Procedures for Students with Refugee and Asylum Seeker Status in Turkey

Turkey recognizes the right to education for foreigners who are refugees and asylum seekers, in particular Syrian asylum seekers. Therefore, students with refugee status can receive education in primary, secondary, high school, university and vocational education throughout Turkey if they complete the registration process. The right to education is not only important for inclusion in the education system, but also for social integration. Through these pathways, students have the opportunity to further adapt to the Turkish culture. However, children of primary school age can be enrolled as “guest students” without applying for temporary protection or international protection. However, official protection registration is mandatory for them to enjoy comprehensive rights and uninterrupted education.

The right to education is not only a privilege for refugee and asylum-seeking students, but also a legal obligation. In order to be included in the education system, temporary protection registration is essential. This registration provides students with many material and moral opportunities and helps them integrate socially into society. Provincial/District Directorates of National Education should be contacted to monitor the registration process. The process of enrolment in public schools, while often seemingly complicated, can be considerably simplified if supported by the right documentation. Documents that refugee children present for enrollment include a valid foreigner ID number and previous education documents. Even students with incomplete identification procedures can be registered as “guest students”; however, the most important point here is to obtain temporary protection registration as soon as possible. While it is possible to receive education without temporary protection registration, there may be restrictions on the enjoyment of comprehensive rights.

Refugee and asylum-seeking children have the right to be included in the formal education system in Turkey by registering for temporary protection. Registration is usually carried out in state-owned schools and documents showing the educational status of children play an important role at this stage. Valid foreigner ID number (starting with 99) and documents from the previous school are required for registration. Another point that students should pay attention to during the registration process is the identification process. If the identity procedures are not completed, students may still be accepted as “guest students”, but in this case the official protection registration must be done as soon as possible. The right to education starts with registration, but for students who are not officially registered, this must be done in order for their right to education to be fully recognized. To learn more about the education system in Turkey, visit the website of the Ministry of National Education of the Republic of Turkey.

Refugee children who wish to enroll in primary and secondary education need to prepare certain documents. These documents include a valid foreigner ID number and diplomas or transcripts showing previous education. It is of utmost importance that students prepare their documents on time and follow the registration process. As the registration process will be carried out through the Provincial/District Directorates of National Education, it may be a good idea to contact these institutions directly. In order to benefit from the opportunities provided by the education system, refugee children need to create a complete paperwork file during the registration process. Otherwise, they may experience problems while continuing their education.

There are certain application requirements for refugee and asylum-seeking students who wish to study at higher education level. First of all, they must have temporary protection status, international protection application or status. They must also have a valid foreigner ID number issued by the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management. Submission of the student’s diploma and/or transcript from the school of graduation is also an important part of the application process. Students are usually required to take the Foreign Student Examination (YÖS) or TR-YÖS to enter the university. Some foundation universities may accept applications based on their own international exams or high school diploma. However, each of these processes must be managed according to the requirements set out on the respective university’s website. Before applying, it is important to study the “International Student Application” sections of the universities in detail.

Refugee and asylum-seeking students are required to submit certain documents for enrollment at universities. Documents such as temporary protection, international protection status and valid foreigner ID number are important elements to prepare them for university education. Submitting their diplomas and transcripts from the school they graduated from is also among the required documents. Given that the university application process can be complex, each student should prepare their documents taking into account their own situation. Official information on required documents and exams can be found on the official website of the Council of Higher Education. These resources provide information to facilitate refugee and asylum-seeking students’ university applications.

Refugee and asylum-seeking students may face various challenges in integrating into the education system in Turkey. At this point, providing answers to frequently asked questions about the right to education in Turkey can help students to receive further guidance in this process. In particular, the right to education and other special circumstances for children without temporary protection registration contain important information. For example, children who have not yet been registered under temporary protection may be admitted to school as “guest students” at primary school age. However, it is important that their right to education will be fully recognized once the identification process is completed. This is a critical stage both for the student to receive education and to gain social identity. It should not be forgotten that access to the right to education supports the integration of refugee children into society and their social development.

If your high school diploma or documents are incomplete, some universities may offer special considerations to exempt you from this situation. In this context, it is an important step to contact the university’s student affairs directly and point out your shortcomings. Each university has its own documentation policies, so it is important to verify your documents and find out what you need to do in case they are missing.

There are some important institutions for refugee and asylum-seeking students to overcome the obstacles they face in their education process. These institutions in Turkey play a critical role in ensuring that we can exercise our right to education and facilitate our application processes. First of all, the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) and the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB) are important sources of information and guidance for refugee and asylum-seeking students. Current announcements and procedures can be found on the websites of these institutions. In addition, provincial and district directorates of national education and provincial directorates of migration management are also the main points where you can get help with registration and education processes.

The Council of Higher Education (YÖK) is an official institution that provides information on the necessary documents, application processes and equivalence for university education. You can visit YÖK’s official website for information on refugee and asylum-seeking students’ rights to education. This site provides guidance and resources for both refugee students seeking education and universities. At this point, it is very important to follow the current developments regarding the steps taken to ensure equality in education.

The Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities is another institution that provides important support for the educational processes of Turkish and refugee students living abroad. This organization offers various scholarship opportunities, educational opportunities and vocational support. Through YTB’s website, it is possible to learn about the support options and opportunities available for refugee and asylum-seeking students. You can use these resources to make your educational journey easier.

Do children without temporary protection registration have the right to education?

Yes, children of primary school age can register as guest students. However, once the identification process is completed, their education rights are fully recognized.

Can a guest student enter university without an exam?

No, Syrian and other refugee/asylum-seeking students must take exams such as YÖS to enter university.

What to do if high school diploma or documents are missing?

If your high school diploma or documents are missing, some universities may offer special considerations and exemptions.