International Protection Under Turkish Law

If the persons under international protection wish to reside in a province other than the province they are registered, they are required to submit their application to the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management, in the registered province. The decision maker is the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management.

Persons under International Protection in Turkey are covered by General Health Insurance if they are not able to cover private health insurance. If it is determined that the person can cover the health insurance, the General Health Insurance is canceled. You can get detailed information from the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management in Turkey.

The applicant or his/her Turkish lawyer or legal representative may apply to the competent administrative court within fifteen days from the notification of the decision against inadmissible application and accelerated procedure decisions. Such appeals shall be decided upon within fifteen days. The decision of the court on the appeal shall be final.

The resettlement process of the foreigners who are under international protection is carried out under the coordination of the Directorate General. Cooperation with public institutions, international organizations and non-governmental organizations can be made for the resettlement process. Departure to a third country permission is granted by the General Directorate or by the governorates, if authorized.

If the applicant fail to comply with the reporting obligation three consecutive times without excuse, the application is considered withdrawn and the evaluation is suspended.

The applicant or persons with international protection status, can work in Turkey, in the framework of the 4th paragraph of article 89 of the Law.

Every foreigner or stateless person is entitled to apply on their own behalf. International Protection applications is not able to made by a legal representative of a foreigner or by his/her Turkish attorney, without prejudice to Article 68. Applicant may apply on behalf of accompanying family members whose applications are on the same grounds. In such cases, consent of the minor family members shall not be required for applications made on their behalf.

Applications for international protection are made to the governorates, in person. In Istanbul, it is necessary to apply to Kumkapı Coordination Center.The applications can be taken by the relevant units in their places for the foreigners who cannot apply for international protection, in person, in accordance with their current situation. If it is understood that the foreigner who wishes to apply for international protection in Turkey is an unaccompanied child; the procedures will continue by getting contact with protection tables and with the provincial directorates of Family, Labor and Social Services.

Applications for an international protection in Turkey are resulted within 6 months after the application date. If the decision cannot be made within this period, the applicant is informed by the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management and the decision process continues.

Due to the confusion in their countries, Syrian citizens who are within the temporary protection in our country, cannot apply individually to international protection as required by Law No. 6458 and its sub-regulations

International protection applications cannot be lodged through a legal representative or Turkish lawyer. International protection applications must be carried out personally. When international protection applications are requested to be made at the border gate or within the country to law enforcement units and other public institutions and organizations, these units shall inform the provincial directorate immediately.

Law No.6458 does not provide any time limit for application to international protection. However, foreigners entering our country by legal or illegal ways are required to apply to international protection to the provincial governorates where they apply with the principle of goodwill, within a reasonable period of time.

Ressetlement in a third country is carried out in cooperation between the Directorate General of Migration Management and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and Following the completion of the files, informing the foreigners is made by the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management.

Application for international protection should be made to the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management in your province in Turkey.