English-Speaking Lawyer in Ankara for International Clients

Dealing with a legal matter in Türkiye can be difficult when you live abroad, do not speak Turkish or are unfamiliar with the country’s courts and administrative procedures. Clear communication is especially important when your matter involves an entry ban, immigration record, citizenship application, inherited property, real estate transaction or an official document that must be obtained from Türkiye.

Tuva Law and Consultancy is an Ankara-based law firm providing legal assistance in English to foreign nationals, international families, investors and clients living outside Türkiye. We explain the available legal options, identify the documents and deadlines that may apply and provide legal representation before the competent Turkish authorities and courts where appropriate.

Depending on the nature of the procedure, certain matters may be handled through a properly issued Power of Attorney without the client travelling to Türkiye.

Legal Assistance in English in Türkiye

Turkish legal and administrative procedures are generally conducted in Turkish. Court petitions, official applications, notarial documents and correspondence with public authorities may therefore require careful preparation in accordance with Turkish law.

Working with an English-speaking lawyer in Ankara may help you:

• Understand the nature and current status of your legal matter;
• Identify the competent authority or court;
• Review official decisions and available documents;
• Understand applicable procedures and deadlines;
• Prepare the documents required for an application or legal action;
• Receive updates about the process in English;
• Determine whether a Power of Attorney is required;
• Assess whether the matter can be handled without travelling to Türkiye.

The appropriate legal approach depends on the facts, available records, applicable deadlines and the authority responsible for the matter. An initial review is therefore necessary before specific advice or representation can be offered.

Who We Assist

Our English-language legal services are intended for:

• Foreign nationals living in Ankara or elsewhere in Türkiye;
• Clients living abroad who have a legal matter in Türkiye;
• Foreign nationals who have been denied entry to Türkiye;
• Individuals dealing with an immigration or restriction code;
• International families with inheritance or family-law matters;
• Foreign heirs with property, bank accounts or other assets in Türkiye;
• Foreign property owners and prospective purchasers;
• Investors and business owners requiring legal assistance in Türkiye;
• Former residents who need official Turkish documents;
• Individuals affected by decisions of Turkish administrative authorities.

If you are uncertain about the category of your matter, you may send us a brief explanation together with the available documents for an initial assessment.

Legal Services for Foreign Nationals and Overseas Clients

Immigration, Entry Bans and Restriction Codes

A foreign national may discover an immigration problem after a visa refusal, during a border crossing or when attempting to transit through a Turkish airport. In some cases, the individual is told that a restriction code or entry ban exists but is not informed of the exact code, reason or duration.

Tuva Law and Consultancy assists foreign nationals with matters involving:

• Turkish entry bans;
• Foreigner restriction codes;
• Requests to identify an unknown restriction code;
• Examination of the recorded reason and duration of a restriction;
• Visa refusals connected with immigration records;
• Deportation decisions;
• Administrative detention and removal-centre procedures;
• Objections and administrative litigation where legally available.

Our guide to foreigner restriction codes in Türkiye explains the general purpose of common immigration codes. However, general information about a code does not establish what is recorded in a particular person’s file.

Checking an immigration record does not automatically remove an entry ban or cancel a restriction code. Once the available record, legal reason and duration have been identified, the appropriate next step can be assessed separately.

Where a deportation decision has been issued, strict legal deadlines may apply. You can review our information on deportation appeals in Türkiye, but an individual assessment remains necessary.

Premium Focus: Turkish Citizenship and Residence Matters

Citizenship and residence procedures may involve several public authorities, official records and supporting documents. The correct route depends on the applicant’s personal circumstances and the legal basis of the application.

Our services may include assistance with:

• Turkish citizenship by investment;
• Citizenship by marriage;
• Citizenship by descent or family connection;
• Review of citizenship application documents;
• Administrative issues arising during an application;
• Passport and identity-card procedures following citizenship;
• Residence-permit matters;
• Work-permit procedures and related administrative issues.

Foreign nationals who have completed the citizenship process can read our guide to applying for a Turkish passport and ID card after citizenship.

Citizenship requirements and administrative practices can change. Applicants should therefore confirm the current requirements and obtain advice based on their chosen application route before making an investment or submitting documents.

Turkish Criminal Records and Official Documents

Foreign authorities may request documents from Türkiye for immigration, employment, residence, citizenship, marriage, education or licensing procedures.

Tuva Law and Consultancy assists eligible clients in obtaining Turkish criminal record certificates and related official documents from abroad. Depending on the receiving authority’s requirements, the process may involve:

• A standard Turkish criminal record certificate;
• A certificate containing archive information;
• An English-language version;
• Apostille certification;
• Sworn translation or notarisation;
• Preparation of a Power of Attorney;
• Physical delivery of original documents.

The exact document should be confirmed before the application is made. A standard certificate may not be sufficient when a foreign authority specifically requires archive information, an apostille or an original document.

For further information, see our guide on how to obtain a Turkish criminal record certificate from abroad with an apostille.

International Inheritance and Estate Matters

Cross-border inheritance cases can become complicated when the deceased, heirs and assets are located in different countries. Foreign heirs may need to establish their status, obtain a Turkish certificate of inheritance, identify assets or complete transactions involving inherited property.

Our inheritance services may include:

• Assessing the inheritance rights of foreign heirs;
• Applications for a Turkish certificate of inheritance;
• Examination of foreign probate documents;
• Identifying real estate and other assets in Türkiye;
• Administration of estates located in Türkiye;
• Inheritance tax and transfer procedures;
• Division or sale of inherited property;
• Renunciation of inheritance;
• Will-related disputes;
• Reserved-share and reduction claims;
• Disputes between heirs.

