Who is granted a humanitarian residence permit?
A humanitarian residence permit (insani ikamet izni) is granted by governorships with the approval of the Presidency of Migration Management (Göç İdaresi Başkanlığı), without the requirements of other residence permit types, in the following situations:
- Where the best interests of a child are at stake,
- Where, despite a deportation or entry ban decision, the foreigner cannot leave the country or their departure is not considered reasonable,
- Where no deportation decision can be made for reasons such as the death penalty, risk of torture, serious illness, old age, pregnancy, life-saving treatment unavailable in their country, or being a victim of human trafficking or violence,
- Where a lawsuit has been filed against a deportation or international protection decision,
- During the process of being sent to the first country of asylum or a safe third country,
- Emergencies, national interest, public order and extraordinary situations.
What you need to know
- The permit is granted for periods of up to 2 years and can be extended if the conditions continue.
- Address registration must be completed within 20 working days of obtaining the permit.
- A humanitarian residence permit does not give the right to work; a separate work permit is required in order to work.
- Time spent on this permit does not count towards a long-term residence permit.
- An unpaid visa/residence overstay fee does not prevent a humanitarian residence permit from being granted.
A humanitarian residence permit is entirely discretionary; there is no definitive list of conditions under which one can say "you will get it". Preparing the file strongly with documents directly affects the outcome.
Legal basis: 6458 sayılı YUKK Art. 42/2, 46, 47, 55; Uygulama Yönetmeliği Art. 44.
