Short answer: An international protection application in Turkey is made by a foreigner or stateless person who claims that there is a risk of suffering persecution or serious harm upon return to their country, in person to the governorate . A protection request made at a border gate, law enforcement unit, or another public institution must be reported without delay to the competent Provincial Directorate of Migration Management. It is not possible to make the application through a lawyer; however, a lawyer can provide legal assistance in post-registration procedures, interview preparation, appeal against negative decisions, and administrative litigation.

An international protection application is not an application for a residence permit, temporary protection, or humanitarian residence permit. The essence of the application is the risk the person will face if returned to their country of origin or former habitual residence of the risk of personal persecution or serious harm. is examined. For the person whose registration procedures are completed, a document commonly known among the public as the "international protection card" and officially called the International Protection Applicant Identity Document is issued. The issuance of this document does not mean that the application has been accepted or that the person has been granted refugee status; it indicates that the file is under review.

This guide has been prepared based on Law No. 6458 on Foreigners and International Protection, related implementation regulations, and current statements of the Presidency of Migration Management. Since the application location and administrative practices may change over time, immediately prior to the transaction, the international protection statements of the Presidency of Migration Management and the announcements of the relevant Provincial Directorate of Migration Management must be checked.

What is International Protection?

International protection is the legal protection provided by another state to a person who cannot benefit from the protection of their own state or who does not wish to benefit from it due to a well-founded fear. The fundamental basis of the system in Turkey is Law No. 6458 on Foreigners and International Protection. The provisions of the Law regarding international protection regulate refugee, conditional refugee, and subsidiary protection statuses, as well as the application, registration, interview, decision, appeal, rights, and obligations processes.

International protection is not based solely on a foreigner's desire to live in a safer, economically more favorable country with better living conditions. Economic hardship, unemployment, or general cost of living do not constitute grounds for protection on their own. However, if economic pressure is part of systematic discrimination applied due to ethnic origin, religion, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group, the incident is evaluated as a whole.

For the general framework of the fundamental statuses of foreigners in Turkey, our Law on Foreigners and International Protection guide you may review.

International Protection Statuses in Turkey

The applicant is not required to correctly state the name of a specific status in their request. The competent authority determines the appropriate status by jointly evaluating the individual's statements, documents, personal circumstances, and up-to-date country of origin information. There are three international protection statuses in Turkey. The official definitions of these statuses are published on the international protection page of the Presidency of Migration Management as well.

Refugee status

Refugee status may be granted to a person who is outside their country of origin and cannot or does not want to benefit from the protection of that country due to well-founded fears of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion resulting from events occurring in European countries. Since Turkey maintains its geographical reservation regarding the 1951 Geneva Convention, individuals coming from outside Europe are evaluated under the scope of "conditional refugee" as a rule, even if they meet the same conditions.

Conditional refugee status

Conditional refugee status may be granted to a foreigner or stateless person who has a well-founded fear based on one of the same grounds of persecution due to events occurring outside European countries. A conditional refugee is permitted to reside in Turkey until they are resettled in a third country. However, the granting of status does not mean that resettlement in a third country will be carried out automatically or within a specific timeframe. Resettlement in a third country is a separate process conducted under the coordination of the Presidency of Migration Management, within the framework of the admission policies of relevant countries and the circumstances of the case.

Subsidiary protection status

A person who is not considered a refugee or conditional refugee may benefit from subsidiary protection if, in the event of deportation, they would be sentenced to the death penalty or have the penalty executed; be subjected to torture, inhuman, or degrading treatment; or face a serious individual threat to their person due to indiscriminate violence in situations of international or internal armed conflict.

Status	Main criterion	Outcome in Turkey
Refugee	Fear of persecution arising from a protected ground related to events occurring in Europe	Protection in Turkey as a status holder
Conditional refugee	Fear of persecution arising from a protected ground related to events outside Europe	Stay in Turkey until resettlement in a third country
Subsidiary protection	Death penalty, torture/ill-treatment, or serious individual threat stemming from armed conflict	Protection in Turkey as a status holder

Are International Protection, Temporary Protection, and Residence Permit the Same Thing?

No. International protection refers to refugee, conditional refugee, or subsidiary protection statuses based on an individual file review. Temporary protection, on the other hand, is a separate protection regime applied on a group basis for persons who are forced to leave their country and cannot return in situations of mass influx. In Turkey, individual international protection applications by Syrians under temporary protection are, as a rule, not accepted due to special provisions regarding the temporary protection regime.

