New Immigration Policy in Türkiye: Stricter Conditional Entry Regulations Effective February 2025

The Istanbul Airport Directorate of Migration Management has introduced a significant change in immigration policy, effective February 1, 2025. Under this directive, foreign nationals who violate their visa conditions cannot enter Türkiye unless they sign a Conditional Entry Declaration.

Reports suggest that authorities have already started enforcing this policy. However, it remains unclear whether this change is a temporary tightening of border controls or a long-term shift in Türkiye’s immigration framework.

Understanding Conditional Entry and Its Risks

Foreign nationals who sign a Conditional Entry Declaration must apply for a residence permit within 10 days of arrival. Failing to comply violates immigration laws and leads to severe consequences, such as:

• Administrative fines
• Deportation
• Long-term entry bans

Additionally, authorities will not grant conditional entry to individuals who have used it before. Repeated violations can result in entry bans lasting five years or longer. Foreign nationals with significant visa overstays who leave Türkiye without paying their fines often face immediate entry bans, making them ineligible for conditional entry in the future.

Who Cannot Receive Conditional Entry?

Certain individuals are completely barred from conditional entry, including:

• Foreign nationals with an existing entry ban
• Persons previously deported from Türkiye
• Individuals considered threats to public order or national security
• Those who provide fraudulent documentation or misleading statements

What Is Conditional Entry?

Conditional entry is a legal provision that allows foreign nationals who have overstayed their visa period to reenter Türkiye under specific conditions. Upon arrival, these individuals may need to sign a Conditional Entry Declaration, which requires them to apply for a residence permit within 10 days at the local Directorate of Migration Management.

Conditional Entry Process and Requirements

Foreigners traveling to Türkiye under a visa exemption or a short-term tourist visa can stay for up to 90 days within a rolling 180-day period. If they exceed this limit and later attempt to reenter Türkiye, border control officers may flag them.

Upon detection, immigration officers may require travelers to sign a Conditional Entry Declaration. This document permits entry only if they apply for a residence permit within 10 days. Those who fail to meet this requirement automatically fall into illegal status and must leave Türkiye immediately.

To remain legally, individuals must submit a valid residence permit application. If approved, they can stay in Türkiye. However, those who fail to apply or whose applications are denied face deportation and potential entry bans.

Abuse of Conditional Entry and Policy Tightening

Reports indicate that some foreigners have exploited the conditional entry mechanism to extend their stay in Türkiye beyond legal limits. They applied for a residence permit not to obtain it but to delay deportation by taking advantage of bureaucratic processing times.

Since a pending residence permit application prevents immediate deportation, some applicants knowingly submitted incomplete or ineligible applications. They further delayed the process by missing document deadlines, filing appeals, or requesting additional processing time.

This loophole allowed individuals to remain in Türkiye without a valid visa or residence permit, effectively bypassing immigration laws. The government’s stricter enforcement or possible elimination of conditional entry aims to stop these systematic abuses.

Final Thoughts: What Foreigners Should Know

Conditional entry has historically helped foreign nationals rectify visa infractions without facing immediate expulsion. However, with tighter enforcement, travelers must now be more cautious about their legal status in Türkiye.

Authorities likely increased immigration controls due to the misuse of conditional entry as a way to extend unauthorized stays. Given the evolving regulations, individuals planning extended stays in Türkiye should stay informed, comply with residency requirements, and seek legal guidance if needed to avoid severe penalties.

Those uncertain about their immigration status should consult an immigration lawyer or contact the Directorate of Migration Management for guidance.