Published 22 hours ago • loading... • Updated 12 hours ago

Iranians have long sought work and relative stability in Turkey. The war could force some to return

Nearly 100,000 Iranians in Turkey face expiring stays as the war continues, with many relying on short-term visas that offer few pathways to longer-term legal status.
For years, short-term residency permits allowed Iranians to pursue economic opportunities in neighboring Turkey, but the ongoing war has made these temporary arrangements increasingly precarious.
A 33-year-old architect facing an expiring 90-day visa plans to move to Malaysia for work, while a 42-year-old woman who arrived eight months ago struggles to support her family.
Sedat Albayrak of the Istanbul Bar Association's Migrant Rights Center said obtaining international protection is difficult, forcing many Iranians to rely on short-term permits for over 10 years.
Many Iranians now face the difficult choice of returning to Iran or seeking refuge elsewhere as family savings deplete and regional geopolitical conditions remain uncertain.

Insights by Ground AI