Ç-137 (C-137) Restriction Code: Not Leaving by the Deadline

The Ç-137 restriction code (C-137) is applied to foreigners who, after a deportation decision, were invited to leave Türkiye but did not leave the country within the time given. In practice it is associated with a five-year entry ban. What stands out about the code is that the same decision may produce no ban for someone who leaves on time, yet carries a heavy consequence for someone who misses the deadline.

📨 What Is an Invitation to Leave?

Under Art. 56/1 of Law No. 6458, those subject to a deportation decision are given a period to leave Türkiye, not less than fifteen days and up to thirty days, provided it is stated in the decision. The person given time receives an Exit Permit Document that is not subject to fees (Art. 56/2). This document shows that the foreigner is lawfully in the country during the period, but it does not remove obligations relating to visa and residence fees and fines.

An invitation to leave is a milder way of carrying out deportation: the foreigner leaves the country by their own means and on their own plan, without being placed in a removal centre. The Law rewards the foreigner who chooses this route and keeps to the deadline: under Art. 9/5, an entry ban decision may not be issued for those who leave within the period.

🚫 Who Is Not Given Time?

The second sentence of Art. 56/1 lists the people to whom no time to leave is given:

• Those with a risk of absconding or disappearing,
• Those who violate the rules of lawful entry or lawful exit,
• Those who use forged documents, and those who obtained or tried to obtain a residence permit with false documents,
• Those who pose a threat to public order, public security or public health.

For these people deportation is carried out directly and, where necessary, an administrative detentionTR decision is made. For this reason Ç-137 is seen mainly in foreigners who were made subject to a deportation decision for milder violations, such as overstay, and were given a period to leave.

⚠️ What Happens If the Deadline Is Missed?

• Administrative fine: Art. 102/1-c provides an administrative fine for those who do not leave Türkiye within the period given under Art. 56/1. If it is not paid, an unpaid-fine record may also arise.
• Forced deportation: When a foreigner who has not left on time is caught, the deportation decision is enforced by force; administrative detention may come up at this stage.
• Entry ban: The advantage under Art. 9/5 is lost and Ç-137, associated in practice with a five-year ban, is entered.

Where there is a justified reason for not leaving within the period (such as illness, a cancelled flight or not having the passport), the usual route is to document the situation, request an extension of time from the governorship and obtain a written reply. Statements made after the period has expired often have no effect. The consequences of an unpaid fine are explained in the article on the Ç-135 (C-135) restriction code.

⚖️ Legal Remedies

• An action can be brought against the deportation decision itself within seven days of notification (Art. 53/3). Having been given time to leave does not remove this right of action. Details: deportation and objectionTR.
• For an entry ban based on a Ç-137 record, the sixty-day period for an action under Art. 7 of the Administrative Procedure Law No. 2577 (İYUK) applies.
• Against the administrative fine, an application can be made to the criminal judgeship of peace within fifteen days under Art. 27 of the Misdemeanours Law No. 5326.
• When entry is necessary while the ban continues, the route of a visa with an endorsement (meşruhatlı vize) can be considered.

Related codes and articles: Ç-113 (C-113) Restriction Code, Ç-136 (C-136) Restriction Code, Ç-167 (C-167) Restriction Code.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions