Russia, Ukraine and Iran were the top three nationalities of newcomers in 2022. Among the top 15 countries of origin, Russia registered the strongest increase (68 000) and Iraq the largest decrease (‑55 000) in flows to Türkiye compared to the previous year.
In 2023, the number of first asylum applicants decreased by ‑43%, to reach around 19 000. The majority of applicants came from Afghanistan (13 000), Iraq (2 800) and Iran (1 400). The largest increase since 2022 concerned nationals of Iran (300) and the largest decrease nationals of Ukraine (‑6 400). Of the 81 000 decisions taken in 2023, 12% were positive.
Emigration of Turkish citizens to OECD countries increased by 61% in 2022, to 115 000. Approximately 50% of this group migrated to Germany, 11% to the Netherlands and 6% to the United States.
In 2022‑23, migration policy mainly focused on Syrians under Temporary Protection (SuTP), recovery from the impact of the COVID‑19 pandemic and managing the consequences of a major earthquake.
Policy debates relating to SuTP continued to focus on their integration in Türkiye, return prospects, and resettlement options in third countries. While options for integration and return are included in policy provisions, Türkiye also strongly supports resettlement in third countries. In 2023, the Presidency of Migration Management (PMM) announced plans for a new comprehensive national strategy for harmonisation of policies relating to people under international protection including SuTP.
The combination of COVID‑19 followed rapidly by the economic crisis in Türkiye strongly deteriorated the material conditions of people under international protection. While SuTP cannot access all types of financial assistance provided to Turkish citizens by the Ministry of Family and Social Services, some are able to receive Emergency Social Safety Net (ESSN) and complementary ESSN cash assistance, funded by the European Union and implemented by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), although this is far below the average monthly financial needs of a household in Türkiye.
Following the increase in 2022 of the real estate investment threshold for investors to acquire citizenship (from USD 250 000 to 400 000), the minimum property value threshold for foreigners to acquire residency was raised from USD 75 000 to 200 000 in October 2023.
A decline in the number of foreigners holding residence permits may be associated with stricter review for renewal of visitor permits. Permits fell to 887 000 in 2020, rose to 1.35 million in 2022 before declining from May 2023 to 1.1 million at the end of 2023. Family, study and work permits were stable; the decline was entirely in the short-stay figures. This also affected Russians, for whom Türkiye has since 24 February 2022 been a major receiving country. The number of Russians with residence permits doubled in the year to March 2023, to 158 000, but fell below 100 000 by March 2024.
On 23 December 2023, visa exemptions were introduced to the United States, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Canada, Saudi Arabia and Oman. Angola was added to the annotated visa countries on 1 January 2024. In April 2024, Türkiye abolished the visa exemptions for citizens of Tajikistan.
An agreement with Germany created a simplified visa procedure for individuals affected by the February 2023 earthquake, allowing temporary stay there for Turks and Syrians with relatives in Germany.
For further information: www.goc.gov.tr
