I don’t have a home/work in Syria. Can I stay in Türkiye, or do I have to return to Syria?
Temporary protection in Türkiye continues to be in effect. As long as you are registered and hold an active TP ID card (kimlik), you remain under temporary protection in Türkiye. If you are not registered or your ID card is not active, you shall approach PDMM in your residence province to complete these proceedings. If you do not have first degree family members in your province or you have specific needs, you may be referred by PDMM to a temporary accommodation center for registration. It is important that you register yourself with authorities for legal stay in Turkiye, therefore you are strongly advised to follow the procedures required by PDMMs.
Will authorities cancel the temporary protection for Syrians living in Türkiye?
There has been no decision to lift temporary protection regime announced by Turkish authorities. Syrian nationals in Türkiye continue to benefit from temporary protection as well as the rights granted to them. The national legal framework in Türkiye does not allow forced returns if the person will be at risk upon return to his/ her country of origin. Returns to Syria are taking place on voluntary basis, meaning if individuals make such a decision.
I heard I should give back my temporary protection ID before crossing the border to Syria. Does this mean that I cannot return to Türkiye?
As it has been the case so far, if a Syrian national voluntarily returns to Syria, his/her temporary protection status is ceased, meaning s/he does not enjoy from protection granted by Türkiye as return to country of origin. For this reason, those returning voluntarily to Syria are asked to leave their TP ID cards at the border. Turkish State has announced recently that temporary visits to Syria (like Eid visits) will be allowed as of 1 January 2025. If a head of household is willing to temporarily visit Syria, ha/she will be allowed to do so for maximum 3 times until 1 July 2025. If you use this option, you will retain your TP ID card when traveling back and forth. This means, you will keep your TP status in Türkiye and will be allowed to re-enter during these three times.
What about Syrians who got the Turkish citizenship, will they be forcibly returned to Syria?
A Syrian national who has acquired Turkish citizenship enjoys the same rights and protections as other Turkish citizens. This means they cannot be deported from Türkiye or forced to return to Syria.
Will those who became Turkish citizens exceptionally have their citizenship revoked?
The revocation of Turkish citizenship, whether acquired through exceptional circumstances or regular procedures, is governed by Türkiye’s laws and can occur only on specific legal grounds. Political changes in the individual’s country of origin are not one of the grounds for revocation of Turkish citizenship.
After deciding to return, if I change my mind and want to come back to Türkiye, will I be allowed?
Between 1 January and 1 July 2025, you will be able to enter into Türkiye upon your travel to Syria if you use the temporary visit option. If you decide to voluntarily return to Syria (for permanent stay in Syria), you can still go through the voluntary return procedure which will lead to cessation of your temporary protection status. In this case, your situation for readmission and reactivation of your ID card in Türkiye will be assessed on individual basis by the Turkish authorities at PDMMs.
Are Syrian university students allowed to visit their families in Syria and come back to Türkiye to complete their education?
So far, no separate arrangements have been announced for Syrian university students. At the moment, they may benefit from the temporary visit option from 1 January to 1 July 2025.