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 THREE – International Protection
CHAPTER TWO – General Procedures
Article 73 – Persons arriving from a first country of asylum
(1) If it is established that the applicant has come from a country where they were previously recognised as a refugee and can still benefit from that protection, or where they can still benefit from adequate and effective protection, including the principle of non-refoulement, the application shall be considered inadmissible and proceedings shall be initiated for their transfer to the first country of asylum. However, they shall be permitted to remain in the country until the transfer takes place. The person concerned shall be notified of this. If the person concerned is not accepted by the country designated as the first country of asylum, the proceedings concerning the application shall continue.
Article 74 – Persons arriving from a safe third country
(1) If it is established that the applicant has come from a safe third country in which they have made, or have the opportunity to make, an application for international protection that may result in protection in accordance with the Convention, the application shall be considered inadmissible and proceedings shall be initiated for their transfer to the safe third country. However, they shall be permitted to remain in the country until the transfer takes place. The person concerned shall be notified of this. If the person concerned is not accepted by the country designated as a safe third country, the proceedings concerning the application shall continue.
(2) Countries meeting the following conditions shall be considered safe third countries:
a) the life or liberty of persons is not threatened on account of their race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion
b) the principle of not returning persons to countries where they would be subjected to torture or inhuman or degrading punishment or treatment is applied
c) the person has the opportunity to claim refugee status and, if recognised as a refugee, to obtain protection in accordance with the Convention
ç) the person is not at risk of serious harm
(3) Whether a country is a safe third country for the applicant shall be assessed individually for each applicant, including the connections between that person and the country that would make it reasonable to send the applicant to the relevant third country.
Article 75 – Interview
(1) For the purpose of making an effective and fair decision, an individual interview shall be conducted with the applicant within thirty days from the date of registration. Taking the confidentiality of the interview into account, the person shall be given the opportunity to express themselves in the best possible way. However, where it is considered necessary for family members to be present, the interview may be conducted together with family members with the person’s consent. At the applicant’s request, their lawyer may attend the interview as an observer.
(2) The applicant is obliged to cooperate with the authorities and submit all information and documents supporting their application for international protection.
(3) In interviews with persons with special needs, their particular circumstances shall be taken into consideration. A psychologist, child development specialist or social worker, or the child’s parent or legal representative, may be present at the child’s interview.
(4) If the interview cannot be conducted, a new interview date shall be set and notified to the person concerned. There shall be at least ten days between interview dates.
(5) Additional interviews may be conducted with the applicant where considered necessary.
(6) Interviews may be audio or video recorded. In that case, the interviewee shall be informed. A record shall be drawn up at the end of each interview, and a copy shall be given to the interviewee.
Article 76 – International Protection Applicant Identity Document
(1) An International Protection Applicant Identity Document indicating that they have applied for international protection and containing their foreign national identification number shall be issued to the applicant whose registration procedures have been completed and, if any, to family members who arrived with them. (Amended sentence:6/12/2019-7196/83 art.) The procedures and principles regarding the validity period of the identity document and its extension shall be regulated by the Ministry.[22][23]
(2) (Repealed:6/12/2019-7196/83 art.)
(3) The form and content of the identity document shall be determined by the Directorate General.
(4) The identity document shall not be subject to any fee and shall replace a residence permit.
Article 77 – Withdrawal or deemed withdrawal of the application
(1) In the event that the applicant:
a) declares in writing that they withdraw their application,
b) fails to attend the interview three consecutive times without an excuse,
c) absconds from the place where they are held in administrative detention,
ç) without an excuse, fails to fulfil the notification obligation three consecutive times, fails to go to the designated place of residence or leaves their place of residence without authorisation,
d) objects to the collection of their personal data,
e) fails to comply with their obligations during registration and the interview,
their application shall be deemed withdrawn and the assessment shall be discontinued.
Article 78 – Decision
(1) (Amended:6/12/2019-7196/84 art.) Applications for international protection shall be finalised by the Directorate General within six months at the latest from the date of registration. If a decision cannot be made within this period, the applicant shall be informed. The Directorate General may delegate these powers to the governorships.
(2) Decisions shall be made individually. Without prejudice to the sixth paragraph of Article 64, an application made on behalf of a family shall be assessed as a whole, and the decision made shall cover all family members.
(3) When deciding on the application, the prevailing general conditions in the country of origin or previous residence and the applicant’s personal circumstances shall be taken into consideration.
(4) If protection against a threat of persecution or serious harm can be provided to the applicant in a specific part of the country of their nationality or previous residence, and the applicant is able to travel safely to and settle in that part of the country, it may be decided that the applicant is not in need of international protection.
