Foreigners in Türkiye often encounter various challenges when it comes to navigating the country's immigration regulations. One of the most complex issues is the imposition of foreign restriction codes, tahdit kodu, which can lead to entry bans or, in severe cases, deportation.
These codes are administrative measures that restrict the movements of foreign nationals who may have violated certain laws or who are deemed to pose risks to public order, health, or security. If you or someone you know is dealing with a restriction code in Türkiye, it is essential to understand how these codes work, what each one genuinely signifies, and the steps needed to remove them, since two very similarly named codes can carry very different legal weight.
Quick Answer: Turkish restriction codes are administrative flags placed on a foreign national's file by the Presidency of Migration Management, restricting entry, imposing conditional entry requirements, or supporting a deportation decision. Among the most consequential are G-82, which applies to activities against national security, and G-87, which is the most commonly applied code in practice, covering a broad range of general public security concerns; both are distinct from G-89, which applies specifically to individuals assessed as foreign terrorist fighters. These security related codes generally require a formal cancellation lawsuit to remove, while many administrative violation codes can be addressed through a more straightforward administrative application. Understanding the exact code applied to a specific case, rather than relying on the similarity of two code numbers, is the essential first step before deciding how to challenge it.
Foreign restriction codes are codes applied by Turkish authorities to foreign nationals based on administrative decisions related to immigration violations or concerns about public safety, national security, or public health. These codes can restrict or ban a foreigner's entry into Türkiye, often for a specific period, or, in some cases, permanently until successfully challenged.
In some cases, the codes impose conditional entry requirements, allowing foreigners to enter Türkiye only if they meet certain conditions. In others, the codes serve as outright bans that must be challenged legally to allow re-entry into the country. Each code is identified by a combination of letters and numbers that represent different reasons for restriction. The "G," "Ç," "V," and "N" series are among the most common code families seen in practice, though there are many other codes with distinct meanings and consequences. Understanding the specific restriction code assigned to your case is critical in determining the best approach to challenge or remove it. For a broader overview, see our guide on restrictive codes and the legal constraints facing expatriates in Turkey.
Turkish authorities impose foreign restriction codes to maintain public order, health, and safety. When a restriction code is placed on a foreign national's file, it means the authorities have flagged that individual in connection with an issue related to their immigration status, past activities, or other considerations.
Codes may be issued for various reasons, such as overstaying a visa, violating visa exemptions, or attempting to enter the country illegally. Some codes are precautionary, acting as a form of alert for border officials, while others are directly enforceable, leading to legal consequences like entry bans or deportation.
For those who have faced challenges with entry bans or detentions at Turkish borders, the existence of a restriction code on their file could explain the issue. Where the code reflects a conditional requirement, it may allow for conditional entry. However, where it constitutes an outright ban, the foreign national may be stopped at the border or, if already inside Türkiye, face deportation. It helps to understand the distinction between an entry ban and an exit ban in Türkiye.
Also read: Visa Regime for Foreigners in Turkiye
Foreign restriction codes in Türkiye vary considerably in their purpose, severity, and impact on the foreign national's legal status. It is worth being especially precise about the codes below, since several similarly numbered codes are frequently confused with one another in informal summaries, sometimes with the specific meanings swapped entirely.
G-82 Code: This is generally regarded as one of the most serious codes, applied where the authorities have determined, or hold a serious suspicion, that a foreign national has engaged in activities against Türkiye's national security. It is typically based on intelligence information rather than an open judicial file, results in the cancellation of the person's existing legal stay and an entry ban, and removing it is difficult, usually requiring a formal cancellation lawsuit given the classified nature of the underlying basis for the decision.
G-87 Code: This is, in practice, the most frequently applied restriction code, precisely because it covers a broad range of general public security concerns, including suspected links to organisations of concern, assessed public order risk, or other security related considerations evaluated by the Presidency of Migration Management, drawing where relevant on information from national intelligence sources. Because the category is broad, the specific factual basis behind a given G-87 code can vary considerably from case to case, and removing it generally requires a legal challenge tailored to the specific facts alleged.
G-89 Code: This code is applied specifically to individuals assessed as foreign terrorist fighters. It is among the most severe codes in practical effect, generally leading to a long term or indefinite entry ban, and challenging it requires substantial, carefully prepared evidence addressing the specific basis for the assessment.
G-91 Code: This code is assigned when a foreigner attempts to enter Türkiye illegally. Those with a G-91 code may face a multi-year entry ban, with the exact duration depending on the circumstances of the attempted illegal entry.
G-102 Code: This code applies to foreigners who have overstayed their visa or residence permit for a period longer than three months. A G-102 code commonly results in an entry ban measured in months, though a longer ban can apply depending on the severity and duration of the overstay.
