Turkey

If you are planning to leave Ukraine and need information about legislation, rights, temporary protection or services in a foreign country, contact us and book an online appointment on our website. Our lawyers will provide answers to your questions and help you find a solution to your problem. We understand that legal matters can create stress and anxiety, but our professionals are ready to take responsibility and relieve you and your family of unnecessary burden.

Who is this information for?

• For citizens of Ukraine who lived in Ukraine until February 24, 2022
• For persons who have a residence permit as refugees or additional protection status in Ukraine
• For family members of any of the above (ie spouse, cohabitant, children under 18 or parent of a child under 18 who meets the requirements).

Turkey: information regarding the reception of refugees

What documents are required to enter the country?

a)  to be able to enter Turkey, citizens of Ukraine need (i) a passport or (ii) a valid biometric ID card. Travel with a biometric ID card is possible only if traveling directly from Ukraine to Turkey.

b)  in accordance with Turkish legislation, a person who, as a result of events in European countries, due to a well-founded fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, persecution as a member of a certain social group or bearer of a political opinion, is outside his country of citizenship and cannot or, as a result of such fear, does not want to use the protection of this country; or a person who, having no citizenship and being outside the country of his former residence as a result of such events, is unable or because of such fear does not wish to return to it, may receive refugee status after the completion of the procedure for confirming such circumstances. Conditional refugee status is granted if such events take place outside of European countries. Regarding the citizens of Ukraine, we believe that granting them the status of a refugee (or conditional refugee) is impossible. However, citizens of Ukraine can apply for additional protection, as we believe that they meet the necessary conditions for granting such protection status. A foreign citizen or stateless person who cannot be qualified as a refugee or conditional refugee will nevertheless receive additional protection in the process of determining his status if, in the event of his return to his country of origin or country of [former] residence: a) he is sentenced to the death penalty or will be threatened with the death penalty; b) is subjected to torture or inhuman treatment or such treatment or punishment that degrades human dignity; c) suffers a serious threat to himself due to indiscriminate violence in situations of international or nationwide armed conflict; and is therefore unable or, because of such a threat, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of his country of origin or country of [former] residence. In the case of submitting an application for international protection (in particular, for obtaining the status of a refugee, conditional refugee, additional protection), the applicant must inform the Turkish authorities of his personal data and, if available, provide an identity card, as well as other documents (in particular, travel documents) to confirm his persons At the same time, if the applicant is unable to provide any documents related to his personal data, the Turkish authorities will conduct further research (including language proficiency analysis) to identify the applicant. If the investigation does not yield results, the applicant’s own testimony will be taken as a basis. In the case of submitting an application for international protection (in particular, for obtaining the status of a refugee, conditional refugee, additional protection), the applicant must inform the Turkish authorities of his personal data and, if available, provide an identity card, as well as other documents (in particular, travel documents) to confirm his persons At the same time, if the applicant is unable to provide any documents related to his personal data, the Turkish authorities will conduct further research (including language proficiency analysis) to identify the applicant. If the investigation does not yield results, the applicant’s own testimony will be taken as a basis. In the case of submitting an application for international protection (in particular, for obtaining the status of a refugee, conditional refugee, additional protection), the applicant must inform the Turkish authorities of his personal data and, if available, provide an identity card, as well as other documents (in particular, travel documents) to confirm his persons At the same time, if the applicant is unable to provide any documents related to his personal data, the Turkish authorities will conduct further research (including language proficiency analysis) to identify the applicant. If the investigation does not yield results, the applicant’s own testimony will be taken as a basis. as well as other documents (in particular, travel documents) to confirm your identity. At the same time, if the applicant is unable to provide any documents related to his personal data, the Turkish authorities will conduct further research (including language proficiency analysis) to identify the applicant. If the investigation does not yield results, the applicant’s own testimony will be taken as a basis. as well as other documents (in particular, travel documents) to confirm your identity. At the same time, if the applicant is unable to provide any documents related to his personal data, the Turkish authorities will conduct further research (including language proficiency analysis) to identify the applicant. If the investigation does not yield results, the applicant’s own testimony will be taken as a basis.  

How can you enter the country without a biometric passport?

a)  under the visa-free regime, citizens of Ukraine can enter Turkey with a valid biometric ID card, provided that they travel directly from Ukraine to Turkey, without a passport.

b)  as explained above, in principle, citizens of Ukraine who plan to travel within the scope of the visa-free regime will not be allowed to enter Turkey without a passport or ID card. However, as we believe that citizens of Ukraine may be eligible for subsidiary protection status due to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, persons applying for subsidiary protection are not required to submit a document certifying their identity if they do not have it with them.

How long can I stay in the country?

a)  having a visa or visa-free regime allows you to stay on the territory of Turkey during the validity period of the visa/visa-free regime, which can be a maximum of 90 days within a 180-day period. Citizens of Ukraine who are holders of an official or ordinary passport can stay in Turkey for 90 days without obtaining a visa. However, if a foreign national intends or needs to stay in Turkey longer than the visa-free regime allows or longer than 90 days in a 180-day period, he must obtain a residence permit. A residence permit is issued for different periods, depending on its type.

b) as stated above, we believe that obtaining the status of a refugee (or conditional refugee) is not provided for Ukrainian citizens.  Nevertheless, we believe that citizens of Ukraine can apply for additional protection , since, in our opinion, they meet the necessary conditions for providing such protection. Applicants for subsidiary protection can stay in Turkey for a year until their applications are processed. If their applications are approved, they will be able to stay in the country for 3 years until their subsidiary protection status expires or is revoked.

Are there any requirements related to Covid and if so what?

So. Citizens of Ukraine arriving from Ukraine by plane must  have a certificate confirming that they have received 2 doses of a vaccine approved by WHO or Turkey (or 1 dose of Johnson & Johnson vaccine). Such persons should have received their last dose at least 14 days prior to travel. This requirement does not apply to: persons arriving in the country under the age of 12; persons who have confirmed recovery during the last 6 months (6 months start from the 28th day of the first positive result of the PCR test for COVID-19); persons who have confirmed a negative test result for COVID. Individuals who cannot provide a valid vaccination certificate may be required to follow the rules for unvaccinated travelers, including submitting a negative PCR test result, received within the last 72 hours, or a negative rapid antigen test performed within the last 48 hours . In any case, as the requirements regarding COVID often change, we recommend that you consult the regulations of the relevant airline.

