Update : 03.09.2015 Overstaying in Turkey might occur in three possible ways; A foreign national, might overstay a visa; or might breach the 90 in 180 days rule during his/her stay in Turkey, or might continue to stay in Turkey without renewing his/her residence permit after its expiry period.
| 90 in any 180 Days Rule In compliance with the Decision of the Council of Ministers dated 10.10.2011, No: 2011/2306, starting from 01 February 2012, total duration of stay of foreigners who visit Turkey as tourists cannot exceed 90 days in any 180 days period. Foreigners, who are intending to stay in Turkey longer than mentioned period (90 days in 180 days period), are required to apply for residence permit. |
An overstayer, in all mentioned circumstances, will be subject to administrative fine and as well as might be barred to re-enter Turkey lawfully for a fixed term.
ADMINISTRATIVE FINES
In case of overstaying tourist visa (or breaching 90/180 days rule) or exceeding validity period of residence permit, foreigners will be subject to administrative fines. According to Law on Duties no: 492 section 6, failing to apply for residence permit or failing to renew the existing one, does not prevent collection of the fees for overstayed period. Administrative fine may vary according to the nationality of the foreigner. This fee is calculated on the basis of double amount of existing permit fee charges. In addition to the permit fees, if applicable, administrative fine may include residence permit card fee and single entry visa fee. (For details permit fees page.)
| LIST A | LIST B | LIST C | LIST D | LIST E | ||
| 2015 RESIDENCE PERMIT FEES | OTHER COUNTRIES | AlbaniaPhilippinesIsraelJapanCambodiaMacedoniaMaliOmanTajikistan | BelgiumBelarusAlgeriaSpainKuwaitJordanLuxemb.MaltaSingaporeTaiwan | EthiopiaSouth KoreaHong KongMicronesiaRussia | MoroccoIvory CoastIraqMontenegroEgyptTunisia | SerbiaFijiNorwayChileK. Marino |
| DAILY FEES | 1 $ | 0.5 $ | 0.4 $ | 0.3 $ | 0.2 $ | 13,30 TL |
| MINIMUM MAXIMUM | 10-25 $ | 5-14 $ | 4-9 $ | 3-7 $ | 2-5 $ | 24,80-126,70 TL |
| FIRST MONTH | 25 $ | 14 $ | 9 $ | 7 $ | 5 $ | 126,70 TL |
| REMAINING MONTHS | 5 $ | 3.5 $ | 2.5 $ | 1.5 $ | 0.5 $ | 84,20TL |
RE – ENTRY BAN FOR OVERSTAYING IN TURKEY
An entry ban is imposed to the foreign nationals who are staying in Turkey illegally when they don’t have valid visa or a valid residence permit.
In case of an overstay of less than 10 days, no entry ban will be imposed. Moreover “entry ban order will not be issued against the foreigners who exceed the duration of visa, visa exemption or residence permit for more than ten days and arrive at the border gates to exit before a removal decision is taken against them. However, the foreigners who violate the mentioned durations of visa, visa exemption, work permit or residence permit will pay a fine.” (For more information you may consult to the Ministry of Interior Directorate General of Migraion Management –Frequently Asked Questions about Foreigners.)
The Length of ban is approximately corresponds to the length of overstayed period. Notification about the entry ban period and the administrative fine is issued at the border gates. In case of failing to pay imposed administrative fine, a foreign national might be barred to enter Turkey for five years period.
Maximum duration of an entry ban to Turkey is five years. “The entry ban to Turkey for foreigners whose visa or residence permit has expired and who has applied to the governorates to exit from Turkey before their situation is established by the competent authorities upon which a removal decision has been taken, shall not exceed one year.” (Art.9/4 Law no 6458 on Foreigners and International Protection)
Entry ban might be lifted in case the overstayed person applies to the Turkish missions abroad for the relevant type of visa. Applications are forwarded to the Turkish Ministry of Interior for approval and the visa can be issued upon the affirmative instructions of the Ministry.