A residence permit, however, is based on grounds for stay provided by law, such as tourism, family reunification, education, real estate ownership, or employment. The expiration of a person's residence permit does not automatically make them an international protection applicant; similarly, the inability to obtain a residence permit is not, in and of itself, a ground for international protection. For general information on residence types to our Turkey residence permit guide you can refer.

Humanitarian Residence Permit is also different from international protection. Humanitarian residence is a type of residence permit that can be granted by the governorate in exceptional circumstances enumerated by law; it does not replace the refugee status determination.

Who Can Apply for International Protection?

A foreign national or stateless person who is outside their country of origin may apply if they consider that one of the above protection criteria would materialize in the event of their refoulement. What is decisive in the application is not solely the person's nationality or general problems in their country. The individual's past experiences, the nature of the threats directed against them, whether they have access to state protection, the possibility of relocating to a safe place within the country, and current risks upon return are evaluated together.

An applicant may also apply on behalf of family members accompanying them who rely on the same grounds. Adult family members must consent to the application made on their behalf. If one of the family members has a different and personal ground for protection, it is important that this is recorded separately. Intimate grounds such as domestic violence, gender-based persecution, forced marriage, or risk due to sexual orientation must not be lost within the joint family narrative.

Can a person without a passport or identity document apply?

The absence of a passport does not, in itself, eliminate the right to apply. The applicant must submit records that serve to establish their identity, such as an identity card, family civil registry, birth certificate, driver's license, school or employment document. The reason for the absence of the document must be explained honestly. Submitting forged or third-party documents, concealing identity, and acting in bad faith to destroy evidence can severely damage the credibility of the file and constitute grounds for accelerated assessment.

Can an irregular entrant apply?

An individual who has entered Turkey unlawfully or exceeded their legal period of stay in Turkey may also apply for international protection. Although the law does not prescribe a specific application deadline, the applicant is expected to apply to the competent authority within a reasonable time and explain the reason for any delay. When protection is requested at a border gate or during law enforcement checks, this statement must be explicitly recorded in the official report.

Where and How is an International Protection Application Made?

Applications in person to the governorships and in practice, the procedures are carried out by the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management. If the application is expressed at a border gate, a law enforcement unit, or another public institution, these units must immediately notify the governorship. In cases where the applicant cannot visit the institution in person due to health conditions, disability, or de facto circumstances, the application may be taken where the applicant is located.

Declaration of the protection request: The individual clearly states that they cannot return to their country and requests international protection.
Pre-registration and registration: Identity, family ties, manner of entry into the country, travel route, and primary reasons for the application are recorded; photographs and biometric data may be taken.
Information: The applicant is informed in a language they can understand about the process, rights, obligations, and the potential consequences of non-compliance.
Registration province and address: The applicant may be required to reside in a designated province, register their address, and comply with notification/signature obligations.
Identity document: After the registration is completed, an identity document containing a foreign identification number is issued to the applicant and the family members included in the scope of registration.
Interview: The grounds for protection are heard in detail, and the file is submitted for status determination review.

Can an attorney file the application on behalf of the individual?

No. An international protection application is strictly personal and cannot be initiated through an attorney or legal representative. This is because the need for protection is assessed directly from the applicant's statements and personal circumstances. However, an attorney may act in matters such as explaining rights, organizing documents, submitting petitions and evidence to the file, reviewing notifications, and during administrative appeal and litigation stages.

Can an International Protection Application Be Made in Istanbul?

It is not accurate to state that Istanbul is "closed" to international protection applications by law and permanently. The current official frequently asked questions page of the Presidency of Migration Management states that for applications in Istanbul, applications must be made to the Kumkapı Coordination Center . Nevertheless, due to registration capacity, province-based planning, and administrative directives, an individual's registration may not be completed in Istanbul; they may be required to reside in another province or continue their proceedings in a designated province.

Therefore, both absolute statements such as 'applications are strictly not accepted in Istanbul' or 'applications are definitively concluded in Istanbul' are unreliable. The current location and procedure as of the application date must be verified through YİMER 157 or the official channels of the Presidency of Migration Management. If referred to another province, a written referral/transfer document should be obtained if possible, and the relevant directorate must be applied to within the notified period.

If there are special circumstances such as serious health problems, disability, advanced age, pregnancy, family unity, the best interests of children, or ongoing vital treatment in Istanbul, these must be submitted to the administration with official documents. These elements do not guarantee that the person will be registered in the requested province; however, they must be part of the individual assessment.

