Unofficial English translation for information only. In case of discrepancy, the Turkish text prevails. This translation is not legal advice.
Turkish source: Law No. 6458, Official Gazette 11/04/2013, No. 28615. Turkish text as published on mevzuat.gov.tr, checked on 26 October 2026: mevzuat.gov.tr
PART FOUR – Foreigners and International Protection
Article 96 – Integration
(1) To facilitate the mutual integration of foreign nationals and applicants or persons holding international protection status into society in our country, and to help them acquire the knowledge and skills needed to act independently, without the assistance of third parties, in all areas of social life in our country, in the country where they are resettled, or in their country upon return, the Directorate General may plan integration activities, to the extent permitted by the country’s economic and financial resources, also drawing on the proposals and contributions of public institutions and organisations, local administrations, non-governmental organisations, universities and international organisations.
(2) Foreign nationals may attend courses providing basic information on the country’s political structure, language, legal system, culture and history, and on their rights and obligations.
(3) Introductory and informational activities on matters such as benefiting from public and private goods and services, access to education and economic activities, social and cultural communication, and receiving basic health services shall be expanded by the Directorate General through courses, distance education and similar systems, also in cooperation with public institutions and organisations and non-governmental organisations.
Article 97 – Obligation to comply with a summons
(1) Foreign nationals, applicants and persons holding international protection status;
a) where there is a need to investigate their entry into or stay in Türkiye,
b) where there is a possibility that a deportation decision may be issued against them,
c) for notification of procedures relating to the implementation of this Law,
may be summoned to the relevant governorate or the Directorate General for these reasons. If they fail to comply with the summons, or if there is serious suspicion that they will not comply, foreign nationals may be brought in by law enforcement officers without being summoned. This measure may not be applied as administrative detention, and the period for obtaining information may not exceed four hours.
Article 98 – Obligations of carriers
(1) Carriers are obliged to:
a) return to the country from which they came or to a country that will definitively admit them, foreign nationals whom they brought to border gates to enter or transit through the country, but whose entry into Türkiye or transit through Türkiye has been refused for any reason,
b) ensure the outward and return journeys of escorts where it is deemed necessary for a foreign national to be accompanied,
c) check the documents and permits of the persons they transport,
ç) (Added: 15/8/2017-KHK-694/170 art.; Adopted verbatim: 1/2/2018-7078/164 art.) take the necessary measures to prevent the transport of an inadmissible passenger,
d) (Added: 15/8/2017-KHK-694/170 art.; Adopted verbatim: 1/2/2018-7078/164 art.) cover the food, accommodation and emergency health expenses of inadmissible passengers until they are returned,
e) (Added: 15/8/2017-KHK-694/170 art.; Adopted verbatim: 1/2/2018-7078/164 art.) make the necessary notifications concerning inadmissible passengers.
(2) (Amended: 3/10/2016-KHK-676/37 art.; Adopted verbatim: 1/2/2018-7070/32 art.) The Directorate General may request from carriers bringing passengers to border gates, taking passengers from border gates, or transporting passengers within Türkiye, all passenger and crew information before, at the time of, and after their movements.
(3) The procedures and principles to be applied concerning the obligations set out in paragraphs one and two shall be determined by a regulation to be jointly issued by the Ministry and the Ministry of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communications.
Article 99 – Personal data
(1) Personal data concerning foreign nationals, applicants and persons holding international protection status shall be obtained, protected, stored and used by the Directorate General or governorates in accordance with the relevant legislation and international agreements to which Türkiye is a party.
Article 100 – Service
(1) Service under this Law shall be effected in accordance with the provisions of the Service Law No. 7201 dated 11/2/1959.
(2) The procedures and principles relating to the implementation of this Article shall be prescribed by regulation, taking into account the fact that the person concerned is a foreign national and any special circumstances they may have.
Article 101 – Competent administrative courts
(1) Where an application is made to the administrative judiciary concerning the implementation of this Law, and there is more than one administrative court in a place, the Council of Judges and Prosecutors shall determine in which administrative court these actions are to be heard.
Article 102 – Administrative fine
(1) Unless a more severe penalty is required under other laws;
a) a fine of two thousand Turkish Liras shall be imposed on foreign nationals who unlawfully enter Türkiye or unlawfully leave Türkiye, or attempt to do so, in violation of Article 5,
b) a fine of one thousand Turkish Liras shall be imposed on those who have entered Türkiye despite being prohibited from entering under paragraphs one and two of Article 9,
c) a fine of one thousand Turkish Liras shall be imposed on those who fail to leave Türkiye within the period granted under paragraph one of Article 56,
ç) a fine of one thousand Turkish Liras shall be imposed on those who abscond during procedures under Articles 57, 58, 60 and 68,
d) (Added: 15/8/2017-KHK-694/171 art.; Adopted verbatim: 1/2/2018-7078/165 art.) a fine of between one thousand and ten thousand Turkish Liras shall be imposed on carriers who fail to comply with the obligations set out in paragraphs one and two of Article 98, provided that the act does not constitute an offence,
e) (Added:6/12/2019-7196/88 art.) a fine of one thousand Turkish Liras shall be imposed on those who fail to comply with the obligations set out in subparagraphs (a), (b), (c), (ç), (d) and (f) of paragraph one of Article 57/A,
The fines listed above are administrative fines.
(2) (Added: 15/8/2017-KHK-694/171 art.; Adopted verbatim: 1/2/2018-7078/165 art.) An administrative fine of one thousand Turkish Liras shall be imposed for each foreign national identified, on persons who enable foreign nationals without a valid travel document, a foreigner identity card issued by the competent authorities of the Republic of Türkiye, a residence permit or a valid travel authorisation document to enter the country, to be taken out of the country, to travel within the country by any vehicle or riding animal or on foot, or to obtain shelter or accommodation, and on those who lease immovable property owned by them to such foreign nationals, in relation to acts not separately defined as offences by law.[27][28]
(3) Where misdemeanours carrying administrative fines are repeated by natural persons within one calendar year, the fines shall be increased by half.[29]
(4) The imposition of administrative fines under this Article shall not prevent the application of other administrative measures provided for in the Law.
(5) Administrative fines under this Article shall be imposed by the governorate, the Directorate General or law enforcement units. The fines imposed shall be paid within thirty days from the date of service.
(6) (Added: 15/8/2017-KHK-694/171 art.; Adopted verbatim: 1/2/2018-7078/165 art.) An administrative fine of between five hundred and ten thousand Turkish Liras may be imposed by the Directorate General or governorates on those who fail to comply with obligations specified in regulations brought into force by the Ministry under this Law.[30]