Although it is not explicitly stated which vaccines are approved, as stated on the website of the Ministry of Health, the COVID-19 vaccines recognized as vaccines in the government’s “E-Nabız” system (i.e. the Turkish government’s electronic portal where medical history and information about the state of health available both to the person himself and to authorized medical workers) are the following: AstraZeneca/Oxford, Johnson&Johnson, Sputnik V, Biontech, Moderna, Sinovac, Sinofarm. Recently, the government has also started introducing a Turkish-made chicken pox vaccine. Therefore, we believe that such a vaccine can be considered approved. The document is not required from persons who will enter Turkey through land, sea and rail border corridors.

Do I need to check in upon arrival? If so, where?

a)  citizens of Ukraine are not required to register during their stay in the country under the visa-free regime. If they apply for and receive a residence permit, they must register their place of residence with the relevant census office.

b) as stated above, we believe that obtaining the status of a refugee (or conditional refugee) is not provided for Ukrainian citizens.  Nevertheless, we believe that citizens of Ukraine can apply for additional protection , since, in our opinion, they meet the necessary conditions for providing such protection. Individuals who plan to apply for international protection status can contact the Turkish police authorities upon arrival at border checkpoints in Turkey or the governorate of the relevant city. The applicant must register in the address registration system and notify the administration of the relevant city.

What will be the legal status of the person arriving in the country, and will they receive any identity documents?

a)  citizens of Ukraine will be in the country as tourists without the need to obtain a visa (within the visa-free regime). They may also have a residence permit, subject to submitting an application for it and being satisfied with it. At the same time, the residence permit of one of the family members does not grant the right to other family members to reside in Turkey. Thus, each family member must submit a separate application for a residence permit if he/she decides to stay in Turkey for a longer period than the visa-free stay/legal stay in the country.

b)  the interviewed applicant and his/her family members, if any, are issued a “Document certifying the identity of the applicant for international protection” (in Turkish – Ularslarıan Koruma Başvuru Sahibi  Kimlik Belgesi ) for a period of one year, which confirms , that he has applied for international protection and which contains the identification number of a foreign citizen. Documents certifying the identity of those whose applications have not yet been finalized are renewed for a period of 1 year. Such an identity document is issued free of charge and replaces a residence permit, that is, it serves as a residence permit.

Applicants for international protection whose applications have been approved are granted the status of international protection (refugee, conditional refugee, additional protection). The status of a refugee, a conditional refugee and the status of additional protection is issued together with an identity card for a period of three years – “International certificate of the holder of protection status” (in Turkish – Ulaslarıkan Koruma  Statü Sahibi Kimlik Belgesi ), which contains the identification number of the foreign citizen on the date of the decision. 

What documents are required for registration of legal status?

a)  Although this is assessed on a case-by-case basis, we recommend applying for a short-term tourist residence permit (which is usually granted for one year) as we believe this is the most practical and ad hoc solution in the event that if there are no other valid reasons for staying in Turkey (in particular, marriage, ownership of real estate, medical treatment), if the person in question stays in Turkey longer than the validity period of the visa-free regime / legal stay. More detailed information on the necessary documents for applying for a short-term residence permit is available on the official website of the Immigration Service here .

b) as stated above, we believe that obtaining the status of a refugee (or conditional refugee) is not provided for Ukrainian citizens.  Nevertheless, we believe that citizens of Ukraine can apply for additional protection, since, in our opinion, they satisfy the necessary conditions for providing such protection. In the case of submitting an application for international protection (in particular, for obtaining the status of a refugee, conditional refugee, additional protection), the applicant must inform the Turkish authorities of his personal data and, if available, provide an identity card, as well as other documents (in particular, travel documents) to confirm his persons At the same time, if the applicant is unable to provide any documents related to his personal data, the Turkish authorities will conduct further research (including language proficiency analysis) to identify the applicant. If the investigation does not yield results, the applicant’s own testimony will be taken as a basis.

 What should I do if I do not have a document proving my identity or the identities of my children?

Citizens of Ukraine who plan to travel under the visa-free regime will not be allowed to enter Turkey without a passport or ID card, as noted above. However, as stated above, we believe that citizens of Ukraine can apply for additional protection status due to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Individuals applying for additional protection are not required to present an identity document if they do not have it with them. If the applicant is unable to provide any documents related to his personal data, the Turkish authorities will carry out further investigations (including language proficiency analysis) to identify the applicant. If the investigation does not yield results, the applicant’s own testimony will be taken as a basis.

Can I become a citizen of Turkey after obtaining legal status? How long do you have to stay in the country to have this right? What other conditions must be fulfilled to become a citizen of Turkey?

Foreign nationals can apply for Turkish citizenship on the condition that they have lived in Turkey for at least 5 years continuously in addition to other conditions, such as proficiency in the Turkish language, the intention to settle in Turkey, if such a person does not pose a threat to national security, public order and health of other citizens, has an income or occupation that provides sufficient income for the person himself and his dependents in Turkey, among other conditions. In addition, it is possible to obtain Turkish citizenship through investment, which is explained in detail in the Turkish Citizenship Law, depending on the type of investment. Obtaining Turkish citizenship as a result of investment consists of the following stages: (i) applying for a special type of short-term residence permit in accordance with Article 31/1-j of the Law on International Protection and (ii) applying for Turkish citizenship. In other words, even if the applicant already has a residence permit or a work permit, a special type of short-term residence permit must be obtained for this special type of Turkish citizenship acquisition. There are also other ways to acquire Turkish citizenship, such as marriage to a Turkish citizen (although marriage does not automatically confer citizenship). need to obtain a special type of short-term residence permit for this special type of acquisition of Turkish citizenship. There are also other ways to acquire Turkish citizenship, such as marriage to a Turkish citizen (although marriage does not automatically confer citizenship). need to obtain a special type of short-term residence permit for this special type of acquisition of Turkish citizenship. There are also other ways to acquire Turkish citizenship, such as marriage to a Turkish citizen (although marriage does not automatically confer citizenship).

