Legal Support for Foreign Nationals in Turkey

For foreign nationals living in Turkey or with a legal connection to it, disputes can arise around a deportation decision, an entry ban, an administrative fine, a rejected citizenship application, or family and inheritance matters — and when they do, the legal process is carried out through our partner lawyers. This page isn’t about the residence or work permit application itself; it’s about the disputes and legal remedies that come up around administrative decisions.

Scope: Legal disputes and objections to administrative decisions
How the Process Works: The legal process is carried out through our partner lawyers
Relevant Authorities: Depending on the case: administrative courts, the migration authority, or the relevant judicial bodies

Initial Assessment

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Services We Cover

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. 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.

Who It’s For

Foreign nationals subject to a deportation or administrative detention decision

Objection deadlines can be short, so we recommend an early consultation.

Foreign nationals who discover an entry ban or restriction annotation on their record

We review the reason for the annotation and the objection route together.

Foreign nationals whose citizenship application has been rejected

We assess objection or reapplication routes depending on the reason for rejection.

Foreign nationals facing a family-law, inheritance, employment, or contract dispute

The legal process in Turkey is carried out through our partner lawyers.

Required Documents

General information on the dispute (type of decision, date, relevant authority)

This is the starting point for identifying the right legal route.

A copy of the decision or notice you were served, if any

The objection deadline is calculated from the decision date.

Passport and identity details

Your residence or work permit status in Turkey, if any

Your current status can affect how the dispute is assessed.

Marriage, divorce, or custody documents, for family-law disputes

If issued abroad, translation and certification status is assessed separately.

A certificate of inheritance or related documents, for inheritance disputes

How current the documents are matters for the process.

The contract text and related correspondence, for employment or contract disputes

Used to clarify the scope of the dispute.

A notarised power of attorney, if you’ll be represented by proxy

The scope of the power of attorney needs to match the type of dispute.

The document list can vary by application reason and personal circumstances; the current requirements of the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management apply.

Process Steps

01

Initial Assessment
Within 1 day

The nature of the dispute and any deadlines are clarified.
02

Referral to a Partner Lawyer
Within a few days

You’re connected with a partner lawyer specialising in the relevant area.
03

File Review
Varies by case

The documents and the decision text are reviewed from a legal standpoint.
04

Carrying Out the Objection or Court Process
Depends on the process

The necessary objection or court process is handled by the partner lawyer.
05

Ongoing Updates
Throughout the process

You’re kept informed about your file’s status.

Not sure whether your situation fits this process?

Initial Assessment

Legal Basis

Law No. 6458 on Foreigners and International Protection

Sets out the general framework for deportation decisions, administrative detention, and entry bans.

Law No. 5901 on Turkish Citizenship

Forms the basis for citizenship application rejections and the remedies available against them.

Attorneyship Law No. 1136

Governs the principle that legal representation is carried out through licensed lawyers.

Common Mistakes

Missing the deadline to object to a deportation decision

A decision not objected to in time becomes final, closing off the chance to challenge it later.

Attempting to re-enter Turkey without looking into the reason for an entry ban

This can lead to further sanctions and a longer process.

Not objecting to an administrative fine within the deadline

The fine becomes final and payable.

Reapplying for citizenship without examining the reason for the earlier rejection

A new application can be rejected again if the same shortcoming isn’t addressed.

Submitting family or inheritance documents issued abroad without translation or certification

Uncertified documents may not be accepted by the relevant authority.

Frequently Asked Questions

The legal process is carried out by our partner lawyer specialising in the relevant area.

No, we cover applications and permit processes on a separate page; this page focuses on disputes and objections.

We cover the objection process specific to residence permit rejections on its own page; this page covers broader legal disputes.

No, no legal process can guarantee an outcome; the process is carried out in line with the law.

There can be extra procedural points tied to your nationality; we assess your situation together during a consultation.

Yes, many steps can proceed through a power of attorney; we let you know in advance which steps need your presence.

Fees vary depending on the nature of the dispute; we clarify this during a consultation.

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

Foreign Nationals Law