Turkish Interior Minister Ali Erlikaya announced that it is planned to take fingerprints from foreigners at the country's airports, as in the USA and Britain. He also informed about the changes being made in the immigration policy of Turkey, in particular, the expected changes in obtaining a residence permit.

Turkish Interior Minister Ali Erlikaya announced at the traditional breakfast meeting held at SABAH Ankara office that it is planned to take fingerprints from foreigners at the country's airports, as in the USA and Britain. He also informed about the changes being made in the immigration policy of Turkey, in particular, the expected changes in obtaining a residence permit.

Ali Erlikaya presented the latest data on the number of foreigners in the country, in particular, Syrians under international protection.

According to him, 4 million 437 thousand 329 foreigners are registered in Turkey. 3 million 103 thousand of them are Syrians. In addition, 1,109,000 of them have residence permits and 224,000 are under international protection. During 13 years, 238,733 Syrians received Turkish citizenship. Those who receive a residence permit include international students, domestic workers, caregivers of the sick and elderly, and others.

Erlikaya provided the following information about Turkey's immigration policy:

Migration strategy

"Our strategy to combat illegal migration and immigrant smuggling. It is based on the principles of "addressing the problem at its source, effective border security measures, internal apprehension, combating irregular labor migration and an effective deportation mechanism."

Residence certificates are issued through notaries

" There are no queues at immigration offices. We started a new project. Residence permits can now be obtained from notaries. More than 100,000 foreign students are issued residence permits by the student affairs department of the universities where they are studying. The immigration authorities will finalize the process taking into account intelligence and other algorithms .

He will leave with whatever intention he came with

" You can come to Turkey from 95 countries without a visa. Enters as a tourist and travels for 6 months. Then he says: "I want to get a residence permit." Our policy is: what you came with, you leave with! If you come as a tourist, you cannot say, "I want to be a shepherd." Go to your country . From there, apply for a work permit and we will investigate you. Tell me your intention, and I will give you a residence permit accordingly. "

Claims of 2 million Africans in Turkey

" This is insane nonsense. In the last five years, 6 million 620 thousand Africans came to our country, and 6 million 445 thousand left. They come by plane or by sea. 142,423 of them are African students, businessmen, diplomats, etc., who stayed with residence permits. 7,302 people have valid visas. The remaining 25,109 people are missing. The European Union's Frontex migration agency reported that more than 85,000 Africans have arrived via the Eastern Mediterranean and Western Balkans in the past five years. 25 thousand of them are Africans.

Repatriation of one illegal immigrant costs 1,000 euros per year

It costs 1,000 euros per year for each irregular immigrant until they are sent back. With the measures taken, we saved half a billion euros. Last year, 132,288 Syrians voluntarily returned to their country. Voluntary returnees totaled 687,706 in the last 5 years.