Immigration Lawyer in Istanbul

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We provide legal support in all administrative and judicial processes to foreigners who wish to live, work, invest in or obtain citizenship in Türkiye, as well as to companies that employ foreign personnel, with a particular focus on residence permits, work permits, the Turquoise Card, citizenship applications, objections to deportation orders and the lifting of entry bans (restriction codes). Applications are handled before the Presidency of Migration Management, the Ministry of Labor and Social Security and the General Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs; objections against rejection decisions and annulment actions before the administrative courts remain available.

Topics: residence permit · long-term residence · work permit · Turquoise Card · Turkish citizenship · citizenship by marriage · citizenship by investment · family reunification · deportation · administrative detention · entry bans and restriction codes · visas · international protection · administrative fines

Residence Permit

Foreigners who will stay in Türkiye longer than the period granted by their visa or visa exemption, or longer than 90 days, must obtain a residence permit (Law No. 6458 on Foreigners and International Protection – YUKK). Applications are made through the e-Residence system, and on the appointment date the documents are submitted to the provincial migration management office.

• Short-term residence permit: for purposes such as tourism, scientific research, property ownership, business connections or courses,
• Family residence permit: for the spouse and minor children of a Turkish citizen or of a foreigner holding a residence permit (family reunification),
• Student residence permit: for foreigners pursuing associate, undergraduate or postgraduate education in Türkiye,
• Long-term residence permit: for foreigners who have stayed in Türkiye with a residence permit for at least 8 uninterrupted years (YUKK Art. 42),
• Humanitarian residence permit and residence permit for victims of human trafficking.

If a residence permit application is rejected, cancelled or not extended, an administrative appeal and an annulment action before the administrative court may be filed against the decision. Missing documents, health insurance, address registration and proof of means of subsistence are the most common grounds for rejection.

Work Permit and Turquoise Card

As a rule, foreigners must obtain a work permit in order to work in Türkiye (Law No. 6735 on International Labor Force). For foreigners holding a valid residence permit in Türkiye, the application is submitted through the employer to the Ministry of Labor and Social Security from within the country; for foreigners abroad, it is submitted through Turkish diplomatic missions. A valid work permit replaces the residence permit.

• Fixed-term work permit (for a specific workplace),
• Indefinite-term work permit (for holders of a long-term residence permit or those with at least 8 years of legal work permit),
• Independent work permit (for professionals who will work on their own account),
• Turquoise Card: a special status granted to foreigners with a high level of education, professional experience, contribution to science and technology, or investment value, which also grants residence rights to spouses and children.

An objection to the Ministry may be filed against the rejection of a work permit application within 30 days of notification; if the objection is rejected, the administrative judicial route is open. Employing foreigners without a permit carries serious consequences for both the employer and the foreigner, including administrative fines and deportation.

Turkish Citizenship Application

General citizenship (by residence)

Foreigners who have resided in Türkiye for 5 uninterrupted years counting back from the application date, who have reached the age of majority and have legal capacity, who confirm through their conduct their intention to settle in Türkiye, who are of good moral character, who speak Turkish at a sufficient level, who have an income to support themselves, and who pose no obstacle in terms of national security and public order may apply (Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901, Art. 11).

Citizenship by marriage

A foreigner who has been married to a Turkish citizen for at least 3 years and whose marriage continues may apply, provided that they live in family unity, do not engage in activities incompatible with the marital union, and pose no national security obstacle (Law No. 5901, Art. 16). During the application process, whether the family unity actually continues is investigated.

Citizenship by investment (exceptional citizenship)

An exceptional citizenship application may be made through the purchase of real estate of a specified amount (with a restriction on resale for at least 3 years annotated on the title), fixed capital investment, bank deposits, government debt instruments, or job creation. Minimum amounts are determined by Presidential decision and may change; it is important to verify the current amount and valuation requirements before applying.

Deportation, Administrative Detention and Entry Bans

• Deportation order: An application may be made to the administrative court against the decision within 7 days of notification (YUKK Art. 53). During the lawsuit, the foreigner cannot be deported, except in the exceptional cases listed in the law.
• Administrative detention: An application may be made to the criminal judgeship of peace against being held in a removal center.
• Entry bans and restriction codes (Ç-114, G-87, V-87, N-82, etc.): After learning the reason for and duration of the code, an administrative application and an annulment action may be pursued to have it lifted.

Family Reunification, Visas and Other Administrative Procedures

Our services cover bringing spouses and children to Türkiye through a family residence permit, visa applications and rejections, international protection applications, objections to administrative fines arising from residence and work violations, and advisory services for companies regarding the employment of foreign personnel.

