Granting Long-Term Residence Permit to Foreigners of Turkish Descent
On January 24, 2019, a decision was made to reissue long-term residence permits to Ahıska (Meskhetian) and Uyghur Turks within the scope of Article 43 of Law No. 6458.
Accordingly, foreigners of Turkish descent who entered Türkiye before January 1, 2019, and who had obtained residence permits as individuals of Turkish descent, may apply to the provincial directorates of migration management with the required documents to request a long-term residence permit.
Additionally, those who entered Türkiye before January 1, 2019, but have not obtained a residence permit as Uyghur or Ahıska Turks, may also apply to the provincial directorates of migration management by completing the necessary documents specified in Annex-6 and Annex-7 of the relevant circular.
Foreigners of Turkish descent who wish to benefit from the right to obtain a long-term residence permit must submit official documentation proving their Turkish descent. Applications that do not include a certificate of Turkish descent issued by the relevant authorities of the Republic of Türkiye will not be considered.
Conditions for Long-Term Residence Permit
The principles regarding the long-term residence permit are clearly regulated under Article 43 of Law No. 6458. Accordingly:
ARTICLE 43 – (1) The following conditions are required for the transition to a long-term residence permit:
a) Having resided in Turkey continuously for at least eight years with a residence permit,
b) Not having received social assistance in the last three years,
c) Having sufficient and regular income to maintain oneself and, if any, one’s family,
ç) Having valid health insurance,
d) Not posing a threat to public order or public security.
(2) For foreigners deemed eligible for a long-term residence permit due to meeting the conditions determined by the Ministry, the requirements other than subparagraph (d) of the first paragraph shall not be sought.
Cancellation of Residence Permits Granted to Foreigners of Turkish Descent
Foreigners of Turkish descent can reside indefinitely within the borders of the Republic of Turkey with a long-term residence permit, and they are allowed to work together with work permits. The status of Turkish-descent foreigners who have obtained a long-term residence permit in this manner is reviewed every two years. If Turkish-descent foreigners commit any crime or receive a penalty within the borders of the Republic of Turkey, their long-term residence permits may be revoked. The principles regarding revocation are regulated in Article 45 of the Law No. 6458 on Foreigners and International Protection. Article 45 of Law No. 6458 enumerates the limited cases in which long-term residence permits can be revoked, as follows:
“a) If the foreigner poses a serious threat to public order or public security,
b) If the foreigner stays outside Turkey for more than one uninterrupted year for reasons other than health, education, or mandatory public service in their home country.”
However, there is a legal remedy against this revocation, and an administrative lawsuit can be filed within 60 days to annul the procedure.
Exceptional Citizenship Applications of Foreigners of Turkish Descent
Foreigners of Turkish descent may apply for citizenship exceptionally at provincial immigration offices with the required documents in accordance with the principles set forth in Law No. 5543 on Settlement. The applicant’s citizenship file is prepared by the provincial immigration office and sent to the Ministry. The file sent to the Ministry for acquisition of Turkish citizenship is reviewed, and citizenship may be granted by a Ministry decision. However, it should be noted that under Law No. 5901 on Turkish Citizenship, the applicant must not pose any obstacle in terms of national security and public order.