Is it allowed to move freely around the country?

a)  Citizens of Ukraine are allowed to move freely around the country. Holders of a residence permit, in the event of a change of residence address, must inform the Immigration Service about this.

b)  Yes, because we have not defined such a travel restriction for natural persons under international protection in the legislation. However, as specified in the relevant law, under certain circumstances listed in the law, additional preventive measures may be applied to an application for international protection, such as administrative detention. The term of administrative detention cannot exceed 30 days. In addition, the applicant may be required to reside at a specific address for a specific period of time and his/her freedom of movement may be restricted in this way.

Is it possible to apply for asylum in the country?

Citizens of Ukraine can apply for asylum in Turkey and receive international protection status, i.e. refugee / conditional refugee status or additional protection) if they meet the necessary conditions. At the same time, as noted above, we believe that obtaining the status of a refugee (or conditional refugee) is not provided for Ukrainian citizens.  However, we believe that citizens of Ukraine can apply for additional protection, since, in our opinion, they meet the necessary conditions for granting such protection.

How to apply for asylum?

Individuals planning to apply for international protection status can contact the Turkish police authorities as soon as they arrive at the Turkish border checkpoints or contact the governorate of the relevant city. The applicant must register in the address registration system and notify the administration of the relevant city.

If I have family members living in Turkey, can I apply for family reunification?

If so, how and where can you apply for family reunification? On the basis of which family ties can an application for family reunification be submitted?

For detailed information on residence permits for family members, go to the official website of the Immigration Service ( https://en.goc.gov.tr/residence-permit-types ). A residence permit for family members may be issued to a foreign national who is married to a Turkish citizen or a foreign national who holds any of the types of residence permits (including a work permit, explained below), and also with a refugee and a person who has the status of additional protection, and their children who are foreign citizens.

Can the government revoke the protection status?

Thus, the status of international protection is revoked in cases where: (i) its recipients submitted false documents, committed fraudulent actions, resorted to deception or concealed certain facts that led to the granting of the status; (ii) after the status has been granted, the recipient has been found to meet the criteria for the list of persons ineligible for international protection in accordance with Article 64 of the relevant law (i.e. the Law on Foreign Nationals and International Protection). A foreign national is excluded from the list of persons entitled to receive international protection if: (i) the person receives protection or assistance from United Nations bodies or agencies other than the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees; (ii) the person is recognized by the authorities of the country of [former] residence as having rights and obligations, which relies on citizens of this country; (iii) there is substantial evidence that the person is guilty of the offenses set forth in Article 1, paragraph F, of the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees of July 28, 1951, as amended by the 1967 Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees.

Turkey: unaccompanied children

I am a minor and traveling alone: ​​where can I get help? (which bodies or organizations are responsible for identification, registration and distribution of unaccompanied children)

The Governing Board of the Migration Department of the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Turkey is the main state body responsible for coordinating all necessary procedures related to foreign nationals in Turkey, including children.

In addition, an unaccompanied child can seek help from the Main Directorate for Minors Affairs of the Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Support of the Republic of Turkey ( “Main Directorate for Minors Affairs”), which will support and protect the unaccompanied child and refer him to the appropriate authorities if necessary. The Central Office of Juvenile Affairs is the main state agency tasked with protecting children, so it is best equipped to provide assistance to children who need it. State authorities, law enforcement agencies, health care and education institutions, as well as personnel of non-governmental organizations, who identify an unaccompanied child in need of assistance, must report this to the Main Directorate for Juvenile Affairs. In this regard, given that it may be difficult for an unaccompanied child to get to these institutions on his own in a country where he probably does not speak the official language, an unaccompanied child can seek help from law enforcement officers,

There are other non-governmental organizations that help refugees and unaccompanied children. The answer to the following question provides a list of the most famous and reliable organizations. They have been providing care in Turkey for a long time and therefore have the necessary experience to help an unaccompanied child through all the necessary procedures.

Which government bodies and non-governmental organizations can be contacted for additional information?

There are several government agencies and non-governmental organizations that you can contact for help and more information.

The Main Directorate for Juvenile Affairs is the main body of the executive power, the purpose of which is to support children in general, including children unaccompanied by adults. In fact, there are already services on the ground, the purpose of which is to provide support for the physical and psychological well-being of Ukrainian children. For additional information and support, you can contact the Main Department of Juvenile Affairs.

• Phone number: +90 312 705 50 00

The Disaster and Emergency Management Agency of the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Turkey (AFAD) has provided aid to refugees in past years, including the recent humanitarian aid to Ukraine sent across the border from Turkey. Although unaccompanied children in Turkey are not exactly under AFAD’s jurisdiction, AFAD has been involved in the protection and support of refugees from Syria, including children. Therefore, if the child is unable to reach any of the other organizations listed below, AFAD may be an option for the child so that AFAD can at least refer the child to the appropriate authority.

• Phone number: +90 312 705 23 23

Among the main non-governmental organizations that are engaged in the protection of children in Turkey, in particular, unaccompanied children, the following can be listed:

• United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF): UNICEF is a United Nations agency that provides humanitarian and developmental assistance to children around the world. The Turkish National Committee of UNICEF has implemented a number of initiatives to support disadvantaged and vulnerable children, including Syrian refugee children. You can contact the UNICEF Turkey National Committee for more information and support.

• Address of the UNICEF office in Turkey: Yıldız Kule İş Merkezi Turan Guneş Blv. No.: 106 Floor: 7 Ankara
• Phone number: +90 312 705 454 1000
• Fax: +90 312 705 496 1461
• Email:  ankara@unicef.org

• Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR): UNHCR is a UN agency that protects and supports refugees. UNHCR Turkey is a localized agency that provides support to all refugees in Turkey in various ways, including providing protection, registration assistance, access to education and social integration. You can contact UNHCR Turkey for more information and support.