RELATED LEGISLATION
- For Entry Ban, you may consult to Articles 9 and 10, for new deportation rules you may consult to the second part (section 4) of the Law no.6458.
- For the interpretation of the Law no.6458,you may consult to the official page of Directorate General of the Migration Management. Frequently Asked Questions about Foreigner
Hi.
I have a complicated question for you guys and would appreciate any advice.
I overstayed my visa free period (90/180) by about 18 days this month as it turned out. I am married to a Turkish woman and my parents are both of Turkish origin, but we live in Australia, I travel on an EU passport that does not require a visa, and I do not have Turkish citizenship. We have been using Turkey as a base in between employment projects in Germany and Switzerland over the past 6 months.
When I departed Turkey for a short trip last week I paid a fine of 615TL for the 18 day overstay. I returned to Istanbul today and was made to sign a document pledging that I would apply for a residents permit within 10 days. I then went to the office on Vatan Caddesi in Istanbul and was then told that I would not be able to leave Turkey before my residents visa application appointment in October.
Unfortunately I have cruicial work commitments to attend in Europe next week for three days, and then my wife and I have to return to Australia at the end of September for her residency application.
I have been informed that I am obliged to remain in Turkey until my appointment date. Should I leave Turkey, even for one day, I would not be permitted to return for at least six months.
I enquired about applying for citizenship by descent, which is not difficult in itself but I was informed that I require apostilled paperwork from Australia, which I would have to leave Turkey to get hold of. Notwithstanding the military service obligation which still applies to me despite me having done military service in Australia, as Turkey does not recognise non-compulsory service….
It just keeps getting better…
I would be all fine with an entry ban for the next six months, except for the fact that my return ticket to Australia departs from Istanbul later this month. I have looked into flying into Istanbul from Germany and transiting in Istanbul Ataturk for 12 hours before taking my Australia bound flight, but this leaves a question of whether I would be allowed to check my bags in (as they might not be automatically transferred from the flight for which a separate ticket was issued. No one can answer the question as to whether the bags can be transferred at the transfer desk, or whether immigration staff will allow me to collect them and check them straight in for the next flight before returning to the transit area.
Do you know of any loophole that might not be widely known that could help address these issues, or any transit visa category I might be able to apply for just to make my flight after coming back from Germany. I really cannot drop this commitment, as easy as some might think it should be to do…
Thanks.
Sunny Jim.
Dear Mr Jim,
I would like to first clarfiy the point that you should apply for Residency Permit within the 10 days allowed to you. In the case that you cannot apply for the Residency Permit during this time you will have to exit the Turkish territory before the end of this time. Also if you apply for a Residency Permit you will have to stay in turkey untill the appointment.
In both case if you exit the Turkish territory you will get a ban of 6 month or more.
Concerning the second part, you will not be allowed to enter the Turkish “soil”, however you will be allowed to pass as “transit” in the airport. You should not have any problem concerning this.
Concerning loophole, the only thing you can do, is to apply for a Work Permit from abroad. With this work Permit you will be allowed to stay in turkey during the Validity of your Work Permit. For further information about the Work Permit please check our webpage concerning Work Permit in Turkey : https://www.expatguideturkey.com/work-permit/
Best Regards,
ExpatGuideTurkey Team
hello, sir am a Ugandan currently staying in Turkey. if my visa is expired, is there any chance to get a residence permit or a Kimlik? I had a two weeks visa but I have overstayed its no one and a half year, I want to go then come back. I would request for your service
Dear Sir/Madam,
Unfortunately if your Visa has expired you will be required to get a new Visa in order to apply for a Residency Permit.
You will have to pay a penalty Fee at your exit of Country. You will be allowed to re-enter Turkey as long as you pay the penalty.
Best Regards,
ExpatGuideTurkey Team
I have a question. I have a Swedish passport which allowes me to stay in Turkey 90 days in a 180 days period. I just came back to Sweden after overstaying 2 days extra than i was allowed to in Turkey. 92 days in a 180 days period. When i was in the aiport in Turkey before i got on the plane to Sweden i went to some police office and paid a fine. They didnt mention at all how long i had to wait before i could enter turkey again. I tried to ask but they were not speak good english. Anyway, i want to enter Turkey again, very soon. I also plan to apply for ikamet as soon as possible. I have understand i have to be in Turkey to finish the process with Ikamet.
I read and heard somewhere that i am allowed to go back to Turkey again now, any day, but they will stop me in passport control where i have to sign some paper saying that i have 10 days in Turkey where i have to fix Ikamet in those 10 days. Is that correct?
Or must i wait 3 months or must i wait until i get more days in September?
Best regards,
Mikaela
Dear Mrs Mikaela,
According to the 180/90 days rule you will have to wait for 3 months untill being allowed to re-enter the Turkish Territory. At your next entry of territory you will have 10 days to apply for a Residency Permit since you overstayed once.
Best Regards,
ExpatGuideTurkey Team
Hello,
My situation is very similar to the previous poster – Mikaela. I spent 76 days in Turkey before returning to the UK. I called the visa helpline in Ankara when I got back to ask about the tourist visa situation. I was given wrong information on this line – they said just to get another tourist visa. I returned to Turkey and when leaving the second time I was told I had overstayed. The second visit was 15 days – a total of 91 days. Clearly an error and not intentional. I left last time on 27 August and would like to return again in about a week from now. The Turkish government website states, entry “may” be allowed if I pledge to apply for residency with 10 days (full quote and link below).
Would it be wise to make have the residency appointment already made before arrival to show at immigration and are there any other particular supporting documents I should take to make the passport control smoother?
It seems there is no clear answer to whether or not I will be allowed to enter Turkey as even the government website says I “may” be…
Thanks for any advice you can offer
Alex
“Is it possible to give temporary flexibility about the rule of “ninety days within a hundred and eighty days” as the residence permit applications cannot be completely received by the consulates yet?
Foreigners arriving at our border gates after completing the stay duration of 90 days within 180 days in Turkey may be allowed to enter into the country if there is not any other obstacle to the entry and if they pledge to apply to the Foreigners Department in the province where they will stay within ten (10) days to obtain a residence permit as of the date of entry. In this respect, the entry procedures will be initiated within the scope of the general provisions for the foreigners who accept the conditions stated in the standard form handed to them.”
http://www.goc.gov.tr/icerik3/frequently-asked-questions-about-foreigners_1139_1170_1432
Dear Sir/Madam,
Very often Foreign Citizens Overstaying for the first time in Turkey are allowed to go out of the Country and re-enter with the condition to pay the penalty at their exit of territory.
At the second entry the Foreign Citizens has to sign a document stating they should apply for a Residency Permit if they wish to stay more than 10 days in Turkey. If the foreign citizens overstay a second time they will get an entry ban for a period of 6 month to 5 year.
Most of the time Foreign citizens are allowed a second entrance. They will not be allowed only if they have a criminal record or any other legal problem.
You should not worry about not being able to re-enter it will mostly not happen.
If you wish to get further information about our fees and services please feel free to contact us.
Best Regards,
ExpatGuideTurkey Team
Hello
I had a travel ban and i had to go to ask for a visa in my country, I want to the consulate and they look like they have no idea about anything, they are extremly rude and the hanged up the phone when I am explaining my case. They sent my documents bcs i asked for a stage visa and they told me that they rejected it fro Turkey. When I asked them what was the name of the organism that rejected, she said she had no idea…I was so surprised I asked, the person who told you that the visa was rejected is from where? police? ministry? and she said she cant give this info because she does not know. At this point I do not know if they actually send my request. I do not speak turkish and I am desperate and extremely worried I need to contact someone in Turkey because I cant trust anymore the people at the embassy. Could you tell me what should I do? She did not give me any explanation why my visa got rejected I have allmy stuff in Turkey my clothe,computer and everything, my boss is waiting for me and none can help me, Do you know what kind I do? Who should I contact? the name od the organism in turkish so I can call and ask myself? please, or can you provide me with a number? It is extremely frustrating bcs I dont speak turkish and they say one thing but in the airport they told me another thing.
