The information on this page was collected from public resources and does not constitute legal advice.
General information on border crossing?As a general rule, to enter Turkey, a valid passport or a valid passport equivalent document is required. Turkey does not require a visa from Ukrainian citizens to enter the country. Entrance with such documents allows a stay in Turkey for a maximum of 90 days within a 180-days period. As such, official passport holders are exempt from obtaining a visa for a stay of 90 days in each 180-days period. Provided that they arrive from Ukraine, Ukrainian citizens may enter Turkey without a visa with their valid biometric ID cards. Before leaving, as well as in case of your stay in the country, please enter information about yourself in the following form The Presidency of Migration Management (PMM) is the national institution responsible for procedures pertaining to foreigners present in Turkey. The national legal framework covers foreigners who reside in Turkey with a residence permit and those seeking asylum in Turkey. As a Ukrainian national or a national of a different country with refugee or permanent residence status in Ukraine, if you plan to seek asylum in Turkey or plan to apply for a residence permit, you should approach the nearest Provincial Directorate for Migration Management in person for registration as soon as possible following your arrival in Turkey. Registration is an important first step for foreigners in Turkey as it forms the legal basis for your stay in Turkey and allows you access to public services and assistance. During the registration with the Migration Management, please indicate if you or your family members have any urgent medical or specific needs. Detailed information Read more about the requirements for Ukrainians when entering Turkey here Chatbot to help Ukrainians around the world from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine The chatbot can simultaneously serve several users and provide advice on the most common questions, namely:
You can get help through the chatbot at the link In addition to the chatbot, citizens can also contact the call center at +38 (044) 224-57-20. |
What documents do I need to enter?You can enter Turkey with any of the following documents:
In order to prove family/marital status, birth certificates and a marriage certificate are required. The telephone number of the DPSU hotline ("Trust" Service) is 1598. You can use it for questions of a consultative nature within the competence of the State Border Service of Ukraine. For more information about the documents with which you can cross the border, and about the categories of citizens who are allowed to travel outside Ukraine, see here Read more about the requirements for Ukrainians when entering Turkey here |
What happens after a border crossing?After border crossing, if the duration of stay will exceed 90 days (within a 180-days period), one must apply for a residence permit, international protection or humanitarian residence permit within the period of legal stay. The applications are submitted to the governorships in Turkey. It is not possible to become a refugee (or a conditional refugee) for Ukrainian citizens. However, we believe that Ukrainian citizens may apply for subsidiary protection since, according to our view, they satisfy the required conditions for such protection. Individuals who apply to have a subsidiary protection are able to stay in Turkey for a year until their applications are concluded. If their applications are accepted, they are able to stay for 3 years until expiration or cancellation of the subsidiary protection. For Ukrainians who fled the war to Turkey, a large-scale support project was launched by the ASAM international organization. This project is the only centralized initiative to support Ukrainians in Turkey. As part of the project, Ukrainian refugees receive:
For all questions of assistance within the framework of the project, call 0312 212 60 12 (Mon-Fri from 9:00 to 17:30). To continue in Ukrainian, press 6. The SGDD-ASAM office in Antalya is available by phone: +90 (312) 212 60 12. You can contact UNHCR Tรผrkiye through our Counselling Line at 444 48 68 for more information on asylum procedures and/or to seek support for any medical or specific needs that require immediate support. Information and counselling are not yet available in Ukrainian, but English, Russian and Turkish are available. The Counselling Line runs Monday to Thursday from 09:00 until 17:00 and Friday from 09:00 until 16:00. You may also reach UNHCR via e-mail at turan@unhcr.org. You may also contact the Counselling Line (YIMER) of the Presidency of Migration Management (PMM) at 157, which runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week and does offer counselling in seven languages including Russian. |
How can I get from the border to the capital (a certain town)?You can reach the capital by car, train, bus or plane (depending on the departure and arrival points). While travel tickets may be purchased at the airport or the bus or train stations of the relevant city, examples of links to purchase tickets online are as follows:
The public transport system in Turkey is represented by trams, buses, metro and ferries. A travel ticket in Istanbul costs 602 lira (โฌ31) per month. For Ukrainians who fled the war to Turkey, a large-scale support project was launched by the ASAM international organization. As part of the project, Ukrainian refugees receive possibility of free transportation within the territory of Turkey. For all questions of assistance within the framework of the project, call 0312 212 60 12 (Mon-Fri from 9:00 to 17:30). To continue in Ukrainian, press 6. The SGDD-ASAM office in Antalya is available by phone: +90 (312) 212 60 12. |
How can I travel to another (specific) country?Turkey is not within the EU or the Schengen Area. Therefore, specific requirements apply for different countries. You can travel by airplane, bus, car or train to different countries. The largest airports in Turkey are located in the following cities: Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir and Antalya. There are no travel benefits for refugees from Ukraine. |
How long can I stay?Ukrainian citizens can stay up to 90 day without a visa. If you plan on staying in Turkey for longer than 90 days, you must apply to the branch of the State Migration Service of Turkey at the place where you are staying to obtain a short-term residence permit. This permit is valid for a maximum of 1 year. However, for Ukrainians, permits have been also issued for 2 years. This is the tourist visa. There are other permits you can get (e.g. the humanitarian residence permit/ the international protection status), however, it is not advised to apply for those as when you can get the tourist visa as the other options limit your rights in many ways, take a long time and give no special benefits to refugees. But it is important to know that you cannot work in Turkey if you have a tourist visa. Employment is only possible after obtaining a humanitarian residence work permit or if you have entered Turkey with a work visa. |