• Address of UNHCR head office in Turkey: Tiflis Cad. 552. Sok. No: 3 Sancak Mah. 06550 Ankara
• The telephone number of the UNHCR hotline is 444 48 68 (the line is open from 9 am to 5 pm from Monday to Thursday and from 9 am to 4 pm on Fridays. Counseling is provided in Arabic, Persian, Turkish, Russian and English.)
• Email:  turan@unhcr.org
• Basic information for refugees: https://help.unhcr.org/turkey/information-for-non-syrians/ 

• Refugee Rights Turkey: Refugee Rights Turkey is an Istanbul-based NGO that provides specialized legal information and advice for refugees in Turkey, including unaccompanied children. You can contact Refugee Rights Turkey for more information and support.

• Head office address: Refik Saydam Cad. No: 39 Dilber Apt. Floor: 4 Office: 11

   Şişhane, Beyoğlu – Istanbul

• Phone number: +90 312 705 48 30
• Refugee Rights Turkey Legal Helpline: +90 850 218 48 30 (Available from Monday to Friday from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm and offers advice in Turkish, English, Arabic, Farsi/Dari and French)
• Email:  info@mhd.org.tr

• Association for Solidarity with Asylum Seekers and Migrants (ASAM): ASAM protects and assists refugees in Turkey and has 72 offices throughout the country. You can contact ASAM for more information and support.

• Phone number: +90 312 705 60 12

What happens after the authorities identify me?

Once the authorities have established the identity of an unaccompanied child, they will first check the child’s age (identity documents or other documents containing information about the child’s age are crucial in this regard) and whether the child actually arrived in the country unaccompanied , and also asks the child about the location of his parents and relatives. If there is any doubt as to whether a person is in fact a child, this fact will be verified by involving medical staff at the hospital. Police officers who have experience working with children will accompany the child throughout the process. Age verification is free and the child will be accompanied by a police officer and an interpreter if necessary. The result of the age verification can be contested, as it can sometimes give inaccurate results. The help of a legal expert is crucial in this matter,

In addition, under no circumstances will an unaccompanied child be forcibly returned to the country from which he fled. Before a child is registered as unaccompanied, the relevant authority will seek the possibility of family reunification. However, if reunification with the family is not possible, the child will be placed under protection and will be able to apply for protection / will be registered without an adult family member to accompany him. For more information on family reunification, see the Refugee Reception Information section above.

Secondly and most importantly, the child can apply for international protection. Unaccompanied children can apply for international protection, but this is their right, not an obligation. An unaccompanied child will receive assistance from the services listed below and from protection status because he is a child. However, it is also possible to obtain international protection status, which will be an advantage for an unaccompanied child, especially given that the child will continue to benefit from international protection even after reaching the age of 18 (when the protection and services provided to the unaccompanied child due to that she is a child, they will stop acting in principle). The application for international protection is accepted by law enforcement authorities at the border when the child enters Turkey or by law enforcement authorities in Turkey, in this case, the staff will send the application to the relevant governorate. On the other hand, since Ukrainians can enter Turkey freely provided they have an identity document or a passport, an unaccompanied child can also directly apply to the nearest governorate. The process of submitting documents is carried out by the governorate, and translation services are provided upon request. The above-mentioned state bodies and non-governmental organizations can also help the child in this process. For detailed information on applying for international protection and registration, see the section “Refugee reception information”. an unaccompanied child can also apply directly to the nearest governorate. The process of submitting documents is carried out by the governorate, and translation services are provided upon request. The above-mentioned state bodies and non-governmental organizations can also help the child in this process. For detailed information on applying for international protection and registration, see the section “Refugee reception information”. an unaccompanied child can also apply directly to the nearest governorate. The process of submitting documents is carried out by the governorate, and translation services are provided upon request. The above-mentioned state bodies and non-governmental organizations can also help the child in this process. For detailed information on applying for international protection and registration, see the section “Refugee reception information”.

The authorities ensure that all unaccompanied children applying for international protection will receive protection assistance under Law No. 5395 on the Protection of Children, and that the interests of the unaccompanied child will be prioritized in all relevant processes. Most importantly, the authorities that identify the unaccompanied child ensure that the following needs of the unaccompanied child are met (again, in most cases, they will refer the child to the Central Office of Juvenile Affairs, which will then take care of the child’s needs):

• Accommodation and care: The unaccompanied child is placed in a care facility or with a family, or other suitable accommodation is arranged.
• Health care:  the physical and psychological well-being of the unaccompanied child will be ensured, and the necessary temporary or permanent medical assistance will be provided.
• Education:  Details can be found in the Education Information section below.
• Other priority needs: Other priority needs of the unaccompanied child, such as clothing and food, will also be provided.

The Directorate General for Juvenile Affairs is the main agency responsible for providing these services and protection, and all unaccompanied children in care will receive such care free of charge. Counselors will be available so children can share their concerns and needs.

If unaccompanied children are siblings, priority will be given to placing them together as far as possible. However, siblings may be placed in different facilities due to availability issues in certain facilities or because of different genders, as some medical facilities are segregated by gender. In this case, as far as possible, siblings will be placed in nearby care facilities and will be in contact with each other.

We emphasize that the General Directorate of Juvenile Affairs is the main body responsible for the protection of unaccompanied children and will support unaccompanied children in all these processes with the help of the NGOs listed above.

Turkey: employment information

Do I need a permit to be able to work? If so, how to get it?

Am I entitled to unemployment benefits? How and where to apply?

So. Citizens of Ukraine and their Turkish employers must apply for a work permit to the Ministry of Labor and Social Security.

Regardless of nationality, foreign nationals, provided they meet the conditions for unemployment insurance, can apply for unemployment benefits to the Turkish Labor Office if they have a residence permit. Conditions for receiving unemployment benefits:

• the person became unemployed without his own will and fault;
• the person worked under an employment contract during the last 120 days before its expiration;
• the person paid unemployment insurance contributions for at least 600 days in the last three years before the termination of the employment contract;
• the person has submitted an application in person or electronically to a division of the Turkish Labor Office within 30 days after the termination of the employment contract.

b)  The applicant may apply for a work permit six months after the date of submission of the application for international protection. If it is determined that the applicant is in a difficult financial situation, he may be granted assistance. For additional information, go to the official website of the Immigration Service: https://en.goc.gov.tr/rights-and-obligations

Are there programs for the recognition of academic and professional qualifications of foreign citizens in Turkey? How and where to apply?

