Practice Areas
Foreigners' Law Advisory
Support for foreign nationals seeking to live, work or invest in Turkey, covering residence, work permit and citizenship processes.
Last updated: · Prepared by: Av. Barış Kaymaz
Foreigners' law governs the entry, residence, employment and naturalization of foreign nationals in Turkey, primarily under Law No. 6458 on Foreigners and International Protection, alongside International Labour Force Law No. 6735 on work permits and related regulations.
A foreign national's legal status in Turkey varies according to the type of residence permit held, employment status and any investment activity, making case-specific assessment and complete documentation essential.
We act for foreign nationals looking for an immigration lawyer in Istanbul and for clients who need an immigration lawyer in Ankara, and we assist clients across Türkiye with residence and work permit matters.
Types of Residence Permits
Law No. 6458 provides for various residence permit types, including short-term, family, student, long-term, humanitarian, and human-trafficking-victim permits; short-term permits are typically issued for tourism, property ownership, or commercial ties, while family permits are granted to those with family ties to a Turkish citizen or permit holder. A long-term, indefinite residence permit may be granted to foreigners who have held a residence permit continuously for at least eight years and meet other statutory conditions, and complete and timely applications help the process proceed smoothly.
Work Permits
Foreigners generally need a work permit to work in Turkey, and both unauthorised foreign workers and the employers who hire them risk administrative fines. Work permit applications are submitted electronically by the employer and, if approved, also serve in place of a residence permit; an independent work permit is subject to additional conditions such as professional qualification and a minimum period of residence, while the Turquoise Card offers an indefinite work permit designed to facilitate the employment of qualified foreign labour.
Acquisition of Turkish Citizenship
Turkish citizenship is acquired by birth or subsequently. The general naturalisation route requires, among other conditions, five years of uninterrupted residence in Turkey before the application (Article 11 of Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901); exceptional naturalisation is granted by Presidential decision, and citizenship by investment falls within this route (Article 12), requiring the statutory minimum investment and a certificate of conformity from the relevant authority. Marriage to a Turkish citizen does not confer citizenship automatically; a foreigner who has been married for at least three years and whose marriage continues may apply, provided the couple lives in family unity and the applicant engages in no activity incompatible with the marriage (Article 16). Citizenship may also be acquired by exercising a right of option in the cases provided by law.
Deportation Decisions and Objections
Provincial governorships may order the deportation of a foreigner on grounds such as a threat to public order or security, use of forged documents, or unauthorised work (Article 53/1 of Law No. 6458). The decision may be challenged before the administrative court within seven days of notification; subject to the foreigner's own consent, the foreigner may not be deported during the period for filing suit or, once suit is filed, until the proceedings are concluded, and the court's decision on this is final (Article 53/3). Administrative detention orders can likewise be challenged before the criminal judgeship of peace.
International Protection
Foreigners facing persecution or serious harm in their home country may apply for international protection in Turkey. The process involves registration, an interview, and an assessment, and where an application is rejected, administrative objection and judicial review remedies are available.
Services in This Area
- Preparing and following up on residence permit applications
- Managing work permit and Turquoise Card application processes
- Advising on Turkish citizenship applications (marriage, exceptional grounds, investment)
- Filing objections and annulment actions against deportation and administrative detention decisions
- Supporting international protection application processes
- Advising on property acquisition by foreign nationals