Information on when the current law regulating the issuance of residence permits, work permits and student visas to foreigners came into effect, including information concerning the implementation of any amendments, could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate. However, the following information may be of interest.

Foreigners wishing to work in Turkey must obtain a work permit from the General Directorate of Foreign Investment of the Undersecretary of Treasury through the Turkish Consulate located in the foreigner's country of residence (Turkish Tax Guide 9 Apr. 2002). Work permits are generally valid for a period of two years and can be renewed (ibid.). Once a work permit has been obtained, an application must be filed with the local security authorities for a residence permit (ibid.). The spouse and dependent children are also required to have residence permits (ibid.).

In Turkey, residence permits are required of foreigners wishing to remain in Turkey for a period longer than one month (Turkish Pages 2000). These permits must be obtained from the Turkish Embassy or Consulate in the foreigner's country of residence. Residence permits are valid for a maximum period of one year and may be extended for a "valid reason" (ibid.).

Student visas are required in order to register as a student in Turkey (ISSA n.d.). They cannot be acquired in Turkey, but must be obtained from a Turkish Consulate (ibid.). The International Students and Study Abroad Office (ISSA) of the Middle East Technical University advises potential students that a "student visa will be valid for as long as [one is] enrolled in school" (ibid.). In addition to obtaining a student visa, the ISSA explains that "[a]ll international students in Turkey, regardless of status, must register with, and obtain, a Residence Permit ... from the Bureau of Foreign Residence Registration ... at the provincial Directorate of Security" (ibid.).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

International Students and Study Abroad Office (ISSA), Middle East Technical University. n.d. "Student Visas and Residence Permits." http://www.po.metu.edu.tr/issa/IntStu/Residence_Permits.htm [Accessed 25 Nov. 2002]

Turkish Pages. 2000. "Residence and Work Permit." http://www.turkishpages.com/formality/wp&v.shtml [Accessed 25 Nov. 2002]

Turkish Tax Guide. 9 April 2002. "Expatriates." http://www.ymm.net/TaxGuide/expatriates.htm [Accessed 26 Nov. 2002]

Additional Sources Consulted

The Embassy of Turkey did not respond to a letter requesting information within time constraints.

World News Connection

Internet sites, including:

Asylum Law Country Conditions Reports http://www.asylumlaw.org/case_support/other_countries/other_country_conditions.shtml

International Helsinki Federation, Human Rights in the OSCE Region: The Balkans, the Caucasus, Europe, Central Asia and North America http://www.ihf-hr.org/reports/AR2002/2_Country%20Issues/Turkey.pdf

Turkish Press http://www.turkishpress.com/

Turkey Update http://www.picosearch.com/cgi-bin/ts.pl

United States Committee for Refugees Annual Country Reports: Turkey 2002 http://www.refugees.org/world/countryindex/turkey.htm

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