Immigration and Border Governance

IOM has been working extensively with the Government of Türkiye since 2005 

through its partnerships and projects in the field of immigration and border governance – with a view to facilitating safe, orderly and regular migration. IOM supports the Government in improving the policy, legislation, operational systems, human resources and administrative and technical structures required to respond more effectively to diverse migration and border management challenges.

IOM’s main priorities in this area include: 

• Supporting Türkiye to enhance its border and migration management structures and procedures

• Supporting Türkiye to reduce irregular migration and other cross-border crime such as trafficking in human beings and migrant smuggling

• Supporting Türkiye to facilitate regular migration and to strengthen the protection of migrants’ rights

• Enhancing international cooperation and supporting harmonization of national policies and practices within regional contexts towards common international norms

IOM’s support has enabled the Government to accomplish a number of key achievements, including: 

• Drafting the Law on Foreigners and International Protection

• Establishment of Bulgaria, Greece, Türkiye Common Contact Center at Kapikule / Kapitan Andreevo

• Developing and updating Türkiye’s Strategy Document and National Action Plan on Irregular Migration for 2015-2020 and 2021-2025

• Extensive support for establishment of the National Coordination and Joint Risks Analysis Centre and related 2016 legislation

• Producing the first standalone Risk Analysis Training Manual for the Turkish National Police

• Implementing the first standalone project on Alternatives to Detention