Refused Entry to Turkey at Istanbul Airport: Reasons, Procedures and Legal Options

Being refused entry to Turkey can be stressful, particularly when the problem occurs immediately after arriving at Istanbul Airport.

A foreign national may arrive with a valid passport, visa or e-Visa and still encounter an immigration problem at the border. In such cases, it is important to determine exactly why entry has been refused and whether the issue concerns a visa, an entry ban, a Tahdit code, previous deportation or another immigration matter.

This article explains the main issues foreign nationals should understand when facing refusal of entry to Turkey.

What Does Refusal of Entry to Turkey Mean?

Refusal of entry means that a foreign national is not admitted into Turkey at the border.

This is different from:

• Visa refusal;
• Deportation;
• Administrative detention;
• Residence permit rejection; and
• Entry ban.

These procedures can sometimes be connected, but they are legally distinct.

Can You Be Refused Entry at Istanbul Airport?

Yes.

Foreign nationals entering Turkey are subject to border and immigration controls.

If the authorities identify an issue concerning the person's eligibility to enter Turkey, the traveller may be subject to additional examination or refused entry under the applicable legal framework.

Why Are Foreign Nationals Refused Entry to Turkey?

There can be different reasons for refusal of entry.

Possible issues may involve:

• Active entry ban;
• Tahdit code;
• Previous deportation;
• Visa problems;
• Passport or travel-document problems;
• Immigration violations;
• Inconsistencies concerning the purpose of travel;
• Security or public-order grounds; or
• Other legal grounds.

The exact reason should be established from the official information and documents.

Can I Be Refused Entry With a Valid Visa?

Yes, depending on the circumstances.

A visa is not necessarily a guarantee that a foreign national will be admitted to Turkey.

For example, a traveller may have a valid visa but also have an active immigration restriction.

The traveller should therefore determine whether the problem concerns:

• Visa;
• Entry ban;
• Tahdit code;
• Previous deportation; or
• Another immigration record.

Can I Be Refused Entry With an E-Visa?

An approved Turkey e-Visa does not necessarily eliminate other immigration restrictions.

If a person is refused entry despite holding an e-Visa, the relevant border decision should be investigated.

The foreign national should avoid assuming that simply obtaining another e-Visa will resolve the problem.

What Happens During Passport Control at Istanbul Airport?

During passport control, authorities may review relevant travel and immigration information.

If an issue is identified, the foreign national may be asked additional questions or directed to another area for further examination.

Possible outcomes can include:

• Admission to Turkey;
• Refusal of entry;
• Additional immigration procedures; or
• Another administrative measure.

The exact procedure depends on the circumstances.

What If You Are Taken to a Separate Area at Istanbul Airport?

Being taken to a separate area does not by itself establish what legal measure has been imposed.

The foreign national should determine whether they are:

• Under additional border examination;
• Subject to refusal of entry;
• Under administrative detention;
• Subject to a deportation-related procedure; or
• Affected by another immigration restriction.

If an official document is issued, preserve a copy whenever possible.

What Is the Difference Between Refusal of Entry and Deportation?

Refusal of entry concerns a person who is attempting to enter Turkey and is not admitted.

Deportation generally concerns the removal of a foreign national from Turkey under the applicable immigration legislation.

A foreign national who has never entered Turkey may therefore experience refusal of entry rather than deportation.

What Is the Difference Between Refusal of Entry and an Entry Ban?

An entry ban is an immigration restriction preventing or limiting entry.

Refusal of entry is the actual border decision not to admit a traveller.

An entry ban may be one of the reasons why a person is refused entry.

What Is a Tahdit Code?

A Tahdit code can indicate an immigration-related restriction recorded in the relevant Turkish systems.

If a traveller is refused entry at Istanbul Airport, a Tahdit code may be relevant to the case.

The specific code should be identified because different restrictions can have different legal consequences.

Can Previous Deportation Cause Refusal of Entry?

Yes.

A previous deportation can be relevant to a future attempt to enter Turkey.

The foreign national should determine whether the previous deportation resulted in:

• Entry ban;
• Tahdit code;
• Other immigration restriction; or
• Another administrative consequence.

Can Overstay Cause Refusal of Entry?

A previous overstay can affect a foreign national's future immigration situation.

The relevant factors may include:

• Length of overstay;
• Date of departure;
• Administrative fine;
• Whether the fine was paid;
• Whether an entry ban was imposed; and
• Other immigration records.

Can a Previous Residence Permit Problem Cause Refusal of Entry?

Yes, depending on the circumstances.

A previous residence permit rejection, cancellation or violation may become relevant to future entry.

If the person previously lived in Turkey, their complete immigration history should be reviewed.

Can Unauthorised Employment Cause Refusal of Entry?

A previous unauthorised employment issue can have immigration consequences.

If a foreign national previously worked in Turkey without the required authorisation and later experiences an entry problem, the authorities' records should be examined to determine whether an entry restriction or other measure exists.

What If You Are a British Citizen?

British citizens travelling to Turkey are subject to the immigration rules applicable to their nationality and individual circumstances.

If a British traveller is refused entry at Istanbul Airport, the person should determine the exact reason for the decision rather than assuming that the issue is simply a visa problem.

Previous immigration records can be particularly relevant.

What If You Are a Russian Citizen?

