Immigration Lawyer in Istanbul: Legal Assistance for Foreign Nationals in Turkey

Foreign nationals living in, travelling to, or planning to enter Turkey can encounter a wide range of immigration and foreigners-law issues. These problems can arise during a visa application, at Istanbul Airport, during a residence permit application, or after a deportation or entry-ban decision.

An experienced immigration lawyer in Istanbul can help foreign nationals understand the applicable procedures and assess the legal options available in their particular circumstances.

This article explains the main areas in which foreign nationals may need legal assistance in Turkey.

What Does an Immigration Lawyer in Istanbul Do?

An immigration lawyer assists foreign nationals with legal matters concerning their status in Turkey.

Depending on the case, legal services may include:

• Residence permit procedures;
• Work permit-related matters;
• Turkish citizenship procedures;
• Deportation cases;
• Administrative detention;
• Entry bans;
• Tahdit codes;
• Refusal of entry;
• Visa-related immigration issues;
• Family residence matters; and
• Other foreigners-law procedures.

Why Might a Foreigner Need an Immigration Lawyer in Turkey?

Many immigration procedures involve detailed documentation and specific legal requirements.

A foreign national may seek legal assistance when:

• A residence permit has been rejected;
• A residence permit has been cancelled;
• A visa has been refused;
• An entry ban is discovered;
• A Tahdit code is recorded;
• A deportation decision is issued;
• The person is transferred to a removal centre;
• The person is refused entry at Istanbul Airport; or
• Another immigration dispute arises.

Immigration Problems at Istanbul Airport

Istanbul Airport is an important entry point for international travellers coming to Turkey.

A foreign national may encounter an immigration problem during passport control or another border procedure.

Possible issues include:

• Refusal of entry;
• Entry ban;
• Tahdit code;
• Previous deportation;
• Visa problem;
• Passport or travel-document issue; or
• Additional immigration examination.

The exact legal measure should be established before deciding what action to take.

What Is Refusal of Entry to Turkey?

Refusal of entry means that a foreign national attempting to enter Turkey is not admitted to the country.

This can be different from deportation, because the person may not have entered Turkey at all.

A foreign national refused entry should try to obtain information about the reason for the decision and preserve any documents provided.

What Is a Turkey Entry Ban?

A Turkey entry ban restricts a foreign national's ability to enter Turkey.

The restriction may be connected with:

• Previous deportation;
• Overstay;
• Immigration violations;
• Unauthorised employment;
• Other administrative decisions; or
• Legally established security or public-order grounds.

The exact reason and duration should be investigated.

What Is a Tahdit Code?

A Tahdit code can indicate an immigration-related restriction or administrative record concerning a foreign national.

The exact code matters because different restrictions can have different legal consequences.

An immigration lawyer can assess the available information and determine what legal procedures may be relevant.

Can a Turkey Entry Ban Be Removed?

Depending on the legal basis and circumstances, a foreign national may have an option to seek removal of an entry restriction or challenge the underlying administrative measure.

The lawyer should first determine:

• Type of restriction;
• Legal basis;
• Duration;
• Relevant Tahdit code;
• Previous immigration history; and
• Available legal remedies.

Residence Permit Legal Assistance

Residence permits are one of the most common areas of Turkish immigration law.

Foreign nationals may seek legal assistance with:

• First-time residence permit applications;
• Residence permit extensions;
• Residence permit rejection;
• Residence permit cancellation;
• Change of residence permit type;
• Family residence permits;
• Long-term residence permits; and
• Related administrative disputes.

What If a Residence Permit Is Rejected?

A residence permit rejection should be examined together with the official notification and the reasons stated by the authorities.

Depending on the circumstances, legal options may include:

• Reviewing the rejection;
• Correcting documentation;
• Making a new application where legally possible; or
• Pursuing an applicable legal remedy.

The appropriate route depends on the individual circumstances.

What If a Residence Permit Is Cancelled?

A foreign national whose residence permit has been cancelled should determine:

• Why it was cancelled;
• When the decision was issued;
• Whether an overstay has resulted;
• Whether a deportation decision exists; and
• What legal remedy is available.

A cancelled residence permit can create additional immigration consequences if the situation is not addressed.

Work Permit and Immigration Problems

Foreign nationals working in Turkey may need assistance with both employment and immigration matters.

Possible legal issues include:

• Work permit applications;
• Work permit rejection;
• Work permit cancellation;
• Unauthorised employment;
• Employer-related immigration problems; and
• Immigration consequences following termination of employment.

Can Unauthorised Employment Lead to Deportation?

Depending on the circumstances, unauthorised employment can result in immigration consequences.

If a foreign national receives a deportation decision following an alleged work-permit violation, an immigration lawyer can review the employment and administrative records.

Deportation Legal Assistance in Istanbul

A foreign national facing deportation from Turkey should review the official decision promptly.

The lawyer may examine:

• Legal grounds;
• Notification date;
• Immigration history;
• Residence status;
• Employment history;
• Family circumstances; and
• Supporting evidence.

Where a legal remedy is available, the appropriate challenge can be prepared.

Administrative Detention and Removal Centres

Some foreign nationals facing removal procedures may be subject to administrative detention and transferred to a Turkey removal centre.

Legal assistance may involve:

• Reviewing the detention decision;
• Challenging administrative detention;
• Reviewing deportation;
• Assisting with removal-centre procedures; and
• Examining entry restrictions.

Detention and deportation are separate legal matters and should be assessed individually.

What If a Family Member Is in a Removal Centre?

Family members should try to obtain:

• Location of the detained person;
• Passport information;
• Deportation decision;
• Administrative detention decision;
• Residence permit;
• Visa;
• Marriage documents; and
• Other relevant immigration records.

