About the Migration Governance Indicators

Migrants' rights

Indicators in this domain assess the extent to which migrants have the same status as citizens in terms of access to basic social services such as health, education, and social security. It also describes the rights of migrants to family reunification, to work, and to residency and citizenship. The ratification of the main international conventions is also included within this domain.

Indicators in this category look at the extent to which migrants have access to certain social services such as health, education and social security. They also examine measures to ensure integration and access to work.

Whole of government approach

Indicators in this domain assess countries’ institutional, legal, and regulatory frameworks related to migration policies. Domain 2 also reviews the existence of national migration strategies that are in-line with development, as well as institutional transparency and coherence in relation to migration management. This domain also investigates the extent to which governments collect and use migration data.

Indicators in this category assess the institutional frameworks of cities for migration. This area also examines the existence of migration strategies consistent with development objectives, as well as institutional transparency and coherence in migration management.

Partnerships

This domain focuses on countries’ efforts to cooperate on migration-related issues with other states and with relevant non-governmental actors, including civil society organizations and the private sector. Cooperation can lead to improvements in governance by aligning and raising standards, increasing dialogue and providing structures to overcome challenges.

Indicators in this category focus on cities’ efforts to cooperate on migration issues with the national government as well as other cities and relevant non-governmental actors, including civil society organizations and the private sector.

Well-being of migrants

This domain includes indicators on countries’ policies for managing the socioeconomic well-being of migrants, through aspects such as the recognition of migrants’ educational and professional qualifications, provisions regulating student migration and the existence of bilateral labour agreements between countries. Indicators equally focus on policies and strategies related to diaspora engagement and migrant remittances.

Indicators in this category assess cities’ initiatives in terms of international student mobility, access to the labour market and decent working conditions for migrant workers. Aspects related to diaspora engagement and migrant remittances are also included in this domain.

Mobility dimensions of crises

This domain studies the type and level of preparedness of countries when they are faced with mobility dimensions of crises, linked to either disasters, the environment and/or conflict. The questions are used to identify the processes in place for nationals and non-nationals both during and after disasters, including whether humanitarian assistance is equally available to migrants as it is to citizens.

Indicators in this category examine the type and level of readiness of cities to deal with aspects of mobility crises. The questions focus on the processes in place for citizens and non-citizens both during and after disasters, especially if humanitarian assistance is available for migrants and citizens.

Safe, orderly and regular migration

This domain analyses countries’ approach to migration management in terms of border control and enforcement policies, admission criteria for migrants, preparedness and resilience in the case of significant and unexpected migration flows, as well as the fight against trafficking in human beings and smuggling of migrants. It also assesses efforts and incentives to help integrate returning citizens.

Indicators in this category look at the cities’ approaches to migrant safety as well as return and reintegration policies and the fight against trafficking in persons.

Key findings

Introduction

This country snapshot describes examples of well-developed areas of the Republic of Turkey’s (hereafter referred to as Turkey) migration governance structures and areas with potential for further development, as evaluated through the six domains of the Migration Governance Indicators (MGI). These address migrants’ rights, a “whole-of-government” approach, partnerships, socioeconomic well-being of migrants, the mobility dimensions of crises, and safe and orderly migration.

Click the icons on the wheel to explore the key findings.

The Migration Governance Indicators (MGI) initiative is a policy-benchmarking programme led by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and implemented with the support of the Economist Intelligence Unit. Funding is provided by IOM Member States.

Key findings

MIGRANTS' RIGHTS

Migration Governance: Examples of well-developed areas

The Turquoise Card has been introduced and new arrangements have been made to facilitate the employment of foreigners, including international students. Moreover, the Law on International Labour Force No. 6735 exempts certain categories of foreign workers from work permit procedures and establishes that foreign workers can take on independent work provided that they meet certain conditions
According to Article 42 of the Constitution, no one can be deprived of the right to education: this includes foreigners independently from their legal status.
Syrians under Temporary Protection status can benefit from family reunification.