(5) The circumstances in the fourth paragraph shall not prevent the application from being subject to a full examination.
(6) The decision shall be served on the person concerned, their legal representative or their lawyer. In serving a negative decision, its factual grounds and legal basis shall also be stated. If the person concerned is not represented by a lawyer, they or their legal representative shall be informed of the outcome of the decision and the procedures and time limits for objection.
Article 79 – Accelerated assessment
(1) In the event that the applicant;
a) fails to mention any matters requiring international protection when presenting the reasons for their application,
b) misleads the authorities by using forged documents or misleading information and documents, or by failing to submit information and documents that could adversely affect the decision,
c) maliciously destroys or disposes of their identity or travel documents in order to make it difficult to establish their identity or nationality,
ç) is under administrative detention for the purpose of deportation,
d) makes an application solely for the purpose of delaying or preventing the implementation of a decision that would result in their removal from Türkiye,
e) poses a danger in terms of public policy (ordre public) or public security, or has previously been deported from Türkiye for these reasons,
f) makes a new application after their application has been deemed withdrawn,
their application shall be assessed under the accelerated procedure.
(2) The applicant whose application is assessed under the accelerated procedure shall be interviewed within three days at the latest from the date of application. The application shall be finalised within five days at the latest after the interview.
(3) Applications assessed under this Article that are understood to require a lengthy examination may be excluded from the accelerated assessment.
(4) Applications of unaccompanied children shall not be assessed under the accelerated procedure.
Article 80 – Administrative objection and judicial remedy
(1) Where administrative objection and judicial remedy are pursued against decisions taken under the provisions set out in this Part, the following provisions shall apply:
a) The person concerned, their legal representative or their lawyer may object to the International Protection Assessment Commission within ten days from service of the decision. However, only a judicial remedy may be pursued against decisions made under Articles 68, 72 and 79.
b) The decision made as a result of the administrative objection shall be served on the person concerned, their legal representative or their lawyer. If the decision is negative and the person concerned is not represented by a lawyer, they or their legal representative shall be informed of the outcome of the decision and the procedures and time limits for objection.
c) The Ministry may regulate the procedures for administrative objection against decisions made.
ç) Except for the judicial remedy set out in Article 68, the person concerned, their legal representative or their lawyer may apply to the competent administrative court against decisions taken under Articles 72 and 79 within fifteen days from service of the decision, and against other administrative decisions and acts within thirty days from service of the decision.
d) Applications made to the court under Articles 72 and 79 shall be concluded within fifteen days. The court’s decision on this matter shall be final.
e) The person concerned shall be permitted to remain in the country until the objection or judicial proceedings are concluded.
Article 81 – Legal services and counselling
(1) Applicants and persons holding international protection status may be represented by a lawyer in matters and proceedings set out in this Part, provided that they bear the fees themselves.
(2) Applicants and persons holding international protection status who are unable to pay legal fees shall be provided with legal services, in applications before the courts concerning matters and proceedings within the scope of this Part, pursuant to the legal aid provisions of Law No. 1136.
(3) Applicants and persons holding international protection status may benefit from counselling services provided by non-governmental organisations.
Article 82 – Residence of conditional refugees and persons holding subsidiary protection status
(1) The Directorate General may impose on persons holding conditional refugee or subsidiary protection status, on grounds of public policy (ordre public) or public security, the obligation to reside in a specified province and to make notifications in accordance with the specified periods and procedures.
(2) These persons are obliged to register in the address registration system and notify the governorship of their residential address.
Article 83 – Identity document for persons holding international protection status
(1) An identity document containing a foreign national identification number shall be issued to persons granted refugee, conditional refugee or subsidiary protection status.[24]
(2) (Amended:6/12/2019-7196/85 art.) The identity documents referred to in the first paragraph shall not be subject to any fee and shall replace a residence permit.
(3) (Amended:6/12/2019-7196/85 art.) The procedures and principles regarding the form, content, validity period and extension of the identity documents shall be regulated by the Ministry.
Article 84 – Travel document
(1) A travel document specified in the Convention shall be issued to refugees by the governorships.
(2) Requests for travel documents by persons holding conditional refugee or subsidiary protection status shall be assessed within the framework of Article 18 of Law No. 5682.