How the Process Works

In an initial consultation, we review your situation and documents and determine the appropriate permit or application type. We prepare the application file in full, follow the appointment and submission process, and, in the event of a rejection, deportation or entry ban, pursue objection and litigation routes without missing any deadlines. Because missing deadlines in residence and work processes can also affect future citizenship and long-term residence applications, acting on time is essential.

Immigration and Foreigners Law in Turkey

We provide legal assistance to foreign nationals who wish to live, work, invest or obtain citizenship in Turkey, and to companies employing foreign staff. Our services cover the full administrative and judicial process before the Presidency of Migration Management, the Ministry of Labour and Social Security and the General Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs.

Residence permits

Foreigners staying in Turkey longer than their visa or visa exemption allows, or more than 90 days, must obtain a residence permit under Law No. 6458 on Foreigners and International Protection. Types include short-term, family, student, long-term (after at least 8 years of uninterrupted legal residence), humanitarian and victim of human trafficking residence permits. Applications are filed through the e-İkamet system. Rejections and cancellations can be challenged before the administrative courts.

Work permits and the Turquoise Card

Foreigners generally need a work permit to work in Turkey (Law No. 6735 on International Labour Force). Applications are made by the employer from within Turkey or through Turkish consulates abroad, and a valid work permit also serves as a residence permit. The Turquoise Card is a special status for highly qualified professionals and investors, extending residence rights to their spouses and children. A rejected work permit can be appealed to the Ministry within 30 days of notification.

Turkish citizenship

• By residence: at least 5 years of uninterrupted residence in Turkey, sufficient Turkish, sufficient income and no national security or public order obstacles (Law No. 5901, Art. 11).
• By marriage: at least 3 years of marriage to a Turkish citizen with an ongoing family union (Art. 16).
• By investment: purchase of real estate (with a 3-year no-sale annotation), capital investment, bank deposits or job creation. Minimum amounts are set by Presidential decision and may change, so they should be verified before applying.

Deportation, administrative detention and entry bans

A deportation order can be challenged before the administrative court within 7 days of notification; as a rule, the foreigner is not deported while the case is pending. Administrative detention can be challenged before the criminal judgeship of peace. Entry bans and restriction codes (such as Ç-114, G-87, V-87) can be lifted through administrative applications and annulment actions.

We also assist with family reunification, visa refusals, international protection applications and administrative fines. Please contact us to schedule a consultation and mention your preferred language.

Immigration and Foreigners Law in Turkey

We provide legal advice and services to foreigners who wish to reside, work, invest or obtain citizenship in Turkey, as well as to companies that employ foreign workers. Our support covers every administrative and judicial stage before the Presidency of Migration Management, the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, and the General Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs.

Residence Permits

Under Law No. 6458 on Foreigners and International Protection, a foreigner who stays in Turkey longer than the period granted by their visa or visa exemption, or for more than 90 days, must obtain a residence permit. The types include short-term residence, family residence, student residence, long-term residence (after at least 8 years of uninterrupted legal residence), and humanitarian residence. Applications are submitted through the e-İkamet system, and decisions to reject or cancel a permit can be challenged before the administrative courts.

Work Permit and Turquoise Card

As a general rule, a foreigner needs a work permit to work in Turkey (Law No. 6735). The application is submitted through the employer from within Turkey, or through Turkish consulates from abroad, and a valid work permit also serves as a residence permit. The Turquoise Card (Turkuaz Kart) is a special status for highly qualified professionals and investors, and it also grants residence rights to the spouse and children. A decision to reject a work permit can be appealed to the Ministry within 30 days of notification.

Obtaining Turkish Citizenship

• By residence: At least 5 years of uninterrupted residence in Turkey, adequate knowledge of Turkish, sufficient income, and no security-related obstacle (Law No. 5901, Article 11).
• By marriage: At least 3 years of marriage to a Turkish citizen with the marital union continuing (Article 16).
• By investment: Purchasing real estate with a 3-year no-sale annotation, making a fixed capital investment, placing a bank deposit, or creating employment. The minimum amounts are set by Presidential Decree and may change, so the current amount should be verified before applying.

Deportation, Administrative Detention and Entry Bans

A deportation decision can be challenged before the administrative court within 7 days of notification, and as a general rule the foreigner is not deported while the case is pending. Administrative detention can be contested before the criminal judgeship of peace. We can also work to lift entry bans and restriction codes (such as Ç-114, G-87 and V-87) through administrative applications and annulment actions.

We also assist with family reunification, visa refusals, international protection applications, and administrative fines. Please contact us to schedule an appointment, and let us know your preferred language.