Is Turquoise Card Issued to Temporary Protection Holders?

The Turquoise Card, which is one of the permanent work and residence rights granted to foreigners in Turkey, is designed to bring highly qualified foreigners into the country. However, foreigners under temporary protection are excluded from this scope.

Explicit Provision in the Legislation

According to the Turquoise Card Regulation and related legislation:

Foreigners under temporary protection are not issued Turquoise Cards.

This exception means that the application will be rejected outright, regardless of the circumstances.

Source: Turquoise Card Terms and Criteria

Why not Temporary Protection Holders?

• Temporary protection is an international protection status; it is different from permanent residence and work permits.
• The Turquoise Card is intended for foreigners who will make economic, scientific and cultural contributions within the scope of international labor policy.
• Different procedures apply to foreigners under temporary protection (e.g. residence permits, work permits).

Alternative Routes

A foreigner under temporary protection can benefit from the following ways instead of a Turquoise Card:

• Work permit application: A work permit can be obtained through the employer with a temporary protection identity document.
• Residence permit application: Different types of permits may be considered in the event that a person is granted residence status outside temporary protection.

See for the detailed process. Turquoise Card Application Process Step by Step

SSS

I have temporary protection, I meet the criteria, can I still apply?

No, they are not. The legislation clearly states that “temporary protection holders are not issued Turquoise Cards”.

Can I apply if my temporary protection status is terminated?

Yes. Turquoise Card application can be made after the status is terminated and legal residence status is acquired.

Are there other advantageous statuses for temporary protection holders?

Apart from work permits and residence permits, there is no special status similar to the Turquoise Card.

To Determine the Right Status

Temporary protection holders cannot apply for a Turquoise Card; however, it is possible to obtain work and residence permits through different means. You can get support from expert lawyers of MFY Legal | Law Office to guide your process in the right way.

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