It is comfortable not only to relax in Turkey, but also to live. That is why the number of foreign citizens wishing to settle in the eastern republic for a long time is constantly increasing. High standard of living, favorable climate, azure sea, hospitality of local residents — are just some of the benefits that attract expats to Turkey. In addition, visa-free entry into the country is provided for citizens of the Russian Federation, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and Belarus. If certain simple conditions are met, then foreigners have the right to apply for Residence permit, extending the permit an unlimited number of times.
An important point that citizens from abroad should not forget about: in the Republic of Turkey, like in all developed countries, strict migration rules apply, and there are certain consequences for ignoring the visa regime. Violators are fined, and often the case ends with immediate deportation and a ban on entry into Turkey for a certain period.
Our new article will be useful to those foreigners who are thinking about moving to Turkey. You will receive comprehensive answers to the following pressing questions:
- Overstay and visaran — what do these terms mean?
- What are the methods for calculating and paying for overpayment?
- What determines the size of the fine?
- In what cases do temporary restrictions on visiting Turkey apply?
Content of the article:
- What is overstay in Turkey
- What is visaran in Turkey
- Fines for overstaying in Turkey
- How to calculate the overlay
- Where and how to pay for overpayments in Turkey
- Entry ban and deportation from Turkey
What is overstay in Turkey
Overstay in Turkey — This is a violation by citizens of foreign jurisdictions of visa rules, which they did not comply with for one reason or another and did not leave the country on time. That is, in essence, this is an overspending of the visa.
Since there is visa-free entry between most countries of the former CIS and the Republic of Turkey, you need to find out in advance the number of visa-free days provided.
For example, in Turkey, legal residence without a visa is for:
- Ukrainians — 90 days;
- Russians — 60+30 days (within 180 days);
- Belarusians — 30 days;
- Kazakhstanis — 90 days
After the above-mentioned period of stay in Turkey, overstay begins. That is, the delay occurs immediately after the end of the last visa-free day or period of validity of the residence permit. For overstay, a foreigner is fined daily.
The same conditions apply to the Turkish residence permit. But if a foreigner has collected a package of documents for residence permit extension and handed it over to the Migration Department, then he can continue to live in Turkey until he receives an official notification about the extension or refusal of the ikamet card. If the application for a residence permit is rejected and the visa-free days have ended, then an overage will be charged, despite the presence of a valid reason — waiting for a response from the immigration officer. Therefore, you will have to leave the country and, if there are visa-free days, return to re-apply for an ikamet.
We will tell you more about fines and legal restrictions for overstaying later.
What is visaran in Turkey
Visaran (visa run) in Turkey — this is a way to legally extend the time of his stay in the jurisdiction of the country, when a foreign citizen travels to a neighboring state and enters back after a short period of time.
These simple steps will allow you to renew your period of stay on the territory of the Republic of Turkey, and therefore eliminate such unpleasant consequences of overstaying as penalties, deportation and temporary restrictions on entry into the resort country.
As an example, we suggest looking at how visaran works for Russians.
So, Turkish migration rules provide for the legal residence of Russians in the country for 90 days, or rather — 60+30 days. This wording means that a Russian citizen has the opportunity to stay in Turkey for 60 days without a break. In order to live here for another month, he will need to leave Turkey, that is, carry out a visaran. Most Russians solve this issue very simply — They leave the republic for nearby Georgia or Armenia and return after a day or two.
Fines for overstaying in Turkey
If the period of delay does not exceed 10 days, then the fine in Turkey for violating the visa regime is minimal — about 130 TRY. There are no exact limits on the maximum amount of fines established by Turkish legislation. In this case, employees of the Migration Department are guided by nationality and the number of days during which the foreigner was in Turkey illegally.
The following approximate amounts of fines are provided for overstaying for up to one month, depending on citizenship:
- For Russians — from 14 USD.
- For Belarusians — from 18 USD.
- For Ukrainians and Kazakhstanis — from 50 USD.
- For Uzbek citizens — from 50 USD.
If the time spent in the republic exceeds 10 days, then the cost of a residence permit card is added to the above tariffs — 365 TRY.
Further, fines are accrued for each month of overstay:
- For Russians — 3 USD each.
- For Belarusians — 5 USD each.
- For Ukrainians and Kazakhstanis — 10 USD each.
- For Uzbek citizens — 10 USD each.
Important!
Citizens of Ukraine, Uzbekistan and Belarus, in addition to penalties for overstaying, as a rule, are additionally charged an administrative fine — 760 TRY. This payment is not provided for by law for Russians and Kazakhstanis.
As a result, to find out what the total fine is for illegal residence in Turkey, you need to consider the following points:
- the amount assigned for the first 30 days of the overstay;
- monthly penalty for the entire subsequent period of delay;
- administrative penalty;
- fee paid by foreigners when applying for an ID card for a residence permit (if the overstay is more than 10 days).
