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What is the Entry Ban to Türkiye (Restriction Code)? Legal Means for Learning, Duration and Lifting the Ban Law No. 6458 on Foreigners and International Protection Art.9, Art.10, Art.54, Art.7; Administrative Procedure Law No. 2577, art.7, art.10, art.11, art.32 was prepared based on the legislation in force as of 2026 and official sources dated October 2026.
An entry ban into Türkiye is an administrative measure to prevent a foreigner from being admitted to the country on the grounds of public order, public security or public health, or due to deportation. It is popularly known as the "threat code". As a rule, the ban period is five years at most; If there is a serious threat to public order or security, the General Directorate may extend this period for a maximum of ten years. There are separate procedures in the law for notification, objection and removal of the ban. This guide explains what rights foreigners facing an entry ban can exercise and how to proceed with the administrative court.
What is the Entry Ban to Türkiye and Who Decides?
The entry ban is regulated in Article 9 of Law No. 6458. According to the article, a ban can be imposed in two different ways:
The General Directorate may prohibit the entry of foreigners whom it deems undesirable to enter Türkiye due to public order, public security or public health (Art. 9/1).
The entry of foreigners deported from Türkiye is prohibited by the General Directorate or governorships (Art. 9/2).
In other words, every deportation decision also brings with it an entry ban evaluation. The deportation process itself is the subject of a separate guide; Here the focus is on the ban itself and the ways to lift it.
How Long Does the Entry Ban Last?
According to the third paragraph of Article 9 of the Law, the duration of the ban is five years at most. If there is a serious threat to public order or public security, the General Directorate may increase this period by a maximum of ten years. The law does not provide an "indefinite" option for the ban.
In its decision dated 22 June 2023 and numbered E.2018/2011, K.2023/4050, the 10th Chamber of the Council of State examined the ban imposed on foreigners who withdraw their international protection applications. In the justification of the decision, it was emphasized that freedom of travel can only be limited by law, depending on the reasons specified in the Constitution, and that a reason for limitation not foreseen in the law cannot be imposed by administrative regulation. In entry ban procedures, it is therefore important to question which provision of law the transaction is based on.
Under what circumstances does an entry ban occur?
Prohibition decision taken by the governorship or the General Directorate for deported foreigners,
Admission to the country is subject to prior permission due to administrative fines or public receivables recorded in the records (Art. 9/7).
Restriction codes are a designation related to the internal registration system of the administration. In the decisions of the Council of State, five-year bans applied with different codes can be seen. The legal basis of the code, the duration and justification of the ban should be examined separately in each file.
Can a Ban on Exit After a Visa or Residence Violation Be Prevented?
The fourth paragraph of Article 9 of the Law provides an important opportunity. For foreigners who apply to the governorship to leave Türkiye after their visa or residence permit expires and before they are detected by the competent authorities, an entry ban decision may not be taken if they have paid the administrative fines and have not exceeded the violation periods determined by the Ministry. Likewise, those who are invited to leave the country in accordance with Article 56 and leave the country within the given period may not be banned (Art. 9/5).
These provisions give the administration discretion. For this reason, making the application before departure at the right time and completely may be decisive.
How to Learn about the Ban and How to Notify It?
Article 10 of the Law regulates that entry ban decisions will be notified to the person concerned, and how the right to object to the ban will be used will be stated in the notification. Most of the time, the foreigner becomes aware of the ban while applying for a visa abroad or at the border gate. In order to obtain information about the existence, justification and duration of the ban, a written application can be made to the administration making the action. Acting without learning the content of the file may lead to a wrong application and loss of time.
How to Remove Login Ban?
According to the sixth paragraph of Article 9 of the Law, the General Directorate may lift the entry ban or allow entry for a certain period of time, provided that the ban remains reserved. In practice, two ways stand out:
A written application can be made to the administration that imposed the ban, requesting that the ban be lifted or entry allowed for a certain period of time. Documents showing that the reason for the ban has been eliminated are important in the administrative application: fines paid, family ties, commercial and professional relations in Türkiye, criminal records and health status are examples of these documents. If the application is not responded to within 30 days, the request is deemed rejected (IYUK art. 10).
