Leaving Istanbul with an expired Resident card

Zill Active member

Member since 31 August 2016

ZillActive member23 February 2021 11:31:06

My friend who is residing in Istanbul has to travel abroad urgently. He made a renewal application for his Ikamet around five months back, till date he hasn’t received his resident card. In case he embarks, will he be allowed to re-enter Turkey in the absence of a resident card ?

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Lore.Ates New member

Member since 02 January 2021

Lore.AtesNew member23 February 2021 17:46:55

Hi, Zill.
I've been told that, for first time applicants, if your application is already being processed (like, added to the system and not just queued), you can request a leave of two weeks. If possible, he should check with them directly, and since it's a renewal more lenient rules could apply.

Zill Active member

Member since 31 August 2016

ZillActive member23 February 2021 18:03:52

Thanks for your reply, actually its the third renewal, while he also owns a property here. Some one told my friend that he could possibly get a letter from the immigration office at the airport for re-entry..I don’t think it sounds doable.

Lore.Ates New member

Member since 02 January 2021

Lore.AtesNew member23 February 2021 18:37:49

Maybe the letter they're referring to is the same permission I've been told about. Hopefully, someone else here can share first-hand experience, or, better yet, the immigration office can clear this up and grant him the letter. He's been waiting so long. Best of luck to him!