Military Service for Turkish Citizens Abroad: Documents

Turkish citizens of military age who live abroad can apply for a deferment or for the payment-based form of service known as dövizle askerlik. Both routes run through the Turkish consulate, and both depend on documents issued in the country of residence.

What the consulate examines

Under the Military Service Law, people abroad who hold a residence permit with a work permit or a work permit, seafarers and dual citizens apply for deferment to the Turkish consulate they belong to, with documents proving their situation. Applicants for dövizle askerlik apply through the consulate to the military recruitment office, also with documents proving their situation.

The regulation names the documents. Workers submit a residence permit with a work permit, or a work permit, obtained under the law of the foreign country, and a document from the employer stating the dates of employment. Dual citizens living abroad submit their foreign identity card or foreign passport. Periods of unemployment insurance, disability benefit or social assistance from official bodies count as working time if documents proving them are submitted. For deferment on grounds of family reunification, a marriage certificate or a civil registry extract is submitted together with the foreign authorities' document on the right of residence and work.

The consulate examines the information and documents in the light of the foreign country's legislation, may ask the local authorities for information, and may request any additional documents it considers necessary.

Studies and health reports

Deferment for higher education abroad depends on the student status or the school being recognised by the competent Turkish authorities; graduates may be granted an additional deferment to complete equivalence procedures. Medical examination results and reports obtained abroad are sent by the consulate to the Ministry of National Defence together with their Turkish translations.

The provisions quoted here do not mention an apostille. We translate foreign documents into Turkish in Ankara through translators sworn before a Turkish notary; the consulate and the military authorities decide.