As of mid-September 2024, Turkmen citizens hold the top position among foreigners with residence permits in Turkey, totaling 109,530 people. The statistical data was published on the website of Turkey's Migration Service, reports Turkmen.news.
In second place are Russian citizens (91,304 people), and in third place are Iraqi citizens (78,615). A year ago, this same trio led the list of the top ten countries with the most citizens holding residence permits in Turkey. However, this time their rankings have changed: Turkmenistan moved from third to first place, Russia became second, and Iraq third.
The last time such information was provided by the migration service was in January 2023. Comparing these two periods, it can be seen that the total number of foreigners with Turkish residence permits has decreased (from 1,107,032 to 1,084,825 people). This is also evident among the leaders of last year's and this year's rankings. For example, eight months ago, there were 115,200 Turkmen citizens, 154,300 Russians (who held the first position), and 130,600 Iraqis in second place.
According to official data, the decrease in the number of foreigners occurred against the backdrop of the end of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing war in Ukraine for the third year—two factors that led to a sharp increase in foreign citizens over the previous two years.
As for Turkmen citizens, their number with Turkish residence permits has decreased by 5,700 people compared to eight months ago. Several reasons may explain this: the resumption of regular air travel between the countries, allowing people to return home, and the possibility that some compatriots may have gained full Turkish citizenship.
However, if Turkey had not introduced a visa regime at the request of Turkmen authorities, the number of migrants from Turkmenistan could have increased, as Turkmen citizens continue to actively seek to go to Turkey, despite the obstacles in their way.
The migration service also publishes other interesting information, particularly regarding foreign citizens who have purchased property in Turkey. Turkmenistan is not among the top ten countries in this ranking. This may indicate that the overwhelming majority of Turkmen citizens lack the means to purchase real estate and aim to settle in Turkey for other reasons, the main one being the opportunity to work and send money to their families.
Among foreigners with short-term residence permits, Turkmen citizens rank second (63,206 people) after Iraq. 18,915 Turkmen citizens hold student residence permits (third place after Iran and Azerbaijan), and 7,484 have family residence permits (fifth place).
CentralasianLIGHT.org
September 25, 2024