Ç-113 Code: This code relates to unauthorised or illegal entry into, or exit from, Türkiye. It is generally treated as an administrative category, meaning it can, in many cases, be overcome through the annotated visa exception process described in our related guidance, rather than always requiring full court litigation, though the specific facts of the entry or exit violation still need to be properly addressed.
V-84 Code: This code is applied to foreigners who entered Türkiye on the specific condition that they apply for a residence permit within ten days of arrival. Where the individual fails to submit that application within the ten day window, a temporary entry ban is imposed under this code. Because the underlying issue is procedural, timing based, and rarely disputed on the facts, this code is often among the more straightforward to resolve once the missed residence permit application is properly addressed.
V-87, Voluntary Return of Temporary Protection Holders: Individuals with temporary protection status in Türkiye can return to their home countries voluntarily, a process referred to as voluntary return. The V-87 code is applied when a foreigner under temporary protection chooses to return home voluntarily, most commonly seen among Syrian nationals.
V-88, Foreigners with Invalidated Work Permits: Foreigners whose work permits have been invalidated are given the V-88 code, and may additionally be subject to administrative fines or barred from re-entering Türkiye, depending on the specific reason the work permit was invalidated. Resolution options generally include an annotated visa application, a fresh work permit application, or an administrative court challenge.
V-89, Readmitted Foreigners: Where a foreign national unlawfully present in Türkiye is accepted for return by another country under a readmission agreement, this process is referred to as readmission, and the V-89 code is applied to record it.
V-91, Temporary Protection Holders Requiring Exit Permission: Foreigners residing in Türkiye under temporary protection generally need permission before leaving the country, and the V-91 code is assigned to reflect this requirement. Where this code has been imposed without proper legal basis, it can and should be challenged for removal.
V-92, Temporary Protection Holders with Duplicate Registrations: This code applies where a foreign national has filed more than one request for temporary protection. In such cases, the most recent request is treated as valid, and any earlier requests are invalidated.
V-137, Foreigners Invited to Leave Türkiye: In cases involving work or residence permit violations that do not themselves warrant a full deportation order, a foreign national may instead be invited to leave the country voluntarily, a process known as the leave invitation procedure. Individuals are generally given a period of 15 to 30 days to depart voluntarily, and the V-137 code is applied for tracking purposes during this window.
V-144, Released Under Article 57-A: Where a foreign national's deportation could expose them to a real risk of death, torture, or inhumane treatment in the destination country, deportation is avoided under the relevant protective provision, and a humanitarian residence permit is issued together with the V-144 code.
V-145, Voluntary Return Under International Protection: This code is applied to foreigners under international protection status who choose to return voluntarily to their home countries, an act that brings their international protection status to an end.
V-148, Individuals in Temporary Shelter Centres: Foreigners who are unable to return to their home countries may be accommodated in temporary shelter centres, and the V-148 code is used to record their presence there. Where the individual later leaves the centre, this code should be removed from their file accordingly.
V-153, Constitutional Court Interim Measure for a Safe Third Country: Where deportation would pose a risk of serious harm, and a protection request is instead directed toward removal to a safe third country, the Constitutional Court may apply this code in connection with an interim measure decision.
V-154 and V-156: These codes are cited inconsistently across different sources, with some materials describing V-154 as relating to a pending administrative court challenge to a deportation order, and others describing it in connection with migrant smuggling related suspicion, and similarly for V-156 in connection with either unpaid legal costs following an unsuccessful case or the use of falsified visa or residence documents. Given this inconsistency in publicly available summaries, anyone encountering either of these two specific codes on their file should have the exact basis confirmed directly with the Presidency of Migration Management or through counsel, rather than relying on a general description.
V-155, European Court of Human Rights Interim Measure: This code is applied where a foreign national's case has reached the European Court of Human Rights and that court has granted a protective interim measure.
V-157, Denied Residence Permit Applications: This code is assigned to foreign nationals whose residence permit application has been refused on grounds set out in the Law on Foreigners and International Protection, particularly where the individual has not departed within the legally required period following the refusal.
V-158, Foreign Mission Staff or Family Member ID Card Cancellation: This code is applied where the identity card of a member of a foreign diplomatic mission, or a family member of such staff, has been cancelled.
V-159, Transit Passengers: This code applies to foreigners passing through Türkiye en route to a third country and does not, on its own, indicate any negative status or concern.
N Series Codes: These generally relate to administrative fines imposed on foreign nationals for specific violations, such as breaching an entry ban, failing to depart within a legally granted period, or failing to comply with address registration obligations, and the underlying fine typically needs to be resolved before the associated restriction can be lifted.
Y Codes: These are applied to individuals subject to an Interpol Green Notice, an international alert used for persons suspected or convicted of criminal offences, informing Interpol member countries about the individual in question.
Foreigners can request the removal of a restriction code through an administrative application or a cancellation lawsuit. Legitimate visa routes can also enable re-entry in specific circumstances. In cases involving a deportation decision, the code can be addressed by pursuing a deportation cancellation action.
