FAQ

Question: My passport was lost/stolen in Turkey. What should I, a citizen of Uzbekistan, do?

Answer: Step 1: If your passport is lost or stolen, contact the nearest police station immediately to report the lost passport without wasting any time.

Step 2: At the police station. If you are not sure that your passport has been stolen, or if you have no evidence or suspicion, tell the police that you have lost your passport. Because the police will ask if you saw the thief and if there are security cameras nearby.
Complaints in Turkish about the theft or loss of a passport at the police station:
- “Merhaba! Pasaportumu kaybettim ve tutanak tutturmak istiyorum. Yardım eder misiniz lütfen?” - "Hello! I lost my passport and I want to write a statement to the police. Could you help?"
- “Merhaba! Pasaportumu çaldırdım ve tutanak tutturmak istiyorum. Yardım eder misiniz lütfen?” - "Hello! My passport was stolen, and I want to write a statement to the police. Could you help?
After that, based on your application, the police will draw up a report on the loss of your passport (kayıp tutanağı).

Step 3: In order to recover your lost passport, you will need a certificate of return to Uzbekistan. To do this, you need to collect the following documents and submit them to the Consulate General:
LIST OF DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR OBTAINING A CERTIFICATE OF CITIZENS OF UZBEKISTAN FOR RETURN TO UZBEKISTAN ON THE BASIS OF A LOST PASSPORT
1. Copy of the lost passport;
2. Certificate of loss of passport received from the police;
3. For children under 16 years old - a copy of the parents' passport and birth certificate;
4. Completed application form (https://consulate.mfa.uz/site/index?action=sorov).
5. 2 biometric photos (4.5 x 3.5)
6. Payment of a fee in the amount of 60 US dollars (10 US dollars for children under 16);
7. Bank account number: 20777-USD-396-AKBANK IBAN: TR810004600396001000020777
The turnaround time for a certificate of return to Uzbekistan is up to 7 working days. It is recommended to contact the Consulate General after 5 working days and ask if a certificate for returning to Uzbekistan is ready.
This certificate is issued separately for each person. It is not allowed to include information about minors in the certificate.
The certificate is issued for up to one month. The validity period of the certificate cannot be extended.

For reference: Citizens of Uzbekistan included in the permanent or temporary consular list can restore a lost passport for traveling abroad by contacting the Consulate General.

Question: I want to marry a Turkish citizen in Turkey. What documents need to be collected and where to submit them?

Answer: You need to submit the following documents to the registry office (Evlendirme Dairesi) of Turkey at the place of residence of your fiancé (Turkish citizen):

1. Certificate stating that you are not officially married, issued by the Civil Registry Office of Uzbekistan at the place of your registration.

This document must be translated into Turkish, the translation must be certified by the Notary Office of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and then by the Ministry of Justice of Uzbekistan the document must be certified by the Apostille seal.

2. The original and a copy of the Birth Certificate, translated into Turkish, certified by the Notary Office of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and also certified by the Apostille seal affixed by the Ministry of Justice of Uzbekistan

3. 6 photos

4. Passport (in some cases, the registry office of Turkey may require translation of the passport into Turkish and notarization by the notary office of Turkey)

5. Health certificate issued in accordance with the requirements of the Turkish authorities.

The required documents may vary depending on the place (city / region of Turkey) of marriage registration.

Documents required by the Turkish authorities must be translated and certified by the Notary Office of the Republic of Uzbekistan, as well as certified by the Apostille seal by the Ministry of Justice Republic of Uzbekistan. These documents are considered valid in Turkey for 6 months.

Question: How many days can citizens of Uzbekistan stay in Turkey without issuing entry visas?

Answer: In accordance with the Decree of the President of the Republic of Turkey No. 327 dated November 10, 2018, citizens of the Republic of Uzbekistan arriving in Turkey for tourist purposes have the right to stay without a visa for no more than three months (90 days) within a six-month period (180 days), counting from the day of the first entry.

Citizens of the Republic of Uzbekistan who wish to go to Turkey for study, treatment, work and for other purposes for long periods must pre-apply for the corresponding visas at the diplomatic missions of the Republic of Turkey abroad.

