Who is covered by temporary protection?
Syrian nationals, and refugees and stateless persons from Syria, who came to Türkiye because of the events in Syria after 28 April 2011. The system is run by the Presidency of Migration Management (Göç İdaresi Başkanlığı).
Registration
Registration is done at the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management in the province where you live. Not having Syrian identity documents does not, by itself, prevent registration.
Note: according to independent reporting (AIDA), almost no new temporary protection registrations have taken place since June 2022. To check your situation, contact your Provincial Directorate or call 157.
Children born in Türkiye are registered through the hospital’s birth notification and are issued a temporary protection ID card.
Your rights
- To stay in Türkiye and be protected from forced return to Syria
- Health services
- Education
- Social assistance and psychological support
- Interpretation services
- Access to the labour market
Access to these rights depends on being registered and meeting the obligations below.
Your obligations
- Live in the province where you are registered, in a temporary accommodation centre, or in a province set by the Presidency of Migration Management.
- Comply with signature and reporting duties if required.
- Get a travel permit from the Provincial Directorate before travelling to another province, and respect its duration.
- Report any change of address, marital status (marriage, divorce), births and deaths in the family, or employment to the Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs and the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management.
What happens if I do not comply?
- If your travel permit expires and you do not report your return, a V-71 code (whereabouts unknown) may be added to your record. This can end your protection and stop your access to services. You can ask for the code to be removed by going to the Provincial Directorate with a valid reason.
- If you do not update your address, your access to public services such as healthcare may be stopped.
Work
In June 2026 it was announced that Syrians under temporary protection have moved to a work permit exemption system instead of work permits. Full procedural details have not yet been published. Before starting work, check with the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (csgb.gov.tr). The exemption does not remove the obligation to register with social security (SGK).
Voluntary return
You can apply for voluntary return to Syria through the Provincial Directorate. Important: signing the voluntary return form ends your temporary protection status in Türkiye and may make it harder to come back later. Get advice before you sign.
Where can I get help?
- Foreigners Communication Centre YİMER: 157
- UNHCR Counselling Line: 444 48 68
- The “Free Legal Aid” page on this platform
Sources
- UNHCR Help – Temporary protection in Türkiye
- UNHCR Help – Rights and obligations
- Göç İdaresi Başkanlığı (goc.gov.tr)
- AIDA – Country Report: Türkiye
- Enab Baladi – Work permit exemption announcement (June 2026)
Last reviewed: 04/10/2026
This information is for general awareness and is not individual legal advice. Laws and procedures can change; always confirm with the official authority or a lawyer before making any decision.