English-Speaking Turkish Immigration Lawyer for Foreigners

Led by Attorney Nadide Özdemir, (Istanbul Bar Association 57790), Viridis Legal Partners provides services in every aspect of immigration law in Turkey, from residence permit applications to entry ban removals, from residence permit rejection cases to deportation and release from administrative detention.

How We Help Foreigners with Turkish Immigration

We prepare and file Residence Permit Applications in Turkey. For your residence permit applications, we provide support at every stage of your Turkish residence permit application process; from selecting the type of residence permit that best suits you and your needs, to submitting your application and accompanying you to your appointment.

We provide services ranging from investigation and consultation to litigation in order to lift the Entry Ban to Turkey. As your attorney, we are here to assist you in determining the restriction code for your travel ban and, in this context, in identifying the reason for the ban, its duration, its scope, and the steps required to have it lifted. In addition, we provide legal support to help you pay the overstay administrative fine to have the ban lifted, file an appeal with the administrative authority, or file a lawsuit in administrative court to have the administrative decision imposing the entry ban to Turkey overturned.

• We provide services to remove special types of Entry Ban Restriction Codes such as N-82, G codes, and other types of N codes.
• We prepare and file Work Permit Applications in Turkey.
• We prepare and file Citizenship Applications in Turkey.
• We provide services for the Removal of Deportation in Turkey.
• We prepare and file International Protection and Asylum Applications in Turkey.
• We provide services for Family Reunification in Turkey.
• We provide services for Visa Applications and Cancellations to Turkey
• We provide services for Work Visa Applications to Turkey
• We provide services for Property and Investment Consultancy in Turkey, from due diligence to Title Deed Transactions (TAPU).
• We provide services for Legal Representation and Counselling in Turkey

Residence Permits in Turkey

A residence permit or residency permit in Turkey is a type of permit that allows foreigners to legally reside in Turkey for a certain period of time.

Residence Permit Types in Turkey

A Turkish residence permit is divided into different categories according to the purpose and duration of the foreigner’s stay in Turkey. The main types of residence permit in Turkey are as follows:

Short-Term Residence Permit In Turkey

Short-term residence permits in Turkey can be requested on the basis of various grounds, such as:

• Touristic Residence Permit
• Residence Permit for Immovable Property Owners
• Residence Permit for those making Investment in Turkey (Applicants for Turkish Citizenship Through Real Estate Purchase and Investment)
• Residence Permit for Commercial Activities or Business Establishment
• Residence Permit for Study or Internship Programmes
• Residence Permit for Treatment
• Residence Permit for Turkish Language Learning
• Residence Permit for Work Purposes under International Agreements or Projects
• Residence Permit for Cultural, Social or Sporting Activities
• Residence Permit for Media Members
• Residence Permit for Family Connection
• Residence Permit for Scientific Research or Archaeological Studies

We can say that the short-term residence permit is the type we apply for most frequently among all residence permit categories. Since touristic residence permits in Turkey and residence permits obtained through real estate purchases are within the scope of the short-term residence permit, it is the most commonly applied-for type by foreigners who envision a long-term legal stay or a settled life in Turkey. In addition, foreigners applying for Turkish citizenship can remain in Turkey on a short-term residence permit while awaiting the results of their application.

The documents required for a short-term residence permit in Turkey vary depending on the reason for the application. However, there are also documents common to all application types, such as a passport, a biometric photo, health insurance, and receipts showing that payments; such as the visa fee, card fee, and residence permit fee; have been made. The initial application for a residence permit is submitted online, after which the foreign applicant must attend their appointment in person. Since the first information the foreign national must enter during the online application is their passport details, a foreign national seeking a residence permit in Turkey must hold a passport that allows for legal stay in the country. For this reason, a foreign national who has entered Turkey illegally or whose right to legal stay has expired cannot apply for a residence permit. Consequently, foreign nationals in Turkey who are in this situation must first obtain a new passport from their country’s diplomatic mission, and any issues such as an entry ban into Turkey or administrative fines must be resolved prior to submitting a residence permit application.

For tourist residence permit applications, the most important requirement is the submission of a travel plan to the Provincial Migration Directorate. Applications may be rejected if the travel plan is not supported by authentic documents. We have observed that demand for the tourist residence permit; a short-term residence permit frequently chosen by foreigners in the years following the pandemic; has declined in the last few years. This may be attributed to the frequent rejection of tourist residence permit applications, and particularly applications for extensions of tourist residence permits.

