Invitation to Leave Turkey and Voluntary Return

An invitation to leave is an option that can be applied instead of a deportation decision in certain cases, giving a person a set period to leave Turkey on their own. It is governed by Article 56 of Law No. 6458. A person who leaves within that period may not have an entry ban imposed on them, which makes this a less difficult path than deportation for many people. This page explains what an invitation to leave is and how voluntary return works.

Deciding Authority: Provincial Governorate
Outcome Status: A person who leaves within the given period may not have an entry ban imposed.
Time Limit Status: Departure must take place within the period stated in the decision; the period is set out in the decision itself.

Initial Assessment

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Who It’s For

Someone who has been invited to leave

Here you can find out what this decision means and what it offers you.

Someone weighing voluntary departure during a deportation process

Here you can read about when this route may be suitable.

A family member of someone going through this process

Here you can find the difference between an invitation to leave and a deportation decision, and how you can support your relative.

Process Steps

01

Notification of the invitation to leave

In circumstances set out in law, the governorate may issue an invitation to leave instead of a deportation decision, and this is notified to the person.
02

The period runs

The person is given the opportunity to leave Turkey on their own within the period stated in the decision.
03

Departure procedures

The person goes through passport control when leaving at a border crossing; presenting the invitation-to-leave decision may be requested at this stage.
04

Outcome

A person who leaves within the period may not have an entry ban imposed; if departure does not happen in time, the process can turn into deportation.

Not sure whether your situation fits this process?

Initial Assessment

Legal Basis

Law No. 6458 on Foreigners and International Protection Art. 56

Governs the invitation to leave and its conditions.

Common Mistakes

Confusing an invitation to leave with a deportation decision

The two are different measures, and they have different consequences for a future entry ban.

Not taking the time limit seriously

If departure does not take place within the period stated in the decision, the process can turn into deportation.

Not sorting out practical details before leaving

Uncertainty over which documents to carry or which border crossing to use can cause a problem at the last moment.

Dismissing this route as "giving up" without weighing it properly

In some cases, voluntary return can lead to a shorter, less difficult outcome than the deportation process; rejecting the option outright is not always the best approach.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. An invitation to leave gives a person the chance to depart on their own within a set period; a deportation decision is a measure the authorities enforce directly. The risk of an entry ban is generally lower for someone who leaves within the given period.

The period is stated in the decision notified to the person; it needs to be checked in the decision itself.

A person who leaves within the period may not have an entry ban imposed, but this is assessed based on the specific circumstances — it is not an automatic guarantee.

Not leaving within the period after the decision has been notified can lead to the process turning into deportation; getting legal advice about these options is worthwhile.

It is not the same for everyone. In some situations, appealing is more appropriate; in others, leaving voluntarily can lead to a less difficult outcome. The decision should be assessed based on the person’s specific situation.

If no entry ban was imposed, re-entry is possible; if a ban was imposed, it needs to expire or be lifted first.

Related Services

Deportation Decision and the Appeal Process 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. Administrative Detention Decision and How to Appeal It Administrative detention is a separate measure concerning where a person is held while a deportation process is under way; it is not the deportation decision itself. Removal Centers: Process and Rights Removal centers are official facilities run by the Presidency of Migration Management where foreign nationals subject to an administrative detention decision are housed until the deportation process is complete; they are also commonly referred to as "camps." A person held at a center has rights that include meeting with a lawyer, staying in contact with family, access to an interpreter, health care, and contact with their consulate. Entry Ban to Turkey and Restriction Records An entry ban is a decision by the authorities preventing a foreign national from entering Turkey for a set period; it appears in the system as a "restriction record." Under Article 9 of Law No.

Last updated: 15.08.2026

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.