Some procedures may require apostilled civil-status documents, sworn translations or a Power of Attorney issued abroad. The required documents depend on the deceased’s nationality, the heirs, the nature of the assets and the intended transaction.

You can review our Turkish inheritance law services for international clients for further information.

Real Estate Law in Türkiye

Purchasing, selling or managing property in another country requires more than signing a sales document. The title-deed record, contractual terms, restrictions affecting the property and the authority of the parties should be examined before funds are transferred or binding commitments are made.

Tuva Law and Consultancy assists international clients with:

• Title-deed and ownership reviews;
• Property purchase and sale procedures;
• Drafting and reviewing real estate agreements;
• Due diligence before a transaction;
• Title-deed transfers;
• Property disputes;
• Inherited real estate;
• Lease-related matters;
• Real estate connected with citizenship applications.

Legal review cannot eliminate every commercial risk, but it can help identify material legal issues and clarify the obligations of the parties before a transaction proceeds.

Further information is available on our real estate law practice page.

Administrative Applications and Litigation

Ankara is home to many of Türkiye’s ministries, central administrative authorities and administrative courts. Legal matters involving citizenship, immigration records, public authorities or administrative decisions may require an application to the responsible authority, an objection or proceedings before an administrative court.

Our services may include:

• Reviewing administrative decisions;
• Identifying applicable objection and litigation deadlines;
• Preparing administrative applications;
• Filing annulment actions where legal conditions are met;
• Requesting a stay of execution where appropriate;
• Representing clients before administrative courts;
• Following procedures involving central public authorities.

Being based in Ankara does not guarantee a particular outcome. It does, however, provide practical access to many institutions involved in central administrative procedures.

Business and Commercial Matters

Foreign investors and business owners may require legal assistance when establishing or operating a business in Türkiye.

Depending on the nature of the matter, our services may include:

• Company-establishment procedures;
• Review and preparation of commercial agreements;
• Corporate documentation;
• Selected shareholder and commercial disputes;
• Regulatory and administrative matters;
• Legal issues involving foreign employees;
• Work-permit procedures;
• Real estate used for investment or commercial activities.

A separate review may be required to determine whether a matter falls within our practice areas and whether support from another professional, such as a tax adviser, accountant or technical expert, is also necessary.

Why Work with an Ankara-Based Lawyer?

Ankara is the administrative capital of Türkiye and the location of many ministries, regulatory bodies and central public authorities. It is also an important centre for administrative litigation.

For international clients, an Ankara-based lawyer may be particularly relevant when a matter involves:

• The General Directorate of Migration Management;
• Citizenship and immigration authorities;
• Ministries or central administrative bodies;
• Administrative applications;
• Ankara administrative courts;
• Official records maintained by Turkish institutions.

Tuva Law and Consultancy also assists clients in matters arising outside Ankara where representation is legally Foxand practically possible. The competent authority or court depends on the subject and location of the dispute.

Working with Us from Outside Türkiye

Many international clients contact us while living outside Türkiye. Depending on the procedure, it may be possible to carry out certain legal and administrative steps through a Power of Attorney.

The usual process may include:

1. You send a brief description of the matter and the available documents.
2. We review whether the matter falls within our practice areas.
3. We explain the proposed scope of work, required documents, professional fee and anticipated expenses.
4. If a Power of Attorney is required, an appropriate draft is provided.
5. You complete the required notarisation and, where applicable, apostille or consular procedures.
6. The original Power of Attorney is sent to Türkiye if the authority requires the physical document.
7. The authorised applications or legal proceedings are carried out.
8. Relevant developments and documents are communicated electronically.

You can find additional professional information on the Attorney Osman Selçuk Akyüz profile page.

Whether a matter can be completed entirely without travel depends on the type of procedure, the client’s circumstances and the requirements of the competent authority or court.

Meet Attorney Osman Selçuk Akyüz

Attorney Osman Selçuk Akyüz coordinates legal services for international clients at Tuva Law and Consultancy in Ankara.

Our approach is based on:

• Understanding the client’s specific legal problem;
• Reviewing the available documents before recommending action;
• Explaining legal options and procedural requirements in clear English;
• Identifying relevant deadlines and potential legal risks;
• Defining the scope of legal services and anticipated expenses;
• Providing updates during the agreed legal process;
• Protecting attorney-client confidentiality.

How to Request an Initial Assessment

To help us understand your matter, please provide:

• Your full name and nationality;
• Your current country of residence;
• A brief explanation of what happened;
• The relevant dates;
• Information about any approaching deadline;
• Copies of available decisions, notices or other documents;
• Whether you are currently inside or outside Türkiye;
• Your preferred method of communication.

Please avoid sending passwords or unnecessary sensitive personal data in your first message. If additional records are required, we will explain how they should be provided.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Choose Tuva Hukuk Among Lawyers in Ankara?

When evaluating lawyers in Ankara, it is essential to select a firm that not only knows the law but also understands your language and expectations.

• Absolute Clarity: Legal jargon is complicated enough. We ensure that every document, court proceeding, and strategy is explained to you in fluent English.
• Local Power, Global Standards: Based in the capital city, we have direct access to supreme courts, ministries, and central government offices, allowing us to expedite administrative processes.
• Tailored Strategies: We do not believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. Atttorney Osman Selçuk Akyüz and our legal team analyze your unique situation to craft a personalized legal roadmap.