What Documents Must Be Submitted During Registration?

There is no one-size-fits-all closed list of documents for an international protection application. Because in situations such as war, sudden escape, detention, or irregular border crossing, a person cannot be expected to bring all their documents with them. Nevertheless, it is important to submit existing documents and add evidence obtained later to the file.

Passports, national identity cards, birth certificates, and family registry records,
Tickets, visas, stamps, or records showing the entry into the country and travel route,
Apprehension, detention, investigation, court, or search documents,
Threat messages, e-mails, social media records, and telephone logs,
Records showing political, professional, religious, or social activities,
Medical reports and photographs regarding battery, torture, or trauma,
Witness information and records of institutions or individuals that can verify the incident,
Documents regarding application, rejection, acceptance, or deportation procedures carried out in other countries.

Digital evidence should, if possible, be preserved not only as screenshots, but in a manner where the date, sender, link, and source information can be seen. Turkish translations of documents in foreign languages may be requested. No tampering that would create doubt regarding the authenticity of the evidence should be made.

How is the International Protection Interview Conducted?

The interview is the most critical stage of the file. The objective is not to test the applicant or to seek memorized answers, but to reveal the personal dimension of the events, whether the fear is well-founded, and the risk of return. The applicant must be provided with the opportunity to express themselves, an interpreter must be provided when necessary, and their special needs must be taken into consideration.

What topics are covered in the interview?

Identity, family, education, occupation, and background information,
The chronological order of events leading to departure from the country,
Individuals, organizations, or authorities causing harm or threats,
The reasons why protection could not be obtained from state authorities,
Whether there is an opportunity to live safely and reasonably in another region of the country,
The route taken to Turkey and third countries passed through,
Previous visa, residency, asylum, or deportation proceedings,
The harm currently anticipated in the event of a return.

Minor discrepancies in dates within statements do not always mean they are untruthful. Trauma, the passage of time, educational level, age, and translation issues can affect recall. However, serious contradictions regarding the core of the event must be explained. Instead of guessing about an unknown matter, it is more appropriate to state that it is not known. If a translation error or an inaccurate statement recorded in the transcript is noticed, its correction must be requested immediately.

Why is country-of-origin information important?

The competent authority relies not only on the individual's statement, but also on reliable and up-to-date sources concerning the law, security situation, armed conflict, human rights violations, and practices directed against specific groups in their country. However, a general country report alone is not sufficient. It must be explained how the general information intersects with the applicant's personal story.

How to Obtain an International Protection Identity Document?

The official name of the document commonly known among the public as the "international protection card" International Protection Applicant Identity Document. According to the Presidency of Migration Management's explanation on documents to be issued within the scope of international protection , a one-year document containing a foreign national identity number is issued to the applicant whose registration procedures have been completed and to family members within the scope of registration. If the application is not concluded, the document is renewed for one-year periods. The document is exempt from fees and replaces a residence permit.

The identification document does not mean that the person has obtained international protection status. When the application is concluded positively, a refugee, conditional refugee, or subsidiary protection status holder identification document is issued. According to the Presidency of Migration Management's explanation, status holders' documents are issued for three-year periods and can be renewed until the status expires or is revoked.

If there is an error in the name, date of birth, nationality, or family information on the ID, the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management where the registration is held must be applied to without delay. In case of loss or theft of the document, the incident must be recorded and the renewal procedure must be learned from the relevant directorate.

Rights of the Applicant

Right to stay in Turkey

The applicant identification document provides legal stay in Turkey during the application process and replaces a residence permit. However, the person may be subject to obligations such as residing in a specific province, address notification, and regular signature/reporting obligations.

Education, healthcare, and social assistance

Applicants and status holders can benefit from primary and secondary education services with their identification documents within the conditions set forth in the legislation. Those in need can apply for social assistance and services. As a rule, applicants or status holders who lack health insurance and solvency are included within the scope of general health insurance for one year from the date of registration; different assessments may be made for persons with special needs and those whose continuation is deemed appropriate by the administration. Since the scope and application of rights may change the Presidency of Migration Management's explanation on rights and obligations The current status must be verified with the registered directorate.

Right to work

An applicant for international protection and a conditional refugee may apply for a work permit six months after the application date. A refugee and a beneficiary of subsidiary status may work from the date the status is granted, subject to statutory restrictions on professions closed to foreigners and any potential limitations; the identity document serves in lieu of a work permit. The current official framework is located on the page of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security regarding foreigners provided with international protection. For detailed conditions, the right to work for foreigners under temporary protection and international protection you may review our article.

