Removal of Entry Bans and Restriction Codes (Tahdit Codes) in Turkey 

Introduction

Foreign nationals who wish to enter or remain in Türkiye may sometimes encounter an entry ban or an immigration-related restriction code (Tahdit code) recorded by the Turkish authorities. Such restrictions can create significant difficulties for individuals who wish to return to Türkiye for tourism, employment, family reunification, education, investment, or business purposes.

The legal framework for entry bans is primarily found in Law No. 6458 on Foreigners and International Protection (YUKK). Article 9 provides that an entry ban may be imposed when a foreigner's entry is considered objectionable for reasons relating to public order, public security, or public health. The law also provides specific rules for persons who have been deported. (Göç İdaresi Başkanlığı)

Cosmos Legal Law Firm provides legal consultancy and representation to foreign nationals who face entry bans, immigration restrictions, and related administrative procedures in Türkiye.

What Is an Entry Ban to Turkey?

An entry ban prevents a foreign national from entering Türkiye for a specified period or until the relevant legal conditions are satisfied.

According to the Presidency of Migration Management, the ordinary maximum period of an entry ban is five years. Where there is a serious threat to public order or public security, the period may be extended by up to an additional ten years. (Göç İdaresi Başkanlığı)

Entry bans can arise in different circumstances. For example, they may be connected with:

• A previous deportation decision;
• Violations of the legal right to stay;
• Visa or visa-exemption violations;
• Residence permit violations;
• Certain public-order or public-security considerations;
• Previous immigration-related administrative proceedings.

The exact reason for an entry restriction should be identified before attempting to challenge or remove it.

What Are Tahdit Codes?

The term Tahdit code is commonly used in practice to describe immigration restriction records associated with a foreign national in Türkiye.

These codes can have different legal and administrative consequences depending on the particular code and the circumstances in which it was entered into the relevant records. A foreign national may therefore encounter difficulties at a Turkish border gate, during a visa application, or in connection with another immigration procedure.

Importantly, the existence of a restriction should not be assessed solely from the foreign national's personal understanding of what happened previously. The underlying administrative record and the legal basis of the restriction should be examined.

Cosmos Legal Law Firm can assist foreign nationals in evaluating immigration restrictions and determining what legal procedures may be available in the individual case.

Why Can a Foreign National Receive an Entry Ban?

One common reason for an entry ban is a violation of the legal period of stay in Türkiye.

The Presidency of Migration Management has published specific rules concerning entry bans applicable to foreigners who violate their legal stay through, for example, overstaying a visa, visa exemption, residence permit, or work permit. The duration and consequences can depend on the length of the violation and other circumstances, including whether the person leaves voluntarily and whether applicable administrative fines are paid. (Göç İdaresi Başkanlığı)

For example, the official guidance provides different periods of entry prohibition depending on the length of an unlawful stay. The rules distinguish between different circumstances, including voluntary departure, payment of administrative fines, and deportation. (Göç İdaresi Başkanlığı)

Consequently, an individual should not assume that every entry ban resulting from an overstay has the same duration or legal basis.

How Can an Entry Ban Be Challenged?

The appropriate legal procedure depends on the decision that created the restriction and the circumstances of the case.

A legal assessment may involve examining:

1. The reason for the entry ban;
2. The relevant Tahdit code or restriction;
3. The date on which the restriction was imposed;
4. The administrative decision underlying the restriction;
5. Previous deportation or residence permit decisions;
6. The foreign national's immigration history;
7. Whether the restriction remains legally applicable;
8. Whether there are grounds for an administrative or judicial application.

Cosmos Legal Law Firm assists clients in reviewing these matters and preparing the appropriate legal application where a challenge or removal request is legally available.

Removal of a Tahdit Code

The procedure for seeking removal of a restriction code depends on the nature of the code and the underlying administrative decision. There is therefore no single procedure that applies automatically to every foreign national.

A lawyer may first need to establish:

• What restriction has been recorded;
• Which authority imposed or maintains it;
• Why it was imposed;
• Whether the underlying circumstances have changed;
• Whether the foreign national has received an official decision;
• Whether an administrative application or court action is available.