For this reason, we recommend that clients who intend to stay in Turkey for an extended period and settle there but do not wish to obtain citizenship apply for a residence permit through the purchase of real estate. Foreigners who acquire real estate in Turkey valued at over 200,000 USD may apply for a short-term residence permit. (For obtaining Turkish citizenship through investment, this amount is 400,000 USD.)

For this type of application, we provide our clients with support through a wide range of technical and legal steps, from selecting the property and conducting due diligence to issuing the Foreign Currency Purchase Certificate and preparing the Real Estate Valuation Report.

Family Residence Permit In Turkey

This permit is granted to family members of foreigners who are married to a Turkish citizen or have a valid residence permit in Turkey. Spouses, children and dependent parents can obtain this permit. As your family immigration lawyer in Turkey, Viridis Legal Partners can assist you with family residence permit applications as well as Turkish citizenship applications for your dependent family members and family residence permit rejections.

Student Residence Permit In Turkey

It is a residence permit issued for foreign students studying at an educational institution (e.g. university) in Turkey. It is valid during the student period and can be renewed for each academic year.

Long-Term Residence Permit In Turkey

Foreigners who have resided in Turkey legally for at least eight years without interruption may apply for a long-term residence permit. This permit is granted indefinitely and may also provide the right to work in Turkey.

Humanitarian Residence Permit In Turkey

It is a temporary residence permit granted to foreigners who need to stay in Turkey due to extraordinary circumstances or humanitarian grounds. This permit may also be granted to persons who may face a life-threatening danger in case of deportation.

Victim Residence Permit In Turkey

It is a residence permit granted to foreigners who are identified as victims of human trafficking. This permit is issued in order to provide support to the victims during the protection and rehabilitation process.

Rejection of Residence Permit In Turkey

Applying for a residence permit in Turkey is a process that may seem simple but involves many technical and bureaucratic steps, and honestly, it is not a procedure that can be handled by the residence permit applicant alone. Only the language barrier or the bureaucratic differences in Turkey can cause hurdles and rejection of residence permit

Applications for a residence permit in Turkey can be rejected for a variety of reasons. These may include reasons commonly encountered in any application, such as the applicant’s failure to prove sufficient and stable financial means for the duration of their stay in Turkey, the submission of incorrect or incomplete documents, a criminal record, or an application filed from a province, district, or neighborhood where applications are not accepted, as well as in family reunification residence permit applications, these may include fraudulent marriages or the falsification of real estate appraisal reports used to obtain Turkish citizenship through property acquisition; in applications for short-term residence permits for tourism purposes, the failure to submit a convincing travel itinerary; or, in applications for long-term residence permits, the residence period being calculated incorrectly or incompletely, these are all reasons specific to the application process.

As your immigration attorney in Turkey, Viridis Legal Partners, we address common mistakes in residence permit applications and minimize the possibility of rejection on your behalf

If your application for a residence permit in Turkey is denied, your options include reapplying for a residence permit in Turkey, filing an appeal with the administrative authorities to have the decision rejecting your residence permit application overturned, or filing a lawsuit to have the decision denying your residence permit application annulled. For a reapplication, you may submit a new residence permit application based on a different reason within the first six months following the notification of rejection. For example, if your application for a residence permit for family reunification is denied, you may apply for a residence permit based on a different reason, such as medical treatment or the purchase of real estate. For the options of filing an appeal or initiating a lawsuit, the deadline is 60 days. If the appeal is denied or if the administrative authority fails to respond within 30 days, it will be necessary to file a lawsuit, and the deadline for this is also 60 days.

As your immigration lawyer in Istanbul, Viridis Legal Partners have extensive experience in not only applications for residence permits in Turkey, but also appeals against the denial of residence permit applications in Turkey, and the annulment of decisions rejecting residence permits in Turkey. Furthermore, as your English-speaking Turkish attorneys in Turkey, we provide clear and effective communication to ensure you fully understand your legal options and the relevant procedures.

Renewal & Extension of Residence Permit In Turkey

When applying for the renewal, or, in other words, the extension, of a residence permit, the deadline is the most important factor to consider. These applications must be submitted within 60 days before the current residence permit expires. In addition, foreign applicants for a residence permit extension must be registered in the address registration system and must submit the UETS document obtained from PTT central branches.

