Expats in Türkiye beware: Important update on immigration procedure

Türkiye‘s Directorate of Migration Management has implemented a significant change affecting foreign nationals and expats who need to obtain or renew residence permits.

Now, individuals holding valid residence permits must schedule appointments via randevu.goc.gov.tr before visiting their offices for tasks like address registration and fingerprinting.

Key points of new procedure for expats

Mandatory appointments:

Walk-ins for these services are no longer allowed. Those who arrive without an appointment will be turned away and required to reschedule. Same-day appointment availability may be limited.

Missed appointments:

If you miss or cancel your appointment, you will not be able to book another one for 15 days. Careful planning is essential to avoid delays.

e-Government login required:

Access to the appointment system requires an e-Government or e-Devlet login. If you do not have an e-Devlet password, you can obtain one from any PTT branch by presenting your residence permit card and Turkish mobile phone number.

Residence permit validity:

The system only allows appointment bookings during the validity period of your residence permit. While system errors may sometimes enable processing after expiration, the rule states that applications can only be made within 30 days of the permit’s expiration date.

Additional obligations for foreign residents:

Foreign nationals must also register with the National Electronic Notification System (UETS) after completing their address registration. Applications for residence permit renewal without UETS registration will not be processed, and submission of the UETS registration certificate is mandatory.

What is UETS?

UETS facilitates legal notifications electronically, replacing traditional methods like postal mail. Notifications, such as rejection of residence permit applications, are sent through the system to your registered email and phone number. Legal deadlines, like the 10-day response window following a rejection, start from the notification date.

How to Register for UETS:

• Enable two-factor authentication on the e-Devlet account (login via SMS verification).
• Search “UETS” in e-Devlet, complete the form, and finalize registration.
• A unique 15-character UETS number (e.g., XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX) will be issued, remaining unchanged throughout the stay in Türkiye.

Foreign residents are strongly advised to carefully plan their appointments and UETS registration to ensure smooth processing of their residence-related tasks.

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About the author: Kagan Orhan is a human resources and immigration consultancy expert at ‘Expat Solutions Turkey’, dedicated to facilitating the adaptation processes of foreigners in Türkiye with the expertise and knowledge in managing legal procedures such as residence permit applications, work permits, business establishment, real estate and citizenship processes for foreigners settling in Türkiye with their team of lawyers and consultants.