Humanitarian residency in Türkiye
Humanitarian Residence Permit in Turkey
Humanitarian residence in Turkey has been mentioned in numerous official government statements and regulations, so in this article we will lay out all the information related to it. This article serves as a reference for those who wish to, or are unable to, obtain another type of residence permit and instead seek residence on humanitarian grounds in Turkey. We will detail all the information related to humanitarian residence according to the following table of contents:
What is humanitarian residence in Turkey
Requirements and conditions for obtaining humanitarian residence in Turkey
The strongest grounds for obtaining humanitarian residence in Turkey
How to apply for humanitarian residence
The application procedure for humanitarian residence
The stage after the humanitarian residence file is reviewed
The main benefits of obtaining humanitarian residence
Problems and drawbacks of humanitarian residence
The main reasons for rejection of humanitarian residence
Reasons for withdrawal and cancellation of humanitarian residence
What is Humanitarian Residence in Turkey?
It is granted under the 1951 Geneva Convention, which the Turkish state has signed. It is granted to refugees on humanitarian grounds within Turkish territory.
Requirements and Conditions for Obtaining Humanitarian Residence in Turkey
Residence for humanitarian reasons differs from other types of residence permits in Turkey, whether work residence or short-term residence permits (tourist, family, student, medical treatment):
Difficulty or impossibility of returning to one's home country.
Inability to obtain any other type of residence permit to remain legally within the territory of the Republic of Turkey.
The existence of a threat to the person should they leave Turkish territory.
The person must not pose a threat to Turkey's national security.
The person must not be involved in any terrorist activity.
The person must be present within Turkish territory.
The person must not have any criminal record within Turkey.
The Strongest Grounds for Obtaining Humanitarian Residence in Turkey
The existence of a threat to the foreign national should they return to their home country due to wars or lack of safety, and their unwillingness to return and take part in the fighting.
The refugee's fear that, upon return, they or a relative could be subjected to arrest or torture.
Family reunification (spouse, children) where the family members are unable to obtain another type of residence permit in Turkey.
Cases of chronic and severe illness where the person is unable to leave Turkey for treatment and treatment is unavailable outside Turkey.
A case specific to Syrians: the expiry of the passport and the difficulty of renewing it, whether for financial reasons or due to threats.
The above are the most common reasons for granting humanitarian residence permits. Approval of the residence permit is not guaranteed, as the file is reviewed in detail and carefully by the Directorate of Migration Management, and humanitarian residence, if approved, is granted for two years or more.
How to Apply for Humanitarian Residence
If you fall into one of the categories to which humanitarian residence applies, you must follow these steps to obtain residence on humanitarian grounds in Turkey.
Prepare the necessary documents:
The original passport and a copy of it, along with the latest entry stamp into Turkey and a copy of the visa, regardless of whether the passport is valid or expired. A rental contract for housing, notarized by the notary (known as "Noter"), or a proof-of-residence document from the district headman (muhtar) of the neighborhood where the person resides. Biometric personal photos for the residence permit. The marriage certificate, family register, and birth certificates of children under 18, translated into Turkish and certified by the notary (you can request the translation and notary certification through Hallak Services Company).
Filling out the humanitarian residence application form, which is given to the person at the Directorate of Migration on the day of the interview. If the grounds are medical, a medical report from a government hospital is required to assess your health condition. You may also be asked to submit previous residence permit rejections, whether tourist, student, or family. Health insurance is not a requirement for obtaining humanitarian residence, unlike other types of residence permits.
The Application Procedure for Humanitarian Residence
The application is submitted at the nearest Directorate of Migration Management office, along with the previously mentioned documents, without needing a prior appointment as is the case with other residence permits — there is a dedicated office for humanitarian residence cases. A brief interview is conducted, in which the applicant is asked to explain and clarify the grounds for obtaining humanitarian residence. The application form for humanitarian residence is then filled out, and you can make use of the translators available at the Directorate of Migration. Review of humanitarian residence files takes a period ranging from two months to six months or more, after which a decision of acceptance or rejection is issued.
The Stage After the Humanitarian Residence File Is Reviewed
If approved, a message containing the residence permit tracking code is sent via the government postal service, known as PTT, and the card is delivered either to the home address itself or to the nearest post office to that address.
If rejected, a rejection message is sent, or you can check by calling 157, the number for the Ministry of Migration Management, to verify that your application has been rejected. If rejected, you must leave Turkey within ten days or seek another type of residence permit.
The Main Benefits of Obtaining Humanitarian Residence
Access to certain humanitarian assistance through municipalities and some humanitarian organizations operating in Turkey.
Having a national foreigner's ID number, which makes it easier to register at universities, open bank accounts, receive treatment at Turkish government hospitals at very low prices, get a very large discount on medication prices at pharmacies, and set up electricity, water, natural gas, and internet subscriptions. It also allows for signing rental contracts for apartments or commercial premises, and obtaining a work residence permit if the refugee is employed officially. Holders of this residence permit may also practice certain professions generally restricted to foreigners, if they meet the requirements (proficiency in Turkish and certificate/diploma equivalency).
Problems and Drawbacks of Humanitarian Residence
Inability to own property if you hold residence on humanitarian grounds.
Inability to travel outside Turkey, particularly for those who obtained it and do not hold a valid passport.
If you leave Turkey for a period exceeding 6 months, the humanitarian residence permit is cancelled.
If you return to your home country, the humanitarian residence permit is cancelled.
Submitting forged documents to obtain humanitarian residence cancels it, even if approval was already granted.
Acceptance rates for humanitarian residence are not high, so very convincing and genuine reasons must be presented in order to obtain it.
The Main Reasons for Rejection of Humanitarian Residence
Lying about the reasons for seeking it (the absence of a real threat in your home country).
Submitting forged documents during the application, which leads to rejection and exposes you to legal accountability.
Entering Turkey through illegal means.
Holding the Temporary Protection ID (Kimlik) for Syrians, or the UN Kimlik for Iraqis and other nationalities.
The possibility of obtaining another type of residence permit.
The existence of legal proceedings against the applicant for humanitarian residence.
Reasons for Withdrawal and Cancellation of Humanitarian Residence
Returning to the home country where the threat that led to obtaining the permit existed.
Leaving Turkey for a period exceeding 6 months.
Using forged documents when applying for humanitarian residence.
If the person obtains another type of residence permit, or obtains the Temporary Protection Card (Kimlik).
Committing an offense that threatens Turkish national security.
Recovery and the cessation of the reasons for obtaining humanitarian residence.
The removal of the danger and threat in the person's home country.
Regarding Syrians obtaining humanitarian residence: Syrians have been included as eligible for humanitarian residence following the difficulties in renewing Syrian passports and the difficult conditions in their country, including arrests, restrictions on freedoms, and lack of security. However, this is subject to certain conditions, namely:
Inability to obtain tourist residence or other types of residence permits.
Not holding a Kimlik or temporary protection.
Having entered Turkey legally.
Articles that may interest you regarding types of residence permits in Turkey and how to obtain them:
Work residence and work permit in Turkey
First-time tourist residence in Turkey
Student residence in Turkey
Family residence in Turkey
Property-based (real estate) residence
Renewing tourist residence in Turkey