Where can an unaccompanied minor get help?The Presidency of Migration Management of the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Turkey is the main government authority responsible for coordination of all necessary procedures related to foreigners in Turkey, including children. Unaccompanied child can seek the aid of the Directorate General of Child Services of the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Services of the Republic of Turkey ("Directorate General of Child Services"), which will support and protect the unaccompanied child and refer them to the relevant authorities as necessary. The Directorate General of Child Services is the principal government authority tasked with the protection of children, therefore, it is best equipped to assist children in need. Considering that it can be hard for an unaccompanied child to reach these institutions on their own in a country where they presumably do not speak the official language, an unaccompanied child can seek the aid of law enforcement personnel to protect them and refer them to these institutions, as required by law. There are other non-governmental organizations that help refugees and unaccompanied children in many ways. You may refer to the next question for a list of the most prominent and reliable institutions. They have been providing aid in Turkey for a considerable time and hence possess the necessary experience to help an unaccompanied child during all necessary procedures. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR): The UNHCR is the United Nations agency dedicated to the protection and support of refugees. UNHCR Turkey is the localized agency providing support to all refugees in Turkey in multiple ways including protection, aid with registration process, access to education and social integration. You may contact UNHCR Turkey for further information and support.
United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF): UNICEF is an agency of the United Nations that is dedicated to providing humanitarian and developmental aid to children worldwide. The UNICEF Turkey National Committee has put in place several initiatives to support disadvantaged and vulnerable children, including Syrian child refugees. You may contact the UNICEF Turkey National Committee for further information and support.
You may contact the Directorate General of Child Services information and support. Telephone: +90 312 705 50 00 |
Are there any Covid-related requirements and if yes, what are they?The proof of vaccination or negative Covid test result in Turkey-bound international flights has been lifted effective as of 1 June 2022. Provided that the foreign country of arrival does not have rules to the contrary, the wearing of a mask during flights has also been lifted. There are no quarantine requirements in Turkey for Ukrainian citizens. |
Where do I register for temporary protection?Temporary protection applies to nationals that have been forced to leave their home country, are unable to return and arrive to Turkey as a mass influx in need of urgent and temporary protection. Temporary protection principles are an open border policy, no return policy and the meeting of basic needs. Temporary protection status is only granted to Syrian nationals who have crossed the Turkish border in masses. Turkey does not grant Ukrainians a temporary protection status. But You can request subtype of international protection - secondary protection. In fact, this is the so-called refugee status. This permit is issued for a renewable year and, most importantly, 6 months after applying for the status, you will be able to work without the need for additional work permits. Another nice bonus is that the registration of secondary protection is free. To obtain secondary protection, you can come to the local branch of the migration service without prior registration - there is a separate Ulusrarasi koruma counter, there are also English-speaking or Russian-speaking staff. Government authorities will conduct an interview with applicants within thirty days as of the date of the application. As a result of applications, applicants may be granted a refugee or secondary protection status. Applications will be finalized within 6 months at the latest. |
How to extend the status of temporary protection?Turkey does not grant Ukrainians a temporary protection status. But You can request subtype of international protection - secondary protection. In fact, this is the so-called refugee status. This permit is issued for a renewable year. |
What are my rights while I wait to get temporary protection?You are allowed to stay in Turkey until your international protection application is finalized. Both applicants and persons with international protection status who are unable to afford legal services will be provided with legal aid free of charge under Law No. 1136 and benefit from consultancy services provided by non-governmental organizations such as Refugee Rights Turkey Applicants may also benefit from primary and secondary education services. Applicants with no health insurance or financial solvency are subject to and rely on the provisions of Law No. 5510 on Social Security and General Health Insurance for one year as of the registration of their application for international protection. |
What documents will I receive once I get temporary protection?After the application process, you will be given an International Protection Applicant Identity Document free of charge. Such ID will show that you have applied for international protection in Turkey, the evaluation of your application is still ongoing and you will be able to stay in Turkey without obtaining a residence permit. With this you have access to certain rights and services in Turkey. If your application is approved, you will be given an International Protection Beneficiary Identity Document. |
May I temporarily return to Ukraine? What will happen to my protection status?If you have not applied for international protection in Turkey and have not received refugee status, you can return to Ukraine at any time. If you want to return to Ukraine, then most likely you will have to buy a train or bus ticket with your own money. |
