2025 List of Closed Regions for Foreigners to Apply for Residence – Istanbul and Other Major Cities

Due to the increasing foreign population density in Turkey, the Directorate of Migration Management has updated the neighborhoods where foreign nationals will not be able to apply for a residence permit as of 2025.

In this context, a total of 1169 neighborhoodsin Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Antalya and Bursa have been declared closed to foreigners’residence applications.

📍 Closed Areas for Foreigners in 2025 (City by City List)

Istanbul – 54 Neighborhoods / 10 Districts Completely Closed

In the following districts, all neighborhoods are closed to residence applications:

– Fatih

– Esenyurt

– Hunters

– Bağcılar

– Bahcelievler

– Basaksehir

– Esenler

– Kucukcekmece

– Sultangazi

– Zeytinburnu

In some districts, only these neighborhoods are closed:

– Besiktas: Star

– Beylikduzu: Beylikduzu OSB

– Beyoglu: Katip Mustafa Çelebi, Asmalı Mescit, Bostan, Kocatepe, Yenişehir etc.

– Sisli: Ergenekon, Inonu, Cumhuriyet

– Sarıyer: Maslak

– Tuzla: Aydinli KOSB

– Umraniye: Dudullu OSB

– Sile Meşrutiyet

Ankara – 24 Neighborhoods

– Altindag: Önder, Ulubey, Solfasol, Hacı Bayram

– Mamak: Demirlibahçe, Köstence, Şafaktepe, Bostancık

– Beypazari, Cankaya, Sincan, Polatli, Yenimahalle: Selected neighborhoods

Izmir – 27 Neighborhoods

– Konak: Kadifekale, Pazaryeri, Bozkurt, Tan, Yeni, etc.

– Bornova: Işıklar, Yunus Emre, Zafer

– Buca: Seyhan

– Karabaglar: Aşık Veysel

– Torbali: Karsiyaka, May 19

Antalya – 10 Neighborhoods

– Alanya: Mahmutlar, Kargicak, Kestel, Avsallar

– Konyaalti: Liman, Hurma, Sarısu

– Döşemealtı: AOSB 2nd Section, AOSB 3rd Section

– Muratpaşa: Topçular

Bursa – 19 Neighborhoods

– Osmangazi: Altıparmak, Alacamescit, Kiremitçi, etc. (13 neighborhoods)

– Yildirim: Duaçınarı, Beyazıt

– Nilüfer, Karacabey, Yenişehir: Specific neighborhoods

Purpose of the Application and Exemption for Gulf States

The aim is to prevent overcrowding of foreigners in big cities, protect the social structure and ensure the sustainability of public services.

Furthermore, as of 2025, citizens ofthe Gulf States (except Iraq) and Saudi Arabia will be able to apply for residency even in non-residential areas . These countries are

– Bahrain

– United Arab Emirates

– Qatar

– Kuwait

– Oman

– Saudi Arabia

📌 Recommendation for Investors and Foreigners

📍 Be sure to check whether the area is closed before applying for residency or buying real estate.

📍 Failure to obtain a residence permit in closed areas may cause problems in subscription procedures such as electricity, water and natural gas.

📍 MFY LEGAL provides professional support to foreign investors in all legal processes in Turkey.

Contact us for the latest information and advice.