An administrative application can be submitted to remove a restriction code within 60 days of its imposition. The application is made to the Presidency of Migration Management, which must respond within 30 days. If no response is received within that period, this is treated as an implicit denial, allowing a cancellation lawsuit to be filed within the remaining portion of the applicable time limit.
The restriction code and any associated entry ban can be challenged by filing a cancellation lawsuit, either directly or following an unsuccessful administrative application. The lawsuit must generally be filed within 60 days of notification of the relevant decision, and an appeal can be filed within 30 days of the first instance court's decision.
A conditional, annotated visa can, in certain circumstances, allow a foreigner with an entry ban to enter Türkiye for a specific, recognised purpose, and this route is often pursued alongside, rather than instead of, a cancellation lawsuit aimed at lifting the restriction code itself.
Challenging a restriction code can be complex and time consuming. The removal process generally requires strong evidence, legal documentation, and, often, a court hearing, particularly where the code is one of the security related categories described in section 3.1 above.
The first step is to understand the actual grounds for the restriction, which requires correctly identifying which specific code has been applied and its genuine legal meaning, rather than assuming based on a superficially similar code number. From there, a general outline of the steps involved typically includes the following:
Many restriction codes are tied to a deportation order, so it is worth understanding how to approach deportation orders in Turkey and the options for overturning a deportation order. Where an overstay is involved, you may also need to review how visa violation penalties are calculated in Turkey.
At Bayraktar Attorneys, we have extensive experience in handling cases involving foreign restriction codes. Our team specialises in immigration law and can assist you in navigating the legal system to remove an entry ban or prevent deportation. We understand the nuances of each restriction code, including the important distinctions between similarly numbered codes, and are committed to protecting your rights throughout the process.
Whether you are dealing with a G-87, G-82, G-89, V-84, or any other type of restriction code, our firm is equipped to provide the guidance and support needed to resolve your case. Removing these restrictions often requires detailed, current knowledge of Turkish immigration policies and diligent legal representation. By working with Bayraktar Attorneys, you will have a team that can effectively communicate with Turkish authorities and advocate for the best outcome on your behalf.
G-82 applies specifically to activities against national security and is among the most serious codes. G-87 is the most commonly applied restriction code overall, covering a broad range of general public security concerns, and is distinct from, though related in severity to, G-82.
No. G-89 is applied specifically to individuals assessed as foreign terrorist fighters, not to general criminal history or organised crime associations, which fall under different categories entirely.
It applies to foreigners who entered Türkiye on the condition of applying for a residence permit within ten days and failed to submit that application in time, resulting in a temporary entry ban.
It relates to unauthorised or illegal entry into, or exit from, Türkiye, and is generally treated as an administrative category that can often be addressed without full court litigation.
Generally 60 days from the imposition of the code, submitted to the Presidency of Migration Management, which must respond within 30 days.
No response within 30 days is treated as an implicit denial, allowing you to proceed with a cancellation lawsuit within the remaining portion of the applicable time limit.
Generally 60 days from notification of the relevant decision, with any appeal of the first instance court's decision to be filed within 30 days.
In certain circumstances, a conditional annotated visa may allow entry for a specific recognised purpose while the underlying cancellation process proceeds, though this depends heavily on which code applies and its underlying basis.
No. Codes tied to procedural or administrative issues, such as V-84, are often comparatively straightforward to resolve, while codes tied to national security concerns, such as G-82, G-87, and G-89, generally require a more substantial legal challenge.
It is applied to foreigners under temporary protection status, most commonly Syrian nationals, who choose to voluntarily return to their home countries.
V-88 applies to foreigners whose work permit has been invalidated, and depending on the reason, may come with an administrative fine or entry restriction requiring resolution through an annotated visa, a new work permit application, or a court challenge.
Generally no. N series codes typically relate to administrative fines for specific violations, and resolving the underlying fine is usually what is needed to address the associated restriction.
This does happen for certain codes, and rather than relying on an informal summary, you should have the exact basis for your specific code confirmed directly with the Presidency of Migration Management or through experienced legal counsel.
No. Many codes are temporary, tied to a specific, resolvable issue, or subject to successful legal challenge, so a restriction code should be treated as a serious matter requiring proper legal attention rather than a necessarily permanent barrier.
Dealing with a foreign restriction code in Türkiye can be intimidating, but it does not have to be a permanent barrier, and correctly identifying which specific code applies, rather than assuming based on a similar code number or an informal online summary, is the essential starting point. By taking proactive steps, working with an experienced immigration lawyer, and presenting strong, well targeted evidence, it is possible to challenge and remove many types of restriction codes.
If you or someone you know is facing such a restriction, don't hesitate to reach out to Bayraktar Attorneys for expert assistance. Our team is here to help you restore your freedom to travel and protect your right to remain in Türkiye.
