Deportation Lawyer in Turkey: How a Lawyer Can Assist Foreign Nationals

Facing deportation from Turkey can create serious legal and practical difficulties for a foreign national. The situation can become even more urgent when the person is detained at Istanbul Airport, transferred to a removal centre, or informed that an entry restriction has been imposed.

A deportation lawyer in Turkey can review the official decisions, immigration history and available evidence and determine which legal procedures may be applicable.

This article explains how legal assistance can work in Turkish deportation and immigration cases.

What Does a Deportation Lawyer Do in Turkey?

A deportation lawyer assists foreign nationals with legal issues arising from deportation and related immigration procedures.

Depending on the circumstances, legal assistance may involve:

• Reviewing a deportation decision;
• Challenging a deportation decision;
• Challenging administrative detention;
• Investigating entry bans;
• Reviewing Tahdit codes;
• Assisting foreign nationals in removal centres;
• Examining residence permit problems; and
• Handling other immigration procedures.

The exact legal service depends on the individual's circumstances.

When Should You Contact a Deportation Lawyer?

Foreign nationals should consider obtaining legal advice as soon as they receive a deportation decision or encounter a serious immigration problem.

This is particularly important if the person:

• Has been detained;
• Has been transferred to a removal centre;
• Has received a deportation decision;
• Has been refused entry at Istanbul Airport;
• Has discovered an entry ban;
• Has a Tahdit code;
• Has overstayed a visa or residence permit; or
• Is facing another urgent immigration measure.

Can a Lawyer Challenge a Deportation Decision?

Depending on the circumstances, a lawyer can prepare the appropriate legal challenge against a deportation decision.

The lawyer may first examine:

• Legal grounds stated in the decision;
• Notification date;
• Immigration history;
• Evidence;
• Family circumstances;
• Residence status; and
• Other relevant information.

The appropriate procedure depends on the particular case.

Can a Lawyer Stop Deportation?

A lawyer cannot guarantee that deportation will be cancelled.

However, where a legal remedy is available, a lawyer can challenge the relevant administrative decision and present the foreign national's legal and factual arguments to the competent authority or court.

What Is a Deportation Appeal in Turkey?

A Turkey deportation appeal refers broadly to legal procedures used to challenge a deportation decision.

The applicable procedure depends on the legal basis and circumstances.

Because procedural deadlines can be important, the foreign national should provide the lawyer with the complete decision and notification documents as soon as possible.

What Happens if the Person Is Already in a Removal Centre?

If the foreign national is already in a Turkey removal centre, the legal situation may involve both:

• Deportation; and
• Administrative detention.

These are separate legal measures.

A lawyer should review both decisions and determine whether separate legal procedures are available.

Can a Lawyer Challenge Administrative Detention?

Yes.

Administrative detention can be subject to judicial review under the applicable legal procedure.

The lawyer may examine:

• Reason for detention;
• Date of detention;
• Official detention decision;
• Current location;
• Deportation status; and
• Other relevant circumstances.

Can a Lawyer Help at Istanbul Airport?

Foreign nationals facing an immigration problem at Istanbul Airport may require urgent legal assistance.

The first step is to determine what procedure is actually taking place.

For example, the person may be experiencing:

• Refusal of entry;
• Additional immigration examination;
• Administrative detention;
• Deportation-related procedures;
• Entry-ban enforcement; or
• Another immigration measure.

These procedures have different legal consequences.

What If You Are Refused Entry at Istanbul Airport?

A foreign national refused entry should try to establish the exact reason for the decision.

Possible issues may include:

• Entry ban;
• Tahdit code;
• Previous deportation;
• Visa issue;
• Passport problem; or
• Another immigration restriction.

A lawyer can review the available documents and determine whether a legal procedure may be available.

Can a Lawyer Remove a Turkey Entry Ban?

Depending on the legal basis, a foreign national may have the possibility of requesting the removal of an entry restriction or challenging the underlying administrative measure.

The lawyer should first identify:

• Type of restriction;
• Legal basis;
• Duration;
• Tahdit code, if applicable;
• Previous immigration history; and
• Available administrative or judicial remedies.

What Is the Importance of a Tahdit Code?

A Tahdit code can indicate an immigration restriction or related administrative record.

The precise code is important because the legal consequences can differ depending on the nature of the restriction.

A lawyer should therefore avoid relying solely on a general statement such as “there is a Tahdit code” and instead determine the specific record.

Can Previous Deportation Affect Future Travel?

Yes.

A previous deportation may affect a foreign national's ability to enter Turkey in the future.

Before booking another flight, the person should determine whether:

• Entry ban exists;
• Tahdit code exists;
• The restriction has expired;
• The restriction can be challenged; or
• Another immigration problem remains.

Can Overstay Result in Deportation?

Depending on the circumstances, an overstay may result in immigration consequences.

The lawyer may review:

• Visa period;
• Residence permit;
• Entry and exit records;
• Length of overstay;
• Administrative fine; and
• Previous immigration history.

Can Unauthorised Employment Result in Deportation?

Unauthorised employment can create immigration consequences.

If deportation is connected with employment, the lawyer may examine:

• Work permit;
• Employment contract;
• Employer information;
• SGK records;
• Duration of employment; and
• Official administrative decisions.

Can Residence Permit Problems Lead to Deportation?

A residence permit rejection, cancellation or related violation can become relevant to deportation proceedings under circumstances established by law.

The lawyer should examine the complete residence permit history rather than considering only the most recent application.

Can Marriage to a Turkish Citizen Help?