An immigration lawyer can review these documents and explain the available legal procedures.

Visa and Entry Problems

Foreign nationals may encounter visa-related problems before or during travel to Turkey.

Issues can include:

• Visa refusal;
• Visa expiration;
• E-Visa problems;
• Overstay;
• Refusal of entry; and
• Entry restrictions.

A lawyer can help distinguish between a visa issue and a broader immigration restriction.

Can a Valid E-Visa Guarantee Entry?

Not necessarily.

A foreign national may have an approved e-Visa and still face another immigration restriction.

For example, an active entry ban or other restriction may affect admission to Turkey.

Overstay and Immigration Consequences

Overstaying a visa or residence permit can have consequences depending on the circumstances.

The relevant assessment may include:

• Length of overstay;
• Immigration status;
• Departure date;
• Administrative fine;
• Previous immigration history; and
• Possible entry restrictions.

Turkish Citizenship Legal Assistance

Foreign nationals who meet the applicable legal requirements may consider Turkish citizenship procedures.

An immigration lawyer can assist with legal assessment and documentation concerning applicable citizenship routes.

The exact requirements depend on the relevant citizenship basis.

Family Residence and Family Immigration Matters

Foreign nationals with spouses or children in Turkey may require assistance concerning family residence and related immigration procedures.

Relevant matters can include:

• Family residence permit;
• Marriage-related immigration status;
• Children's residence status;
• Family reunification; and
• Other family-based immigration procedures.

What If the Foreign National Is Married to a Turkish Citizen?

Marriage to a Turkish citizen may be relevant to several immigration procedures.

However, marriage does not automatically eliminate:

• Deportation;
• Entry bans;
• Tahdit codes;
• Administrative detention; or
• Other immigration restrictions.

The individual case should be reviewed under the applicable rules.

Immigration Assistance for British Citizens

British citizens may need legal assistance with Turkish immigration matters including:

• Residence permits;
• Work permits;
• Entry problems;
• Deportation;
• Entry bans;
• Property-related immigration issues; and
• Citizenship procedures.

Immigration Assistance for Russian-Speaking Foreign Nationals

Russian-speaking foreign nationals may encounter similar immigration issues in Turkey.

Legal assistance can be particularly useful where official Turkish documents need to be understood and urgent procedural deadlines apply.

Immigration Assistance for Arabic-Speaking Foreign Nationals

Arabic-speaking foreign nationals can also require assistance with Turkish immigration procedures.

Cosmos Legal law firm provides legal services for international clients dealing with residence, deportation, entry restrictions, work permits and other Turkish foreigners-law matters.

What Documents Should You Prepare for an Immigration Lawyer?

Depending on the case, useful documents may include:

• Passport;
• Previous passports;
• Visa or e-Visa;
• Residence permit;
• Work permit;
• Deportation decision;
• Administrative detention decision;
• Entry-ban documents;
• Tahdit code information;
• Marriage certificate;
• Children's documents;
• Employment documents; and
• Previous correspondence with Turkish authorities.

How Does an Immigration Lawyer Assess a Case?

A lawyer will generally start by establishing the foreign national's current legal status.

The assessment may include:

1. Immigration History

Previous entries, exits, residence permits, visas and administrative decisions are reviewed.

2. Current Problem

The lawyer identifies whether the issue concerns residence, deportation, detention, entry restriction or another matter.

3. Documents

Official decisions and supporting evidence are examined.

4. Deadlines

Applicable procedural deadlines are identified.

5. Legal Procedure

The lawyer determines which administrative or judicial procedure may be available.

Why Choose a Law Firm Experienced in Foreigners Law?

Immigration problems can involve several connected administrative measures.

For example, one case may involve:

Residence permit → overstay → deportation → entry ban → Tahdit code

Treating each issue separately without reviewing the complete immigration history can make it more difficult to understand the situation.

A law firm focusing on foreigners law can assess the connected issues together.

How Cosmos Legal Law Firm Can Assist Foreign Nationals

Cosmos Legal law firm assists foreign nationals with a broad range of Turkish immigration and foreigners-law matters.

Our services may include:

• Residence permit applications and disputes;
• Work permit-related immigration matters;
• Deportation procedures;
• Deportation appeals;
• Administrative detention;
• Removal-centre procedures;
• Turkey entry-ban cases;
• Tahdit code investigations;
• Refusal-of-entry cases at Istanbul Airport;
• Visa-related immigration problems;
• Family residence matters;
• Turkish citizenship procedures; and
• Other Turkish foreigners-law matters.

Our lawyers can review the client's documents and immigration history and determine which legal procedures may be available.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does an immigration lawyer in Istanbul do?

An immigration lawyer assists foreign nationals with residence permits, work permits, deportation, detention, entry bans, Tahdit codes, citizenship and other Turkish immigration matters.

Can an immigration lawyer help at Istanbul Airport?

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

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 the restriction.

Can a lawyer challenge deportation?

Where a legal remedy is available, a lawyer can prepare and pursue the appropriate challenge.

Can an immigration lawyer help someone in a removal centre?

Yes. Legal assistance can concern administrative detention, deportation and related immigration procedures.

Can marriage to a Turkish citizen solve an immigration problem?

Marriage may be relevant to an immigration case, but it does not automatically cancel deportation, detention or an entry ban.

Do foreign nationals need a lawyer for residence permits?

Not every application requires a lawyer. However, professional legal assistance can be useful when a case involves rejection, cancellation, complicated documentation or an immigration dispute.

Can Cosmos Legal law firm assist English-, Russian- and Arabic-speaking clients?

Yes. Cosmos Legal law firm assists international clients with Turkish foreigners-law and immigration matters, including residence permits, deportation, entry bans, Tahdit codes and Istanbul Airport immigration problems.