Immigration Law Residence PermitCLOSING OF 8 DISTRICTS IN ISTANBUL TO FOREIGN RESIDENCES

CLOSING OF 8 DISTRICTS IN ISTANBUL TO FOREIGN RESIDENCES

In recent years, it is observed that the number of foreigners living primarily in Istanbul and some other provinces and districts has increased above the expected rate. In order to control the number of foreigners living in the said districts, previously some restrictions were issued by the Presidency of Migration Management. As the number of foreigners continues to increase more in some districts, another new restriction decision has been announced.

In the statement made by the Minister of Interior Süleyman Soylu after the Migration Evaluation Meeting dating 07.10.2022, it was announced that 8 more districts in Istanbul were closed to foreigners. The reason for this restriction is the concentration of foreigners in the counted districts, and the fact that the number of foreigners exceeded the quota determined in these districts is one of the major factors causing this restriction.

Although there are exceptions, Fatih and Esenyurt districts were already closed to foreigners with a previous decision. With a new announcement, 8 new districts have been added to the districts that are closed to foreigners. The details of this new announcement were published on 19.10.2022 by the Ministry of Interior, Presidency of Directorate General Of Migration Management.

According to the official statement, the districts of Avcılar, Bahçelievler, Bağcılar, Başakşehir, Esenler, Esenyurt, Fatih, Küçükçekmece, Sultangazi and Zeytinburnu in Istanbul have been closed to the first residence permit applications, except for real estate purchases to be made for citizenship purposes, as of 20.10.2022. All the specified exceptions to this restriction are stated below, and residence applications cannot be made from the section of “those who own immovables” with an immovable investment of 75,000 USD. Residence applications to be made in the above-mentioned districts will be allowed if the following conditions are met :

Applications of Turkish citizens and Blue Card holders with their spouse, minor child and dependent adult child defined in Law No. 6458,
Applications of the spouse, minor child and dependent adult child of foreigners who have a registered residence permit in the counted districts, as defined in the Law No. 6458,
Provided that the immovable is in the counted districts, foreigners who have a promise to sell immovable before the restriction date and acquire title deed after the restriction date, and foreigners who have a residence title in the mentioned district before the restriction date and apply for a residence permit for the first time after the restriction date, and their spouse, minor child. dependent adult children, applications of those who own immovable property in Turkey,
Applications of foreigners who receive inpatient treatment and give their hospital address as their residence address, provided that they do not have one of the diseases that are considered as a threat to public health,
Applications of foreigners and family members who will apply for investor residence in order to obtain Turkish citizenship,
Except for the residence permit transition applications or extension applications to be made within the legal period in order to change the type of active residence permit in the counted districts,
Residence permit applications of students enrolled in universities in the counted districts or in institutes/faculties/higher schools of universities in these districts,

as was mentioned.

The exceptions of Fatih district, which was closed to foreign session before;

1) Requests for short-term residence permits in clause 31/j for citizenship investment (real estate purchases for other purposes are completely closed to residence)

2) Student residence requests registered at universities in Fatih district

3) Residence permit requests of foreigners married to a Turkish citizen

Exceptions of Esenyurt district, which was previously closed to foreigners’ residence;

1) Requests for short-term residence permits for citizenship investment, clause 31/j

2) Student residence requests registered at universities in Esenyurt district

3) Residence permit requests of foreigners married to a Turkish citizen

Although these situations continue, before this announcement,

For those who want to apply for a residence permit through immovable property, the property should be worth 75,000 USD, provided that the said immovable is located in one of the neighborhoods in Esenyurt district that is not closed to residence applications. However, with the new regulation, the district of Esenyurt, like the district of Fatih, has been completely closed to the purchase of immovable properties. The only exception to the purchase of real estate is the application for an investor residence permit of 400,000 USD.

Apart from this, those who will apply for a residence permit from the option “those who own immovable” are required to purchase immovables of 75,000 USD or more in metropolitan cities and 50,000 USD or more in other provinces. These immovables should not be included in the published closed neighborhood list.

As a result, with the new announcement, it seems that a wider restriction has been imposed on the purchase of residence by foreigners. In the event of a further increase in the number of foreigners, other decisions may be taken other than this decision. However, the restrictions imposed are aimed at first-time residence applications in the designated districts. For this reason, it is recommended that the foreigner make the first residence application in the unrestricted district where he wants to live, or make the residence application in the restricted districts if he meets the conditions.

You can consult Canaydın Law Firm for more detailed information about the districts closed to foreign residence through investment.