How to calculate the span
Overstay can be calculated using the visa-free days calculator in Turkey — Some Internet portals provide such a service to users. In practice, the algorithm for calculating the approximate amount of penalties is simple and understandable. Since the main guidelines for making calculations are your citizenship and the period of delay.
Here are some illustrative examples:
The period of residence of Russians in Turkey under the terms of the visa-free regime — 90 days.
Suppose the final period of stay was 210 days: 90 days — within the period allowed by migration legislation, 120 days — oversize.
The amount is calculated according to the following scheme: 14 USD for 30 days of delay+3 USD for the next three months+365 TRY fee for registration of ikamet.
TOTAL: 23 USD — fine for overstay+365 TRY for residence permit card.
Güllerpınarı district, 2+1 apartment of 85 m² with a separate kitchen, built in 2023, unfurnished, with 2 bathrooms, 2 toilets and a balcony, located 400 m from the sea, suitable for obtaining a residence permit.
2+1
85 m²
10894
Avsallar district, 1+1 apartment, 42 m², unfurnished, built in 2022, with 1 bathroom and 1 balcony, located 1200 m from the sea and 1000 m from the center of the district.
1+1
42 m²
10893
Kargicak district, detached villa 3+1, 240 m², unfurnished, built in 2024, with 3 bathrooms and 3 balconies, located 3000 m from the sea, with sea and mountain views, private pool and smart home system.
3+1
240 m²
10892
Kestel district, 1+1 apartment, 55 m², furnished, with 1 bathroom and 1 balcony, located 100 m from the sea and 100 m from the center of the district, with a view of the sea and the surrounding area.
1+1
55 m²
10891
Oba district, 2+1 duplex with an area of 106 m² in a club-type building built in 2024, unfurnished, with 3 bathrooms, a balcony and a terrace, located 2000 m from the sea and 1000 m from the center of the district, with views of the sea, mountains and green surroundings, suitable for short-term rent.
2+1
106 m²
10890
Cikcilli area, 2+1 apartment, 100 m², suitable for a residence permit, located in a well-maintained complex with a swimming pool, parking and well-maintained territory.
2+1
100 m²
10889
Mahmutlar district, 1+1 apartment, 65 m², fully furnished, located 250 meters from the sea and 150 meters from the center of the district, in a residential complex with developed infrastructure.
1+1
65 m²
10888
Oba (Lower Oba) district, 1+1 apartment, 55 m², furnished, with 1 bathroom and 2 balconies, located 100 m from the sea and 50 m from the district center.
1+1
55 m²
10887
Obagol district, 2+1 apartment, 125 m², furnished, with 2 bathrooms and 2 balconies, located 200 m from the sea and 100 m from the center of the district.
2+1
125 m²
10886
Tosmur district, 2+1 apartment of 110 m², furnished, with 1 bathroom, 2 toilets and 2 balconies, located 200 m from the sea and 20 m from the area's infrastructure, with a view of the sea, pool and surrounding area, suitable for a residence permit.
2+1
110 m²
10885
Mahmutlar district, 1+1 apartment, 64 m², furnished, with 1 bathroom and 1 balcony, located 100 m from the sea and in the center of the district, with a view of the surrounding area.
1+1
64 m²
10883
Mahmutlar district, 2+1 apartment, 105 m², furnished, with 2 bathrooms and 2 balconies, located 200 m from the sea and 100 m from the center of the district.
2+1
105 m²
10882
Tosmur district, 2+1 apartments of 100 m², furnished, with 2 bathrooms and 1 balcony, located 350 m from the sea and 150 m from the center of the district, suitable for residence permit and citizenship.
2+1
100 m²
10881
Alanya city center, 1+1 apartment with an area of 49 m² in a prestigious complex built in 2023, furnished, with 1 bathroom and a glazed balcony, located 800 m from the sea and 200 m from the center of the area, with a view of the Kale fortress.
1+1
49 m²
10880
Kale district (historical fortress of Alanya), 2+1 apartment of 110 m², furnished, with 1 bathroom and 1 balcony, located 350 m from the sea and 250 m from the center of the district, with a sea view, suitable for residence permit and citizenship.
2+1
110 m²
10879
Cleopatra district, center of Alanya, 2+1 apartment of 110 m², furnished, with 1 bathroom and 2 balconies, located 550 m from the sea and 700 m from the center of the district, with views of the sea, mountains and surrounding area, suitable for a residence permit.
2+1
110 m²
10878
Oba (Lower Oba) area, 1+1 apartment, 65 m², furnished, with 1 bathroom and 1 balcony, located 900 m from the sea and 700 m from the center of the area, with an open view of the mountains and the surrounding area.
