Foreign Nationals and Citizenship Law

Foreigners law governs the entry, stay, employment and exit of foreign nationals in Türkiye, their rights and how those rights are exercised; the main legislation is Law No. 6458 on Foreigners and International Protection. Citizenship law covers the acquisition and loss of Turkish citizenship and is governed by Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901. Submitting applications on time and with complete documentation significantly reduces the risk of refusal.

Residence permits

• Applications and extensions for short-term, family, student and long-term residence permits
• Foreigners who have resided in Türkiye uninterruptedly for at least eight years with a residence permit may apply for a long-term residence permit subject to the statutory conditions (Law No. 6458 Art. 42).
• Administrative applications and actions before administrative courts against refusal and cancellation decisions

Work permits

We advise on work permit and extension applications under International Labour Force Law No. 6735 for foreigners planning to work in Türkiye, and on employers' obligations in this process.

Deportation and administrative detention

• A deportation order may be challenged before the administrative court within seven days of its notification. Subject to the foreigner's consent, the foreigner shall not be deported during the filing period or until the proceedings are concluded (Law No. 6458 Art. 53).
• Administrative detention orders may be challenged before the criminal judgeship of peace; administrative detention in removal centres may not, as a rule, exceed six months (Art. 57).
• Applications to lift entry bans and restrictions

Turkish citizenship

• Acquisition by naturalisation: Requirements include five years of uninterrupted residence in Türkiye preceding the application, sufficient Turkish, means of subsistence and good moral character (Law No. 5901 Art. 11).
• Acquisition by marriage: Foreigners who have been married to a Turkish citizen for at least three years and whose marriage continues may apply, subject to conditions such as living together as a family (Art. 16).
• Exceptional acquisition: Holders of residence permits obtained through investment, Turquoise Card holders and other persons listed in the law may acquire citizenship by Presidential decision (Art. 12).
• Judicial review where a citizenship application is refused

Our firm provides legal services in preparing and following residence and work permit applications for foreigners who wish to live, work or invest in Türkiye, challenges to deportation and administrative detention decisions, and Turkish citizenship applications.

The information on this page is provided for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.