Russian citizens may also encounter different immigration issues depending on their individual travel and immigration history.

If a Russian-speaking traveller is refused entry at Istanbul Airport, relevant questions include whether there is:

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

What If You Are an Arabic-Speaking Traveller?

Arabic-speaking foreign nationals may encounter the same types of immigration issues at the Turkish border.

If entry is refused, it is important to understand the official reason and obtain copies of relevant documents where possible.

Cosmos Legal law firm provides immigration assistance to international clients, including English-, Russian- and Arabic-speaking foreign nationals.

Can a Lawyer Help at Istanbul Airport?

Depending on the circumstances, a lawyer can assist by examining the legal basis of the immigration problem and determining what procedures may be available.

Legal assistance may involve:

• Refusal-of-entry cases;
• Entry-ban investigations;
• Tahdit code matters;
• Deportation procedures;
• Administrative detention;
• Residence permit issues; and
• Other Turkish immigration matters.

Can a Lawyer Stop Refusal of Entry?

The answer depends on the specific circumstances and stage of the border procedure.

A lawyer cannot simply guarantee admission to Turkey.

The legal options depend on the reason for refusal and the applicable procedure.

The first step is therefore to identify the exact legal measure being applied.

What Documents Should You Request?

If possible, preserve documents concerning:

• Refusal of entry;
• Visa;
• Passport;
• Entry-ban information;
• Tahdit code;
• Previous deportation;
• Administrative detention; and
• Other immigration decisions.

These documents can be important when determining the appropriate legal remedy.

Can Refusal of Entry Be Challenged?

Depending on the legal basis and circumstances, a foreign national may have legal options concerning the administrative decision.

The available procedure should be assessed after reviewing:

• The official decision;
• Legal basis;
• Notification;
• Immigration history; and
• Relevant evidence.

What If You Are Sent Back From Turkey?

If a foreign national is not admitted to Turkey, they may be required to leave or return to the location determined under the applicable border procedure.

The traveller should preserve all documents received and investigate the reason for the refusal before planning another trip to Turkey.

Can You Return to Turkey After Being Refused Entry?

This depends on the reason for the refusal.

If the problem was caused by a temporary or correctable issue, the next entry attempt may be treated differently.

If an entry ban or Tahdit code exists, however, simply purchasing another ticket may not solve the problem.

Should You Apply for Another Visa?

Not necessarily.

Before submitting another visa application, determine whether the refusal was caused by:

• Visa eligibility;
• Entry restriction;
• Tahdit code;
• Previous deportation;
• Overstay; or
• Another immigration issue.

If an active restriction exists, a new visa application may not address the underlying problem.

What If Your Family Lives in Turkey?

Family ties may be relevant to the immigration circumstances.

Useful evidence can include:

• Marriage certificate;
• Children's birth certificates;
• Turkish family members' identity documents;
• Evidence of residence; and
• Other family documents.

Family ties do not automatically guarantee entry, but they may be relevant where the law permits consideration of individual circumstances.

What If You Need to Enter Turkey for Medical Treatment?

If the purpose of travel is medical treatment, preserve relevant medical documentation.

This may include:

• Hospital appointment;
• Medical report;
• Treatment documentation;
• Hospital correspondence; and
• Other supporting evidence.

Medical reasons do not automatically eliminate an immigration restriction, but they may be relevant to a legal assessment.

What If You Need to Enter Turkey for Business?

Business travellers should preserve documents supporting the stated purpose of their trip, such as:

• Invitation letter;
• Company correspondence;
• Meeting information;
• Accommodation documents; and
• Other relevant business records.

If the problem is an immigration restriction rather than a documentation issue, however, business documents alone may not resolve the matter.

How Cosmos Legal Law Firm Can Assist With Refusal of Entry

Cosmos Legal law firm assists foreign nationals who experience refusal of entry at Istanbul Airport and other Turkish border-related immigration problems.

Our services may include:

• Refusal-of-entry case assessment;
• Entry-ban investigations;
• Tahdit code review;
• Deportation-related procedures;
• Administrative detention matters;
• Residence permit problems;
• Visa-related immigration issues; and
• Other Turkish foreigners-law procedures.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Why was I refused entry to Turkey?

Possible reasons include an entry ban, Tahdit code, previous deportation, visa problem, passport issue or another immigration ground.

Can I be refused entry with a valid Turkish visa?

Yes. A valid visa does not necessarily override another active immigration restriction.

Can I be refused entry with an e-Visa?

Yes. An e-Visa does not necessarily guarantee admission if another immigration restriction applies.

What should I do if I am refused entry at Istanbul Airport?

Determine the exact reason, preserve the official documents and seek legal advice concerning the available procedure.

Can a previous deportation cause refusal of entry?

Yes. A previous deportation may be associated with an entry restriction affecting future travel to Turkey.

Can a new visa solve refusal of entry?

Not necessarily. If the underlying issue is an entry ban or Tahdit code, another visa may not resolve the problem.

Can refusal of entry be challenged?

Depending on the legal basis and circumstances, legal remedies may be available.

Can Cosmos Legal law firm assist at Istanbul Airport?

Cosmos Legal law firm assists foreign nationals with refusal of entry, entry bans, Tahdit codes, deportation, administrative detention and other Turkish immigration matters.