Can I move around the country and the European Union freely while under temporary protection?Citizens of Ukraine can move around the country. For residence permit holders, in case of changing the residence address, the Immigration Authority must be informed. However, as stated in the respective law, additional precautions, such as administrative detention process, may be implemented upon international protection application, under certain circumstances listed in the law. Administrative detention period cannot exceed 30 days. Furthermore, the applicant may be required to reside at a specific address for a certain period of time and his/her movement freedom can be restricted in this way. Persons under international protection who wish to move to a city other than where they are registered need to submit such request to the relevant immigration authority, which is the relevant decision-making body in this regard. |
Can I apply for asylum while under temporary protection? What is the difference?Under Turkish Law you can either apply for a residence permit (see below) or an international protection status. International protection status encompasses a refugee status, conditional refugee status and subsidiary protection status. |
How and where can I apply for the residency?You can apply for 6 types of residence permits, if necessary conditions are met. These are:
Necessary conditions for each residence permit Residence permit applications are made to the relevant Turkish consulates or governorships within Turkey in exceptional cases (e.g. in case the departure of the foreigner from Turkey is unreasonable or impossible, humanitarian residence permit applications, long term residence permits applications etc.). Applicant are required to provide a passport or an equivalent document, with a validity period of at least sixty days or longer than the residence permit period requested. Applications can Documents required for residence permit application Following the first application on the e-residence website, a date and time will be assigned. You should be at the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management of the relevant governorship at the given date and time with your application documents. Note that work permits encompass residence permits as well. |
How long I need to wait to get the residency?The evaluation of complete applications are finalized within 90 days. |
What if I don't have the international passport?According to the Ukrainian State Border Guard Service (DPSU), the citizens of Ukraine who can leave Ukraine with an internal passport are currently only those evacuating from occupied territories or territories where hostilities are taking place, the list of which is approved in accordance with the Order of the Ministry on Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine of December 22, 2022 No. 309 If you have previously left Ukraine for Turkey on a civil passport, you definitely need to apply for a foreign passport. This can be done in the new DP division "Document". In Istanbul, two mobile-technical complexes - specially equipped white minibuses with the "Passport service" symbol on them - have been put into operation. Address: Londra Asfalti E-5 Karayolu Uzeri, Airport AVM, 34158 Bakirkoy/Istanbul Visitor service is provided from Monday to Saturday, inclusive, from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm by electronic and "live" queue. Payment for services in mobile complexes is made on the spot using online service (cash payment is not available). To do this, you need to have a smartphone and a bank card or its details. |
How to issue a foreign passport while abroad?The State Migration Service of Ukraine, together with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, opened a new division of DP "Dokument" in Turkey. In Istanbul, two mobile-technical complexes - specially equipped white minibuses with the "Passport service" symbol on them - have been put into operation. Address: Londra Asfalti E-5 Karayolu Uzeri, Airport AVM, 34158 Bakirkoy/Istanbul Here, Ukrainians can get the following services:
Visitor service is provided from Monday to Saturday, inclusive, from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm by electronic and "live" queue. Payment for services in mobile complexes is made on the spot using online service (cash payment is not available). To do this, you need to have a smartphone and a bank card or its details. Website & address In order to issue a foreign passport, you need to contact the Ukrainian Embassy A foreign passport is issued to a person who has reached the age of 16 on the basis of an application-questionnaire submitted by him personally. At the same time, the issuance of a foreign passport to a person who has been recognized by the court as having limited legal capacity or incapacity is carried out on the basis of an application-questionnaire of the guardian or other legal representative. The following are attached to the application:
In case of loss or theft of the previous passport, a document (report, certificate, etc.) issued by the competent authority of the state in which the passport was lost or stolen is attached to the application, confirming the fact of the owner's application regarding its loss or theft. Such a document is submitted without legalization and translation into Ukrainian. In the case of issuing a passport in connection with a change in personal data (surname and/or first name), a document confirming such a change (marriage certificate, divorce certificate, court decision, etc.) is attached to the application. When issuing a foreign passport with a new surname and/or first name, the "domestic" passport (ID card) must be reissued. In the event that the applicant has not previously been issued with an identity document, confirming Ukrainian citizenship and/or granting the right to leave Ukraine and enter Ukraine, a certificate of registration of the person as a citizen of Ukraine is provided (with the exception of cases when the person's parents at the time of his were citizens of Ukraine at birth). |
How can a Ukrainian refugee register a newborn in this country?You can register the birth of a child only at the consulate. There, the determination of his origin and the assignment of his surname, first name, and patronymic are carried out. The application for registration must be submitted immediately, but no later than one month after the birth of the child, and in the case of a stillborn child - no later than three days. The registration process takes place at the place of birth or at the place of residence of the child's parents or one of them (with a written application). At the same time, in case of illness, death of the parents or for other reasons it is impossible to register the birth - the application can be submitted by relatives or other persons authorized by the representative of the health care institution in which the child was born or is currently. What is required for registration?