Usually, an apostilled and notarized/translated copy of the applicant’s diploma is sufficient to apply for a work permit. However, foreign citizens cannot practice professions characteristic of Turkish citizens, such as lawyer, notary. In addition, the process of applying for and processing work permits for engineers, architects and urban planners who would like to engage in these activities in Turkey takes longer than in the case of other professions, as foreign workers who will engage in such activities need to first obtain an equivalent diploma from a Turkish higher education institution.

Which government agencies and non-governmental organizations can I contact to get detailed information about employment?

Foreign nationals can contact YIMER (Communication Center for Foreign Nationals: dial 157 for contact ), which is a government organization affiliated with the Immigration Service, and get information about any employment related questions.

Turkey: information about housing

Is it possible to access social housing / public housing?

According to the Law on Social Housing No. 2946, such housing is intended for civil servants. In addition, local municipalities provide food, shelter, primary medical care, medication, personal care and hygiene assistance, and clothing assistance to people who have no fixed place of residence and who are abandoned by their relatives or live on the streets. The Ministry verbally informed us that persons fleeing Ukraine are currently not granted any legal status, in particular refugee status.

According to Art. 95 of Law No. 6458 On Foreign Citizens and International Protection, applicants and persons receiving international protection, as a general rule, must independently provide housing. However, the Main Directorate for Migration ( the “Main Directorate” ) may establish reception and accommodation centers to meet the needs of applicants and persons receiving international protection in housing, food, medical care, as well as social and other needs. Priority is given to accommodation of persons with special needs.

How and where to apply for social housing?

The Home Office Immigration Department should be contacted for available housing assistance.

If I plan to stay with friends or family in the long term, what documents do I need to fill out to make my stay official? How can you get confirmation of registration at your place of residence?

Residence permit

According to Article 19 of the Law on Foreign Citizens and International Protection, in order to stay in Turkey for more than 90 days, it is necessary to apply to the consulates of the country of citizenship or the country of your legal stay. It is also possible to submit a relevant application in Turkey, provided that the foreign citizen cannot or does not consider it reasonable to leave Turkey. Foreign citizens applying for a residence permit must have a passport or travel document with a validity period that exceeds the validity period of the residence permit by at least 60 days. If the data and documents required to submit the application are incomplete, the applicant is informed about this and consideration of the application may be postponed until such data and documents are submitted. Consulates submit applications for obtaining a residence permit to the Main Directorate together with their comments.

The following documents are required to obtain a short-term residence permit:

1. Application for a residence permit (signed by a foreign citizen and/or his legal representative).

2. A photocopy of the passport or a document that replaces it (pages containing personal data, photos and pages with notes) (The original document must be presented on the day of the interview).

3. 4 biometric photographs (must be biometric, taken within the last 6 months, on a white background)

4. Statement on the availability of sufficient and regular financial resources during the entire period of stay in the country (specified in the statement. The administration may request supporting documents from the applicant.)

5. Documents/receipts for the payment of the residence permit and card fee

6. Valid health insurance policy (the insurance period must cover the duration of the intended residence permit. One of the following documents is considered sufficient):

• Electronically signed / signed and stamped / sealed document issued by the provincial social security unit indicating that the foreign national is using medical services in Turkey under bilateral social security agreements

• Document on the provision of services with an electronic signature / signature and stamp / sealed, issued by the Social Security Institution-SGK
• A document with an electronic signature / signature and stamp / affixed with a seal with a statement made to the Social Insurance Institution regarding granting the person the status of the owner of a general health insurance policy
• Private health insurance policy

7. Document confirming registration in the Address Registration System (if such registration exists)

• “Document confirming the registration at the place of residence” with an electronic signature / signature and stamp / affixed with a seal, issued by the registration office at the place of residence of the province / district or the e-government system (www.turkiye.gov.tr)

8. A document confirming registration at the place of residence

(One of the following documents is sufficient.)

• If you live in your own house, a photocopy of the property title document is provided;
• If you live in a house rented under a lease agreement, a notarized copy of the lease agreement is provided;
• If you are staying in a hotel, etc., proof of your stay in these places is provided;
• If you live in a student dormitory, a document with an electronic signature / signature and stamp / sealed is provided, which confirms that you really live in a dormitory.
• If you live in the house of a third party, a notarized commitment of the host party is provided (if the host is married, also a notarized commitment of the husband/wife)

To submit an application, additional information and documents may be required on legal grounds (in particular, applications for the provision of educational services, applications for the granting of rights to foreigners who own real estate, applications from a person who is in the country as a tourist or for the purpose of conducting business).

International protection

In addition, you can also apply for international protection. Based on the specifics of the case, the government may grant the refugee legal status or additional protection under the international protection regime. In accordance with Article 65 of the Law on Foreign Citizens and International Protection, applications are submitted to state authorities in person. In cases where the application is submitted to law enforcement agencies within the country or at the border, the application must be immediately forwarded to the state authorities. After that, state bodies carry out actions related to the consideration of the application. Every foreigner or stateless person has the right to submit an application on his own behalf. The applicant may submit an application on behalf of accompanying family members whose applications are submitted on the same grounds. In such cases, the consent of adult family members is required for applications on their behalf. After the interview, the applicant and accompanying family members are provided with a document certifying the identity of the applicant for international protection and the identification number of a foreign citizen. The identity document replaces the residence permit and is valid for 1 year.

The application is considered within 6 months and after that a document certifying the identity of the recipient of international protection is issued, which replaces the residence permit and is valid for 3 years.

What documents are required if I would like to rent a property on my own?

Lease agreements do not have any specific requirements regarding their form. Therefore, even a verbal contract is quite sufficient for renting property. However, to ensure the probative value of such an agreement, we strongly recommend that it be executed in writing. The only document that may be required for the conclusion of the contract will be the identity document of the tenant to confirm his identity.

