International protection is the status granted for refugees, conditional refugees, and those under subsidiary protection under Turkish law.

You can make application for international protection in person with the governorates in the provinces. If you lodge your international protection application with law enforcement units (either within the country or at the border), your application will immediately be reported to the governorates. You may make the application on behalf of accompanying family members whose applications for international protection are on the same grounds as your own. Be aware that the consent of adult family members is required for applications made on their behalf.

By applying to the governorates for international protection, you will not be subjected to criminal action for irregular (illegal) entry into Turkey or irregular (illegal) stay in Turkey, provided that you give a justified reason for your irregular entry or presence.

Status determination interview with the Turkish authorities

The Turkish authorities have the primary responsibility for receiving and assessing your international protection application.

Following your registration with UNHCR, you will be given a referral letter to a province of Turkey. You are expected to approach the PDMM in the city to which you have been referred to complete the registration with the authorities.

At the time of your registration with the PDMM, you will provide information on your reasons for leaving your country of origin or former habitual residence; your experience following departure; and events that led to the application. An in-person interview will be conducted with you within 30 days from the date of registration. Additional interviews may be conducted when considered necessary. National law and regulations require that your confidentiality shall be respected.

The assessment of the application will be finalized no later than six months after the date of your registration by the Directorate General of Migration Management. Decisions will be made on an individual basis; applications on behalf of a family will be evaluated as a single application and the decision will be valid for the whole family. Your personal circumstances and the current general conditions in your country of origin or former habitual residence will be taken into consideration in making the decision.