One of the things that is necessary before an individual considers going through the experience of settling in one of the most vibrant cities in the world, Istanbul, is to familiarize himself with the list of forbidden neighborhoods that have been identified by the Immigration Department in Turkey. This list comes as an important guide that contributes to guiding individuals and providing transparency and awareness before they make any decision regarding residence or investment in various parts of this prominent economic city. This introduction provides an overview of the importance of the list and its impact on the choices of individuals, while highlighting the necessity of research and inquiring before making a decision in order to ensure a comfortable and successful experience in this unique city.

The Turkish Immigration Department is developing its policy regarding neighborhoods prohibited for foreigners in Istanbul, with the aim of maintaining security and social stability. Where this policy is witnessing continuous developments, and the number of banned neighborhoods increased in the past year to reach 1169 neighborhoods in various regions of Turkey, including Istanbul, Gaziantep and Adana.

According to the information available on the official website of the Turkish Immigration Department, the residence of foreigners is prohibited in some neighborhoods in Istanbul regions, with the exception of other regions. This policy aims to control the social balance and avoid any negative repercussions that may arise from the accumulation of a large number of foreigners in specific areas.

It is important for individuals planning to move to Istanbul to go through this list carefully, as foreigners are allowed to reside in certain areas of Istanbul and not in others. These laws include all types of residency, except for Syrians under "temporary protection."

These laws and regulations vary from time to time and may change according to political, economic and social developments. Therefore, it is highly advised to check the latest information from official sources before making any decision regarding moving and settling in the neighborhoods of Istanbul.

1. Esenyurt

The region is located in the European part of Istanbul, and is bordered by the E-5 highway to the south. It overlooks Kucukcekmece Lake, the gate of the new Istanbul Canal project, to the east, and Büyükçekmece Lake to the west. It is an area with a strategic location and high services that attract many foreigners to reside there.

The following neighborhoods are the neighborhoods where foreigners are not allowed to reside:

AKEVLER
SULTANİYE
BAĞLARÇEŞME
GÖKEVLER
ZAFER
PİRİ REİS
KOZA
YEŞİLKENT

2. Beyoğlu

It is located in the European part of Istanbul, between the southern part of the Bosphorus Strait and the Golden Horn, an ancient region dating back more than 4,500 years, so it embraces a stunning mosaic of Byzantine, Arab and Ottoman civilizations.

Foreigners are allowed to reside in all of its neighborhoods, except for:

BÜLBÜL
KOCATEPE
ŞEHİT MUHTAR
KALYONCU KULLUĞU
KAMER HATUN
ÇUKUR
KATİPMUSTAFA
YENİŞEHİR
KALYONCU KULLUĞU
ASMALI MESCİT
BOSTAN

3. Beylikdüzü

Beylikduzu is located west of Istanbul, bordered by Avcilar to the east, Esenyurt to the north, Buyukcekmece to the west, and the Sea of Marmara to the south.

It is one of the least areas that contain neighborhoods that are prohibited to foreigners in Istanbul, as it has only one prohibited neighborhood, which is: BEYLİKDÜZÜ OSB

4. Beşiktaş

Besiktas is located in the European section of Istanbul, near Sisli, Sariyer and Kagithane. It is a coastal area with a charming sea view of the world-famous Bosphorus Strait. It also includes only one neighborhood that is forbidden to foreigners, which is: YILDIZ.

5. Basaksehir

It is one of the most preferred areas for foreigners, and its location, which borders large areas of the Belgrade forests, is one of the most important attractions for staying in it.

The following neighborhoods are prohibited for foreigners only:

ZİYA GÖKALP
İKİTELLI OSB
6. Bahçelievler

This area is located 20 km from Taksim Square, and about 45 km from the new Istanbul Airport, and it contains one neighborhood in which foreigners are not allowed to reside, which is: ŞİRİNEVLER

7. Avcılar

Avcilar is bordered by the Marmara Sea to the south, Kucukcekmece Lake to the west, Esenyurt and Beylikduzu regions to the east, and Basaksehir to the north.
The following three neighborhoods are prohibited for foreigners in Istanbul:

GÜMÜŞPALA
MERKEZ
DENİZKÖŞKLER
8. Zeytinburnu

The region is located on the European side of Istanbul and is surrounded by the Fatih region to the east, Bayrampasa region to the north, Bakirkoy region to the west, and the Sea of Marmara to the south.

Because of the area’s extension among many vital and historical areas in addition to its tourist location, it has a special attraction for foreigners who can reside in all of its neighborhoods except for:

MALTEPE
YENİDOĞAN
NURİPAŞA
YEŞİLTEPE
9. Umraniye

Umraniye district is located in the Asian section of Istanbul and is bordered to the west by Uskudar district, to the south by Kadikoy district, to the east by Kartal district and Sultanbeyli district, and to the north by Beykoz district.

Al-Umraniye is considered one of the most areas of Istanbul in terms of large population growth, which includes a significant proportion of foreigners, as the neighborhoods that are prohibited to them are only the DUDULLU OSB neighborhood.

10. Tuzla

This region is located on the eastern borders of Istanbul, and is bordered by Pendik, Kocaeli and the Sea of Marmara.

Its proximity to Sabiha Airport is what made it most popular in addition to many other advantages. According to the Immigration Department, AYDINLI-KOSB neighborhood is the only neighborhood that is forbidden to foreigners in the region

11. Şişli

Sisli is located in the European section of Istanbul, about 8 kilometers away from the city center, and is surrounded by a group of important areas such as Aglua in the south, and the Sultan Ayoub district in the west.

As for the neighborhoods in which foreigners are prohibited from residing in Sisli, they are:

ERGENEKON
İNÖNÜ
MEŞRUTİYET
CUMHURİYET
12. Sarıyer

It is one of the most beautiful areas overlooking the Bosphorus, and it is considered a major tourist center in Istanbul, so it annually attracts thousands of foreigners who can reside in every neighborhood except for Maslak.

13. Küçükçekmece

This area is located specifically to the west of Istanbul city center, and is surrounded by the areas of Basaksehir, Bagcilar, Bahcelievler, Bakirkoy, and Kucukcekmece Lake.

The region includes 4 neighborhoods that are forbidden to foreigners, which are:

MEHMET AKIF
KÜÇÜKÇEKMECE İKİTELLİOSB MAHALLESİ
BEŞYOL
14. Al-Fatih area

It is located in the center of Istanbul and is characterized by a geographical and strategic location, as it is bordered by the Golden Horn from the north, and overlooked by the Sea of Marmara from the south, while from the west it is defined by the walls of Constantinople.

Al-Fateh is considered the most area of ​​Istanbul that contains neighborhoods that are prohibited to foreigners, and they are:

Saraç Ishak
MESİHPAŞA
MİMAR KEMALETTİN
MUHSINE HATUN
Saraç Ishak
BALABANAĞA
MESİHPAŞA
MOLLA GURANİ
AKŞEMSETTİN
MOLLA HUSREV
KEMALPAŞA
KATİP KASIM
İSKENDERPAŞA
Are there exceptions for the residence of foreigners in restricted neighborhoods?

Yes, there are exceptions on a very small scale so that every foreigner covered by the following cases is allowed to live in the neighborhoods prohibited to foreigners in Istanbul:

If he is a student and gets a place in a university located in a restricted neighborhood.
If he buys a house for the purpose of investment.
If there is a health issue related to the safety of the family.
If the foreigner holds a work permit, he can register his address in his work area if it is within the closed areas.
The head of the family can also add his children to his address in the restricted neighborhood, provided that they have not reached the age of 18.

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