceptional route: conditions set out in the regulation, such as investment (Art. 12)
How can a foreign national challenge a deportation decision?
A lawsuit against a deportation decision may be filed with the administrative court within seven days of service of the decision (YUKK Art. 53). The court decides on the application within fifteen days, and its decision is final.
As a rule, the foreign national is not deported while the case is pending; however, in certain cases listed in the law, filing a lawsuit does not suspend enforcement of the decision. For this reason, it is important to obtain a legal assessment in the first days of the time limit.
Remedies against administrative detention and entry ban decisions
A foreign national who is subject to an administrative detention decision may apply to the criminal judgeship of peace against the decision (YUKK Art. 57). There are also administrative applications and court remedies for lifting an entry ban to Turkey or shortening its duration.
Where are immigration law procedures handled in Ankara?
Residence permit applications by foreign nationals living in Ankara are made to the Ankara Provincial Directorate of Migration Management. The Presidency of Migration Management and the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, which assesses work permits, also have their headquarters in Ankara.
Under the Administrative Judicial Procedure Law No. 2577 (İYUK) Art. 32, the competent court in lawsuits against administrative decisions is, as a rule, the administrative court of the place where the administration that took the decision is located. Accordingly, lawsuits against decisions of administrations in Ankara are filed with the Ankara administrative courts.
Can foreign nationals acquire real estate in Turkey?
Under the Land Registry Law (Tapu Kanunu) Art. 35, foreign individuals may acquire real estate in Turkey, subject to statutory limitations and restrictions such as military restricted zones. Before a purchase, the land registry record, zoning status and valuation report should also be examined.
Last updated: 22 October 2026. The information on this page is for general information only; legislation and case law may change. Please obtain legal advice on your specific situation.
