Neighborhoods with 25% Foreigner Quota !

Understanding the Foreigner Quota in Turkish Neighborhoods

The Turkish Ministry of Interior has implemented specific regulations to manage the demographic distribution of foreign residents. When the ratio of foreigners in a specific neighborhood reaches a certain threshold—previously 25%, now often adjusted to 20%—that area is closed to new residency permit applications. This policy aims to prevent the over-concentration of foreign populations in specific districts.

List of Closed Neighborhoods in Istanbul

The following neighborhoods in Istanbul have reached their quota. If you are planning to move to these areas, you should be aware that obtaining a new residency permit (ikamet) for these addresses is generally not possible.

Avcılar

• Denizköşkler Mahallesi

Başakşehir

• İkitelli OSB Mahallesi
• Ziya Gökalp Mahallesi

Beylikdüzü

• Beylikdüzü OSB Mahallesi

Beşiktaş

• Yıldız Mahallesi

Esenyurt

• Alevler Mahallesi
• Gökevler Mahallesi
• Koza Mahallesi
• Piri Reis Mahallesi
• Yeşilkent Mahallesi
• Zafer Mahallesi

Fatih

• Balabanağa Mahallesi
• İskenderpaşa Mahallesi
• Katip Kasım Mahallesi
• Kemalpaşa Mahallesi
• Mesihpaşa Mahallesi
• Mimar Hayrettin Mahallesi
• Mimar Kemalettin Mahallesi
• Molla Gürani Mahallesi
• Muhsine Hatun Mahallesi
• Nişanca Mahallesi
• Saraç İshak Mahallesi

Beyoğlu

• Bülbül Mahallesi
• Çukur Mahallesi
• Kamer Hatun Mahallesi
• Kocatepe Mahallesi
• Şehit Muhtar Mahallesi

Küçükçekmece

• Beşyol Mahallesi

Sarıyer

• Maslak Mahallesi

Şişli

• Ergenekon Mahallesi
• İnönü Mahallesi
• Mecidiyeköy Mahallesi

Other Districts

• Şile: Meşrutiyet Mahallesi
• Ümraniye: Dudullu OSB Mahallesi
• Zeytinburnu: Maltepe Mahallesi
• Tuzla: Aydınlı-KOSB Mahallesi

How the Quota Affects Residency Permits

If a neighborhood is on the closed list, the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management will reject new residency applications for that address. This applies to both rental agreements and property purchases made after the neighborhood was closed. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule.

Exceptions to the Ban

The residency ban typically does not apply in the following scenarios:

• Residency Renewals: If you already hold a valid residency permit for an address in a closed neighborhood, you can usually renew it.
• Family Reunification: New-born children or family members joining a resident under specific legal conditions may be exempt.
• Property Ownership: If you purchased the property before the neighborhood was officially closed to foreigners, you may still be eligible for residency.

Important Considerations for Renters and Buyers

Before signing a lease or purchasing a home in Istanbul, always verify the status of the neighborhood. You can check the latest updates on the official website of the Presidency of Migration Management (Göç İdaresi). Moving into a closed neighborhood without a valid permit can lead to legal complications and deportation risks.

Related Articles

• residence permit in Turkey
• neighborhoods closed to foreigners
• residence demand in new districts