Applying for international protection in Türkiye

Türkiye applies the 1951 Refugee Convention with a geographical limitation. Refugee status goes to people fleeing persecution because of events in European countries. People fleeing persecution because of events outside Europe receive conditional refugee status and may stay until they are resettled in a third country. Subsidiary protection is granted to people who do not qualify as refugees but would face the death penalty, torture or inhuman treatment, or a serious threat from indiscriminate violence in armed conflict if returned.

Applications are made in person to the governorship. If a person asks for protection from the police at a border crossing or inside the country, the request is passed immediately to the governorship. Each person can apply for themselves and on behalf of family members who came with them for the same reasons. People who come forward within a reasonable time and explain valid reasons are not penalised for irregular entry or stay. At registration identity and travel documents are handed over, the reasons for leaving and the route are recorded, and the interview date is given.

A personal interview takes place within 30 days of registration; a lawyer may attend as an observer at the applicant's request, and children can be accompanied by a psychologist, social worker or parent. Decisions are taken within six months of registration, and applicants are informed if that is not possible. Some applications, for example where false documents were used or the claim was made only to delay removal, are examined in an accelerated procedure.

Applicants and their families can use primary and secondary education. Those without health insurance or means are covered by general health insurance for one year from registration, longer for people with special needs. Social assistance can be provided to those in need. Applicants and conditional refugees can apply for a work permit six months after lodging the claim; refugees and subsidiary protection holders may work from the grant of status, and their ID document replaces a work permit.

Most negative decisions can be challenged within ten days of notification before the International Protection Evaluation Commission. Decisions in the accelerated procedure and certain inadmissibility decisions go directly to the administrative court within 15 days; other administrative decisions can be taken to court within 30 days. Applicants who cannot pay a lawyer receive legal aid under the Attorneys Act, and they may use counselling offered by civil society organisations.