Edirne · Legal information
Lifting a Turkey Entry Ban and Restriction Codes
An entry ban to Turkey may be imposed on foreign nationals who were deported or who overstayed their visa or residence permit. The ban is often discovered only when the person arrives at the border. Depending on the type of ban, a request to lift it or an annulment case can be pursued.
Key facts
- Length of the ban (deported persons)
- Up to 5 years; up to 10 more years where there is a serious threat to public order or security (Law No. 6458, Art. 9)
- Lifting the ban
- The Presidency of Migration Management may lift the ban or allow entry for a specific period (Art. 9)
- Deadline for an annulment case
- As a rule, 60 days from written notification of the decision (Law No. 2577, Art. 7)
- Competent court
- Administrative court; as a rule, the court where the authority that took the decision is located
Who can be banned from entering Turkey?
Under Article 9 of Law No. 6458, the Presidency of Migration Management may impose an entry ban on foreign nationals whose entry to Turkey is considered objectionable for reasons of public order, public security or public health. An entry ban is also imposed on foreign nationals who are deported. As a rule, this ban may not exceed five years, but it may be extended by up to ten more years where there is a serious threat to public order or public security.
Foreign nationals who stayed in Turkey after their visa or residence permit expired may also be given an entry ban when they leave the country.
How can a ban be lifted?
The Law gives the Presidency of Migration Management the power to lift an entry ban, or, while the ban remains in place, to allow the foreign national to enter Turkey for a specific period. In practice there are two routes:
- Application to the administration: A reasoned petition asking for the ban to be lifted is submitted to the Presidency of Migration Management, together with documents showing family ties, property or business connections in Turkey, health, education and similar circumstances.
- Annulment case: A case for annulment can be filed before the administrative court against the ban itself or against the rejection of a request to lift it. The deadline is, as a rule, 60 days. Where the decision was taken by the Presidency of Migration Management, the case is, as a rule, heard by the administrative courts in Ankara; where a governor’s office imposed the ban, the administrative court where that office is located is competent.
If a ban shows up at the border
A foreign national found to have a ban record at Kapıkule, Hamzabeyli, Pazarkule or İpsala is usually refused entry and returned to the country they came from. Keeping the document and the record details given at the border makes the later application easier.
Related pages: Legal help at Kapıkule and the Edirne border gates · Immigration lawyer in Edirne
Frequently asked questions
How can I find out whether I have an entry ban?
A ban is often discovered at the border gate when entering the country. To find out in advance, a written application can be made to the Presidency of Migration Management; applications made through a lawyer require a power of attorney.
What does a restriction code mean?
A restriction code (tahdit kodu) is an administrative code showing the type of record that restricts a foreign national’s entry to Turkey (codes such as Ç-114, G-87 and V-87 are among those commonly seen). The meaning and duration of a code depend on the decision on which the record is based, so the way to have it lifted also depends on the type of code.
I overstayed my visa and paid a fine when I left. Can I come back?
Foreign nationals who overstay their visa or residence permit may be given an entry ban, depending on the length of the overstay and the action taken when they left. Because this differs from person to person, we recommend not planning a new trip before finding out what has been recorded.
I am married to a Turkish citizen. Can the ban be lifted?
Family unity, children living in Turkey and long-term residence are important factors in a request to lift the ban and in an annulment case. However, none of them leads to a result on its own; they are assessed together with the reason for the record.
Related articles (Turkish)
Legal basis and official sources
- Law No. 6458 on Foreigners and International Protection, Art. 9 (Turkish, mevzuat.gov.tr)
- Law No. 2577 on Administrative Judicial Procedure, Art. 7 and 32 (Turkish, mevzuat.gov.tr)
- Presidency of Migration Management
Last updated:
The information on this page is general and is not legal advice. Laws and court decisions change; every case must be assessed on its own facts.