Obligations of the Applicant

International protection registration does not merely confer rights; it also gives rise to obligations that must be fulfilled for the continuation of the file. In particular, the applicant must:

Provide accurate identity and contact information and report any changes,
Reside in the assigned province and register their address,
Comply with signature or reporting obligations on the specified days,
Attend interviews and other appointments; document any valid excuse,
Accurately submit requested information regarding income, employment, and assets,
Comply with prior permission or referral procedures for changing provinces.
They must monitor notifications and check document deadlines.

According to the statements of the Directorate of Migration Management, failure to fulfill the reporting obligation three consecutive times without a valid excuse, failure to go to the designated place of residence, or leaving the province of residence without permission may lead to the application being deemed withdrawn and the examination being suspended. Therefore, excuses such as health issues, accidents, or mandatory travel must be documented without delay.

When Will the Application Be Concluded?

Pursuant to the law and the statements of the Directorate of Migration Management, applications must essentially be concluded within six months from the date of registration. If a decision cannot be rendered within this period, the applicant must be informed and the examination shall continue. The expiration of the six-month period does not mean that the application is implicitly accepted.

The duration of the file may be extended depending on identity verification, translation, country-of-origin information, security investigations, examination of evidence, the status of family members, and administrative workload. If no action is taken for a long time, it is possible to inquire about the status of the file and submit a written application.

Inadmissible Application and Accelerated Assessment

Not every application is admitted to substantive examination under the ordinary procedure. An application may be deemed "inadmissible" under certain circumstances stipulated by law. Re-submitting the same application without presenting new grounds, the individual having previously been included in the file through a family member on the same grounds without subsequently presenting a separate and new reason, or arriving from a first country of asylum or a safe third country may be subject to this evaluation. A "safe third country" decision must not be based on abstract assumptions, but rather by taking into account the conditions set forth in the law and the individual's connection to that country.

Accelerated assessment may be applied in cases specified by law, such as indications that the application was made solely to delay deportation proceedings, bad-faith concealment of identity, use of forged documents, destruction of evidence, misleading authorities with contradictory statements, or posing a serious threat to public order and security. The accelerated procedure does not mean that the application can be rejected without examining the evidence and the risk of refoulement.

What to Do If the International Protection Application Is Rejected?

The negative decision is served on the applicant or their attorney. The grounds for the decision, which part of the applicant's statement was not accepted, how the country-of-origin information was evaluated, and which legal remedy can be utilized within how many days must be carefully examined. Since statutory periods begin upon service, the notification document and date must be securely retained.

Lawsuits regarding inadmissible and accelerated applications

Against inadmissible application and accelerated assessment decisions, within 15 days an action may be filed before the competent administrative court. The official statement of the Directorate of Migration Management indicates that the court will conclude the application within 15 days and that the decision is final. Due to this short timeframe, it is crucial to establish a legal roadmap on the day the decision is rendered.

Objections and lawsuits regarding other negative decisions

In other decisions concerning international protection, depending on the nature of the decision, an appeal may be lodged with the International Protection Evaluation Commission within ten days of notification, or an action may be brought before the competent administrative court within thirty days. Since the same period does not apply to every decision, the legal remedy notification in the notification document must be reviewed together with the current text of Law No. 6458. Applying to the wrong authority or missing the deadline may result in a severe loss of rights.

The petition of lawsuit should not merely request the approval of the application; the administration's deficient examination, failure to assess personal risk and evidence, use of outdated or irrelevant country of origin information, translation and interview issues, and disregard for family unity and special needs must be concretized.

Principle of Non-Refoulement and Deportation Procedures

The principle of non-refoulement is the cornerstone of international protection law. No one shall be sent to a place where they would be subjected to torture, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, or where their life or freedom would be threatened on protected grounds. This principle is not invalidated by the fact that a person has violated visa regulations or has been issued a deportation decision. The risk must be examined in a personal, current, and effective manner.

An international protection application and a deportation decision are not the same administrative act. A person may simultaneously be subject to a protection file, a deportation process, and administrative detention. The litigation period against a deportation decision and the review of administrative detention by the criminal judgeship of peace are distinct. For detailed information objection to a deportation decision and removal center and administrative detention you can review our guides.

