What this guide covers

Ordinary residence-permit holders preparing replacement documents.

A short questionnaire explains which records may matter and produces a document checklist. It does not assess eligibility or predict a case outcome.

Documents discussed in this guide
  • Passport, current permit record and any old card copy
  • Loss/theft report or held worn/erroneous card
  • Biometric photograph and address registration document
  • Official assessment, exemption basis and payment receipts
  • Submission receipt, tracking and any renewal/travel documents
  • Any complete refusal/cancellation/assessment decision and service record

Full topic-specific Information Guide ↓

Losing a residence permit card, having it stolen or damaging it beyond use immediately raises questions about the basis for staying in Türkiye. The physical document and the permission it evidences are different. The first step is not to start an arbitrary new residence application, but to establish the permit type, validity and where the loss occurred, then prepare the appropriate replacement procedure. Requesting another card neither automatically extends an expired permit nor guarantees admission at the border.

1. Separate card loss from a problem with the permission

Article 23(4) of the Regulation implementing the Law on Foreigners and International Protection provides for reissuance in cases of loss, theft, error and wear. This rule concerns the physical document. Do not assume that loss automatically cancels the existing permit; equally, a photograph of the old card is no substitute for a current administrative record confirming continuing validity. Expiry, cancellation and the existence of another decision require separate checks.

This article concerns an ordinary residence permit document. A work permit card, temporary protection identity document and international protection documents do not involve the same application, even if informally called the same thing. For example, the Ministry of Labour and Social Security procedure for a work permit cannot replace an approach to the provincial migration authority for a residence card. If the passport is also lost, separate consular steps are needed to restore identity and travel documentation.

2. Obtain a record of the loss or theft

Current YİMER guidance calls for a loss report through a police station, followed by approaching the relevant provincial migration directorate. If theft occurred, distinguish it clearly in the recorded account; add no speculative details to recast the event later. Keep a legible record identifying the person and document, its date and any reference number. The report supports the application; it is neither a new residence card nor a travel document.

Finding the card later does not automatically close the file. If reprinting has begun, ask the directorate which document may be used and report the recovered card. Do not assume that several apparently available cards are all valid. For wear or a printing error, preserve the existing card and evidence of the problem; state the actual reason for replacement rather than reporting a document as lost when it is not.

3. What should be taken to the provincial migration directorate?

YİMER describes approaching the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management in the province of residence with the loss report, one biometric photograph and a document showing registration in the address registration system. To match identity and the existing file, it is also useful to prepare the passport, any old card copy and records showing the foreigner identity number. Confirm the directorate’s current appointment and acceptance procedure beforehand; this article does not claim that every province uses the same appointment screen.

Retain a copy of the petition or form, attachments and payment records submitted. A dated receipt confirming submission differs from a mere appointment booking. Clarify the delivery address and the reference used to follow the file. If acting through a lawyer is contemplated, review representation under Article 21(4) and the scope of the power of attorney; do not overlook any steps that may require personal attendance.

4. The full card charge and half permit fee are separate items

Article 23(4) distinguishes the full document charge from half the permit fee in loss, theft or wear cases. Article 90 of the Fees Law also provides for half the fee when a lost residence document is replaced. Therefore, calculate neither “everything is halved” nor “everyone pays the same amount”. Check the document charge, applicable fee, exemptions and individual assessment separately. Article 91 also requires consideration for children under eighteen.

An erroneous card is a reason for reissuance under Article 23(4), but the sentence prescribing half the fee for loss, theft and wear does not list error in the same way. Do not automatically apply the same payment conclusion to an error. Do not use a historical card amount on an older provincial webpage as today’s price. Verify the official assessment and current document tariff before payment; no verified current fixed TRY amount is stated here.

5. Track expiry and travel separately

Under Article 24(2) of Law No. 6458, an extension application is made starting sixty days before expiry and, in every case, before the permission expires. Do not treat the lost-card request as that extension. Requesting another card shortly before expiry, for example, does not show that an extension application was made. Track the expiry date and application type separately within the file; do not miss the renewal timetable while waiting for printing.

Article 21(9) regulates conditional departure and return within fifteen days using a residence permit application document. This conditional facility does not automatically apply to every police report or card-replacement receipt. Before flying, confirm the nature of the document, fee records, visa and admission conditions with the competent authority. If the card was lost abroad, clarify return documentation separately with the Turkish diplomatic or consular mission and relevant migration authority rather than relying directly on the standard domestic procedure.

6. If there is a refusal or another formal decision

Refusal to reissue, cancellation of permission and a challenge only to a payment assessment are different disputes. Obtain the written decision, reasons and service record. For an administrative refusal of reissuance, assess an annulment action before the administrative court; absent a special provision, Article 32 of the Administrative Judicial Procedure Law uses the location of the deciding authority. Article 7 sets the general administrative-court filing period, absent a special period, at sixty days from the day following written notification. Jurisdiction and timing require separate examination in a fee dispute.

This judicial filing period is not a limitation period for a receivable. Do not assume that another petition always restarts it or that filing automatically suspends the act; Article 27 separately regulates suspension of enforcement. A removal, entry-ban or other special decision requires its own route and deadline review. The full guide separates card type, replacement reason, permission status, report and travel needs to produce a preparation result. It determines neither entitlement, the final filing date nor acceptance of the application.

Sources

General information; individual documents, facts and procedures need separate review.

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Lost or stolen residence card: replacement preparation guide

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