Restriction Code (Tahdit Kodu) Removal in Turkey: How It Works

A restriction code — referred to in Turkish as a "tahdit kodu" and sometimes described in English-language sources as a Turkey entry ban or entry-restriction flag — is a type of administrative marker entered into police and migration authority records that restricts a foreign national's entry into Turkey or certain transactions. It is often only discovered at passport control or when a residence permit or visa application is unexpectedly refused. Correctly identifying the source of the code is the first and most important step in having it removed.

Why Is a Restriction Code Applied?

Restriction codes are entered into the system by the relevant administrative or judicial authority for a wide range of reasons — such as a visa or residence permit violation, deportation, unauthorised employment, posing a security risk, or an ongoing judicial matter. Each code represents a specific type of restriction and a specific source; codes tied to a specific violation typically carry a defined duration, while codes tied to a security or public-order concern tend to be indefinite until reviewed.

How to Find Out the Source of the Code

A foreign national can find out whether a restriction code applies to them and, if so, which authority applied it and on what grounds, by applying to the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management or through a lawyer. Without knowing the source of the code, it is not possible to direct a removal request to the correct authority.

The Removal Process

Removing a restriction code depends on the administrative or judicial authority that applied it: codes applied by the migration authority require an application to that authority, codes applied by police units require an application to the relevant police unit, and codes based on a court decision require an application to the relevant court. Where an administrative application does not resolve the code, an annulment action can generally be filed with the administrative courts, as most restriction-code decisions are attributed to the Presidency of Migration Management. Some codes may be automatically lifted once the underlying act itself is removed — for example, following the annulment of a deportation decision.

Time-Limited and Indefinite Codes

Some restriction codes lift automatically after a certain period, while others are indefinite and can only be removed following a re-evaluation triggered by the person's own application. Determining whether a code is time-limited or indefinite is important for deciding the correct strategy.

Practical Recommendations

If you encounter an unexpected refusal when entering the country or during an application, first establish whether a restriction code applies to you. Since the source of the code and the route to its removal vary according to the specific case, handling this process together with a lawyer avoids unnecessary applications and lost time.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Please contact our team regarding your specific situation.