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Istanbul law enforcement detained 51 suspects on April 6 in a crackdown on a sprawling network that obtained 441 residence permits for foreign nationals using falsified documents, per Turkish media reports.
But beyond the arrests, the operation exposes a far deeper problem: the shadow economy of immigration consultancy in Türkiye, where foreign residents are both clients and, sometimes, unwitting participants.
Most of those detained are foreign nationals themselves, working in so-called immigration consultancy firms—many of which operate without any valid work permit.
A large portion of these businesses exists only on paper, without tax registration or even a visible office. Fraudulent operations are often conducted through “front” companies, registered in the name of a legal resident with a valid residence permit. Because opening and closing a sole proprietorship is quick and simple, these firms can dissolve a company under scrutiny and immediately register a new one, continuing the cycle without interruption.
Applicants’ personal data is at serious risk. Passports, residence cards, addresses, and tax identification numbers are routinely handled insecurely, leaving clients vulnerable to misuse. Many expatriates, aware of this, are too intimidated to assert their legal rights, effectively silencing the victims while allowing intermediaries to continue profiting.
Among the most common illicit practices is the notarized sponsorship undertaking, where a foreign national registers at an address they do not physically occupy.
While the notarization itself costs around ₺2,000 ($45), intermediaries often charge ₺10,000–₺20,000 ($225-$450) per applicant. A single address can host dozens of registrations, creating congestion that frequently leads to rejected applications. Appeals rarely succeed because the authorities see repeated registrations at the same property as evidence of bad faith. The fallout? Foreign nationals can be forced to leave Türkiye and re-enter, disrupting lives, work, and study plans—and in some cases, falling into illegal status.
Illegal work permits constitute another significant hazard. These schemes involve “paper employment” through unrelated companies, often costing $3,000–$5,000 plus expenses. Foreign residents are listed as employees but perform no actual work. If authorities trace these permits and find discrepancies—for example, the resident working for a different employer—the penalty can be deportation for up to five years.
Self-styled foreign attorneys compound the problem. Turkish law mandates that anyone practicing law must be a Turkish citizen, registered with a local bar association, and verifiable on the bar’s official website. Any foreign national advertising “legal” services while using terms such as “attorney” or “law” is operating illegally. Verification is straightforward via the websites of the bar associations: the Istanbul Bar Association, the Ankara Bar Association, and the Antalya Bar Association.
Even seemingly mundane aspects, such as renting a room for residence purposes, carry risk. Many landlords are themselves tenants and not the legal property owners. Properties with high turnover or multiple registrations are now flagged in government systems, visible to immigration officers through TKGM interfaces.
For expatriates navigating Türkiye’s complex residence and work permit system, vigilance is essential. Work only with verified Turkish lawyers, or submit applications independently if budget constraints exist. Always confirm that the intermediary has a valid work permit, and ensure the company on the work card matches your actual employer. Avoid any offer of off-the-record schemes—they carry significant legal and financial risk.
The Istanbul operation is a stark reminder: beyond the headlines of arrests, the shadow market of residence and work permits remains vast and perilous.
About the author: Kagan Orhan is a human resources and immigration consultancy expert at Expat Solutions Turkey, dedicated to facilitating the adaptation processes of foreigners in Türkiye with expertise and knowledge in managing legal procedures such as residence permit applications, work permits, business establishment, real estate, and citizenship processes for foreigners settling in Türkiye with their team of lawyers and consultants
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