Duration of stay in Türkiye with passport

Legal Definition of Visa Violation (Vize İhlali): Crossing the 90-Day Threshold

What is Unauthorized Stay (Overstay)?

Unauthorized stay or visa violation (in Turkish: Vize İhlali) refers to any residency in Turkish territory beyond the authorized duration (i.e., 90 days according to the 90/180 rule) without possessing a valid **residence permit** (İkamet İzni). From the moment an individual stays even one day more than the authorized duration, their legal status changes to **"illegal"** or **"fugitive"** (in Turkish: Kaçak) and they become subject to administrative and financial consequences.

The "10-Day Trap": The Difference Between Simple Violation and Deportable Offense

One of the most subtle yet crucial provisions of Turkish immigration law is found in **Article 54 of the Law on Foreigners and International Protection (Law 6458)**. This article lists the reasons that lead to the issuance of a **"Deportation Order"** (Sınır Dışı Etme Kararı).

Subsections (e) and (g) of this article explicitly state that individuals are subject to a deportation order if they have violated their visa, visa exemption, or residence permit duration **"by more than ten days."**

This "10 days" is not a "Grace Period" for legal residency, but a **legal "Threshold"** for the execution of the most severe administrative penalty (i.e., a deportation order). The implications of this article divide the scenario of violators into two distinct categories:

• **Scenario 1 (Violation of 1 to 10 Days):** The individual has violated the law and has illegal status. They definitely must pay a financial fine. However, within this timeframe, they are **not yet automatically** eligible for a **"Deportation Order."** If this individual voluntarily presents themselves at the airport for departure, after paying the fine, they will likely exit the country **without an entry ban.**

• **Scenario 2 (Violation of 11 Days and Above):** From the eleventh day onward, the individual's status fundamentally changes. They are not only liable for a financial fine, but are now **legally eligible for a deportation order (Deportable).** The difference is that if someone with 5 days of overstay presents themselves at the airport, they only face a fine; but if someone with 15 days of overstay is controlled by police in the city, authorities **can** detain them and initiate the **formal Deportation process,** which carries much more severe consequences than voluntary departure.

The Difference Between Visa Violation and Other Immigration Offenses

It must be strongly emphasized that "Unauthorized Stay" (Overstay) is only one of multiple reasons for deportation. There are much more serious offenses that lead to immediate deportation, administrative detention, and long-term entry bans (5 years, 10 years, or even permanent). These offenses include:

• Working without an official **Work Permit** (Çalışma İzni)

• Using **forged documents** or false information for entry or obtaining residency

• Threats against **public order, public security, or public health**

• Membership or support for **terrorist or criminal organizations**

In such cases, the offender enters a complex legal-security process that goes far beyond a simple tourist visa violation fine.

Consequences of Law Violation (1): Financial Penalties (Overstay Fine in Turkey)

Anatomy of the Fine: The Overstay Fine is Not Just One Amount

Simple tables showing the overstay fine on a monthly basis (e.g., $50 for the first month and $10 for subsequent months) are often incomplete and do not provide a full picture of the actual costs. These tables contradict more detailed data that points to multiple ancillary costs.

In fact, the amount collected from the violator at the airport or land border is not a single **"fine,"** but a **collection** of administrative fees and penalties. The final calculation varies based on the individual's nationality, the exact duration of the violation, and their entry status. The main components of this amount include:

1. **Base Overstay Penalty:** This is the main fine calculated based on nationality and duration (sometimes daily, sometimes monthly). 2. **Visa Fee:** Even if the individual was exempt from a visa, an amount equivalent to the **"visa fee"** (which they would have paid if they were a national requiring a visa) is collected as a penalty. 3. **Residence Card Fee:** If the duration of the violation exceeds a certain threshold (e.g., 10 days), a fee equivalent to the cost of issuing a residence card (İkamet) is added to the total penalties. 4. **Administrative Fine:** This is an amount that can be optionally applied by the authorities and has been reported in some cases to be up to twice the annual residence permit fee.

