Immigration Lawyer in Turkey: Legal Assistance for Foreign Nationals

Foreign nationals living in, travelling to or planning to move to Turkey may encounter immigration and foreigners-law issues at different stages of their stay.

A problem may arise during a visa application, at passport control, during a residence permit application, after an overstay, following a deportation decision or when attempting to return to Turkey after an entry ban.

In these situations, an immigration lawyer in Turkey can review the foreign national's legal status, administrative decisions and immigration history and explain the legal procedures that may be available.

What Does an Immigration Lawyer in Turkey Do?

A Turkish immigration lawyer assists foreign nationals with legal matters concerning entry, residence, work, deportation and other immigration procedures.

Depending on the case, legal assistance can include:

• Visa-related matters;
• Residence permits;
• Residence permit renewals;
• Residence permit cancellations;
• Work permit-related immigration matters;
• Deportation;
• Administrative detention;
• Entry bans;
• Tahdit codes;
• Refusal of entry;
• Istanbul Airport immigration problems;
• Family-related immigration procedures; and
• Other foreigners-law matters.

Why Might a Foreigner Need an Immigration Lawyer?

Turkish immigration procedures can involve detailed administrative requirements and time-sensitive procedures.

A foreign national may seek legal assistance when:

• A residence permit is rejected;
• An existing permit is cancelled;
• A renewal application creates problems;
• The person is subject to deportation;
• The person is held in a removal centre;
• Entry into Turkey is refused;
• A Tahdit code is discovered;
• An entry ban prevents travel to Turkey; or
• The foreign national is unsure about their legal status.

What Is the Difference Between an Immigration Lawyer and an Immigration Consultant?

An immigration lawyer is a licensed legal professional who can provide legal representation and legal advice within the scope of Turkish law.

An immigration consultant may provide administrative or application-related assistance, depending on their qualifications and services.

Where a foreign national faces a deportation decision, administrative detention, entry restriction or other legal dispute, it is important to determine whether formal legal representation is required.

What Immigration Problems Can a Turkey Immigration Lawyer Handle?

A Turkey immigration lawyer can assist with a wide range of foreigners-law matters.

Residence Permits

This can include:

• Initial applications;
• Extensions;
• Rejections;
• Cancellations;
• Address-related issues;
• Family residence;
• Student residence;
• Long-term residence; and
• Other residence categories.

Deportation

A lawyer can review a deportation decision and assess available legal procedures.

Administrative Detention

If a foreign national is held in a removal centre, a lawyer can examine the detention decision and relevant legal remedies.

Entry Bans

A lawyer can investigate an alleged or existing Turkey entry ban and determine the legal basis and possible remedies.

Tahdit Codes

The lawyer can review the specific immigration restriction and assess possible procedures concerning the relevant record.

Immigration Lawyer for Foreigners in Istanbul

Istanbul is one of the main entry points into Turkey and has a large international population.

Foreign nationals in Istanbul may require assistance with:

• Residence permits;
• Work permits;
• Family immigration;
• Property-related residence procedures;
• Deportation;
• Entry bans;
• Tahdit codes;
• Airport immigration problems; and
• Other administrative matters.

An Istanbul immigration lawyer can assess the specific circumstances and explain the applicable legal process.

Immigration Problems at Istanbul Airport

Foreign nationals may encounter immigration problems when arriving at Istanbul Airport.

Possible situations include:

• Refusal of entry;
• Visa problems;
• Previous entry ban;
• Tahdit code;
• Previous deportation;
• Overstay history; or
• Questions concerning the purpose of travel.

If the person is held at the airport, it is important to establish exactly what administrative measure has been taken.

Can a Lawyer Help if Entry Is Refused at Istanbul Airport?

Depending on the circumstances, a lawyer may assist with reviewing the refusal of entry and determining whether a legal procedure is available.

The first step is to establish:

1. Why entry was refused;
2. Whether an entry ban exists;
3. Whether a Tahdit code is involved;
4. Whether there is a previous deportation decision; and
5. What official documents have been issued.

Residence Permit Lawyer in Turkey

One of the most common areas of immigration legal assistance concerns residence permits.

