What is a Satellite City in Turkey for foreigners and can it be changed?

The satellite city or also known as the satellite town is the name given to the city where the immigrants seeking asylum in Turkey are sent to reside and meet their basic needs until the asylum procedures are completed as a result of their applications. Until the international protection application and evaluation process is concluded, foreigners cannot leave the cities to which they have been directed without permission. Accordingly, foreigners who go to the relevant police stations and sign that they are in the city during the periods determined by the Foreigners Branch of the Police Department of the province where they are settled are prohibited from leaving these satellite cities without permission.

If foreigners have close relatives such as parents, siblings, spouses, children, grandparents legally residing in another city, they can request to live in the same city as their relatives. In addition, if it is necessary for foreigners to be transferred to another city due to health reasons, it is possible to request a change in the satellite province. It is a legal obligation for foreigners to submit the request for changing satellite provinces in writing directly to the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management. As a result of this application for change, the foreigner will be notified of a positive or negative answer.

If the foreigners want to change the satellite province, except for the above-mentioned two imperatives, the reasoned request must be submitted to the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management. Foreigners who receive a positive response as a result of this request must complete the registration process within the time given to them.

If you have questions about the concept of changing satellite provinces in Turkey, you can send them to us in the comments section.