Immigration Law

"It is easy to be good; being just is the hard part."

— Victor HUGO

Immigration Law

Immigration law governs the entry, residence, work and citizenship procedures of foreign nationals in Türkiye. We handle residence and work permit applications and appeals against deportation and administrative detention decisions.

Immigration law governs every stage for foreign nationals in Türkiye, from entry to residence and from employment to naturalisation. The framework is set by the Law on Foreigners and International Protection No. 6458 and the International Labour Force Law No. 6735. Because most acts in this field are administrative, decisions must be challenged within short and strict time limits; missing the deadline usually causes consequences that are difficult to put right.

What We Advise On

Residence Permit Applications and Appeals Against Refusals

Preparing short-term, family, student, long-term and humanitarian residence permit applications; conducting administrative appeals and annulment proceedings where an application has been refused for missing documents or on stated grounds. A large share of refusals stems from gaps in the documentation and can be reversed with proper reasoning.

Work Permits and Employer Obligations

Work permit applications before the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, extension requests, independent work permits and Turquoise Card procedures. On the employer side, preparing a defence against the administrative fines imposed for employing a foreign national without a permit.

Appeals Against Deportation Decisions

Applications to the administrative court for foreign nationals subject to a deportation decision. The time limit here is extremely short and, as a rule, the application suspends enforcement of the decision. The law also provides separate safeguards for people with a pending international protection application or who are at serious risk.

Appeals Against Administrative Detention

Objections to the magistrate\'s court on behalf of people held in removal centres. Review of the grounds for detention, its duration and the requirement of regular reconsideration frequently results in release.

International and Temporary Protection

Preparing international protection applications, preparing for the interview, appeals and litigation against negative decisions; procedures relating to temporary protection status.

Turkish Citizenship Applications

Preparing applications for citizenship by the general route (based on residence), by marriage and by the exceptional route (including through investment); assessing the legal options where a file has been refused.

How the Process Works

  1. File review: existing documents, earlier applications and any decisions served are examined, and the position on time limits is established.
  2. Legal assessment: we determine which route (administrative appeal, annulment proceedings, fresh application) is strongest on the facts.
  3. Preparing the file: the file is completed with a reasoned petition, supporting documents and, where required, sworn translations.
  4. Follow-up: you are kept informed throughout the application or proceedings, and interim decisions are monitored.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the time limit for appealing a deportation decision?

The period for applying to the administrative court against a deportation decision is short and starts to run from service of the decision. Because the decision becomes final once the period is missed, we recommend contacting a lawyer on the day you receive the notification.

My residence permit was refused — can I apply again?

It depends on the reason for refusal. Some grounds allow a fresh application once the gap has been remedied; for others, annulment proceedings must be brought first. The stated reason, and any code applied, determines the route to follow.

Does marriage to a Turkish citizen give citizenship automatically?

No. Marriage alone does not confer citizenship; the minimum period of marriage required by law, living together as a family and the other conditions must all be satisfied, and the application is assessed separately.

What can I do for a relative held in a removal centre?

Separate objections must be made against the administrative detention decision and against any deportation decision. Contacting us as soon as possible with your relative's identity details and the centre where they are held prevents loss of time.
06 September 2026
Legal Counsel
İstanbul

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06.09.2026
Immigration Law
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