Action Line #141209 Residency permits
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/ Published December 10, 2014
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey -- Editor's note: The Action Line program allows members of Team Incirlik to voice concerns and receive a response relating to the concern while remaining anonymous. You can submit an action line by emailing it to: incirlik.actionline@us.af.mil.
Question: Several months ago (Aug 2014) I paid for Residency Permits for my family and I; however, as of today we have yet to receive these documents. We are due to leave this week --- and are now being told we have to do a separate residency request letter/document and physically hand-carry it to the Turkish General Staff authorities for review/approval --- which will take several days, minimum!
Also, this "temporary" letter is only good for 15 days AND does provide for re-entry into Turkey!
What's happened to all the money I paid for the proper residency permits if all I need is this letter? Will I be refunded the money paid in August?
Also, as we will be away longer than the 15 day limit, how do we get back into the country?
Response: Thank you for writing. I'm sorry you haven't seen the latest updates we've posted on Facebook over the past couple of weeks regarding this matter - in the future we'll make sure that we also send out emails and post an article on the base website too. Recently the Turkish government changed its rules, along with the agency responsible for processing these permits. In addition to the wave of Syrian refugees who are also processing residency applications, this has resulted in a huge backlog.
We've been working with the US consulate to clear the backlog of US residency permit applications. Over 75 applications have been approved in the last few days, and the Turkish government has been mailing them from Ankara. Please call Pass and ID today and tell them your name, and the dates that you're traveling. I'll let them know to expect a call. We'll check with the consulate to see if your permits are included in ones recently approved. If not, we'll ask the consulate to try and work with the Turkish government to get your passes expedited. If we can't, your only legal option is to apply for the 15 day letter from the Turkish government (not the Turkish General Staff). Pass and ID can help you with this process as well. Let me know if you have any additional questions.