A lawsuit for annulment can be filed against the ban in the administrative court within 60 days from the notification (IYUK art. 7). An application made to the higher authority or the administration that imposed the ban suspends the litigation period (Art. 11). The competent court is the administrative court where the administrative authority carrying out the action is located (Art. 32). This rule is important in the selection of the court in terms of General Directorate transactions.
How Do Courts Consider Entry Ban Cases?
In entry ban cases, the Council of State considers, on the one hand, the state's authority to protect public order, and, on the other hand, the freedom of travel and family life of the foreigner. Two separate results can also be seen:
In its decision dated 10 March 2021 and numbered E.2016/3056, K.2021/1050, the 10th Chamber of the Council of State (by majority vote) approved the annulment decision of the administrative court, finding that the imposition of a five-year ban based on a circular lacked legal basis. In the opposing vote, a different evaluation was made in terms of the reasons for the ban. It should not be overlooked that the incident relates to the period before Law No. 6458. In its decision dated December 2, 2020 and numbered E.2016/14970, K.2020/5652, the 10th Chamber of the Council of State approved the decision of the administrative court to reject the case filed by a foreigner with a Turkish citizen wife and two school-age children against the continuation of the entry ban. Having a family connection does not ensure that the ban is lifted in every case.
These decisions show that the outcome depends on the characteristics of the case, the basis for the ban and the evidence presented.
Ban period As a rule, maximum 5 years; May be extended for a maximum of 10 years for public order and security
decision maker Head Office; Governorships are also authorized for those who are deported.
Pre-authorization requirement Public order etc. For reasons, the General Directorate; governorships due to administrative fines or public receivables
Avoiding the ban on exit Application to the governorship and payment of fines before detection (Art.9/4)
Incident Summary Form: Fictional example: A foreigner stays in Türkiye for a long time after his residence permit expires and is detected at the airport during exit. Even though no deportation decision has been taken against him, an entry ban is imposed. A few years later, the Turkish citizen wants to live in Türkiye with his wife. Process: The basis, duration and notification status of the ban are examined. If there is an unpaid fine, the amount and payment status are checked. An application to lift the ban is made to the General Directorate with documents showing family ties and living ties in Türkiye. If no response is received, a lawsuit is filed in the administrative court within 60 days upon implied rejection. Conclusion: Even if it is possible to lift the ban, subsequent residence permit or family residence applications need to be handled separately. Applications made while there is a ban carry the risk of rejection; Therefore, the order of the operations is important.
How do I find out if I am banned from entering Türkiye?
The prohibition decision is notified as a rule. Even if notification has not been made, the situation may arise when applying for a visa abroad or at the border gate. For information regarding the records, a written application is made to the competent administration, usually through a lawyer. Can the entry ban be indefinite? The law determines the duration of the ban as a maximum of five years. If there is a serious threat to public order or security, this period may be extended by the General Directorate for a maximum of ten years.
Does the entry ban end automatically when it expires?
Since the ban is established based on a period of time, it is expected to expire when the period expires. However, it would be appropriate to confirm the transaction information in the records to ensure that the ban has actually been lifted. There are also examples in the decisions of the Council of State where the ban was lifted after its expiration.
Does being married to a Turkish citizen remove the entry ban?
No, it doesn't remove it automatically. Family ties are an important element that the administration and the court take into account; However, the basis of the prohibition and the nature of the violation are also evaluated.
In which court can a lawsuit be filed against an entry ban?
An annulment case is filed in the administrative court. The duration of the lawsuit is 60 days from the notification.
Can a residence permit or work permit be obtained while there is an entry ban?
The law considers a valid entry ban as a reason for rejection or cancellation of short-term and family residence permits (Art. 33, Art. 36). For this reason, the legal status of the ban should be clarified before making a residence plan.
Missing the trial period even though an entry ban has been notified.
Exiting without paying the fines and this is how the ban was born.
Submitting a general petition for removal without learning the reason and basis of the ban.
Applying for a new residence permit while the ban continues and ignoring the risk of rejection of the application.
Failure to take advantage of the application opportunity to avoid the ban before going abroad.
An entry ban into Türkiye is a measure that directly affects a foreigner's family, business and life plans in Türkiye. Steps taken without examining the basis, duration and notification status of the ban often result in a waste of time. Küheylan Law Firm makes a legal evaluation of the ban on behalf of foreigners with an entry ban, prepares applications for removal and, when necessary, carries out the litigation process in the administrative court.
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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