Potential Components of the Visa Violation Fine in 2025 (Estimated)

Fine Payment Process

Payment of the overstay fine is **only** possible at exit points (international airports or land border crossings) and **before** receiving the exit stamp in the passport. This process is usually carried out in a separate office at the airport called the "Vize İhlali Ofisi" (Visa Violation Office). There is **no possibility** of paying this fine from inside Iran, through Turkish embassies or consulates abroad, or online after departure.

Consequences of Non-Payment of the Financial Fine

Refusing to pay the fine or being unable to pay it at the moment of exit is not a choice and carries much more serious consequences than the fine itself. If the individual **does not** pay the fine, they are allowed to leave the country (Turkey does not prevent someone with an illegal stay from leaving), but this action automatically leads to the issuance of an **"Entry Ban"** for 1 to 5 years.

More importantly, this financial debt remains registered in the national Turkish immigration system. Even after the 5-year entry ban period ends, the debt does not disappear. Until all overdue fines and debts to the Turkish government are paid, the individual will **not be allowed re-entry** into Turkish territory.

Consequences of Law Violation (2): Entry Ban and Deportation

Crucial Distinction: Voluntary Departure, Entry Ban, and Deportation

Understanding the legal differences between these three concepts is vital for every foreign national:

• **Voluntary Departure:** In this scenario, an individual who has violated the residency law (Overstayer), **before** being identified and apprehended by authorities, **voluntarily** presents themselves at the border (such as the airport) to leave the country. This is the best and least costly possible scenario after the violation occurs.

• **Entry Ban:** This is an administrative penalty defined as a specific time period (e.g., 3 months, 1 year, 5 years) during which the individual is prohibited from entering Turkey. The application or non-application of this ban and its duration depend directly on the **"duration of the violation,"** the **"manner of exit"** (voluntary or apprehension), and the **"payment or non-payment of the fine."**

• **Deportation (Sınır Dışı Etme):** Deportation is an **official "Deportation Order"** issued by Governorates or the Directorate General of Migration Management. This process occurs when an individual is **apprehended** by authorities (e.g., due to illegal work, long-term unauthorized stay, or security offenses). Deportation is a legal process that can include administrative detention in a Removal Center and legal proceedings, and it **almost always** results in a long-term entry ban (minimum 5 years).

Key Insight: The Mechanism of Incentive and Punishment in the Entry Ban Law

By carefully examining official Turkish legal sources and comparing them with penalty tables, a clear pattern emerges in the country's immigration policy: the law strongly differentiates between someone who **voluntarily leaves and pays the fine** and someone who **does not pay or is apprehended by authorities.**

Immigration law has designed an **incentive mechanism for "self-declaration."** According to official statements from the Directorate General of Migration Management, foreign nationals who **voluntarily** (before identification by authorities) present themselves for departure, **pay** the administrative fines resulting from Law 492 (the Law on Fees), and whose violation duration is **less than 3 months**, **will not** be subject to an "Entry Ban."

In contrast, penalty tables show that if an individual with the same violation duration (less than 3 months) **does not pay the fine or is apprehended,** they will be sentenced to a 3-month entry ban. This difference is the core of the law's incentive and punishment system.

Consequences Matrix: Correlation Between Overstay Duration and Entry Ban Period

This section summarizes the different scenarios in a practical matrix based on the analytical findings above.

Entry Ban Matrix based on Exit Scenario (2025)

**Analysis of the Table:** This matrix clearly shows the "incentive mechanism." For instance, an individual who has overstayed by 5 months (in the second row) will face only a **1-month entry ban** if they voluntarily go to the airport and pay the fine in full (Scenario A). However, if the same individual **does not pay the fine** (Scenario B), they will be penalized with a **6-month entry ban.** This is a very significant difference.

The Only Legal Solution: Obtaining a Residence Permit (İkamet) Instead of Violating the Law

Why is Overstay in 2025 a Failed Strategy?

In previous years, some foreign nationals used the strategy of "overstay, fine payment, and then applying for a tourist residence permit." They knowingly violated the law, believing that they could clear their record by paying the fine and then apply for legal residency.