Article 85 – Termination of international protection status
(1) If persons holding international protection status:
a) voluntarily avail themselves again of the protection of the country of their nationality,
b) voluntarily reacquire the nationality they had lost,
c) have acquired a new nationality and benefit from the protection of the country whose nationality they acquired,
ç) have voluntarily returned to the country they left or remained outside of for fear of persecution,
d) are able to benefit from the protection of the country of their nationality because the circumstances that led to the granting of status have ceased to exist,
e) are stateless and are able to return to the country of their previous residence because the circumstances that led to the granting of status have ceased to exist,
f) (Added:6/12/2019-7196/86 art.) without prejudice to the provisions of Article 84; voluntarily leave Türkiye, benefit from the protection of a third country, are admitted to a third country on humanitarian grounds or under a resettlement programme, depart for a third country, or die,
international protection status shall terminate.
(2) In examining subparagraphs (d) and (e) of the first paragraph, consideration shall be given to whether the circumstances that led to the granting of status have ceased to exist or have changed in a significant and lasting manner.
(3) Status shall also terminate when the circumstances that led to the granting of subsidiary protection status cease to exist or change to such an extent that protection is no longer required. Consideration shall be given to whether the changes in the circumstances requiring the granting of subsidiary protection status are significant and lasting.
(4) If the circumstances specified in the first and third paragraphs arise, the status may be reassessed. After the person has been notified in writing that their status is being reassessed and of the reasons for this, they shall be given the opportunity to present orally or in writing the reasons why their status should continue.
(5) The decision on termination, including its factual grounds and legal basis, shall be served on the person concerned, their legal representative or their lawyer. If the person concerned is not represented by a lawyer, they or their legal representative shall be informed of the outcome of the decision and the procedures and time limits for objection.
Article 86 – Annulment of international protection status
(1) If persons granted international protection status:
a) obtained status by using forged documents, through fraud or deception, or by withholding facts,
b) are found, after status has been granted, to fall within the exclusion criteria under Article 64,
their status shall be annulled.
(2) The annulment decision, including its factual grounds and legal basis, shall be served on the person concerned, their legal representative or their lawyer. If the person concerned is not represented by a lawyer, they or their legal representative shall be informed of the outcome of the decision and the procedures and time limits for objection.
Article 87 – Voluntary return assistance
(1) In-kind and financial assistance may be provided to applicants and persons holding international protection status who wish to return voluntarily.
(2) The Directorate General may carry out voluntary return activities in cooperation with international organisations, public institutions and organisations, and non-governmental organisations.
CHAPTER THREE – Rights and Obligations
Article 88 – General principles concerning rights and obligations
(1) Persons holding international protection status shall be exempt from the requirement of reciprocity.
(2) The rights and opportunities provided to an applicant, a person whose application has been rejected or a person holding international protection status shall not be interpreted as exceeding those provided to Turkish citizens.
Article 89 – Access to assistance and services
(1) An applicant or a person holding international protection status, and their family members, shall benefit from primary and secondary education services.
(2) Applicants or persons holding international protection status who are in need may be granted access to social assistance and services.
(3) Among applicants or persons holding international protection status;
a) (Amended:6/12/2019-7196/87 art.) Those who have no health insurance and are unable to pay shall be subject to the provisions of the Social Insurance and General Health Insurance Law No. 5510 dated 31/5/2006 for a period of one year from the registration of their international protection application. The one-year time limit shall not apply to persons with special needs or to those for whom the Ministry deems continuation of insurance registration appropriate. An appropriation shall be allocated in the budget of the Directorate General for payment of the premiums of persons who will benefit from general health insurance. Persons whose premiums are paid by the Directorate General shall be required to pay all or a certain proportion of the premium, according to their ability to pay. Foreign nationals whose applications have been negatively decided by the administration shall be excluded from the scope of general health insurance.
b) Those subsequently found to have health insurance or the ability to pay, or to have applied solely for the purpose of receiving medical treatment, shall be notified to the Social Security Institution within ten days at the latest so that their general health insurance coverage may be terminated, and the costs of treatment and medication incurred shall be recovered from the persons concerned.
(4) With regard to access to the labour market;
a) An applicant or conditional refugee may apply for a work permit six months after the date of the international protection application.
b) A refugee or a person holding subsidiary protection status may work as an employee or be self-employed from the date of obtaining that status. The provisions of other legislation concerning jobs and professions in which foreign nationals may not work are reserved. The identity document issued to a refugee or a person holding subsidiary protection status shall also serve as a work permit, and this shall be noted on the identity document.
c) Access to the labour market by refugees and persons holding subsidiary protection status may be restricted for a certain period, by sectors of agriculture, industry or services, by a particular profession or line of work, or by a particular administrative or geographical area, where required by conditions in the labour market and developments in working life, and by sectoral and economic conditions relating to employment. However, these restrictions shall not apply to refugees and persons holding subsidiary protection status who have resided in Türkiye for three years, are married to a Turkish citizen, or have a child who is a Turkish citizen.
