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IMPACT – MEDIUM
What is the change? The Turkish government has rescheduled a host of appointments for foreign nationals seeking residence permits in Istanbul.
What does the change mean? Foreign nationals who had appointments scheduled between Jan. 2 and Feb. 8, 2017 will have them rescheduled to sometime between Oct. 8 and Dec. 25. Authorities said they will contact affected applicants by email or text message soon.
Background: Appointments are required for all residence permit applicants in Istanbul, including renewal applicants. Authorities announced this week that appointments scheduled in Istanbul at the beginning of next year will be rescheduled for sometime between Oct. 8 and Dec. 25.
BAL Analysis: Affected foreign nationals should expect to be contacted by Turkish authorities about changing their appointments soon. Those with questions or who will have trouble rescheduling an appointment should contact BAL.
This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and our network provider located in Turkey. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.
Copyright © 2016 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.
The U.S. Consulate in Adana, Turkey, issued a security message Monday, warning U.S. citizens of “specific and credible threats” of possible terrorist attacks.
Key points:
Background: The consulate issued the security message Monday as the State Department continues to warn travelers of increased security threats across Turkey. The State Department has advised against travel in southeastern Turkey, near the Syrian border. U.S. officials are also monitoring the effects of a state of emergency that was declared after a failed coup in July and of terrorist attacks in Ankara, Gaziantep and Istanbul.
BAL Analysis: Foreign nationals residing in or visiting Turkey should exercise caution, especially in areas where officials believe extremist groups are interested in launching attacks. Employers may wish to encourage their employees to enroll in the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, a free service that provides updated security information and allows Americans to register their trips abroad with the closest U.S. embassy or consulate.
This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact BerryApplemanLeiden@bal.com.
All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.
What is the change? A law on the international labor force has been published in Turkey’s official gazette, making changes to work permit rules and procedures. The law has not been implemented in practice yet.
What does the change mean? The law contain some positive changes for foreign nationals, including the introduction of an indefinite-term work permit, or “Turquoise Card,” for foreign nationals who meet certain criteria related to creating jobs or investing in Turkey. Another change allows work permit holders a period of up to six months to enter Turkey (instead of the current three months). Additionally, a points-based system is to be created to assess work permit candidates, although this provision is not clear yet.
Key provisions are summarized as follows:
Turquoise card. Work permits that allow an indefinite term will be introduced for those who qualify based primarily on their investment in science and technology or contributions to the Turkish economy and employment. Turquoise cards will be initially granted for three years and upon request may be converted to an indefinite term.
Points-based system. The law calls for the Labor Ministry to establish a system to assess work permit applicants based on a points-based system, although details have not been provided.
Work permit validity. A foreign national who obtains an initial work permit from abroad will have six months from the permit’s validity date to enter Turkey. This is a loosening of the previous rule, which required entry within three months of approval. The six-month period also applies to free trade zone work permits.
Seconded workers. Foreign nationals may be seconded in Turkey if the home country has a bilateral agreement with Turkey on social security. If such an agreement does not exist, workers may still be seconded as long as the assignee’s social security premiums are paid in Turkey.
BAL Analysis: The law should provide more flexibility to employers hiring or posting foreign employees in Turkey, particularly for foreign national employers or partners investing in Turkey. BAL is following these developments and will report on implementing guidelines when they are released.
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About Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP Founded in 1980, Berry Appleman & Leiden (BAL) provides comprehensive global immigration services from seven offices across the U.S. and from offices in Geneva, London, Melbourne, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Shanghai, Singapore and Sydney. BAL manages global visa matters and customized application approaches for work permits, business visas, and residence permits in more than 100 countries. With a single cost center for worldwide operations, BAL offers centralized management with regional and local support for the complete spectrum of global immigration matters.
Source: Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP
IMPACT – HIGH
What is the change? Under a sudden change in procedures, foreign nationals residing in Istanbul who want to renew their resident permits must now schedule an appointment online and appear at the Immigration Department in Istanbul to present their supporting documents, which must be apostilled in their home country.
What does the change mean? The Istanbul Immigration Department will no longer accept mailed documents for resident permit extensions. This change may lengthen overall time frames for resident permit extensions and complicate travel plans for applicants who need to leave Turkey during the extension process. Currently, appointments are booked five to six months in advance.
Background: Previously, foreign residents were able to extend their resident permits online and then mail their documents to the Immigration Department. As of this week, the Immigration Department stopped accepting mailed documents, instead requiring applicants residing in Istanbul to appear in-person with their documents.
Many supporting documents, such as birth and marriage certificates and police clearance records, must be apostilled by the relevant government authority in the country where they were issued. This process can be lengthy.
During the appointment, if immigration officers request additional documentation, applicants will be given 30 days to complete the request, if they do not provide the additional documents (which may also require apostilles) within that time, the application will be rejected and the applicant must book a new appointment.
BAL Analysis: Foreign residents in Istanbul applying to extend their resident permits should plan well in advance and factor in additional time for original apostilled documents and the mandatory appointment. Please note that the online system will not allow extension applicants to book an appointment until they are within 60 days of the expiration of their resident permit. At present, the system is granting random appointment dates five to six months in advance. As a result, extension applicants run the risk of having their resident permit expire before they attend their appointment. Individuals needing to travel outside Turkey under such circumstances should contact their BAL professional to obtain a visitor visa and ensure that they maintain valid status during the pendency of their extension application.
The U.S. State Department on Saturday said U.S. citizens should reconsider traveling to Turkey after a failed coup left dozens dead in Ankara, Istanbul and other parts of the country. The U.S. Embassy in Ankara said U.S. citizens in Turkey should only leave their residences for essential errands or business.