This strategy is completely failed and leads to a legal dead-end in 2025 and beyond, for the following reasons:

1. **Severe Contractionary Policy:** The Turkish government has adopted a very strict policy in recent years regarding the issuance and renewal of short-term residence permits, especially the tourist residence permit. The rejection rate for tourist residence applications has severely increased. 2. **Key Legal Changes:** Two important legal changes in 2024-2025 have practically blocked easy residency routes: * **End of Tourist Residence Renewal with Rental Agreement:** As of January 1, 2025, the renewal of a short-term tourist residence permit using a **rental agreement** is no longer possible. Individuals holding such a permit must change their type of residency (e.g., to study, work, or property ownership); otherwise, they must leave Turkish territory. * **Increase in Minimum Property Investment:** The minimum property value to qualify for a residence permit through property purchase has increased from $75,000 to **$200,000** (based on the registered valuation or Tapu Değeri).

These changes mean that an individual who overstays today not only has **no chance** of converting their status to a tourist residence permit (as these permits are strictly issued or renewed) but also, by leaving the country and receiving an **"Entry Ban"** (according to Table 3), closes their legal path for re-entry for months or years.

Overview of Legal Residency Options (Alternatives to Law Violation)

Any residency beyond 90 days is legal **only** with a **Residence Permit** (İkamet İzni) obtained from the Directorate General of Migration Management. Application for residency **must** be done during the initial 90 days of authorized stay. The main types of residency include:

• **Tourist Residence (Turistik İkamet):** Short-term residency (usually one year), which is currently **very difficult** to obtain and based on discretionary evaluations, and whose renewal with a rental agreement has been stopped.

• **Residence through Property Purchase (Taşınmaz Mal):** By purchasing a residential property worth at least **$200,000** in authorized cities, a short-term (renewable) residence permit can be obtained.

• **Student Residence (Öğrenci İkamet İzni):** By receiving official admission from universities or approved educational institutions in Turkey.

• **Work Residence (Çalışma İzni):** This permit, issued by the Ministry of Labor, requires finding an official employer in Turkey and going through complex legal procedures.

• **Family Residence (Aile İkamet İzni):** In case of marriage to a Turkish national or a person holding a work residence permit.

Summary of Key Residency Changes in Turkey (2025)

Official Resources and Immediate Actions (Final Guide)

The Ultimate Authority: Turkish Directorate General of Migration Management (Göç İdaresi)

In the face of complex and changing immigration laws, relying on unofficial information, rumors from virtual groups, or consultants lacking legal qualification can lead to irreversible consequences. The **only** official authority for legislating, enforcing, and announcing immigration policies in Turkey is the **"Presidency of the Migration Management"** (T.C. İçişleri Bakanlığı Göç İdaresi Başkanlığı) affiliated with the Ministry of Interior.

Official Online Tools

The Turkish Directorate General of Migration Management manages two vital online portals for foreign nationals:

• **e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr:** This system is the **only** official portal for registering **all** residence permit applications (including initial application, renewal, or change of residency type). The Migration Management emphasizes that it has **no connection** with third parties or institutions claiming to perform this process.

• **goc.gov.tr:** The official website of the Directorate General of Migration Management, containing laws, regulations, statistics, and official announcements in various languages (including Persian).

Crucial Support Line: YİMER 157 (Foreigners Communication Center)

The most important and accessible official tool for foreign nationals is the YİMER contact center (Foreigners Communication Center) at **157**. This center operates as the official guide line of the Turkish government.

• **Support in Persian:** YİMER 157 provides comprehensive services in 7 different languages, including **Persian.**

• **Services Provided:** The center answers all questions from foreign nationals regarding visas, visa exemptions, the 90/180 rule, types of residence permits, renewal processes, and the calculation of visa violation fines.

• **Working Hours:** For questions related to visas and residency (administrative matters), the call center is active on weekdays from 08:00 AM to 18:00 PM. The emergency line for reporting human trafficking or maritime incidents is available **24 hours a day, 7 days a week (24/7).**

• **How to Contact:**

  • **From within Turkey:** Dial **157** (the call is free of charge).

  • **From outside Turkey:** Dial **+90 312 157 11 22.**

For any ambiguity regarding residency status, the exact calculation of remaining authorized days, or to be informed of the latest legal changes, the safest, most reliable, and most accurate course of action is to directly contact **YİMER 157** and receive guidance in Persian from the experts of the Turkish government itself.