ç) The procedures and principles relating to the employment of applicants or persons holding international protection status shall be determined by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, after obtaining the opinion of the Ministry.
(5) Except for those listed in Articles 72 and 79, an applicant determined to be in need may be given an allowance, in accordance with the procedures and principles to be determined by the Ministry after obtaining the favourable opinion of the Ministry of Finance.
Article 90 – Obligations
(1) In addition to the obligations set out in this Part, an applicant or a person holding international protection status shall:
a) notify current information concerning their employment status within thirty days,
b) notify their income and movable and immovable property within thirty days,
c) notify changes to their address, identity and marital status within twenty working days,
ç) where it is determined that they have unjustly benefited from services, assistance or other facilities provided to them, repay their costs in full or in part,
d) fulfil the requirements requested of them by the Directorate General within the scope of this Part,
(2) The exercise of rights other than the rights to education and basic health care may be restricted for those who fail to comply with the obligations set out in this Part and for those whose applications or international protection status have been negatively decided. Any assessment concerning a restriction shall be made individually. The decision shall be served in writing on the person concerned, their legal representative or their lawyer. If the person concerned is not represented by a lawyer, they or their legal representative shall be informed of the consequences of the decision and the procedures and time limits for objection.
CHAPTER FOUR – Temporary Protection and Other Provisions on International Protection
Article 91 – Temporary protection
(1) Temporary protection may be provided to foreign nationals who have been forced to leave their country, cannot return to the country they left, and arrive at or cross our borders en masse seeking urgent and temporary protection.
(2) The admission of these persons to Türkiye, their stay in Türkiye, their rights and obligations, procedures to be carried out upon their departure from Türkiye, measures to be taken in response to mass movements, cooperation and coordination between national and international institutions and organisations, and the duties and powers of institutions and organisations to serve in the central and provincial administrations shall be regulated by a regulation issued by the President of the Republic.
Article 92 – Cooperation in international protection procedures
(1) On matters concerning the international protection procedures set out in this Part, the Ministry may cooperate with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the International Organization for Migration, other international organisations and non-governmental organisations within the framework of the Law No. 1173 on the Conduct and Coordination of International Relations dated 5/5/1969.
(2) The necessary cooperation shall be ensured with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in carrying out its duty of supervising the application of the provisions of the Convention. The Ministry is authorised to determine the international protection, application, assessment and decision procedures within the framework of this Law and, for this purpose, to conclude protocols that are not in the nature of international agreements with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, after obtaining the favourable opinion of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
(3) The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees shall be granted access to persons who have applied for international protection, including at border gates. Access to information concerning an applicant’s application shall also be granted, provided that the applicant consents. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees may communicate its views to the authorities at any stage of the application.
Article 93 – Country of origin information
(1) While international protection applications are being examined, current information concerning countries of origin, residence and transit shall be collected from sources of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and other sources, in order to make effective and fair decisions and determine the accuracy of matters alleged by the applicant.
(2) The establishment of the country of origin information system, collection and storage of information, operation of the system, and making it available for use by the relevant public institutions and organisations shall be carried out in accordance with the procedures and principles to be determined by the Directorate General.
Article 94 – Principle of confidentiality and access to the personal file
(1) Confidentiality shall be essential for all information and documents concerning an applicant and a person holding international protection status.
(2) However, the applicant and the person holding international protection status, and their legal representative or lawyer, may examine the documents in the personal file of the applicant or person holding international protection status and obtain a copy of each. Documents relating to the protection of national security and public policy and the prevention of the commission of offences may not be examined or provided.
Article 95 – Reception and accommodation centres
(1) As a rule, applicants or persons holding international protection status shall meet their own accommodation needs.
(2) The Directorate General may establish reception and accommodation centres where the accommodation, food, health, social and other needs of applicants or persons holding international protection status will be met.
(3) Priority shall be given to accommodating persons with special needs in the centres.
(4) Reception and accommodation centres shall be operated by governorates. The Directorate General may have the centres operated under protocols concluded with public institutions and organisations, the Turkish Red Crescent Society, and public benefit associations with expertise in migration.
(5) Applicants or persons holding international protection status and their family members residing outside a reception and accommodation centre may also be provided with the services available at these centres.
(6) Services provided at reception and accommodation centres may also be carried out through procurement.
(7) The unity of families staying in the centres shall be preserved to the extent possible.
(8) Representatives of relevant non-governmental organisations with expertise in migration may visit reception and accommodation centres with the permission of the Directorate General.
(9) The procedures and principles concerning the establishment, management and operation of reception and accommodation centres shall be regulated by regulation.