Do not forget that being in Turkey for 90 days without a visa does not give you the right to work. Otherwise, according to the laws of Turkey, you face a fine, deportation and a ban on entry for 5 years. 

Question: What are the rules for obtaining a work permit for foreign citizens in Turkey?

Answer: Rules for obtaining a work permit for foreign citizens in Turkey

The rules for obtaining a permit for the labor activity of foreign citizens in Turkey in accordance with official information of the Ministry of Labor and Social Security of the Republic of Turkey.

The rules and regulations for obtaining a permit for the labor activity of foreign citizens in the Republic of Turkey are enshrined in the Law "On Permitting the Labor Activity of Foreign Citizens" No. 4817. In accordance with this Law, a special permit is required for the labor activity of an alien. According to article 4 of this Law, foreign citizens must obtain permission to work in Turkey in advance, before starting work. Also, in article 5 of this Law, it is noted that permission is given to work in a particular organization or enterprise in accordance with the terms specified in the labor contract concluded with foreign citizens, or with the terms of work performed.

In order to obtain a work permit at the Ministry of Labor and Social Security of the Republic of Turkey, an alien needs to fill out an online application form for obtaining a work permit at the Ministry of Labor and Social Security of the Republic of Turkey, then submit the following documents to the Ministry:

1. 1. An application for a work permit;
2. 2. The personal application form of a foreign person (printed from the electronic system and signed);
3. 3. A sample announcement of the organization in the official newspaper;
4. 4. The schedule of the balance sheet, income and losses of the organization;
5. 5. A copy of the passport of an alien;
6. 6. A copy of a diploma or certificate of an alien.

To apply for permission to work for foreign citizens within Turkey, there must be an Ikamet document giving a residence permit in the Republic of Turkey with a minimum period of 6 months.

In cases where there is no Ikamet document authorizing residence in the Republic of Turkey, an agreement drawn up between the employer organization and the foreign person should be submitted to the foreign diplomatic missions of the Republic of Turkey (for example, for citizens of Uzbekistan - the Turkish Consulate in Tashkent).

The procedure and basic documents for obtaining a work permit, complete and necessary information for organizations, employers are available on the website of the Ministry of Labor and Social Security of the Republic of Turkey. www.yabancicalismaizni.gov.tr

Question. My husband beats me, took documents, money, a child, what should I do?

Answer. A woman who is subjected to physical violence in the family by her husband, in case of bodily harm, theft of documents, money or other unlawful acts designed to intimidate her spouse or deprive her of the opportunity to leave the country, must immediately apply to the nearest police station. It should be noted that the time factor plays an important role in cases of violence against a woman, therefore, at the first opportunity, while there are signs of beatings on the body, contact the police. The police will first take your testimony and then take you to a state hospital for a medical examination. The medical protocol plays a fundamental role in criminal cases of intentional harm to health. Moreover, deliberate bodily harm against a spouse is an aggravating circumstance and is punishable by two to five years in prison.

If you do not speak Turkish, take any person who speaks Turkish with you to help with the translation to speed up the testimony. If you do not have such a translator, the police must provide you with a translator as soon as possible.

Along with a statement to the police station on the fact of an illegal act, you also have the right to apply to the law enforcement authorities to ensure the security measures provided for by Law No. 6284 of March 20, 2012 on the Protection of the Family and the Prevention of Violence against Women. According to the law, a woman, children or other family members who have suffered from violence or the threat of violence from a spouse or any other persons living in the family are entitled to the help of qualified psychologists, placement in a women's shelter (kadın sığınma evi), temporary financial assistance, prohibition of a spouse to approach his wife and children, etc. 

Question. I'm going to sue a Turkish citizen, what should I do?

Answer. If you have a criminal problem, it is enough to submit an application to law enforcement agencies accompanied by an interpreter. The participation of a lawyer on the side of the applicant / victim in criminal proceedings is optional (with the exception of some cases). On the basis of your application, a criminal case is initiated, investigative measures are carried out, the prosecutor makes a decision on the termination of the criminal case on the basis of the investigative materials received, or, having drawn up an indictment, transfers it for further consideration to the criminal court.