A Turkey residence permit lawyer can assist with:

• New applications;
• Extensions;
• Rejections;
• Cancellations;
• Address issues;
• Documentation problems;
• Family residence matters;
• Student residence matters; and
• Long-term residence procedures.

What If My Residence Permit Is Rejected?

A residence permit rejection should be reviewed according to the official reason given by the authorities.

Potential issues can include:

• Incomplete documentation;
• Failure to satisfy the relevant conditions;
• Address problems;
• Insurance problems;
• Immigration history;
• Incorrect information; or
• Other legal or administrative grounds.

A lawyer can determine whether another application or a legal challenge may be available.

What If My Residence Permit Is Cancelled?

Residence permit cancellation is different from rejection because the person may already have held a valid residence permit.

The lawyer should review:

• Cancellation decision;
• Reason for cancellation;
• Notification date;
• Current immigration status;
• Any departure requirement; and
• Available legal remedies.

Immigration Lawyer for Deportation Cases

Foreign nationals subject to deportation proceedings may need urgent legal assistance.

A lawyer can review:

• Deportation decision;
• Grounds stated by authorities;
• Immigration history;
• Family circumstances;
• Medical evidence where relevant;
• Entry restrictions; and
• Available legal remedies.

Can a Lawyer Stop Deportation?

Depending on the circumstances, legal remedies may be available against a deportation decision.

However, the result depends on the applicable law, evidence and circumstances of the individual case.

A lawyer cannot guarantee that deportation will be cancelled or prevented.

Immigration Lawyer for Administrative Detention

Foreign nationals may be placed in administrative detention in circumstances established by Turkish immigration legislation.

A lawyer can examine:

• Administrative detention decision;
• Reason for detention;
• Removal proceedings;
• Foreign national's circumstances;
• Available evidence; and
• Possible legal remedies.

Immigration Lawyer for Removal Centre Cases

A foreign national held in a Turkey removal centre may require assistance concerning administrative detention and deportation.

Legal assistance may involve reviewing:

• Detention documents;
• Deportation decision;
• Identity information;
• Travel documents;
• Entry-ban records; and
• Other immigration documents.

Turkey Entry Ban Lawyer

Foreign nationals may discover an entry ban when:

• Applying for a visa;
• Attempting to enter Turkey;
• Travelling through Istanbul Airport;
• Applying for residence; or
• Following previous deportation.

A Turkey entry ban lawyer can examine the available information and determine what legal procedures may be available.

Tahdit Code Lawyer in Turkey

A Tahdit code lawyer can assist a foreign national who believes an immigration restriction has affected their ability to enter or remain in Turkey.

The lawyer may investigate:

• Specific code;
• Legal basis;
• Duration;
• Related administrative decisions;
• Previous immigration history; and
• Available remedies.

English-Speaking Immigration Lawyer in Turkey

English-speaking foreign nationals may prefer to communicate with their lawyer directly in English.

This can be particularly important when explaining:

• Immigration history;
• Family circumstances;
• Previous travel;
• Employment;
• Residence;
• Deportation; and
• Administrative decisions.

Cosmos Legal law firm assists international clients with Turkish immigration matters and provides legal services for foreign nationals.

Russian-Speaking Immigration Legal Assistance

Russian-speaking foreign nationals may encounter Turkish immigration documents that they cannot easily understand.

Legal assistance can include explaining:

• Residence permit decisions;
• Deportation documents;
• Entry restrictions;
• Tahdit codes;
• Administrative detention; and
• Other immigration procedures.

Arabic-Speaking Immigration Legal Assistance

Arabic-speaking foreign nationals may also require legal assistance when dealing with Turkish immigration authorities.

Issues may include:

• Residence permits;
• Family residence;
• Deportation;
• Administrative detention;
• Entry bans;
• Tahdit codes; and
• Airport immigration problems.

Can a Foreign National Give Power of Attorney to a Lawyer?

Depending on the circumstances, a foreign national may authorise a lawyer through a power of attorney.

The appropriate form and procedure depend on where the power of attorney is executed and the nature of the legal matter.

Foreign nationals outside Turkey may need to consider the relevant consular or notarisation procedures.

Can a Lawyer Handle an Immigration Case Without the Foreigner Being in Turkey?

This depends on the type of procedure.

Some procedures can be handled through legal representation, while others may require the foreign national's personal participation.