After reviewing these circumstances, Cosmos Legal Law Firm can advise the foreign national regarding the appropriate legal route.

Entry Bans Following Deportation

Deportation and entry bans are closely connected but should not be treated as identical legal concepts.

The Presidency of Migration Management states that an entry ban is imposed for foreigners who are deported from Türkiye, subject to the framework established by Law No. 6458. (Göç İdaresi Başkanlığı)

Furthermore, entering Türkiye despite an existing entry ban can itself have immigration consequences. The official removal guidance lists entering Türkiye despite an entry ban among circumstances that may result in a deportation decision. (Göç İdaresi Başkanlığı)

For this reason, a foreign national who believes that an entry restriction has expired or should be removed should obtain legal clarification before attempting to enter Türkiye.

Entry Bans and Residence Permit Applications

An existing entry ban can also affect residence permit procedures.

The Presidency of Migration Management explains, for example, that a short-term residence permit may be refused, cancelled, or not renewed where the foreign national is subject to a current removal decision or entry ban. Similar considerations apply to family residence permits. (Göç İdaresi Başkanlığı)

This means that resolving an entry restriction may sometimes be an important preliminary step before pursuing another immigration procedure.

Cosmos Legal Law Firm can evaluate the relationship between an existing immigration restriction and a foreign national's intended residence, employment, family, investment, or business plans in Türkiye.

Legal Services of Cosmos Legal Law Firm

Cosmos Legal Law Firm provides legal services to foreign nationals dealing with entry bans and immigration restriction codes in Türkiye.

Depending on the circumstances, the firm's services may include:

• Examination of entry-ban decisions;
• Assessment of Tahdit codes and immigration restrictions;
• Review of deportation and residence permit records;
• Preparation of administrative petitions;
• Applications for the removal or reconsideration of restrictions where legally appropriate;
• Representation in relevant administrative and judicial proceedings;
• Assistance with visa and immigration-related legal procedures;
• Legal consultation concerning re-entry to Türkiye;
• Coordination of related residence permit and immigration procedures.

The exact legal strategy is determined after examining the relevant administrative records and the individual's circumstances.

Entry Ban and International Travel

An entry ban may have practical consequences for a foreign national's travel plans. A person who previously lived in Türkiye, owned property, operated a business, worked, studied, or had family members in the country may wish to return for legitimate personal or professional reasons.

However, having a previous connection with Türkiye does not automatically remove an existing immigration restriction.

For this reason, Cosmos Legal Law Firm recommends examining the legal status of an entry restriction before making travel arrangements where there is uncertainty about admissibility.

Why Professional Legal Assistance Can Be Important

Immigration restriction records can involve technical administrative terminology and decisions issued at different stages of an individual's immigration history.

A foreign national may know that they have been refused entry but may not know:

• Which restriction was imposed;
• The legal basis of the restriction;
• Whether the restriction is still active;
• Which authority issued the decision;
• Whether an administrative application is possible;
• Whether judicial review is available;
• How the restriction may affect a future visa or residence permit application.

Cosmos Legal Law Firm can examine the available documents and circumstances and explain the relevant legal procedures under Turkish immigration law.

Conclusion

Entry bans and Tahdit codes can significantly affect a foreign national's ability to enter Türkiye, obtain a residence permit, work, conduct business, or maintain family and personal connections in the country. The applicable legal procedure depends on the specific restriction and the administrative decision behind it.

The Turkish immigration framework establishes different rules depending on the reason for the restriction, including rules concerning deportation and violations of the legal right to stay. (Göç İdaresi Başkanlığı)

Cosmos Legal Law Firm provides legal consultancy and representation concerning entry bans, Tahdit codes, deportation-related restrictions, residence permit issues, and other immigration matters in Türkiye. Through document review, legal assessment, administrative applications, and judicial proceedings where appropriate, Cosmos Legal Law Firm assists foreign nationals in pursuing the legal remedies available under Turkish law.