1+1
65 m²
10877
Tosmur district, 2+1 apartment, 130 m², furnished, with 2 bathrooms and 2 balconies (one glazed), located 400 m from the sea and 250 m from the center of the district, with a view of the surrounding area, suitable for a residence permit.
2+1
130 m²
10876
Payallar district, 1+1 apartment of 50 m² in a complex of two blocks built in 2024, unfurnished, with 1 equipped bathroom and 1 balcony, located 2250 m from the sea and 1500 m from the center of the district.
1+1
50 m²
10875
Kargicak district, 1+1 apartment of 65 m² on the first line in a complex built in 2020, furnished, with 1 equipped bathroom and 1 balcony, located by the sea and 350 m from the center of the district.
1+1
65 m²
10874
The period of stay of Belarusian citizens in Turkey is in accordance with the visa-free conditions — 30 days.
If the final period of stay was 210 days, then of these: 30 days — within the period permitted by migration legislation, 180 — oversize.
Let's calculate the amount: 18 USD for the first 30 days of overstay+5 USD for the next five months+365 TRY payment for issuing an ikamet card+760 TRY administrative penalty.
TOTAL: 43 USD — penalty for overstay+1,125 TRY — fee and administrative penalty.
Please note that the total amounts given in these examples of calculation for overstaying a visa with Turkey are approximate! We recommend that you request current information from the employees of the Migration Department of the Republic of Turkey.
Where and how to pay for overpayment in Turkey
The fine for overstay is paid upon leaving Turkey. You can do this in one of the following ways:
- Go to the Tax Service.
- Pay off your debt right at the airport.
To pay off a fine at the regional Tax Department, take your international passport with you. In addition, please note that the institution has an electronic queue system, so we recommend signing up in advance.
If it is more convenient for you to pay for overstays at the airport, you need to:
- Arriving at the airport, find the department of the Turkish Migration Service (Göç idaresi) or the police department.
- Contact immigration officials or police. As a rule, employees of both departments speak English. Or remember the key phrase in Turkish: “Ceza ödemek istiyorum.”
- As soon as you fill out the form, you will be given a receipt with the amount of the fine. You can pay immediately at the nearby cash desk. Repayment of fines is possible only in cash (Turkish lira). Dollars, euros and other foreign currencies will not be accepted at the cash desk.
- After receiving your payment receipt, return to the office. You will receive a certificate confirming full payment of the overpayment and will be given a foreign passport. We recommend taking a photo and saving the receipt in your phone to have visual evidence with you. The next time you enter Turkey, you will most likely be asked by customs to provide information about the full repayment of the fine.
What else should you know about penalties for overstaying in Turkey?
Point Property specialists recommend:
- Do not delay in paying the fine for violating the Turkish visa regime to avoid unpleasant consequences during departure. Go to the Migration Service, explain the reasons for the overpayment and record the period of delay. After the fine is calculated, it is better to pay it immediately. Often, if the penalty is fully repaid, then upon departure the customs control service is loyal and does not impose restrictions on subsequent visits to the Republic of Turkey or is limited to a ban for a minimum period (1-3 months).
- Take into account the fact that the obligation to pay an overage fine applies to all family members, regardless of whether they are an adult or a child. For children under 18 years of age, the fine is paid by the mother/father or persons who are official guardians. Timely and full payment — this is a guarantee that your children will not be subject to entry restrictions into Turkey.
- Attach all paid receipts to the package of documents when passing the Turkish border checkpoint.
Entry ban and deportation from Turkey
In some cases, if the overstay period does not exceed one to three months and the fine is paid on time, then the Migration Service does not impose restrictions on further crossing the border with Turkey.
The longer the period of delay, the more likely it is that even if administrative penalties and fines are paid, you will be deported and temporarily banned from visiting the eastern state. As a rule, the decision on expulsion from the country and restrictions on entry are made in each individual case, taking into account the situation of the citizen.
At the legislative level, the application of restrictions on entry into Turkey is determined by the duration of the overstay:
- overdue 16–90 days — for 3 months;
- overdue 91–180 days — for 6 months;
- overdue 181–365 days — for 1 year;
- overdue for more than 365 days — for 2 years;
- delay 1–5 years — for 5 years;
- overdue from 5 years — for 7 years or more.
We should not forget that tourists will need to pay a fine for the entire period of illegal residence in Turkey. Therefore, we advise you to comply with the visa regime and Turkish migration rules, and if an overstay occurs, hurry up to notify the relevant institutions and cover the penalties. This will avoid any negative consequences.
These materials have been prepared for the purposes of information, they are not of a commercial nature.
Point Property — a certified real estate agency that specializes in providing a full range of real estate services for transactions with residential and commercial real estate in Turkey. Our company takes care of all the organizational aspects of a real estate transaction: searching for an object, organizing a sightseeing tour, assistance in collecting documents and checking the legal purity of documentation, support in re-registration of ownership. In addition, we provide our customers with a wide range of after-sales services.