For a practical example regarding the judicial review of deportation decisions rendered without investigating country of origin conditions, prepared with anonymized personal data, annulment of the deportation decision issued without conducting a country of origin assessment you can read our review.

Can an Application Be Made While Under Administrative Detention?

A person held in a removal center or under law enforcement custody may explicitly express their request for international protection. The request must be transmitted to the competent migration authority. However, making an application does not automatically terminate administrative detention. The continuation of administrative detention is subject to separate conditions, and the person or their counsel may apply to the criminal judgeship of peace.

It is crucial to prove the date and the recipient to whom the protection request was communicated through minutes, a petition, a delivery receipt, or an interview record. If a statement made through an interpreter has been incorrectly recorded, its correction must be requested.

Common Mistakes in Applications

Assuming that the inability to obtain a residence permit is solely a ground for international protection,
Presenting a sample story taken from the internet as a personal event,
Concealing the travel itinerary or applications made in other countries,
Submitting forged, altered, or belonging-to-another documents,
Approving the interview record without understanding it and failing to report translation errors,
Failing to comply with obligations regarding appointments, addresses, signatures, and provincial residency,
Failing to record the notification date and missing the short litigation deadline,
Assuming that practices in Istanbul or any other province are continuous and immutable legal rules,
Describing general country conditions without establishing a connection to personal risk.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the international protection application subject to a fee?

The receipt of the application and the issuance of the applicant's identification document are exempt from fees. Ancillary services such as translation, notary, or private legal assistance may incur additional costs.

Can an attorney file the application?

No. The applicant must make the protection claim in person. An attorney may provide legal assistance to the file after registration, prepare petitions and evidence, and conduct appeal and litigation procedures against a negative decision.

Are applications not being accepted in Istanbul?

It cannot be said that Istanbul is legally closed to applications. The current FAQ page of the Directorate General of Migration Management indicates application to the Kumkapı Coordination Center. However, the applicant may be directed to another province due to capacity and provincial planning. Current practice must be verified prior to the transaction.

Is the international protection identity card a residence permit?

The document is technically not a residence permit; however, pursuant to law, it substitutes for a residence permit and ensures legal stay during the application process.

Does obtaining an identity document mean that the application has been accepted?

No. The applicant identity document indicates the registration and review process. Refugee, conditional refugee, or subsidiary protection status is only acquired through a separate decision issued upon the conclusion of the evaluation.

Can a person without a passport apply?

Yes. The absence of a passport does not solely eliminate the right to apply. The individual must submit other available identity and incident-related documents and accurately explain why they do not have a passport.

Within how many months is the application concluded?

It is essential that the application is concluded within six months from the date of registration. If a decision cannot be reached within this period, the applicant is informed, and the review continues; the file is not deemed automatically accepted.

Can the applicant work?

An applicant and a conditional refugee may apply for a work permit six months after the date of the international protection application. The identity document of a refugee and subsidiary protection status holder, however, may substitute for a work permit.

What happens if the signature obligation is not fulfilled?

Failure to fulfill the reporting obligation three times consecutively without an excuse, failure to go to the designated place of residence, or leaving the province of residence without permission may lead to the application being deemed withdrawn. If there is an excuse, documentation must be submitted without delay.

Within how many days can a lawsuit be filed against a rejection decision?

In inadmissible application and accelerated assessment decisions, the period is 15 days from notification. For other international protection decisions, depending on the type of decision, administrative appeal and a 30-day litigation period may apply. The legal remedy explanation in the notification must be checked without delay.

Conclusion

An international protection application is not a general residency path used to stay in Türkiye, but a protection mechanism specific to individuals who face the risk of persecution or serious harm in the event of return. The proper assessment of the file depends on the chronological and consistent narration of personal events, the submission of available evidence, the verification of translation and interview records, and compliance with address and reporting obligations.

Since the application points and administrative practices regarding provinces in İstanbul may change, official channels must be re-verified on the date of the transaction. In the event of a negative decision, since short litigation periods such as 15 or 30 days may apply, the nature of the notification must be examined without delay.

Author Information

Attorney Batın YILMAZ
Istanbul Bar Association Bar Registry No: 77008

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This content is for informational purposes only. It does not aim to advertise, secure business, acquire clients, solicit, claim professional superiority, or guarantee results for any person or institution.

While preparing the content the Professional Rules of the Union of Turkish Bar Associations and the provisions regarding the prohibition of advertising for the legal profession have been observed. The information in this article does not constitute legal counsel or a definitive legal opinion with respect to any specific case.

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