Background: A faction of the Turkish military attempted a coup against President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s government late Friday. The attempt was unsuccessful and thousands of alleged conspirators were arrested over the weekend. The embassy said the “situation in Turkey remains fluid” and advised U.S. citizens to leave their residence or hotel only for essential business.
BAL Analysis: Companies that have not already done so should be sure they can account for all employees in Turkey. Employers in need of urgent immigration services or who plan on moving personnel into or out of Turkey at this time should contact their BAL attorney.
This alert has been provided by the BAL U.S. Practice group. For additional information, please contact BerryApplemanLeiden@bal.com.
Turkey has fallen into turmoil, as a Turkish military faction is attempting a coup against President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The military declared martial law, closed roadways and bridges in Ankara and Istanbul and placed buildings under blockade, according to numerous media outlets. Shots and helicopter fire were reported in Ankara. Erdoğan appeared to be clinging to power early Saturday morning, with thousands of his supporters defying the military-imposed curfew.
Background: Information out of Turkey changed rapidly and was at times contradictory, with the outcome of the attempted coup still unclear. Military personnel closed key bridges in Istanbul around 10 p.m., according to numerous media reports. Gunfire and low-flying jets were subsequently reported and it became clear that an attempted coup was underway. At one point, Erdoğan used an iPhone from an undisclosed location to broadcast a message urging the Turkish populace to resist the attempted coup. It appeared the struggle for power was ongoing early Saturday.
BAL Analysis: BAL will continue monitoring events in Turkey and provide updates to clients as needed. In the meantime, companies should account for all employees in Turkey. Foreign nationals in Turkey are advised to remain indoors until further notice and monitor the websites of their home country’s embassy for additional information if possible.
IMPACT – LOW
What is the change? One of the provisions in an EU-Turkey agreement on refugees reached last week would accelerate Turkey’s path to visa liberalization with a target goal of implementing a visa waiver for Turkish citizens by the end of June.
What does the change mean? The agreement requires that Turkey meet a large number of goals that are likely to delay the target date.
Background: The EU and Turkey reached the agreement Friday, mainly addressing the refugee crisis. Turkey agreed to accept the return of new irregular migrants crossing from Turkey to Greece and to prevent new routes of irregular migration into Europe. The EU will disburse the €3 billion previously agreed on and will mobilize an additional €3 billion to help settle refugees in Turkey.
The visa liberalization provision calls for acceleration of the EU-Turkey roadmap with the intention of eliminating visa requirements by the end of June. Last year, the parties also discussed reinvigorating the process and proposed a target date of October 2016 for visa liberalization.
BAL Analysis: The refugee crisis has prompted Europe to promise an accelerated schedule for elimination of visas for Turkish nationals, but Turkey must first meet dozens of requirements under the EU-Turkey roadmap, and they are likely to postpone the implementation date beyond June. As Ireland and the U.K. are not members of the Schengen region, any visa waiver between Schengen countries and Turkey will not apply to them.
This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group in the United Kingdom. For additional information, please contact uk@bal.com.
What is the change? Germany has closed its missions in Ankara and Istanbul, citing evidence of planned attacks against German diplomatic posts.
What does the change mean? Immigration, travel and other consular services have been suspended until the missions reopen.
Background: The decision to close German missions in Turkey Thursday came just days after an attack killed 37 people in Ankara, the Turkish capital. German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said in a statement that the closures were based on concrete and serious evidence of possible attacks against German missions in Turkey. The German government also closed German schools in Turkey, and said security would be increased at both diplomatic missions and schools.
BAL Analysis: The closures could cause delays for those in need of visas, permits or other immigration services at German diplomatic posts in Turkey. The Foreign Minsitry urged travelers to follow the Federal Foreign Office’s travel and security advice.
What is the change? The Turkish Consulate in London has made changes to the work visa application process as it seeks to address a backlog of applications.
What does the change mean? Foreign nationals should complete the required pre-application online before emailing the consulate at londra@csgb.gov.tr to book an appointment. Applicants should not attempt to book an appointment at the London consulate through the Turkish Visa Application website. Those with existing appointments booked through the online system should contact the consulate to make sure their appointments will be honored.
Background: Turkish authorities introduced a new visa application system in January, requiring non-tourist visa applicants to first file an online pre-application before completing their application at Turkish consulate posts. In London, following what officials described as an “abuse of the system,” consulate officials have moved to a manual appointment system for work visas, where applicants send an email to book an appointment once they have completed and printed out the pre-application.
BAL Analysis: The change in process at the London consulate adds a step to the application process for work visa applicants. To avoid delays, applicants must remember to request appointments via email and should be sure to provide all required supporting documentation – including job offer letters and employment contracts that include start and termination dates.
What is the change? The Turkish Ministry of Labour and Social Security has announced a nearly 30 percent increase to the country’s minimum wage.
What does the change mean? The minimum wage will be set at 1,647 Turkish liras (about US$545) per month, significantly higher than last year’s minimum of 1,273.50 liras per month. Salaries for foreign nationals must not only meet the minimum, but also be on par with salaries received by equivalent Turkish workers. Salaries for workers classified as “experts” or “specialists,” for example, must be at least three times the minimum, or 4,941 Turkish liras per month.
Background: Minimum salary levels vary depending on a worker’s job category:
Salary minimums are subject to change due to inflation.
BAL Analysis: Employers should make sure they are in compliance with all salary requirements. Contact your BAL attorney with any questions about salary minimums or how to categorize foreign workers.