Humanitarian Residence Permit

In Which Cases Can a Humanitarian Residence Permit Be Issued?

A humanitarian residence permit may be considered in cases where the best interests of a child require remaining in Türkiye.

A humanitarian residence permit may be considered where, despite a deportation or entry ban decision against the foreign national, their departure from Türkiye cannot be enforced, or where leaving Türkiye is not considered reasonable or possible.

• Existing deportation decision
• Entry ban and restriction records
• Travel document status
• Possibility of returning to the country of citizenship
• Health and family conditions

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A humanitarian residence permit may also come into question for foreign nationals against whom no deportation decision is taken within the scope of Article 55 of Law No. 6458.

While administrative or judicial proceedings relating to certain international protection and deportation procedures specified in the Law are ongoing, an assessment for a humanitarian residence permit may come into question.

The connection of the humanitarian residence request with the ongoing administrative or judicial proceedings is examined according to the specifics of the file.

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While procedures relating to sending the applicant to the country of first asylum or to a safe third country are ongoing, the issuance of a humanitarian residence permit may be considered.

A humanitarian residence permit may come into question where, for urgent reasons or for the protection of the country's interests, public order or public security, it is necessary to allow the foreign national to enter or remain in Türkiye, but the person is unable to obtain any of the other residence permits.

A humanitarian residence permit may also be issued in extraordinary circumstances provided for in the legislation. This assessment is made according to the specific conditions of each file.

Why Is a Humanitarian Residence Permit Different from Other Types of Residence?

A humanitarian residence permit is not an easy application route as an alternative to a tourist or real estate-based residence permit.

For a humanitarian residence permit, the classical conditions required for issuing other types of residence are not required in the same way; in return, however, the humanitarian or exceptional situation provided for in the Law must genuinely exist.

What Do We Review for a Humanitarian Residence Permit?

For How Long Is a Humanitarian Residence Permit Granted?

No fixed period applicable to all applications has been provided for a humanitarian residence permit. The permit may be issued and extended by governorships, with the approval of the General Directorate and limited to the periods determined by the Ministry.

For this reason, the duration of the permit depends on the nature of the file and the administrative assessment; no definite period or guarantee of result can be given.

Are the Other Residence Conditions Required for a Humanitarian Residence Permit?

No, the conditions required for other residence permits do not apply in the same way.

However, this does not mean that a humanitarian residence permit will be granted automatically. The application must be based on one of the exceptional situations specified in the Law, and the existing conditions must be assessed by the administration.

Address Registration After a Humanitarian Residence Permit

Foreign nationals who receive a humanitarian residence permit must register in the address registration system within 20 business days at the latest from the date the permit is issued.

Can You Switch from Humanitarian Residence to Another Type of Residence?

Yes. A foreign national holding a humanitarian residence permit may apply for one of the other types of residence permit, except for the long-term residence permit, if they meet the necessary conditions during the permit period.

For example, if the person acquires a family, education or other legal status, the type of residence suited to their current situation may be assessed separately.

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Does the Time Spent on Humanitarian Residence Count Toward Long-Term Residence?

No.

Periods spent on a humanitarian residence permit are not included in the calculation of the eight-year period required for a long-term residence permit.

Can a Humanitarian Residence Permit Be Cancelled?

Yes. If the conditions that made the issuance of the permit necessary cease to exist, the humanitarian residence permit may be cancelled or may not be extended, within the framework of the relevant administrative procedure.

For this reason, a humanitarian residence permit should not be regarded as a permanent status independent of the conditions that gave rise to its issuance.

How the Process Works

Is There a Deportation or Entry Ban Decision Against You?

If the need for humanitarian residence is connected to a deportation, entry ban, restriction code or another administrative decision, the legal consequences of these procedures must be examined separately.

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Do You Have an Ongoing Humanitarian Residence File?

By reviewing the current stage of a previously submitted humanitarian residence application, the grounds presented and the additional documents requested by the administration, the necessary follow-up procedures can be determined.