A deportation decision is an administrative order issued by a provincial governorate directing a foreign national to leave Turkey; it is commonly known as a "deport order." It can only be issued in specific circumstances set out in Articles 52 to 60 of Law No. 6458 on Foreigners and International Protection, and it is formally notified to the person concerned. This page explains when the decision can be issued, when it cannot, and what to do after it has been notified.
- Deciding Authority
- Provincial Governorate
- Appeal Route
- Administrative Court
- Time Limit Status
- The governorate completes its assessment and decision within 48 hours at most; once the decision is notified, the window to file a legal challenge is short, so legal support should be sought without delay.
Who It’s For
Someone a deportation decision has been or may be issued against
If you are looking for information about the decision, this page explains the process from the start.
A family member facing a relative’s deportation process
If a decision has been issued against a family member or someone close to you, you can find out here what can happen after notification.
An employer with a foreign employee
If you have learned of such a decision concerning your employee, this page explains what the process means for an employer.
Process Steps
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01
Assessment and decision
The governorate assesses the person’s situation against the grounds listed in Article 54 of Law No. 6458 and issues its decision within 48 hours at most.
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02
Notification
The decision is notified to the person or to their legal representative or lawyer, if any; the notification also states the right to appeal and the applicable time limit.
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03
Appeal (optional)
The person may apply to the administrative court after being notified of the decision; this application does not, by itself, halt enforcement — a stay of execution must be requested separately.
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04
Court review
The administrative court reviews the application and assesses whether the decision complies with the law.
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05
Enforcement or annulment
If the court annuls the decision, the deportation process stops; if it is not annulled, or if no appeal is filed, the decision is enforced.
Not sure whether your situation fits this process?
Initial AssessmentLegal Basis
Law No. 6458 on Foreigners and International Protection Art. 52-60
Sets out the general procedure and grounds for deportation.
Law No. 6458 on Foreigners and International Protection Art. 54
Lists the grounds on which a deportation decision may be issued.
Law No. 6458 on Foreigners and International Protection Art. 55 and Art. 4
Sets out the grounds on which a decision cannot be issued and the principle of non-refoulement; a person cannot be sent to a place where their life or freedom would be under threat.
Common Mistakes
Not taking the notification seriously
Setting the decision aside without reading the date and content on it delays every step that follows.
Missing the deadline
The window to act after notification is short; once it passes, the same appeal route may no longer be open.
Signing a document without understanding it
Signing a document presented by the migration authority or law enforcement without fully understanding what it says can create a situation that is difficult to reverse later.
Not asking for a lawyer
There is a right to request to meet with a lawyer throughout the process; not making this request is usually a matter of not knowing about it.
Leaving the country based on incorrect information
Leaving under the assumption that "if I leave on my own, the problem goes away" without first learning how the decision or an entry ban actually works can make re-entry more difficult later.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, they are separate measures. A deportation decision is the main order directing a person to leave the country; administrative detention is a separate measure concerning where the person is held while that process is under way, and it is not applied in every deportation case.
Note the date on the decision and speak with a lawyer as soon as possible; because the time limit is short, acting without delay matters.
No, applying to the administrative court does not by itself halt enforcement; a stay of execution must be requested separately.
The time limit set by law is very short; legal support should be sought as soon as the decision is notified, since letting the time limit pass can end the right to appeal.
The law prohibits sending someone to a country where their life or freedom would be under serious threat (the principle of non-refoulement); certain other situations listed in the law also bar the decision.
No. An invitation to leave gives the person a period to leave the country voluntarily; a deportation decision is one the authorities enforce directly. The two also have different consequences for a future entry ban.
Confirming this, and learning the content of any decision, requires contacting the Presidency of Migration Management or the relevant authorities through a lawyer.
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Last updated: 15.08.2026
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.