Binkılıç guide
Binkılıç Removal Centre: a guide for families.
The centre is in the west of Istanbul, in the Binkılıç neighbourhood of the Çatalca district. If your relative has been brought here, we have put together what you need to know in the first days.
About the centre
Removal centres are where foreigners who are subject to a deportation decision and an administrative detention (idari gözetim) decision are held. The centres are run by the Presidency of Migration Management of the Ministry of Interior (Göç İdaresi Başkanlığı). We are not connected to this institution; we are a private firm that advises families and foreigners.
Binkılıç is far from the city centre, and the journey by public transport is long and needs several changes. Being turned away at the gate costs hours; find out the current rules before you set off.
The first 48 hours
Apprehension and assessment
The governorate (valilik) assesses the case of an apprehended foreigner within 48 hours at the latest and, if necessary, makes a deportation decision.
Transfer to the centre
If an administrative detention decision is made, the person is taken to a removal centre within 48 hours.
Notification
The decisions are notified (tebliğ) to the person, with their reasons. The 7-day period to file a case against a deportation decision starts running on the day after the notification.
The notification date matters
Find out on which day the decision was notified; the 7-day period starts on the following day.
Meetings and contact
The law provides that the following are made available to a person held at the centre (Law No. 6458, Art. 59):
- Access to and meetings with relatives, a notary, their legal representative and their lawyer
- Access to telephone services
- Meetings with visitors, consular officials of their country and officials of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
- Free emergency and basic health care if they cannot pay for it
Visiting days and rules may change
Visiting days and hours, the length of meetings and the items that can be brought depend on the centre’s practice. We do not present this information on the site as certain; call us before you set off.
Checklist before a visit
- Your own identity card or passport
- Your relative’s first name, surname and nationality, and their foreigner identification number (yabancı kimlik numarası), if they have one
- Confirmation of the current visiting day and time
- Asking in advance whether the items you want to bring will be accepted
- If a meeting with a lawyer is needed, preparation for the power of attorney (vekâlet) procedure
What to do right away
See the decisions
Take a photo of the deportation and administrative detention decisions, or find out what they say.
Write down the notification date
There are 7 days to file a case. Check the deadline with the calculator, but do not leave it to the last day.
Plan the power of attorney
The person at the centre can have access to a notary and a lawyer; power of attorney can be given in this way.
Call
The initial assessment is free; the line is open 24/7.
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Frequently asked questions
Questions you may have
How can I find out whether my relative is at Binkılıç?
The person can contact their family by using their right to a telephone. Information can also be obtained through the relevant provincial migration directorate (İl Göç İdaresi) and the centre. Let us plan together where and how to get information.
How long can my relative stay at the centre?
Administrative detention lasts at most 6 months; if the deportation cannot be completed because the person does not cooperate, or does not give correct information or documents about their country, it can be extended by up to 6 more months. Whether detention is still needed is reviewed every month.