This is an information note, not legal advice. Checked against the laws and official announcements in October 2026. Rules change — before applying, check everything with the migration office of your province.
Where this road comes from
In 1992 Türkiye adopted Law No. 3835 on the admission of Ahıska Turks (more in the article on the law). The law called the Ahıska Turks “our kin” and opened the road to them. But many lived for years on short-term residence permits, renewing them again and again. Researchers write that the hardest things for Ahıska Turks in Türkiye are residence permits, work permits, recognition of diplomas and citizenship.
Long-term residence
Under Türkiye’s law on foreigners (No. 6458, article 43) long-term residence is usually given to those who have lived in the country for eight years without a break, have not received social assistance for three years, and have an income and health insurance. But the same article lets the state name people for whom none of these conditions apply except one — not being a threat to public order.
On 24 January 2019 the Migration Board decided under this article to issue long-term residence permits again to Ahıska Turks and Uyghur Turks. This is stated in the announcement of the Antalya Provincial Migration Office of 25 March 2019. The decision concerned those who entered Türkiye before 1 January 2019.
The road is open to those who came later too. From families’ experience: people who applied in 2024 received permanent (long-term) residence in 2025. Those already living in Türkiye for another reason — for example, as students — can apply too.
What it gives. Almost all the rights of a citizen of Türkiye. A few things are excluded: voting and standing for election, military service, entering public service, importing a car duty-free (article 44).
How not to lose it. It is cancelled if you live outside Türkiye for more than a year without a break — except for study, medical treatment and compulsory public service in your own country (article 45).
Which documents are asked for
The Migration Office list (2019) for those who had not previously received a residence permit as Ahıska Turks:
- Your own birth certificate.
- The birth certificate of your mother or father.
- Any document of your grandfather or grandmother: deportation, birth, military service or marriage.
- Marriage certificates, if a surname changed after marriage.
- The long-term residence application form (e-İkamet system).
- Passport and two copies; your country’s ID card and previous residence permit, if any.
- A criminal record certificate — it can be brought from your country with an apostille.
- Four biometric photographs taken within the last six months.
- The card fee receipt; the application letter, notification and undertaking — given at the office.
Documents 1–4 are submitted with a notarised Turkish translation made in Türkiye. They need an apostille; without one, the document is first certified by your country’s consulate and then again by a Turkish authority.
From families’ experience. The main thing is to show the chain: here are the grandfather and grandmother, they were deported, here is their daughter or son, here are you. One family applied together with the mother: she had the deportation documents of her parents and papers showing that they were indeed her parents, plus translations of the birth certificates. Sometimes people are also asked about Ahıska life itself — customs, language, family: one young man was given a real exam on the culture.
Where to look for your grandparents’ old documents — in the section “Archives: where to search for your own”: deportation lists, military archives, parish registers in Tbilisi.
Citizenship
Under Türkiye’s citizenship law (No. 5901) there are two paths:
- Exceptional (article 12). By decision of the President, citizenship may be granted to, among others, “persons whose naturalisation is deemed necessary”. This is the article under which Türkiye naturalises Ahıska Turks; the file is prepared by the Migration Office. On 12 November 2025 the President of Türkiye said that about 170,000 Ahıska Turks had received exceptional citizenship and more than 150,000 long-term residence.
- General (article 11). Five years of uninterrupted residence in Türkiye, sufficient Turkish, income, health. During these five years you may spend no more than twelve months in total outside Türkiye.
From families’ experience. The citizenship application can be lodged at the same place when submitting documents for residence — the person joins a queue. Later an SMS arrives inviting them to bring the documents for citizenship.
Where to go
Applications go to the migration office (İl Göç İdaresi) of the province where you live; appointments are made through e-İkamet and the office’s website. In Istanbul in 2024–2025 there was a separate desk for Ahıska Turks in the building by the “DTM – İstanbul Fuar Merkezi” metro station. Before going, check the address and appointment on the Istanbul office’s website.
What to watch out for
- You can apply only yourself, through state services: the Presidency of Migration Management (goc.gov.tr), e-İkamet, e-Devlet. A “paid helper” cannot do anything you cannot do yourself.
- If your case is complicated, turn to a lawyer (avukat) who handles such cases; there are many in Istanbul. Check that they are on the bar association (baro) list.
- Do not stay outside Türkiye for more than a year without a break while you hold long-term residence.