The specific case should be assessed before assuming that physical presence is unnecessary.

What Documents Should I Give an Immigration Lawyer?

Useful documents may include:

• Passport;
• Previous passports;
• Visa;
• Residence permit;
• Work permit;
• Residence permit application;
• Rejection or cancellation decision;
• Deportation decision;
• Administrative detention decision;
• Tahdit code information;
• Entry-ban information;
• Marriage certificate;
• Birth certificates;
• Employment documents; and
• Relevant correspondence.

Even incomplete documentation can help establish the initial immigration history.

How Does an Immigration Lawyer Assess a Case?

1. Identify the Immigration Problem

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

2. Review Official Documents

Administrative decisions and immigration records are examined.

3. Review Previous Immigration History

Previous visas, residence permits, overstays, deportations and border procedures may be relevant.

4. Identify Applicable Deadlines

If a decision has been notified, any relevant procedural deadlines should be considered.

5. Determine Available Legal Procedures

The lawyer evaluates the administrative or judicial options that may be available.

How Much Does an Immigration Lawyer in Turkey Cost?

Legal fees depend on the nature and complexity of the case.

Factors can include:

• Type of immigration matter;
• Urgency;
• Required legal proceedings;
• Number of applications;
• Court proceedings;
• Administrative procedures; and
• Amount of documentation requiring review.

A precise fee should therefore be determined after the scope of the legal service is established.

How Long Does an Immigration Case Take?

There is no single timeframe for all Turkish immigration cases.

The duration can depend on:

• Type of procedure;
• Administrative authority;
• Court proceedings;
• Documentation;
• Evidence;
• Procedural deadlines; and
• Individual circumstances.

Can an Immigration Lawyer Guarantee the Result?

No lawyer should guarantee the outcome of an immigration proceeding.

The final outcome can depend on the competent administrative authority or court and the evidence and legal circumstances of the case.

What Should I Do If I Have an Urgent Immigration Problem?

If a foreign national is detained, refused entry or receives a deportation decision, they should collect all available documents and seek legal assistance promptly.

Important information includes:

• Current location;
• Passport details;
• Immigration decision;
• Date of notification;
• Previous residence status;
• Family circumstances; and
• Previous immigration history.

How Cosmos Legal Law Firm Can Assist Foreign Nationals

Cosmos Legal law firm provides legal assistance to international clients concerning Turkish foreigners law.

Our services can include:

• Residence permit applications;
• Residence permit renewal;
• Residence permit rejection;
• Residence permit cancellation;
• Deportation procedures;
• Administrative detention;
• Removal centre cases;
• Turkey entry bans;
• Tahdit codes;
• Refusal of entry;
• Istanbul Airport immigration problems;
• Family-related immigration matters; and
• Other Turkish immigration procedures.

Each case should be evaluated according to the foreign national's documents, immigration history and specific circumstances.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does an immigration lawyer in Turkey do?

An immigration lawyer assists foreign nationals with legal matters involving residence, entry, deportation, administrative detention, entry bans, Tahdit codes and other foreigners-law procedures.

Can a lawyer help with a Turkey residence permit?

Yes. A lawyer can review applications, rejections, cancellations, extensions and related immigration problems.

Can an immigration lawyer help with deportation?

Depending on the circumstances, a lawyer can review a deportation decision and pursue available legal remedies.

Can a lawyer help someone detained in a removal centre?

A lawyer can review the administrative detention and deportation documents and assess the available legal procedures.

Can a lawyer help with a Turkey entry ban?

Depending on the legal basis, a lawyer can investigate the entry restriction and assess available remedies.

Can an immigration lawyer help at Istanbul Airport?

Depending on the circumstances, legal assistance may be available when a foreign national is refused entry or encounters another immigration problem at Istanbul Airport.

Do English-speaking foreigners need a Turkish immigration lawyer?

A foreign national can seek legal assistance when facing a Turkish immigration matter. Communicating with a lawyer in a language the client understands can make it easier to explain the circumstances and review documents.

Can Cosmos Legal law firm assist foreign nationals in Turkey?

Yes. Cosmos Legal law firm assists international clients with residence permits, deportation, administrative detention, entry bans, Tahdit codes and other Turkish foreigners-law matters.