Registration is free, and based on its results, parents are issued a birth certificate. How to return to the homeland with a child born in the Turkey? In order for Ukrainians to return home with a child born in the Turkey, they must have with them:
Is the status of a citizen of Ukraine preserved during the birth of a child in the Turkey? A newborn Ukrainian in the Turkey retains the status of a citizen of Ukraine. Data on citizenship and nationality in the act record of birth and certificate are not filled in, which is why a corresponding entry is made in the column "For marks". In addition, a person whose parents or one of his parents were citizens of Ukraine at the time of his birth is a citizen of Ukraine. The place of birth of the baby does not affect the possibility of him acquiring Ukrainian citizenship. |
Where to apply in case of death of a Ukrainian abroad? How to repatriate the deceased to their homeland?There are several steps involved in the process of body repatriation from abroad to Ukraine: 1. Notify the authorities. The first step of body repatriation from abroad to Ukraine is to contact the local authorities in Turkey, so you can register the death. Ukrainian embassy 2. Arrange the correct documents. Youโll need to have all the right paperwork before you can repatriate your loved one home from abroad to Ukraine. If you are repatriating a body to Ukraine for burial or cremation, the documents you will need include:
All the mentioned documents should be authenticated, legalized and translated into Ukrainian by the certified translator. The originals of abovementioned documents and notarized translations, must accompany the casket containing the deceased, or urn with ashes, to Ukraine. The passport of the deceased person should be sent to the Embassy of Ukraine along with a notarized and authenticated copy of the Certificate of Death, and a translation from Turkish to Ukrainian. The Embassy is to make correspondent procedures with the passport and can forward it back if it is required to accompany the casket containing the deceased, or urn with ashes, to Ukraine. The Embassy is to be informed of the date, time, and the place of delivery of the casket containing the deceased, or urn with ashes, to Ukraine. Only the next of kin relatives of the deceased, or persons correspondingly authorized by them, can receive the casket or urn. 3. Transport the deceased to Ukraine. The casket containing the body, or urn with ashes, must be sealed by the Funeral Home. There are no strict requirements with respect to the urn with ashes; however, the body should be transported in a metal casket, made of zinc-plated steel or tinplate not more than 0,4 thick. For the air cargo transportation, it is necessary to specify a cemetery in Ukraine as well as Ukrainian Funeral Home which will take care of the casket, or the urn with ashes, in Ukraine. Both are a subject of private choice by the relatives or friends of the deceased person. Source |
Where can I take a photo for my documents?There are sites that will help you take a passport photo, such as this one There are also many shops that offer such services. Look for printer shops and copy centers on Google Maps. Photography studios are in general well-informed about the criteria required by public authorities. Photography studios can easily be found throughout Turkish cities and offer services for reasonable prices. |
Where can I translate my documents?There are several Ukrainian speaking translators in Turkey. Translation offices may be found throughout cities, especially in bigger Turkish cities. Some translation offices also provide online translation services. Search for ยซBelgelerin รงevirisiยป on Google. For Ukrainians who fled the war to Turkey, a large-scale support project was launched by the ASAM international organization. As part of the project, Ukrainian refugees receive:
For all questions of assistance within the framework of the project, call 0312 212 60 12 (Mon-Fri from 9:00 to 17:30). To continue in Ukrainian, press 6. The SGDD-ASAM office in Antalya is available by phone: +90 (312) 212 60 12. |
How do I get Mobile phone/internet services?There are only three mobile internet providers in Turkey: Vodafone, Turkcell and Turk Telekom. They have stores in many different cities where you can buy a prepaid sim card. When entering Turkey via airplane, you can buy a SIM card directly at the airport. You should buy your SIM card in an offical shop, since they are trustworthy and activate your card for you. As a tourist or a non-resident you can only buy a visitor line sim card for tourists in Turkey. Meaning your sim card will be registered on your passport number and is valid for a maximum period of 2 months. After those 3 months the sim card will stop working and there is no way around this! So always bring your passport when buying a sim card in Turkey. In the store they will take a copy of your passport. If you do not have a passport, residency permit or international protection documentation may also be used in this regard. There are no free or concessionary SIM cards for refugees. |
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