Areas with potential for further development:

Even when migrants have a work permit, they may face some restrictions to labour market access. Certain activities can be performed exclusively by Turkish nationals.

Key findings

WHOLE OF GOVERNMENT APPROACH

Migration Governance: Examples of well-developed areas

The Directorate General of Migration Management (DGMM) under the Ministry of Interior has the mandate to develop migration policies.
The Migration Policies Board carries out secretariat services for the DGMM. The Board develops Turkey’s migration policies and strategies and follows up on their implementation. It also invites other relevant ministries, national or international institutions and organizations and representatives of non-governmental organizations to specific meetings.
The DGMM collects and publishes on its website data related to entry/exit, residence permits, irregular migration, international and temporary protection, victims of human trafficking, readmission and removal centres administered by GDMM.
The Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS) and the Turkish Employment Agency (ISKUR) produce statistics on foreigners’ participation in the labour market.

Areas with potential for further development:

The national migration strategy has not been updated in light of recent large-scale immigration.
The 2014-18 National Development Plan (NDP) only mentions the intention to develop an effective migration management system that supports the economy. The NDP does not include any other mention of migration.

The 2005 National Action Plan contains no substantial discussion about the impacts of migration on the local economy.

Key findings

Partnerships

Migration Governance: Examples of well-developed areas

Turkey is part of regional and global migration dialogues. For instance, the Budapest Process, The Prague Process, the Almaty Process and the Bali Process.
The country also participates in bilateral migration negotiations, discussions and consultations, in particular with EU member states.
Turkey currently has bilateral social security agreements with 28 countries, and bilateral labour agreements with 12 countries.
Turkey is part of the executive committee of UNHCR and a member state of IOM.
Turkey also formally involves members of the diaspora in agenda setting and implementation of migration policies.

Areas with potential for further development:

Turkey is not part of any regional agreements promoting labour mobility.

Turkey and the EU are discussing a visa liberalisation road map.

Key findings

Well-being of migrants

Migration Governance: Examples of well-developed areas

The Turkish Employment Agency (İŞKUR) conducts a labour market needs analysis, which include statistics on open occupations.
Foreign students attending an associate or undergraduate programme can apply for a work permit after their first year, and they can work on a part time basis.
Turkey is part of the G20 plan to facilitate remittances flows and is exploring how to increase the efficiency of remittances services.

Areas with potential for further development:

Generally at State Universities, foreign nationals pay two to three times the fees paid by Turkish nationals and there are no quotas on foreign students.

Key findings

Mobility dimensions of crises

Migration Governance: Examples of well-developed areas

Turkey has a strong and coherent disaster management system as well as laws and plans that aim at supporting both citizens and migrants, including conditional refugees.
Turkey’s disaster risk reduction strategy includes some provisions that address the displacement impacts of disasters.
The country has measures to make exceptions on the immigration procedures for migrants whose country of origin is experiencing a crisis.

Areas with potential for further development:

Turkey’s emergency communication systems do not take into account the specific vulnerabilities of migrants and conditional refugees. Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) provides translators to assist in health card provision but has not been able to fully meet the scale of demand since the massive influx of Syrian refugees.

Key findings

Safe, orderly and regular migration

Migration Governance: Examples of well-developed areas

Turkey has a system to monitor visa overstays: the electronic visa application system is integrated with the Police Intranet System, PoINet.
The government runs a website outlining visa options. There is a formal mixed online and paper system for applying for specific types of visa prior to arrival.
The government has an inter-agency national commission responsible for countering human trafficking. Turkey also collects and publishes information annually on counter-trafficking activities.
Turkey continues the development of the Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AVRR) programme to support stranded and irregular migrants in returning to their countries of origin and reintegrate sustainably in their home communities.

Areas with potential for further development:

A programme for Turkish citizens living abroad that focuses on facilitating migrant reintegration in the home country could be created.

Back to MGI overview