Foreigners Law

The main legislation regulating Foreigners' Law in our country is the Law No. 6458 on Foreigners and International Protection. According to Turkish Law, Foreigners' Law means the entirety of the rules that apply to foreigners and the rules that enter into force with the incorporation of international agreements into Turkish Law in accordance with Article 90 of our Constitution. Foreigners' Law is generally based on the principle of reciprocity and the rules of law applicable to foreigners in Turkey differ according to the country of citizenship of the foreigner.

Pursuant to Law No. 6458, the entry and residence permits of foreigners to Turkey are coordinated by the Directorate General of Migration Management under the Ministry of Interior.
Foreigners may be banned from entering Turkey on the grounds listed in the Law, or they may not be allowed to enter Turkey. Both decisions can be appealed and the method of appeal varies depending on the reason for refusal or prohibition.

The principles and procedures regarding work permits required for foreigners to work in Turkey are regulated in the Law No. 4817 on Work Permits for Foreigners. In order for foreigners to apply for a work permit, a passport valid for 60 days after the expiration of the permit is required. The work permit also replaces the residence permit, and foreigners who obtain a work permit do not need to obtain a residence permit.

Work permit applications of foreigners differ depending on whether the foreigner has a residence permit in Turkey or not. Work permit applications of foreigners who have a residence permit valid for at least 6 months in Turkey are made to the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, while work permit applications of foreigners who do not have a residence permit valid for at least 6 months in Turkey are made to the Consulates of the Republic of Turkey in their countries of residence. Professions such as Lawyer, Notary Public, Pharmacy etc., which can only be practiced by Turkish Citizens, are considered as prohibited professions and work permit applications for these professions are not accepted.

The acquisition of real estate by foreigners in Turkey is regulated by the Land Registry Law No. 2644 and special laws, and it is possible for foreigners to acquire real estate in Turkey within certain limitations. In addition to the limitations regarding the qualities of the real estate, some limitations are also imposed according to the location of the real estate. Military prohibited zones, military security zones and real estates located in strategic areas are examples of these limitations. Foreign real persons can acquire real estate in Turkey, except for the exceptions specified in the law, the principle of reciprocity and the restrictions imposed by the Council of Ministers.

Fethiye Law Office and Mediation Center, with its experienced lawyers, provides consultancy services and legal support to its clients in the field of Foreigners Law. The services we provide in this context;

- Making applications to the official authorities for obtaining residence permits for foreigners living in Turkey and following up the process,

- Making applications to the official authorities for foreigners living in Turkey to obtain work permits and following up the process,

- Making applications to the official authorities for the extension of the residence permit of foreigners living in Turkey and following up the process,

- Evaluating the acquisition of Turkish Citizenship by foreigners living in Turkey and making applications to the official authorities and following up the process if the conditions required by the legal legislation are met,

- In case of violation of the rights of foreigners living in Turkey, filing the necessary lawsuits and following up and finalizing the litigation process,

- Providing information and consultancy services within the framework of the legal legislation on the acquisition of property by foreigners in Turkey,

- Providing information and counseling services on marriage of foreigners living in Turkey within the framework of legal legislation,

- Filing divorce and family law cases of foreigners living in Turkey and following up and finalizing the litigation process,

- Providing information and consultancy services to foreigners on Turkish Law and legal legislation.