Which government agencies and non-governmental organizations can I turn to for additional information about housing?

You can call the mobile application 157 or download “Göç İdaresi” to consult on any questions regarding legal status, available assistance and any other issues related to foreign nationals in Turkey.

Turkey: information on getting an education

How to enroll children (or yourself) in an educational institution?

First, if you want to take advantage of the rights and services related to education in Turkey, you must complete an application for international protection as described in the “Refugee reception information” section above. In other words, you must have a document certifying the identity of the applicant for international protection or the recipient of such protection, which contains an identification number starting with “99” and is issued by the provincial migration office.

In Turkey, education is compulsory for 12 years and is divided into three stages: four years of primary school (grades 1, 2, 3 and 4), four years of junior high school (grades 5, 6, 7 and 8) and four years of senior high school schools (9th, 10th, 11th and 12th grades). Teaching in Turkish public schools is carried out in Turkish.

You and your child will have the right to receive primary, secondary and higher education, as well as enroll in Turkish language and professional training courses.

• Public schools: If you wish to enroll your child or yourself in a public school for compulsory education, you need to contact the District Education Office in the area where you live, provide your identity document as an applicant for international protection or a recipient of such protection, and you will be directed to the nearest available public school for registration. In addition, you need an official document confirming your residential address, which can be obtained from the Department of Population and Civil Status Registration. If you or your child previously attended school, you must also provide additional documents and/or diplomas confirming the fact that you attended such a school. If you do not have the necessary documents, then the District Education Commission will conduct a test to determine your appropriate qualification level. Please note that tuition in all public schools is free.

Regarding higher education enrollment, if you want to register or enroll your child in a course of study at the Higher School of Science, Higher School of Social Sciences, Anatolian Higher School, Anatolian Religious Vocational College or Anatolian Vocational Technical Higher School, you / your child will need to take an exam. You will be able to enroll/enroll your child in a training course based on the results of this exam.

There is also an opportunity to enroll in schools that provide distance education. There are five types of educational institutions with distance education: secondary school, higher school, vocational school, Imam Hatip Higher School, vocational and technical school.

• Learning Turkish:  You / your children can take a course free of charge from public education centers. To do this, you need to present a document certifying the identity of the applicant for international protection or its recipient. In addition, some civil society organizations, such as the World Academy of Local Government and Democracy in cooperation with UNHCR, offer professional courses in municipalities and free Turkish language courses.

Vocational training:  Community education centers, the Turkish Employment Agency (İŞKUR) and vocational training groups in municipalities provide vocational training courses free of charge. In order to enroll in these courses, it is necessary to present your document certifying the identity of the applicant for international protection or its recipient.

If I have a child with special educational needs, where can I go for help enrolling them in a special school?

There are special classes for students with special educational needs. Students study in these classes as part of a special program. Unfortunately, this system is not yet fully developed and established, especially in public schools. According to research on this issue, although refugee students who are eligible to benefit from such a program have the right to do so, the functionality of special education classes for refugee students appears to be problematic, especially due to language and cultural barriers. Non-governmental organizations working on this issue have shared information that schools actually prevent refugee students from entering special classes.

Do universities implement special programs for Ukrainians or people fleeing Ukraine? If so, can you give some examples?

First of all, there are no special programs for Ukrainians at universities. Citizens of Ukraine are subject to the same requirements as all other persons who are applicants for or recipients of international protection. The main prerequisite for admission to a university in Turkey is to be a high school graduate. If you have completed high school and meet the university entrance requirements, you can pursue higher education in Turkey. One of the most important requirements for admission to the university is the successful completion of the examination for international students (YÖS). In general, Turkish students take the national exam, while foreign students take the YÖS, which each university organizes separately. Thus, different requirements may apply to the submission of documents for admission to different universities. Please note that you may be required to

There are two types of universities in Turkey: public and foundation. International students must pay tuition fees at both.

Which government agencies and non-governmental organizations can I turn to for more information about education?

There are several government agencies and non-governmental organizations that you can contact for help and more information.

The Governing Board of the Migration Department is the main state body that carries out activities related to migration. You can contact the Management Board of the Migration Board for further information and support.

• Phone number: +90 312 705 05 00
• Support service (Communication center for foreign citizens): 157

The Ministry of National Education is the government ministry of the Republic of Turkey responsible for overseeing the public and private education system, agreements and authorizations according to the national curriculum. You can contact the Ministry of National Education for more information and support.

• Phone number: +90 312 413 26 80, +90 312 413 26 81, +90 312 413 18 38
• Contact details of your District Education Department can be found at the following link:  İl Milli Eğitim Müdürlükleri (meb.gov.tr) .

The Council of Higher Education is the responsible body for the supervision of universities in Turkey. You can contact the Higher Education Council for more information and support.

• Phone number: +90 312 705 70 00

You can also contact the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), which is a localized agency that provides support to all refugees in Turkey in various ways, including providing protection, assistance with the registration process, access to education and social integration. You can contact UNHCR Turkey for more information and support using the contact details listed in the ” Unaccompanied Children ” section above.

Turkey: information on child care

How to enroll a small child in kindergarten?

Preschool educational institutions are designed for children aged 36-68 months. Children have the right to education. Accordingly, in order to submit an application for enrollment in a preschool educational institution, it is necessary to submit an application to the District Office of Education in the district where you live and present your document certifying the identity of the applicant or recipient of international protection. The district education department will carry out certain activities necessary to enroll your child in preschool.

Are there any social benefits for refugees, in particular child benefits?

• Social assistance and solidarity funds

Social Assistance and Solidarity Funds (Sosyal Yardimlasma ve Dayanışma Vakfı in Turkish) operating in the governorates provide support such as education assistance, one-time cash assistance, etc. In order to apply for assistance, you must apply to the relevant SASF and present your identity document as an applicant or beneficiary of international protection. In addition, the address of the person submitting the application must be registered in the database of the civil status registration department.