If your problem relates to civil proceedings, the participation of a lawyer is again not mandatory. It is necessary to correctly, in accordance with the requirements of the Civil Procedure Code, draw up a statement of claim and, having paid the state duty, submit it to the court of law, where your statement of claim will be registered. After filing a statement of claim, the plaintiff should expect a judge’s decision on the adoption of the statement of claim. During the preparation of the case, the judge appoints a preliminary hearing or offers to submit documents and explanations in writing. The time and place of the preparation or court session will be indicated in the judicial notice. Filing a statement of claim is not a difficult task if the statement of claim is composed correctly, contains all the necessary details, and is filed according to the rules of jurisdiction of claims. But for the correct preparation of the statement of claim, you must have knowledge in the field of various branches of law, depending on the type of your legal problem, therefore, it is still advisable to entrust the representation of your interests in court to a lawyer. Otherwise, the independent participation of the plaintiff in the civil process may not only not lead to the desired result, but harm your interests, starting from material costs and ending with the loss of certain rights. 

Question. How to divorce in Turkey?

Answer. The party wishing to get a divorce submits an application to the family court (Aile Mahkemesi) at the place of residence, at the place of residence of the spouse or at the last joint place of residence of the spouses for the past 6 months. If there is no family court on site, the application is filed with the civil court (Asliye Hukuk Mahkemesi).

A divorce can be filed by agreement of the spouses (when there are no mutual claims) or in court (including unilaterally).

Divorce by agreement is possible only if the marriage lasted at least a year. When registering a divorce by agreement, the spouses sign a protocol that indicates all the parties ’agreements regarding the division of property, payment of compensation and alimony, parental rights, etc. In court, the spouses confirm their agreement with the protocol and the judge draws up a divorce. This is done in one court hearing (approximately 2 months after filing the application).

If there are disagreements between the spouses, then the court considers their statements and evidence, listens to witnesses. Relatives and minors may also be witnesses. Testimony plays a key role in the divorce proceedings. Such a divorce proceedings lasts 5-6 hearings (breaks between hearings - about 2 months). 

Question. Who do the children stay with after divorcing their Turkish spouse?

Answer. Turkish jurisprudence in resolving the issue of children is based primarily on the interests of the child, and not on the citizenship of his parents. At the same time, the court takes into account the child’s affection for each of the parents, the child’s age, the moral and other personal qualities of the parents, the relationship existing between each of the parents and the child, the possibility of creating the child’s conditions for upbringing and development (type of activity, parenting, material and family position of parents). In most cases, if the mother leads a moral lifestyle and does not suffer from mental illness, alcohol / drug addiction, then children, especially young children (in view of the need for certain care), remain with the mother regardless of her citizenship. 

Question. How are issues of property division resolved after a divorce from a Turkish spouse?

Answer. If the spouses have not entered into a prenuptial agreement, the joint property regime provided for in the Civil Code applies to property acquired during marriage (income from labor activity, any social benefits, compensations paid in connection with disability, income from personal property (rent, dividends, interest, etc.) and material assets acquired at the expense of total income). Any property (both immovable and movable, including cash, securities and other assets) acquired in marriage, belongs to spouses in equal shares, regardless of who it was acquired in and by which spouse was contributed cash.

On the personal property of each of the spouses (personal items, property that was before marriage, property acquired as a result of inheritance or gift after marriage, payments received as moral compensation, material values acquired from other personal property) joint regime the property is not covered.

In the case of the conclusion of a marriage contract, a different regime for the ownership of spouses' property may be established. A marriage contract can be executed by a notary both before and after marriage. In addition, a prenuptial agreement can be drawn up at the time of the marriage. For this, a prenuptial agreement drawn up in writing and signed by future spouses is submitted to the registry office together with an application for marriage registration.

A prenuptial agreement may stipulate that material values obtained as a result of the professional activity of one of the spouses, or income from the economic activities of an enterprise, may be attributed to personal property.