Work Permits & Work Visas in Turkey

A work permit in Turkey is an official authorisation document required for foreign nationals to work legally in Turkey. The work permit can be obtained by the employer in Turkey or in some cases by the foreigner himself/herself. The types of work permits, application process and requirements in Turkey are as follows:

Temporary Work Permit:

It is the permit that foreigners who want to work in Turkey usually get in the first place. It is granted for one year in the first application. This permit can be extended for two more years if it is continued under the same employer. At the end of five years, a three-year extension can be requested. A temporary work permit is valid for a specific employer and position. In case of a job change, a new work permit application is required.

Permanent Work Permit:

Foreigners who have resided in Turkey for at least eight years continuously and legally may apply for an indefinite work permit. A permanent work permit gives foreigners the right to work without any time limitations. Foreigners with this permit may also practice self-employment or establish a business in Turkey.

Independent Work Permit:

This is the permit granted to foreigners who wish to work independently or establish their own business in Turkey. In order to apply for this permit, the foreigner may be required to prove his/her professional competence and to have resided in Turkey for a certain period of time.

Turquoise Card:

It is a special work permit granted to foreigners who will work in highly qualified and specialised fields. Turquoise Card holders have rights such as indefinite residence and work permit.

Turkish Visas & Digital Nomad Visa

Digital nomadism refers to a way of working in which individuals can perform their work remotely while travelling or living in different places thanks to the internet.

The Digital Nomad Identity Certificate is the first step in the process of obtaining a Digital Nomad Visa for Turkey. This certificate is obtained through an online platform designed to verify the applicant’s eligibility as a digital nomad. Individuals between the ages of 21-55 can apply by uploading the required documents proving their digital nomad status. Once these documents are reviewed and deemed sufficient, the applicant is issued a Digital Nomad Identity Certificate.

With this certificate, applicants can apply for a Digital Nomad Visa at a Turkish Visa centre or consulate along with other required documents. If the applicant is already in Turkey, they can also use this certificate to obtain a short term residence permit.

Deportation

Deportation is an administrative decision taken by the Turkish authorities to remove a foreign national from the borders of Turkey. This decision may be taken for reasons such as the foreigner posing a threat to national security, public order or public health, visa or residence permit violation.

Deportation may also be imposed in cases where the foreigner’s asylum application has been rejected, the foreigner has committed a crime or the foreigner has entered the country illegally. In this process, the person is given the right of self-defence and has the possibility to appeal the decision.

Under Turkish law, a lawsuit to cancel a deportation decision may be filed with the Administrative Court. However, filing this lawsuit does not, in and of itself, suspend the deportation proceedings. Instead, the deportation proceedings can be suspended by requesting a stay of execution as part of the lawsuit.

As your Turkish deportation attorney, Viridis Legal Partners can assist you with the appeal of deportation and administrative detention decisions.

Administrative Detention

In Turkey, administrative detention is one of the challenges faced by foreign nationals as part of the deportation process. Administrative detention may be imposed in cases where a foreign national subject to deportation goes missing; violates Turkey’s legal entry, exit, and immigration regulations; uses forged documents during entry, exit, or stay; fails to leave Turkey within the specified timeframe after being ordered to do so; or, of course, poses a threat to public order or public health. A foreign national subject to an administrative detention order is placed in a Repatriation Center. The duration of administrative detention in repatriation centers may not exceed six months. However, this period may be extended by up to an additional six months if the deportation proceedings cannot be completed due to the foreign national’s failure to cooperate or to provide accurate information or documents regarding their country of origin.

In Turkey, to be released from administrative detention, an objection to the administrative detention must be filed with the Magistrate’s Court.

If an administrative detention measure has been imposed on a friend or relative of yours in Turkey, you can use the list of Return Centers and phone numbers below to locate them.

To have administrative detention and deportation orders lifted and to secure the release of your loved one who is being held at a return center in Turkey, we are here to assist you.

Turkish Entry Bans & Restriction Codes

In cases where the entry of a foreign national into Turkey poses a threat to public order, public safety, or public health, or if the foreign national in question has been deported, their entry into Turkey may be prohibited. These entry bans are enforced through a restriction code entered into the foreign national’s passport. The restriction code specifies the reason for the entry ban into Turkey, its duration, and, consequently, the steps to be taken in response to the ban.