Thank you and I really look forward ur answer
Dear Sir/Madam,
Since we don’t know the reason of your ban we cannot answer your question precisely. If you wish to get further information about your application you should call the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Due to company policy we cannot provide you the number.
You should note that depending on the kind of application your case can be transfered to other Ministries (Ex: Ministry of Internal Affairs). Depending on this you will have to contact them to get a more detailled inofmration about your case. Bans can only be lifted by the Consulate of your home country. Other Consulate cannot lift your entry ban.
Also if your ban is the result of an overstay we can advise your employer to contact us in order to make a Work Permit application. With the Work Permit you will be allowed to re-enter Turkey without any problem.
ExpatGuideTurkey Team
hello I’m an Iranian tourist who came to turkey 4years ago and i overstayed for 9 days in turkey..when I was leaving i was with my mother whom i figured out had cancer and that was the reason of my overstaying in turkey..on the way back to iran they told me to pay the fine at turkish embassey in tehran considering my mothers situation so i came back not paying the fine and when i went to the embassey they told me that the fee must be paid at the border .. here I am now wanting to enter turkey again and I checked my passport the otherday at the border and they told me I should get back when my 5years ban is over… my Question is , how can i lift this entery-ban or how can i pay this fine ? I mean I had a bad situation back then and all my moms medical report are available who died a year ago fighting cancer….can you please help me out?
Dear Mr Omid,
Unfortunately you can only check your ban status through your local consulate or at the Borders. If you wish to lift the ban you must go to your local Turkish Embassy and check with them about the different procedures possible for the lift. We strongly advise you to go to your local Turkish Embassy and explain and regulate your situation with them.
Best Regards,
ExpatGuideTurkey Team
Sir,
I submitted my documents for renewal of my Iqama and it’s been 2 weeks that i am waiting for it. How much time takes to renewal of Iqama approval?
Please give your suitable advise on my question.
Thanks,
Abdul
Dear Mr Abdul,
The answer for your reneweal application can take up to 3 month.
Best Regards,
ExpatGuideTurkey Team
Hello,
I was a student and I took Ikamet for the first year and the other 2 years they didnt want to give me Ikamet for no reason, they asked me to leave and come back again, I left and i came back again and I took E-visa because I am Student and I still have 2 more years to finish. I have overstayed for 1 year from the day I departed from Turkey, They banned me for 2 years. Now I got accepted in another Turkish University and in a few days I am going to the Turkish consulate to get An MESRUHATLI VIZE, will they give it to me?
I’m going back for the purpose of education, I own home and Resturant, I have no criminal record or problems in Turkey.
I have read on the official website of the Turkish government and it says they should give MESRUHATLI VIZE for the purpose of (EDUCATION- Marriage-work)
Will they give a visa ?
Dear Mrs Zeina,
IF you are a student in Turkey and you can prove it you should be able to apply for a stundent residency permit. To lift a ban you should check with your local Consulate. The procedures done by the consulate cannot be checked by any other organisation or person other than the applicant and the Turkish Government. We cannot give any information related to procedures made by consulates.
However Consulate has the authority to lift bans put on Foreign Citizens. For further information you should contact your local Consulate.
Best Regards,
ExpatGuideTurkey Team
Dear Sir,
Thank you for your reply.
Should I apply for mesruhatli Student visa or normal Student Visa?
while filling in the application to get an appointment in the Turkish consulate I filled in everything, when I got refused when I entered and exit Turkey and the reasons etc.
I have an acceptance from a Turkish University in Istanbul, so what kind of papers should I apply other than my acceptance letter?
Kind Regards.
Dear Mrs Zeina,
We advise you to apply for a normal student Visa since you already got a letter of acceptance from a Turkish University. As told Previously, in order to get further about the Consulate requirements you should contact them. Documents required can differ from country to country.
