Iraqis have been reaching Turkey in different ways through official and unofficial border points. Usually persons in possession of valid travel documents enter Turkey through official border points by air (Istanbul and Ankara primarily) or by land, in southeast Turkey. Iraqis are required to obtain a visa in order to access the territory of Turkey as of 1 January 2015. Iraqis can also obtain an e-visa which is valid for 30 days in a total period of 180 days free of charge. Iraqis arriving in Turkey without a valid e-visa can receive a sticker visa at the airports until 1 July 2015. The profile of the caseload includes Christians, Sunnis and Shia and Yazidis who arrived in large numbers following the events in Sinjar in 2014. Out of a caseload of around 180,000 persons, nearly 14,000 individuals have chosen to reside in camps in southeast Turkey, the rest are living with host communities.
Upon registration with the authorities, Iraqis receive documents which allow them to stay in Turkey until a durable solution is identified for them. National authorities have been registering and processing the applications of Iraqis who had arrived before May 2014 as international protection applicants, providing them with identity documents and rights such as access to health care, education and social assistance as regulated in the law. However, until February 2015, Iraqis who arrived after May 2014 were registered and provided with documentation similar to that given to Syrian refugees under temporary protection, without the entitlements envisaged under the TP regime.
On 12 February 2015, the Directorate General of Migration Management (DGMM) issued a circular detailing the procedures to be followed for Iraqi applicants arrived after 1 May 2014: a) access to State asylum procedures, b) access to humanitarian residence permit, or c) assistance for voluntarily return. The same rights and entitlements foreseen in the law are applicable to all Iraqi applicants.
On 20 February 2015, the Council of Ministers issued a decision establishing that Iraqi nationals arrived in Turkey after 1 May 2014, irrespective of the nature of their entry or stay, would benefit from the same health services as those provided to Syrians under TP. The sharp increase of Iraqis in several urban areas in Turkey put a strain on government resources resulting in backlogs in registration. As a result, access to public services is not possible before registration is completed.
In parallel, UNHCR continues to carry out RSD and pursue durable solutions for the most vulnerable cases. Refugees registered with UNHCR can benefit from assistance provided by it and its partners, including psychosocial support, education support and cash based interventions for the most vulnerable.
Under UNHCR’s mandate procedures, Iraqi asylum-seekers originating from the five Central Governorates and Anbar Governorate undergo a streamlined procedure, in which the registration and refugee status interviews are combined. This decreases the waiting periods at all stages of the process. In addition, refugees recognized by UNHCR in Syria undergo a short verification process, after which they are counselled on the Turkish procedure and asylum framework, and issued a new refugee certificate. In total in 2014, the Office issued decisions for 4,283 cases (10,108 individuals).
During focus group discussions, participatory assessments and individual protection interviews or counselling sessions, Iraqis indicated access to services (health and education) and lack of job opportunities as their main concerns.
In 2014, UNHCR submitted 6,852 Iraqi refugees for resettlement. 5,803 individuals departed. UNHCR’s submission target for Iraqi refugees is 6,000 annually. It is expected that 4,200 Iraqis will depart for resettlement.