• Centers for the provision of social services

Centers for the provision of social services operate within the framework of the Departments of Family and Social Policy of the provinces and provide socio-economic support and care assistance for the disabled. Socio-economic support is provided to families whose children are at risk for a limited period of time. The application must be submitted to the nearest Center for the provision of social services and present your document certifying the identity of the applicant for or recipient of international protection. The center for providing social services prepares a report on the assessment of the social situation and will visit you at home for this purpose. Additional documents may be required to fulfill all conditions of assistance.

• Conditional monetary assistance in financing education

Conditional Education Funding Assistance is a program created by the Ministry of Family and Social Policy, the Ministry of National Education, the Turkish Red Crescent (TRC) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) for refugees. The program provides cash payments to families who have the right to attend school regularly (from kindergarten to 12th grade). Applicants must be registered with the Governing Board of the Migration Management (PMM), have a document proving the identity of the applicant for or recipient of international protection and be registered in the MERNIS database. In order to be eligible for the program, all family members must be registered in Turkey, the family must not have a regular income, and no family member must receive any social benefits. The program provides funding in the amount of 75 Turkish liras per month for each child attending school. You can familiarize yourself with the brochurehere

• Emergency Social Security Network (  SUY program in Turkish )

The SUY program is a cash assistance program. The program is implemented by the Turkish Red Crescent Society (Turk Kizilayi), the Ministry of Family and Social Policy of Turkey, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). Each family that meets the criteria of the program is issued a card. 120 Turkish lira is charged per family member every month. The card can be used at any ATM to withdraw cash or in stores to purchase goods. Women who live alone, families with more than 4 children or families with many dependents can apply for participation in the program. Applicants must have a document certifying the identity of the applicant or recipient of international protection and be registered in the MERNIS database.

• Municipalities

Some municipalities may also provide support.

Are there any types of assistance for pregnant and breastfeeding women?

The above benefits are also available to pregnant and lactating women and obtaining such status may also be beneficial in terms of eligibility for such benefits. In addition, according to the Law on the Protection of Foreign Nationals and International Protection, pregnant women and women who are breastfeeding are considered persons with special needs. Accordingly, they have priority in terms of granting international protection status. However, a woman must inform the Immigration Service about such a special condition at the time of registration. Persons who do not have health insurance and are unable to pay for medical services can receive benefits in the form of a general health insurance policy for a period of one year. Pregnant and breastfeeding women can have a general health insurance policy that is not limited to 1 year.

Also, priority is given to pregnant and lactating women from the point of view of placement in a temporary refugee accommodation center. In addition, under the Additional Protection Provision, pregnant and lactating women who are under additional protection have the right to receive medical care, psychological support and rehabilitation services free of charge and on a priority basis (this provision applies if the woman is under additional protection).

Which government agencies and non-governmental organizations can be contacted for additional information on the needs of young children?

The Governing Board of the Migration Department is the main state body that carries out activities related to migration. You can contact the Management Board of the Migration Board for further information and support.

• Phone number: +90 312 705 05 00
• Support service (Communication center for foreign citizens): 157

The Ministry of Family and Social Services is the government ministry of the Republic of Turkey responsible for social services and child care. You can contact the Ministry of Family and Social Services for more information and support.

• Phone number: Phone: +90 (312) 705 52 54, +90 (312) 705 52 55, +90 (312) 705 80 20
• A list of social service centers for each district and their contact details is available  here , and a list of social assistance and solidarity funds for each district and their contact details is available  here .

The Ministry of National Education is the government ministry of the Republic of Turkey responsible for overseeing the public and private education system, agreements and authorizations according to the national curriculum. You can contact the Ministry of National Education for more information and support.

• Phone number: +90 312 413 26 80, +90 312 413 26 81, +90 312 413 18 38
• Contact details of your District Education Department can be found at the following link:  İl Milli Eğitim Müdürlükleri (meb.gov.tr) .

The Main Directorate for Juvenile Affairs is the main body of the executive power, the purpose of which is to support children in general, including children unaccompanied by adults. In fact, there are already services on the ground, the purpose of which is to provide support for the physical and psychological well-being of Ukrainian children. For additional information and support, you can contact the Main Department of Juvenile Affairs.

• Phone number: +90 312 705 50 00

Among the main non-governmental organizations that are engaged in the protection of children in Turkey, in particular, unaccompanied children, the following can be listed:

• United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF): UNICEF is a United Nations agency that provides humanitarian and developmental assistance to children around the world. The Turkish National Committee of UNICEF has implemented a number of initiatives to support disadvantaged and vulnerable children, including Syrian refugee children. You can contact the UNICEF Turkey National Committee for more information and support.

• Address of the UNICEF office in Turkey: Yıldız Kule İş Merkezi Turan Guneş Blv. No.: 106 Floor: 7 Ankara
• Phone number: +90 312 705 454 1000
• Fax: +90 312 705 496 1461
• Email:  ankara@unicef.org

• Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR): UNHCR is a UN agency that protects and supports refugees. UNHCR Turkey is a localized agency that provides support to all refugees in Turkey in various ways, including providing protection, registration assistance, access to education and social integration. You can contact UNHCR Turkey for more information and support.

• Address of UNHCR head office in Turkey: Tiflis Cad. 552. Sok. No: 3 Sancak Mah. 06550 Ankara
• The telephone number of the UNHCR hotline is 444 48 68 (the line is open from 9 am to 5 pm from Monday to Thursday and from 9 am to 4 pm on Fridays. Counseling is provided in Arabic, Persian, Turkish, Russian and English.)
• Email:  turan@unhcr.org
• Basic information for refugees:  https://help.unhcr.org/turkey/information-for-non-syrians/ 

• Refugee Rights Turkey: Refugee Rights Turkey is an Istanbul-based NGO that provides specialized legal information and advice for refugees in Turkey, including unaccompanied children. You can contact Refugee Rights Turkey for more information and support.

