Law Nr. 6458 on Foreigners and International Protection has been published in Official Gazette on April, 11th 2013, Nr 28615. The adopted draft law aims to harmonize Turkey's laws on foreigners, foreigners' entry into Turkey, foreigners' stay in Turkey and foreigners' exit from Turkey with EU laws.
New law will be first Turkish asylum law and will be treated as Turkish foreigners' code. New law specifies entry rules to Turkey, visa regulations and residence permit applications and principles regarding deportation and international protection. Law on the Foreigners and International Protection also establishes General Directorate of Migration Management under the Ministry of Interior.
Except provisions regarding to the establishment of General Directorate of Migration Management, all other provisions shall enter into force 1 year after the publication date.
Some articles from new law:
- New law specifies six main types of residence permits. (i) Short-Term Residence Permit, (ii) Family Residence Permit, (iii) Student Residence Permit (iv) Long- Term Residence Permit (v) Humanitarian Residence Permit (vi) Residence Permits for the victims of Human Trafficking.
- A foreigner who is victim of an offence related to Human Trafficking might be granted with 30 days valid residence permit for reflection and for him/her to decide to take action against the perpetrator(s) of the offence. Residence permits for the Victims of Human Trafficking might be extended at most 6 months periods; however extensions can not exceed three years.
- Individuals who are not citizens of any country in the world may be able to obtain an ID card in Turkey as a stateless individual.
- Foreigners who stay in Turkey for a period of 8 years with residence permit or foreigners who meet the criteria set forth by the Migration Policies Board will be able to obtain a permanent residency permit.
- Foreigners who will stay in Turkey as a transit passenger may be required to obtain a transit visa.
- An individual may apply at a Turkish court to challenge a deportation decision against her/him in Turkey.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.