Antalya Foreigners' Law Lawyer

What we do in this field:

Foreigners law regulates the entry, residence, work, and citizenship acquisition processes for non-Turkish citizens in Turkey. The fundamental legislation is the 6458 sayılı Yabancılar ve Uluslararası Koruma Kanunu (Foreigners and International Protection Law), the 5901 sayılı Türk Vatandaşlığı Kanunu (Turkish Citizenship Law) and the 6735 sayılı Uluslararası İşgücü Kanunu (International Labor Force Law).

In this field, administrative deadlines are short, and loss of rights can be severe: critical applications such as lawsuits for the cancellation of deportation decisions are subject to deadlines limited to a few days. Preparing the application file completely on the first attempt prevents delays that could last for months.

Ways to Apply for Citizenship

Turkish citizenship can be acquired through the general route (five years of uninterrupted residence and other conditions), the marriage route (at least three years of marriage and family unity condition), or the exceptional route (acquisition of real estate or investment of a certain amount). The application file requires meticulous attention to residence history, source of income, criminal record, and apostilled/sworn translations of documents. For real estate-based applications, formal requirements such as a valuation report and payment of the sales price from a bank must be individually met.

Deportation Decision and Administrative Detention

Against deportation decisions issued due to visa/residence violations, lack of a work permit, or public order reasons, a cancellation lawsuit can be filed in the administrative court within seven days from the notification of the decision; as a rule, the person is not deported until the lawsuit is concluded. For administrative detention (holding in a repatriation center) decisions, an appeal can be made to the criminal judgeship of peace. In these processes, losing even a single day can result in the loss of the right itself — legal support should be sought immediately upon receiving notification.

Foreign Clients in Antalya

Antalya is one of the provinces where foreigners law is most actively applied, owing to its resident foreign population, real estate investments, and tourism employment. Our office manages the entire process end-to-end, from preparing residence and work permit files to Immigration Administration appointments, and from title deed transactions to the recognition and enforcement of foreign court judgments; based in Fabrikalar, we also provide services for foreign clients in Kepez and the neighbouring districts. Consultations can be conducted in English if needed; for residence permit types, you can refer to our guide article.

Frequently Asked Questions

I came as a tourist; can I continue to stay in Turkey?

You can apply for a short-term residence permit via e-residence before your visa expires; once the application is made, you acquire the right of legal stay until the appointment date.

I bought a house; can I apply for citizenship?

Acquisition of real estate above the determined minimum amount and in compliance with formal requirements allows for an exceptional citizenship application; a three-year non-sale annotation must be placed on the title deed.

I divorced abroad; is it valid in Turkey?

For a foreign divorce decree to take effect in Turkey, a recognition and enforcement lawsuit (or administrative registration via the population directorate if conditions are met) is required; otherwise, you will continue to appear as married in Turkish records.