The issue of humanitarian residency in Turkey has become a focus of attention among residents there, especially after the Turkish Immigration Department announced the opportunity to grant humanitarian asylum to Syrians facing difficulties renewing their passports and who do not enjoy temporary protection under applicable laws. This announcement sparked significant interaction on social media and websites, with speculation and analysis rife about the impact and effectiveness of this type of residency.

In this article, we will detail all the information related to humanitarian residency according to the following table of contents:

What is humanitarian residency in Türkiye?

Requirements and conditions for obtaining humanitarian residency in Türkiye:

Reasons for obtaining humanitarian residency:

How to obtain humanitarian residency:

Mechanism for applying for humanitarian residency:

Post-study stage for obtaining humanitarian residency:

Advantages of humanitarian residency in Türkiye:

The most important reasons for rejecting humanitarian residency:

Reasons for withdrawing and canceling humanitarian residency:

Disadvantages of humanitarian residency:

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What is humanitarian residency in Türkiye?

Humanitarian residence permit is granted to refugees in Turkey in accordance with the Geneva Convention signed by 130 countries in 1951. Under this convention, a humanitarian residence permit is issued to those who find themselves unable to return to their countries, based on the reasons specified in the convention itself.

Türkiye offers humanitarian residence to individuals who face difficulties in returning to their countries, whether these difficulties are due to political or other reasons.

Requirements and conditions for obtaining humanitarian residency in Türkiye:

Residency for humanitarian reasons differs from other types of residency in Türkiye, whether work residency or short-term residency (tourist, family, student, medical)

1- Difficulty or impossibility of returning to the home country.

2- Inability to obtain any other type of residency to legally remain in the territory of the Republic of Turkey.

3- There is a threat to the person if he leaves Turkey.

4- The person does not pose a threat to national security in Türkiye.

5- The person must not be involved in any terrorist act.

6- The person’s presence within Turkish territory.

7- The person must not have any criminal record in Türkiye.

Reasons for obtaining humanitarian residency:

The Geneva Convention, signed by 130 countries, including Turkey in 1951, stipulates several reasons for obtaining a humanitarian residence permit for foreigners in Turkey. These reasons include:

Critical health conditions

Family reunification:

Threats to life:

Fear of arrest, torture or threats:

How to obtain humanitarian residency:

If you are eligible for humanitarian residency, you must follow the following steps to obtain residency for humanitarian reasons in Türkiye.

Preparing the necessary papers:

Original passport, a copy of it with the latest entry stamp to Türkiye, and a copy of the visa, regardless of whether the passport is valid or expired.

A notarized rental contract, or proof of residence from the headman of the neighborhood where the person resides.

Biometric passport photos for residency

Marriage contract, family book, and birth certificates for children under 18 years of age, translated into Turkish and notarized (you can request translation and notary certification from Tayf Services)

Filling out the humanitarian residency application form is given to you at the Immigration Department on the day of your interview. If medical reasons are present, a medical report from a government hospital will be requested to assess your health status. Previous residency rejections, whether tourist, student, or family, may be required. Health insurance is not a requirement for humanitarian residency, as is the case for other types of residency.

Mechanism for applying for humanitarian residency:

Applications are submitted at the nearest immigration office, along with the aforementioned documents. There is no need for a prior appointment, as is the case with other forms of residency. There is a dedicated office for humanitarian residency. A quick interview is conducted, during which the applicant is asked to explain and clarify the reasons for obtaining humanitarian residency. The application for humanitarian residency is then completed, and the Immigration Office can provide assistance from translators. Processing humanitarian residency applications takes between two and six months or more. A response is then given, either acceptance or rejection.

Post-study stage for obtaining humanitarian residency:

- If approved, a message containing the residence tracking code will be sent from the government post office, known as PTT, and the card will be delivered either to the residence address itself or to the post office nearest to the residence address.

In case of rejection, a rejection message will be sent, or you can check by calling the Ministry of Immigration's number 157 to verify that your application has been rejected. If rejected, you must leave Turkey within ten days or seek another type of residency to obtain it.

Advantages of humanitarian residency in Türkiye:

Right to work: Providing the right to work for various categories, including students and doctors, with the possibility of obtaining a work permit.

Infrastructure Services: The right of humanitarian protection recipients in Türkiye to have electricity, gas, and water subscriptions in their name.

Banking Services: Holders of humanitarian residency permits can open an account at all banks in Türkiye.

Healthcare: Access to treatment in Turkish government hospitals at a relatively low annual fee.

Humanitarian aid: Access to some humanitarian aid.

Freedom of travel within Turkish borders: The ability to travel within Türkiye without restrictions.

Children's education: The right of children to be educated in public schools.

International travel rules: The possibility of traveling outside Turkey's borders, subject to certain rules to maintain the validity of the humanitarian residence permit.

The most important reasons for rejecting humanitarian residency:

-Lying about the reasons for obtaining it (there is no real threat in your home country)

- Submitting forged documents during the application process will be rejected and will expose you to legal accountability.

-Entering Türkiye illegally.

Obtaining a temporary protection kimlik for Syrians or a UN kimlik for Iraqis and other nationalities.

-The possibility of obtaining another type of residence.

-There are lawsuits against the applicant for humanitarian residency.

Reasons for withdrawing and canceling humanitarian residency:

-Return to the homeland where the threat was the reason for your request.

- Leaving Türkiye for more than 6 months.

-Using forged documents when applying for humanitarian residency.

-If the person obtains another type of residence or obtains a temporary protection card (kimlik).

-Committing a crime that threatens Turkish national security.

- Recovery and the end of the reasons for obtaining humanitarian residency.

The disappearance of danger and threat in his country.

Regarding the Syrians obtaining humanitarian residency, Syrians were included in obtaining humanitarian residency after difficulties in renewing Syrian passports and the difficult circumstances in their country, including arrests, restrictions on freedoms and lack of security. However, within certain conditions, which are as follows:

- Inability to obtain a tourist residence or other residence permits.

-Lack of Kimlik or temporary protection.

-Entering Türkiye legally.

Disadvantages of humanitarian residency:

Lack of property ownership:

Travel restrictions for Syrians:

Withdrawal of residence permit due to prolonged absence:

Acceptance of applications:

Please note that these disadvantages may vary depending on each individual's circumstances and changes in policies and regulations.

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Obtaining a student residence permit in Türkiye