In cases where the entry of any foreign national into Turkey poses a threat to public order, public safety, or public health, or if the foreign national in question has been deported, their entry into Turkey may be prohibited. These entry bans are enforced through a restriction code entered into the foreign national’s passport. The restriction code indicates the reason for the entry ban into Turkey, its duration, and the actions that can be taken in response to the ban. “C” codes typically indicate an entry ban due to non-compliance with Turkish immigration laws, while “V” codes are entered into the passport for informational purposes. “N” codes are Interpol-related codes or the indicate the necessity of prior permission to enter Turkey, and “G” codes are applied in cases involving crimes committed in Turkey or crimes subject to prosecution in Turkey. For example, while the N-82 code indicates that a foreign national’s entry is subject to prior authorization, the G-82 code is applied to foreigners believed to pose a threat to national security, and the G-87 code is applied to individuals assessed as foreign terrorist fighters.

As your Istanbul-based law firm, Viridis Legal Partners, we offer our expertise to help you determine the reason for and duration of your entry ban, as well as to assist with the process of lifting your entry bans into Turkey.

Turkish Citizenship Pathways

To begin with, the child of a Turkish citizen mother or father becomes a Turkish citizen directly and automatically upon birth. Regardless of the place of birth, the child of a Turkish mother or father acquires Turkish citizenship.

We also offer legal support to our clients in matters related to the acquisition of Turkish citizenship through residence, Turkish citizenship through marriage, and Turkish citizenship through adoption. Of course, we also provide legal support to our clients throughout the research, application, and finalization stages of acquiring Turkish citizenship through real estate purchase and investment.

For Turkish citizenship by investment and naturalization, see our Turkish Citizenship Lawyer page

Why Viridis Legal Partners?

A Turkish immigration lawyer specialises in immigration-related legal matters, including obtaining residence and work permits, citizenship applications, asylum claims, deportation defence and Turkish work visas. An immigration lawyer in Turkey provides legal advice to foreigners seeking to visit, live or work in Turkey or to businesses seeking to employ foreigners in Turkey, aiding them to comply with local regulations and assisting her/his clients in fulfilling the administrative procedures in full. They also represent clients in disputes with immigration authorities and advise on family reunification, long-term residence and visa applications for foreign investors or employees. The expertise of a Turkish immigration lawyer is crucial to minimise delays in the immigration process and avoid legal complications.

As Viridis Legal Partners, we understand how important it is for you to choose the right immigration lawyer. As your immigration lawyer in Turkey, we have extensive experience and deep expertise in immigration law to ensure that we can guide you through every step of the process, whether you are seeking a residence permit, work visa or Turkish citizenship. We also offer fluent English so that you fully understand your legal options and the procedures involved, ensuring clear and effective communication with our international clients.

What sets Viridis Legal Partners apart is our knowledge of both Turkish and international legal standards. We recognise how global treaties and international regulations can affect your case, especially in cross-border scenarios such as business relocations or family reunifications. Our expertise in both local and international frameworks ensures that your immigration journey is smooth, legally compliant and free from unnecessary delays. With Viridis Legal Partners by your side, you will benefit from tailored legal advice designed to meet your needs and achieve your immigration goals in Turkey.

Due to the technical and complex nature of immigration laws and practices, legal assistance is indispensable when obtaining a residence permit, work permit, visa and Turkish citizenship applications in Turkey. Led by your immigration attorney in Turkey, Nadide Özdemir, Viridis Legal Partners ensures that applications are properly prepared, avoiding common mistakes that can lead to delays or rejections. We assist our clients to understand the Turkish visa requirements, Turkish work permit requirements, residence permit Turkey requirements and Turkish citizenship eligibility criteria, collect the necessary documents and efficiently manage the bureaucratic process. Legal guidance for work visas and residence permits is essential to ensure compliance with Turkish labour and immigration laws, while citizenship applications often require complex legal interpretation and proof of various conditions such as continuous residence or investment. As your English speaking immigration lawyers in Turkey, we, Viridis Legal Partners can also provide invaluable support in achieving a successful outcome by representing clients in appeals or disputes with immigration authorities.

Contact us today for legal consultation and support in Turkey

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a foreign national file an appeal if their application for a residence permit in Turkey is denied?

Yes, if their application for a residence permit in Turkey is denied, foreign nationals can appeal this administrative decision and also file a lawsuit with the Administrative Court to have the decision overturned.

What is a restriction code, and can it be removed?

A restriction code is a code issued on a passport to indicate the reason for and duration of an entry ban into Turkey. Yes, an entry ban into Turkey and the restriction code can be lifted. A lawsuit can be filed with the Administrative Court for this purpose.

Do I need a lawyer to apply for a residence permit?

Generally, no. However, seeking the assistance of a Turkish immigration lawyer for your residence permit application will help ensure a smoother process and reduce the likelihood of rejection.