Güllerpınarı district, 2+1 apartment of 85 m² with a separate kitchen, built in 2023, unfurnished, with 2 bathrooms, 2 toilets and a balcony, located 400 m from the sea, suitable for obtaining a residence permit.
2+1
85 m²
10894
Avsallar district, 1+1 apartment, 42 m², unfurnished, built in 2022, with 1 bathroom and 1 balcony, located 1200 m from the sea and 1000 m from the center of the district.
1+1
42 m²
10893
Kargicak district, detached villa 3+1, 240 m², unfurnished, built in 2024, with 3 bathrooms and 3 balconies, located 3000 m from the sea, with sea and mountain views, private pool and smart home system.
3+1
240 m²
10892
Kestel district, 1+1 apartment, 55 m², furnished, with 1 bathroom and 1 balcony, located 100 m from the sea and 100 m from the center of the district, with a view of the sea and the surrounding area.
1+1
55 m²
10891
Oba district, 2+1 duplex with an area of 106 m² in a club-type building built in 2024, unfurnished, with 3 bathrooms, a balcony and a terrace, located 2000 m from the sea and 1000 m from the center of the district, with views of the sea, mountains and green surroundings, suitable for short-term rent.
2+1
106 m²
10890
Cikcilli area, 2+1 apartment, 100 m², suitable for a residence permit, located in a well-maintained complex with a swimming pool, parking and well-maintained territory.
2+1
100 m²
10889
Mahmutlar district, 1+1 apartment, 65 m², fully furnished, located 250 meters from the sea and 150 meters from the center of the district, in a residential complex with developed infrastructure.
1+1
65 m²
10888
Oba (Lower Oba) district, 1+1 apartment, 55 m², furnished, with 1 bathroom and 2 balconies, located 100 m from the sea and 50 m from the district center.
1+1
55 m²
10887
Obagol district, 2+1 apartment, 125 m², furnished, with 2 bathrooms and 2 balconies, located 200 m from the sea and 100 m from the center of the district.
2+1
125 m²
10886
Tosmur district, 2+1 apartment of 110 m², furnished, with 1 bathroom, 2 toilets and 2 balconies, located 200 m from the sea and 20 m from the area's infrastructure, with a view of the sea, pool and surrounding area, suitable for a residence permit.
2+1
110 m²
10885
Mahmutlar district, 1+1 apartment, 64 m², furnished, with 1 bathroom and 1 balcony, located 100 m from the sea and in the center of the district, with a view of the surrounding area.
1+1
64 m²
10883
Mahmutlar district, 2+1 apartment, 105 m², furnished, with 2 bathrooms and 2 balconies, located 200 m from the sea and 100 m from the center of the district.
2+1
105 m²
10882
Tosmur district, 2+1 apartments of 100 m², furnished, with 2 bathrooms and 1 balcony, located 350 m from the sea and 150 m from the center of the district, suitable for residence permit and citizenship.
2+1
100 m²
10881
Alanya city center, 1+1 apartment with an area of 49 m² in a prestigious complex built in 2023, furnished, with 1 bathroom and a glazed balcony, located 800 m from the sea and 200 m from the center of the area, with a view of the Kale fortress.
1+1
49 m²
10880
Kale district (historical fortress of Alanya), 2+1 apartment of 110 m², furnished, with 1 bathroom and 1 balcony, located 350 m from the sea and 250 m from the center of the district, with a sea view, suitable for residence permit and citizenship.
2+1
110 m²
10879
Cleopatra district, center of Alanya, 2+1 apartment of 110 m², furnished, with 1 bathroom and 2 balconies, located 550 m from the sea and 700 m from the center of the district, with views of the sea, mountains and surrounding area, suitable for a residence permit.
2+1
110 m²
10878
Oba (Lower Oba) area, 1+1 apartment, 65 m², furnished, with 1 bathroom and 1 balcony, located 900 m from the sea and 700 m from the center of the area, with an open view of the mountains and the surrounding area.
1+1
65 m²
10877
Tosmur district, 2+1 apartment, 130 m², furnished, with 2 bathrooms and 2 balconies (one glazed), located 400 m from the sea and 250 m from the center of the district, with a view of the surrounding area, suitable for a residence permit.
2+1
130 m²
10876
Payallar district, 1+1 apartment of 50 m² in a complex of two blocks built in 2024, unfurnished, with 1 equipped bathroom and 1 balcony, located 2250 m from the sea and 1500 m from the center of the district.
1+1
50 m²
10875
Kargicak district, 1+1 apartment of 65 m² on the first line in a complex built in 2020, furnished, with 1 equipped bathroom and 1 balcony, located by the sea and 350 m from the center of the district.
1+1
65 m²
10874
