The Turkish Immigration Authority has permitted the renewal of travel permits for Syrians affected by the recent earthquake. However, this will be under conditions relating to the status of their homes in their earthquake-stricken provinces.
The Syrian-Turkish Joint Committee announced that it was informed, that travel permits will be renewed for Syrians coming from earthquake zones. This decision is based on the condition of each family’s home in their affected province.
Renewals will be available for members of families who resided at an address categorized as “severely affected.”
A powerful earthquake hit regions in southern Turkey last February, causing a severe humanitarian crisis and widespread destruction of homes. Since the quake, the Turkish government classified houses in the affected provinces into lists, according to the extent of damage incurred.
The Turkish Immigration Administration canceled inter-province travel permits for Syrians living in the earthquake-affected areas post-incident, excluding Istanbul. This decision was later amended to allow Syrians to stay in Istanbul for three months.
Since 2016, Syrians in Turkey have been prevented from leaving their registered provinces or residing in other provinces without a travel permit issued by the Turkish Immigration Administration.
