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What is Temporary Protection Status? Identity Document, Provincial Change, Work Permit and Limits of the Right to Stay Law No. 6458, article 91; Temporary Protection Regulation art.12, art.16, art.22-29, art.33-35; The Regulation on Work Permits for Foreigners Under Temporary Protection was prepared based on the legislation in force as of 2026 and official sources dated October 2026.
Temporary protection is a special status provided to foreigners who came to Türkiye as a result of a mass influx and for whom individual international protection assessment cannot be made. The status holder is given a temporary protection identity document and this document provides the right to stay in Türkiye. However, the document does not replace a residence permit, does not grant the right to switch to a long-term residence permit, does not count in the total residence time, and does not give rise to the right to apply for citizenship. Working is only possible with a work permit in the sectors and geographical areas determined by the President. Violation of notification obligations may lead to revocation of status.
In what cases is Temporary Protection Status Applied?
According to Article 7 of the Temporary Protection Regulation, temporary protection is applied to foreigners who have been forced to leave their country, cannot return, come to the borders en masse or individually during a mass influx period in order to find emergency and temporary protection, and whose individual international protection status cannot be determined. Temporary protection decision is taken by the President. Status holders are not deemed to have directly obtained any of the refugee, conditional refugee or secondary protection statuses in the law (Art. 7/3).
Those who will not be included within the scope of temporary protection are also listed in the regulation: those who commit serious crimes, those who participate in terrorist acts, those who pose a danger to public order and similar groups (Art. 8). Decisions made about these people are individual.
What does the Temporary Protection Identity Document provide and what does it not provide?
Governorships issue temporary protection identity cards to those whose registration is completed. The foreigner identification number is also identified with the document (Art.22). The document is free. Article 25 of the Regulation makes a very important distinction: the document provides the right to stay in Türkiye, but:
It is not considered equivalent to a residence permit or documents replacing a residence permit in the law,
It does not give its owner the right to apply for Turkish citizenship.
This provision means that the years spent under temporary protection will not be added to the duration of residence or citizenship. In addition, if the holder of the temporary protection identity document acquires another type of legal stay or acquires Turkish citizenship, his temporary protection ends (Art. 12/1-d and e).
Is it possible to change provinces and travel?
Those under temporary protection are obliged to reside in the province, temporary accommodation center or a certain place determined by the General Directorate (Art. 33/2-a). If there is no harm in terms of public order and public health, they may be allowed to stay in the provinces determined by the General Directorate and the relevant procedure is determined by the Ministry (Art. 24). The regulation does not regulate in detail the procedure for changing provinces and traveling outside the province. The application is based on Ministry and governorship regulations and circulars and may change over time. For this reason, the current application must be confirmed by the governorship or provincial directorate of immigration administration before applying.
Temporary or permanent departure to a third country is subject to the permission of the General Directorate (Art. 44).
Is it possible to work under temporary protection?
According to Article 29 of the Regulation, temporary protection identity card holders can apply to obtain a work permit in sectors, business lines and geographical areas to be determined by the President. The duration of work permits cannot exceed the duration of temporary protection, and when temporary protection ends, the work permit also ends. This permit does not replace the residence permit. Legislative provisions regarding jobs and professions in which foreigners cannot work are reserved. Current information regarding the working situation must be reported within thirty days (Art. 33/2-c).
Working without permission may lead to both an administrative fine under Law No. 6735 and a deportation process under Article 54 of Law No. 6458. General principles about work permits are discussed in a separate guide.
In what cases is temporary protection canceled or rights restricted?
According to the Regulation, temporary protection terminates or is canceled individually in the following cases (Art. 12):
Leaving Türkiye voluntarily, benefiting from the protection of a third country or being admitted to a third country, Gaining the right to stay through another type of legal stay or acquiring Turkish citizenship, Understanding later that it should be excluded from the scope of temporary protection, Failure to fulfill the notification obligation three times in a row without excuse (cancellation by the governorship).
Those who do not fulfill their obligations are warned; Judicial and administrative proceedings may be initiated against those who do not comply, and the enjoyment of other rights, except for education and emergency health services, may be restricted in whole or in part (Art. 35). A lawsuit can be filed against administrative actions in the administrative court. The foreigner can be represented by a lawyer, provided that he covers the fee himself, and can review the documents in his personal file through his lawyer (Art. 51, Art. 53).
Can a Temporarily Protected Individual Apply for International Protection?
During the period when temporary protection is implemented, individual international protection applications of foreigners within this scope are not processed for the effective implementation of temporary protection measures (Art. 16). When terminating temporary protection, the President may decide to grant collective status, evaluate individual applications, or allow stay under certain conditions (Art. 11).
identity document The governorship regulates; Foreigner identification number is given (Art.22)
Right of stay Provides; It does not provide the right to residence permit, transition to long-term permit and citizenship (Article 25).
Current information notification Employment and income 30 days, address and marital status 20 business days (Art. 33)
Lawyer He/she may be represented, provided that the fee is covered by the person (Art. 53).
Illegal entry Administrative fines are not imposed on those who apply within a reasonable time (Art.5)
Case Summary Form: Fictional example: A foreigner who has a temporary protection identity card is planning to apply for citizenship because he has been living in Türkiye for many years. It turns out that the same person did not report the change of address either. Process: It is determined that the years of temporary protection are not counted towards the residence and citizenship periods. The foreigner reviews with the lawyer the options for transferring to another type of legal stay and the stage of the notification obligation. Result: If the notification obligation is violated three times in a row, the temporary protection may be revoked. Therefore, it is necessary to update address, work and family information in a timely manner to prevent loss of rights.
Does temporary protection replace a residence permit?
No. Article 25 of the Regulation clearly states that the temporary protection identification document provides the right to stay, but is not considered equivalent to a residence permit. Are temporary protection years counted towards the duration of citizenship? No. The duration of the document is not taken into account in the total residence permit and does not provide the right to apply for citizenship.
Is it possible to work with a temporary protection identity document?
Work can only be done by obtaining a work permit in sectors and geographical areas determined by the President. Working without permission will result in sanctions.
Can a temporary protection holder go to another country?
Temporary or permanent departure to a third country is subject to the permission of the General Directorate. The application should also be evaluated.
When is temporary protection canceled?
It terminates or is canceled in cases of acquisition of another type of legal stay, acquisition of citizenship, departure from Türkiye, subsequent understanding that it should be excluded from the scope, or failure to fulfill the notification obligation three times in a row.
Can a temporary protection holder obtain a long-term residence permit?
The regulation states that the temporary protection identification document does not grant the right to transition to a long-term residence permit. Requirements for another type of legal stay must also be met.
Thinking that the years of temporary protection will be counted towards the duration of residence and citizenship.
Not reporting changes in address, work and family information in a timely manner.
Working without a work permit.
Not confirming the procedure for leaving the province or changing the province from the governorship.
Missing the deadline to file a lawsuit against annulment decisions.
Temporary protection is a status that gives the right to stay but has clear boundaries. It should be known from the beginning that the status does not have any consequences in terms of residence, long-term permit and citizenship. Options for switching to another type of legal stay are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Küheylan Law Firm provides legal support on notification and work obligations of foreigners under temporary protection, applications against cancellation decisions, and transition planning to other types of stay.
Important Legal Notice: The legal explanations contained in this guide have been prepared by Küheylan Law Firm for general information purposes and do not constitute legal advice. The unique conditions of each file may change the outcome. In order not to miss the application, objection and lawsuit deadlines, it is recommended to get legal support from a lawyer before the process begins. © 2026 Küheylan Law Firm. All rights reserved.
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