Best Regards,
ExpatGuideTurkey Team
Hello,
I have a friend from Colombia had an appointment for residence permit in Turkey ..
she couldn’t complete her application because the residence fee was 200 lira higher than she had, so the interviewer told her you can come back after the holiday (Bayram) to complete your application … she asked him , if she can go to Georgia for one week and come back
Would be any problem?… he said no, you can just show them your residence application, and he didn’t mention even about that she has to pay a fine of overstaying at the airport ..
She went to the airport and they asked for 650 fine of overstaying… she didn’t expect that and showed them the residence application and she hasn’t had enough money to pay the fine, and asked if she can leave and come back after one week ,they say yes you can don’t worry you can pass ..
After all she came back to Turkish airport they cancelled her Internship Visa visa and banned for 5 years to enter Turkey..
She came back to Georgia and went to Turkish consultant they couldn’t help her
Now she will go back to the Turkish Embassy in Colombia ..
Is it possible to lift the ban from there?
Thank you in advance..
Dear Mr Ali,
The ban can be lift by the Turkish Consulate in Columbia. The problem your friend encountered is mostly due to misunderstanding. Foreign applicant does not have the right to exit the Turkish territory untill the Residency Permit application is finished.
We strongly advise you to check again with the consulate in order to get further information.
Best Regards,
ExpatGuideTurkey Team
Hello
am so happy that i found this website and am aking for help,i have been in turkey for 1year 9 months and i dont have permit
and the kind of visa that i turkey was transit,and i was go back to my country and did not have complete money to pay my flight so some one to come to istanbul he will help me pay the flight/when i arrival he said he does not have money and heard to remain in turkey and now i have made 1 yr 9 months.and i dont want to have ban in my passport cause i want to have access to re enter turkey so i wanted to know if there is any thing i can do so,i cant get ban in my passport
and also get stay cause i intend to remain in turkey
Dear Sir/Madam,
I order to be able to re-enter Turkey you will have to pay a penalty at your exit of country. The penalty will be directly calculated at your exit of Country.
Unfortunately there is no other solution for you.
You should note that the penalty is calculated upon many factors such as your nationality and overstay time.
Best Regards,
ExpatGuideTurkey Team
Hello,
first of all, thank you very much for this useful and informative webpage.
I have obtained a 30 day visa for Turkey and am planning on overstaying 15 days.
How much will I approx. have to pay at the airport and do I have to worry about an entry ban etc.?
Thank you in advance!
Dear Sir/Madam,
We cannot tell the exact amount of the penalty however it should not be more than a couple of hundreds of Turkish Lira.
Best Regards,
ExpatGuideTurkey Team
hello dear , i would like to ask you what kind of ban or penalty i might get as i am overstay around 22 month , i had a residence tourist visa and i couldnt renew it so i had all this period as overstay , am lost with many opinions i got as am already worry if i can travel or not! my question is how much it could be as a fine , and if i cannot pay the fine at airport can i travel or not ? am worry to be arrested at airport or something like this.
thanks in advance
Dear Mr Mike,
If you have overstayed for 22 months in Turkey you might get a fine of more than a thousand of Turkish Lira. We cannot tell the exact ammount since it directly calculated at the customs.
You will have to pay the fine at your exit of territory, otherwise you will note be able to get a new Visa in order to re-enter Turkey. Please note that customs only accept only in Cash and no debit Card.
In the case you do not pay your penalty you might get an entry ban from 3 month up to 5 years. You do not have to worry you will not be put in Jail or arrested.
Best Regards,
ExpatGuideTurkey Team,
I’m Swedish and overstayed 2 1/2 years before I left in December 2013. I had been to Turkey many times before that, and always kept to the 90 day rule (I don’t need a visa to enter) I paid 1363 TL at the airport for my 2.5 year overstay, and was given a 3 month ‘ban’ – same as if I had left after 90 days. Much cheaper and easier than applying for a residence permit, with health insurance and God knows what else!!
Sorry – that should be December 2015!