A Turkish spouse can be relevant to the foreign national's individual circumstances.

Documents may include:

• Marriage certificate;
• Turkish spouse's identity document;
• Evidence of shared residence;
• Family records; and
• Other supporting documents.

Marriage does not automatically cancel a deportation decision.

What If the Foreign National Has Children in Turkey?

Children living in Turkey may be relevant to the assessment of the foreign national's circumstances.

The family should collect:

• Birth certificates;
• Custody documents;
• School records;
• Residence documents; and
• Other relevant evidence.

The legal significance depends on the individual case.

Can Medical Circumstances Be Relevant?

Medical circumstances should be supported by official evidence where they are relevant to the legal assessment.

Useful documents may include:

• Medical reports;
• Hospital records;
• Treatment plans;
• Appointment documents; and
• Other official medical evidence.

What Documents Should You Give Your Lawyer?

A deportation lawyer will generally need as much information as possible about the foreign national's immigration history.

Useful documents can include:

• Current passport;
• Previous passports;
• Deportation decision;
• Administrative detention decision;
• Residence permits;
• Visa or e-Visa;
• Work permit;
• Entry-ban documents;
• Tahdit code information;
• Marriage certificate;
• Children's documents; and
• Medical records where relevant.

What If the Foreign National Does Not Speak Turkish?

Language can make immigration procedures difficult.

A foreign national should understand the legal documents and decisions affecting them.

Cosmos Legal law firm assists international clients, including English-, Russian- and Arabic-speaking foreign nationals, with Turkish immigration and deportation matters.

What If the Client Is British?

British nationals facing deportation or another immigration problem in Turkey should have their individual immigration history reviewed.

Important questions include:

• Why was the deportation decision issued?
• Was there a previous overstay?
• Is there an entry ban?
• Is there a Tahdit code?
• Was the person previously deported?
• What legal procedure is currently available?

What If the Client Is Russian-Speaking?

Russian-speaking foreign nationals can also face deportation, detention or entry restrictions in Turkey.

Obtaining the official documents and reviewing them with appropriate legal and language assistance can be important.

What If the Client Is Arabic-Speaking?

Arabic-speaking foreign nationals may require assistance understanding Turkish administrative decisions.

A lawyer can review the documents and explain the available legal procedures in a manner appropriate to the client's circumstances.

How Does a Lawyer Assess a Deportation Case?

A lawyer may examine the case in several stages.

1. Review of the Official Decision

The legal basis and stated reasons are identified.

2. Review of Immigration History

Previous visas, residence permits, deportation decisions and other records are examined.

3. Review of Personal Circumstances

Family, employment, residence and other relevant circumstances are considered.

4. Review of Procedural Deadlines

The date and method of notification are examined to determine applicable deadlines.

5. Selection of the Appropriate Legal Procedure

The lawyer determines which administrative or judicial remedy may be applicable.

Can a Lawyer Represent a Foreign National Who Is Outside Turkey?

Depending on the procedure, legal representation or assistance may be possible even when the foreign national is outside Turkey.

This can be particularly relevant for people who have already left Turkey or were refused entry at an airport.

The available procedure should be assessed individually.

Why Is the Istanbul Airport Context Important?

Istanbul Airport is one of the main international entry points into Turkey. Foreign nationals can therefore discover immigration restrictions during passport control or other border procedures.

A person who encounters a problem at the airport should determine whether the issue is:

• Visa-related;
• Refusal of entry;
• Entry ban;
• Tahdit code;
• Deportation;
• Administrative detention; or
• Another immigration matter.

Correctly identifying the procedure is the first step toward determining the available legal options.

How Cosmos Legal Law Firm Can Assist

Cosmos Legal law firm provides legal assistance to foreign nationals dealing with deportation and related Turkish immigration problems.

Our services may include:

• Turkey deportation appeal procedures;
• Deportation decision review;
• Administrative detention challenges;
• Removal-centre procedures;
• Turkey entry ban investigations;
• Tahdit code review;
• Istanbul Airport immigration cases;
• Refusal-of-entry cases;
• Residence permit disputes;
• Work permit-related immigration matters; and
• Other Turkish foreigners-law procedures.

Our lawyers can review the available documents and immigration history and determine which legal procedures may be available in the individual case.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can a deportation lawyer help in Turkey?

A lawyer can review the deportation decision, immigration history and available evidence and, where appropriate, prepare the relevant legal challenge.

Can a lawyer stop deportation from Turkey?

A lawyer cannot guarantee cancellation of deportation, but may challenge a deportation decision where a legal remedy is available.

Can a lawyer help someone in a removal centre?

Yes. Legal assistance can be provided concerning administrative detention, deportation and related immigration procedures.

Can a lawyer help at Istanbul Airport?

Depending on the circumstances, legal assistance may be available for refusal of entry, deportation-related procedures, entry restrictions and other immigration matters.

Can a lawyer remove a Turkey entry ban?

Depending on the legal basis, an administrative or judicial procedure may be available to challenge or seek removal of an entry restriction.

What documents should I provide to a deportation lawyer?

Provide the passport, deportation decision, residence permits, visa documents, work permits, detention documents and any previous Turkish immigration decisions.

Can a deportation lawyer help if I am outside Turkey?

Depending on the procedure, legal assistance may be possible even when the foreign national is outside Turkey.

Can Cosmos Legal law firm assist with deportation cases?

Yes. Cosmos Legal law firm assists foreign nationals with deportation, administrative detention, removal-centre procedures, entry bans, Tahdit codes and other Turkish immigration matters.