Migration Management Presidency Reveals 2023 Data on Foreign Residents in Turkey
The Migration Management Presidency of Turkey has recently released its 2023 data concerning foreign residents in the country. According to the report, the number of foreigners holding Turkish residence permits in 2023 stood at 1,107,032.
Significant Decrease in Foreign Residents Compared to Previous Year
The data showed a notable decrease of 250,000 individuals in the number of foreign residents in 2023 compared to the previous year, marking the most substantial decline in Turkey's history in terms of foreign residents.
Breakdown of Residence Permits Issued in 2023
In 2023, the residence permits granted to foreign nationals included short-term, study, family, and other categories. This decrease surpassed the record set in 2020 during the pandemic, where 214,377 foreign nationals holding residence permits had exited the country, as reported by BirGün. The influx of foreign residents with permits began in 2011 following the onset of the Syrian civil war.
Fluctuations in Foreign Resident Numbers in Recent Years
In 2019, Turkey was home to over a million foreign residents. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 led to a rise in residents returning to their home countries as universities and workplaces underwent closures and transitions to remote operations. The trend shifted in 2021, with 427,000 permits issued, marking a peak in permits granted by Turkish authorities in a single year. The highest total of foreign residents was recorded in 2022, reaching 1,354,094. However, in the following year, 247,062 foreign residents departed from various provinces in Turkey.
Exodus from Major Provinces
Among the provinces, Istanbul witnessed the most significant departure of foreign residents, with 148,555 individuals leaving, followed by Antalya in the Mediterranean with 44,383 departures, and the capital province of Ankara with 14,248 exits. These provinces also boast the highest numbers of foreign residents in the country.
Top Nationalities Receiving Turkish Residence Permits
The top five nationalities acquiring Turkish residence permits in 2023 were Turkmenistan, Russia, Iraq, Iran, and Syria. Turkmenistan nationals led with approximately 109,000 permits issued, closely trailed by the other mentioned countries. Reasons for the exodus included the cost of living crisis, international sanctions impacting Russia, mandatory military service for young Russian males, and stricter criteria in the residence permit application process.
Changes in Residence Permit Issuance Policies
On July 15, the Turkish Interior Ministry announced a halt in granting residence permits to foreigners residing in Istanbul, except in cases deemed compulsory such as those related to safety, health, education, and international trade. This decision was made in response to various factors, including the rising cost of living and international developments affecting foreign residents.
