The Brief
Plain-English legal guidance for travellers at Istanbul’s airports.
Goods Seized at Istanbul Airport Customs: What to Do
Electronics, gifts, medication or goods held at Istanbul Airport customs? A plain-English guide to your rights, the process, and how to get your items back.
More guides
How Long Can They Hold You at Istanbul Airport?
Held at passport control or in a holding room at Istanbul Airport (IST/SAW)? How long they can keep you depends on the legal basis — here is what to know and do.
Denied Entry at Istanbul Airport: Your Rights and What to Do
Refused entry at Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen (SAW)? A plain-English guide to why it happens, your rights, and what to do right now.
Turkey Visa Overstay: Fines, Bans and Re-Entry Explained
Overstayed your visa or e-Visa in Türkiye? A plain-English guide to the overstay fine, the entry-ban risk, voluntary departure, and whether you can come back.
Police Custody in Türkiye (Gözaltı): Your Rights Explained
Held in police custody (gözaltı) in Türkiye, or worried you might be? A plain-English guide to your right to silence, your right to a lawyer, and what happens next.
Arrested at Istanbul Airport on a Warrant: What Happens Next
Stopped or arrested at Istanbul Airport because of a warrant or alert? What the GBT check means, what happens next, and your right to silence and a lawyer.
INTERPOL Red Notice and Travelling to Türkiye: What to Know
Have an INTERPOL Red Notice and need to travel to Türkiye? What it is (and isn't), what can happen at the airport, and how it may be challenged.
Stopped From Leaving Türkiye? Travel & Exit Bans Explained
Told you can't leave Türkiye at the airport? A plain-English guide to travel/exit bans (yurt dışı çıkış yasağı): why they happen and how they're lifted.
Flight Delayed or Cancelled at Istanbul Airport: Your Rights
Long delay, cancelled flight, or denied boarding at Istanbul Airport (IST/SAW)? Your passenger rights to care, refunds and possible compensation.
Extradition from Türkiye: How the Process Works
Facing an extradition request in Türkiye, or detained on one? A plain-English guide to how extradition works, the grounds to oppose it, and your rights.
Power of Attorney, Notary & Sworn Translation in Türkiye — Fast
Need an urgent power of attorney (vekaletname), notarised document or sworn translation in Türkiye — sometimes from abroad? A plain-English guide to how it works.
Turkey Residence Permit Refused or Cancelled: What to Do
Residence permit (ikamet) refused, cancelled, or a renewal stuck in Türkiye? A plain-English guide to why it happens and your appeal options.
Am I Wanted in Türkiye? How to Check for a Warrant or Record
Worried about an arrest warrant or wanted record (yakalama/GBT) in Türkiye before you travel? A plain-English guide to how it is checked and what you can do.
Working in Türkiye Without a Permit: Risks and What to Do
Working without a permit in Türkiye, or a work permit (çalışma izni) refused? A plain-English guide to the fines, ban risk, residence impact and your options.
Speak with a lawyer
One call or message is all it takes. We answer 24 hours a day, every day of the year — for IST and Sabiha Gökçen.