• Head office address: Refik Saydam Cad. No: 39 Dilber Apt. Floor: 4 Office: 11

   Şişhane, Beyoğlu – Istanbul

• Phone number: +90 312 705 48 30
• Refugee Rights Turkey Legal Helpline: +90 850 218 48 30 (Available from Monday to Friday from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm and offers advice in Turkish, English, Arabic, Farsi/Dari and French)
• Email:  info@mhd.org.tr

• Association for Solidarity with Asylum Seekers and Migrants (ASAM): ASAM protects and assists refugees in Turkey and has 72 offices throughout the country. You can contact ASAM for more information and support.

• Phone number: +90 312 705 60 12

Turkey: health information

Are there benefits for receiving state medical care?

a) Provided that the principle of reciprocity is taken into account, foreign citizens who have a residence permit in Turkey and are not the owners of an insurance policy in accordance with the legislation of a foreign country can use the services of the health care system in accordance with the provisions of the Law on Social Security and General Medical insurance ( “Law No. 5510” ) within the general system of health insurance.

Applicants for or recipients of international protection can use the services of the state health care system under the general health insurance system in accordance with Law No. 5510. For additional information, go to the official website of the Immigration Service:  https://en.goc.gov.tr/rights -and-obligations .

Do I need to register to receive health care, and if so, how do I do it?

1. So. Foreign nationals, provided that they satisfy the above conditions of point (a), are considered to be holders of a general health insurance policy upon their request, after one year of stay in Turkey.

2. So. Persons who are applicants for and recipients of international protection are considered holders of a general health insurance policy as of the date of their submission of applications for international protection or the date of receiving international protection status, and are referred to the Social Security Institution. For additional information, go to the official website of the Immigration Service:  https://en.goc.gov.tr/rights-and-obligations .

For detailed information on the answers to the above questions, we recommend that you consult YIMER and/or the Turkish Social Security Institution.

What medical services and procedures does the state health care system provide?

Services within the framework of the state health care system and the conditions for their provision are detailed in Law No. 5510, and the list of such medical services and procedures varies depending on further conditions, such as age restrictions for certain medical services, whether the service is provided by one of the contractors that provide medical services, etc.

Do I need additional private health insurance in addition to general health insurance?

It depends on the wishes of the individual, as some medical services are not covered by the general health insurance policy, including: (i) any type of medical services for aesthetic purposes and orthodontic dental procedures for aesthetic purposes, excluding medical services provided to ensure the integrity of the body and which may be necessary due to an accident or occupational disease, accident, presence of congenital diseases or defects, (ii) medical services not authorized or licensed by the Ministry of Health and services included in the list of medical services as defined by the Ministry of Health i, (iii) services provided for the purpose of treatment of chronic diseases of foreign citizens who were present before the date,when such person became the owner of a general health insurance policy or such person began to be dependent on the owner of a general health insurance policy.

In addition, if a person applies for a short-term residence permit, he must take out a private health insurance policy for the period that covers the validity period of the intended residence permit. There are certain minimum standards of private health insurance required to apply for a residence permit. That is, the insurance policy must cover the minimum standard explained in the law on private health insurance, which must be issued in the case of submitting an application for a residence permit and must contain a note that such a policy covers the entire period of validity of the residence permit. Moreover, the policy must have a seal and wet signature.

Which government bodies and non-governmental organizations can you contact for more information about access to medical care?

We recommend that you consult with YIMER and/or the Turkish Social Security Institution on this matter. You can also contact UNHCR (UN Refugee Agency) .

Turkey: information on psychological support

Does the country provide free psychological support within the framework of the state health care system?

In addition to the information set forth above, in accordance with Law No. 5510, certain medical services provided within the framework of general health insurance may be excluded from the scope of health care services, after their determination by the Social Security Administration, based on the method, type and scope of such services Therefore, we recommend that you consult the Turkish social security institution for detailed information.

Do I need to go through any additional administrative procedure to receive psychological support?

We recommend that you consult with the Turkish Social Security Institution on this matter, as this may depend on the decision to be made by the Social Security Administration Office as stated above.

Which government agencies and non-governmental organizations can you contact for more information about services for people who need psychological support, and especially those suffering from psychological trauma?

We recommend consulting with YIMER and/or UNHCR .

Turkey: other services

How and where can I apply for disability benefits?

Disability benefits are provided only for Turkish citizens, so foreign citizens cannot claim such benefits.

Are there other social benefits and services that are not listed above?

As far as we know, there is a housing and food assistance program funded by the European Union and implemented in partnership with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the Turkish Red Crescent Society and the Ministry of Family and Social Services. We recommend that you consult YIMER and/or UNHCR (UN Refugee Agency) for detailed information on this matter.

Are social benefits taxable?

N/A Since the disability benefit is provided only for Turkish citizens, there are no tax obligations for foreign citizens regarding the disability benefit.

Is it possible to attend language courses or other integration activities?

As far as we know, there is no permanent project of the Turkish official government related to integration measures for foreign citizens. However, certain non-governmental organizations can be consulted for information on this matter. We therefore recommend that you consult YIMER and/or UNHCR (UN Refugee Agency) for information on such NGOs.

Is it possible to get free legal aid? How and where can you get it?

Applicants and beneficiaries of international protection can benefit from free legal aid if they need it and cannot afford to pay a lawyer’s fee. To apply for such legal assistance and in connection with requests for free legal assistance, we recommend consulting with the bar of the relevant city.

Where can I go if I consider myself a victim of human trafficking? (Police / health department / social service center / immigration department, etc.)

In such a case, we recommend that you consult with the Immigration Service, as it provides the operation of the victim support program (which includes the provision of housing, the provision of medical /  psychosocial  support, the provision of legal and other advice. )

What protection is provided for persons who have been identified as or may be potential victims of human trafficking? (housing, benefits, counseling, principle of impunity, etc.)

The Immigration Service provides housing and ensures the safety of persons who have been recognized as or may be potential victims of human trafficking. She also provides medical/ psychosocial  support, legal and other advice.

Integration support/events (language classes, recognition of qualifications, training, etc.)

As far as we know, there is no ongoing project of Turkish official bodies related to integration support/activities. However, certain non-governmental organizations can be consulted for information on this matter. We therefore recommend that you consult YIMER and/or UNHCR (UN Refugee Agency) for information on such NGOs.