- Detention/Deportation in Turkey?

Comprehensive Legal Guide for Foreigners Detained in Turkey – How to Be Released from an Immigration Detention Center (Deportation / Detention Center)

What Happens When You’re Detained in Turkey?

Foreign nationals who overstay, have rejected or expired residence permits, work without a valid work permit, submit forged documents, enter or attempt to leave Turkey illegally are usually placed under immigration administrative detention.

Arrest and detention are different. If you have been held by the police on suspicion of committing a crime, you can read our article on arrest and criminal procedures: What Happens When You Are Arrested in Turkey?

Only a lawyer or your first-degree relatives (such as your parents, spouse, or children e.g.) can visit you at the immigration deportation center; other relatives and friends are not allowed to visit.

2- How Long You Can Be Held Detained?

Adults can be held in a deportation center for up to a maximum of 6 months.

However, if the foreign national does not cooperate with the return process, this period may be extended for an additional 6 months, reaching a total of up to 1 year.

You can find a list of all immigration camps in Turkey along with their phone numbers at the end of this article.

3- How Can a Foreigner Be Released from an Immigration Camp / Detention Center?

To be released from detention, it is necessary to file a lawsuit against the administrative decisions taken regarding foreigner.

There are legally binding time limits for filing these lawsuits, typically 7 days and 14 days. Therefore, it is extremely important for foreigners to contact us promptly after being placed in an immigration camp.

If the required actions are not taken within these deadlines, the detention period may be extended from 6 months up to 1 year, and the foreign national may be deported, facing the consequences of deportation such as entry bans, administrative fines, and other penalties.

4- How Much Does It Cost To Be Released From a Detention Center?

There are more than one for being held in a detention center. Depending on the reason, the process, duration, and cost of release may vary. However, in general, the cost of the process can be around $1,000. For an exact quote, you can contact us from WhatsApp and visit our law firm's website.

5- Consequences of Deportation:

• Entry ban to Türkiye (for up to 5 years or permanently, depending on the case)
• Administrative fines
• Residence permit cancellation
• Detention in a deportation center (can last up to a year-depending on the situation)

- Those who don't want to be deported from Turkey: Contact Us Now! to get help from a specialized lawyer in the field. The lawyer will assess your specific situation and take appropriate action.

6- Possible Actions:

6.1. Appeal Against the Deportation Decision You can file an appeal through the administrative court. If the court cancels the deportation decision, you are immediately released from the deportation center.

6.2. Release Under Alternative Measures Instead of Being Held in the Deportation Center

Instead of being held in a detention center, a lawsuit can be filed to request alternative measures and be released. These alternatives can only be applied with a court decision and must be managed by experienced lawyers. Contact us for immediate legal assistance. Alternative measures:

a) Fixed Address Obligation Stay at a registered address verified by the police.
b) Reporting Obligation Report to authorities through fingerprint, voice recognition, or in-person signing. Frequency set by authorities (max once per month).
c) Voice Recognition Confirm your identity and report remotely. Travel within Türkiye possible with permission.
d) Family-Based Return Stay with first or second-degree relatives legally residing in Türkiye. Proof and consent required.
e) Return Counselling Guidance for voluntary return to your country of origin or a third country. Know your rights and obligations.
f) Voluntary Public Service Participate in approved public service programs.
g) Financial Guarantee Deposit 100,000 TRY or more to secure release. Money refunded if you comply with obligations or win your appeal; forfeited if you violate rules.
h) Electronic Monitoring (Mobile App / Electronic Bracelet) Track via mobile app or electronic bracelet, mainly for high-risk cases. Violations may lead to re-detention.

7- Where Are the Immigration Detention (Deportation) Centers in Turkey? - Immigration Camps List Turkey

There are more than 20 immigration camps across the country. The list of immigration detention centers is as follows:

1. İstanbul Immigration Detention Centers List:

• Arnavutköy Geri Gönderme Merkezi
• Binkılıç Geri Gönderme Merkezi - mostly for terrorism cases and Afghan citizens
• Çatalca Geri Gönderme Merkezi - Detention Center for Women
• Selimpaşa Geri Gönderme Merkezi - Former Detention Center for Women
• Tuzla Geri Gönderme Merkezi

2. İzmir Harmandalı Geri Gönderme Merkezi

İzmir Harmandalı Immigration Center is generally used to detain foreigners attempting to leave the country illegally by sea to Greece (e.g., trying to reach Europe by boat). When foreigners are first apprehended, they are placed here and may later be transferred to other detention centers.
Phone Number: +90 232 402 44 62 /5008

3. Balıkesir Bandırma Geri Gönderme Merkezi

Phone Number: +90 266 727 18 18

4. Adana Sarıçam Geri Gönderme Merkezi

Phone Number: +90 322 346 35 61

5. Ağrı Geri Gönderme Merkezi

Phone Number: +90 472 215 33 25

6. Ankara Akyurt Geri Gönderme Merkezi

Phone Number: +90 312 439 40 40

7. Antalya Döşemealtı Geri Gönderme Merkezi

Phone Number: +90 242 237 95 80

8. Aydın Efeler Geri Gönderme Merkezi

Phone Number: +90 256 211 63 73

9. Bayburt Geri Gönderme Merkezi

Phone Number: +90 458 222 10 03

10. Bursa Osmangazi Geri Gönderme Merkezi

Phone Number: +90 224 361 05 07

11. Çanakkale Ayvacık Geri Gönderme Merkezi

Phone Number: +90 286 712 34 00

12. Çankırı Geri Gönderme Merkezi

Phone Number:+90 376 213 05 49

13. Edirne Geri Gönderme Merkezi

Phone Number:+90 284 224 10 12

14. Erzurum Aşkale Geri Gönderme Merkezi

Phone Number:+90 442 415 25 50

15. Gaziantep Oğuzeli Geri Gönderme Merkezi

Phone Number:+90 342 571 38 00

16. Kayseri Kocasinan Geri Gönderme Merkezi

Phone Number:+90 352 220 01 57

17. Kırklareli Pehlivanköy Geri Gönderme Merkezi

Kırklareli Pehlivanköy Immigration Center is generally used to detain foreign migrants attempting to cross the border into Europe from Bulgaria.
Phone Number:+90 288 212 00 72

18. Kocaeli Gündoğdu Geri Gönderme Merkezi

Phone Number:+90 262 329 41 80

19. Kütahya İnköy Geri Gönderme Merkezi

Phone Number:+90 272 225 17 79

20. Malatya Beydağı Geri Gönderme Merkezi

Phone Number:+90 422 322 33 32

21. Muğla Ula Geri Gönderme Merkezi

Phone Number:+90 252 242 13 13

22. Niğde Geri Gönderme Merkezi

Phone Number:+90 388 213 10 64 / 5000

23. Şanlıurfa Geri Gönderme Merkezi

Phone Number:+90 414 313 86 58

24. Van/Kurubaş Geri Gönderme Merkezi

Afghan citizens who have entered the country illegally may be transferred here.
Phone Number:+90 432 223 33 35

Many detention centers may not answer phone calls or may avoid providing information over the phone. If you do not have a lawyer, the process may take longer, and as a result, detention periods can last for several months up to a year.

By contacting us, you can help speed up the process and receive accurate legal guidance from our lawyers on what can be done.

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