What Is YİMER 157, and When Should You Call It?

What is YİMER 157?

YİMER, which stands for the Foreigners’ Communication Center, is an official call center operating under the Presidency of Migration Management of the Ministry of the Interior. It is the only single point of contact through which foreigners living in Turkey or wishing to come to Turkey can directly ask questions of the government.

The hotline’s history dates back to 2003: at that time, it operated as “Alo 157,” an emergency hotline established for victims of human trafficking. In 2014, the Presidency of Migration Management took over the hotline, expanded its scope of services, and began operating under the name YİMER 157 as of August 20, 2015.

Today, the hotline does more than just provide information; it also plays a direct role in identifying victims of human trafficking and in receiving reports leading to the rescue at sea of victims of migrant smuggling.

In which languages and during what hours do they provide service?

The voice service is available in five languages: Turkish, English, Arabic, Russian, and Farsi. The voice service in German and Pashto was discontinued as of January 1, 2024; inquiries and emergency requests in these two languages are now handled in writing via webyimer@goc.gov.tr.

Working hours vary depending on the type of service, and the difference is significant.

What topics can you call about?

This hotline provides information on matters falling within the scope of the Presidency of Migration Management: this includes questions regarding visa procedures, residence permit applications and processes, international protection, temporary protection, and irregular migration.

In addition, the hotline can be called directly in emergency situations, such as suspected human trafficking or reports of people in distress at sea. The line is open 24 hours a day for such calls.

However, not every matter falls within YİMER’s scope. Work permit applications fall under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security; tasks such as the individualized review of your file, document preparation, or drafting an appeal are not services that a call center can provide.

YİMER 157 cannot change the outcome of your application or interfere with your file. The information it provides is accurate; the process itself is still carried out through an application submitted to the relevant agency.

Why is it important to ask through official channels?

Immigration regulations change frequently. Fee amounts, deadlines, and exemptions may be updated throughout the year. Information circulating on social media and in community groups is often either outdated or generalized based on a single individual’s case.

A statement issued by the Presidency of Migration Management on this matter summarizes the situation well: When posts began circulating in the public sphere suggesting that residence permit fees had increased, the Presidency was compelled to announce that fee amounts are determined annually by the Ministry of Treasury and Finance in accordance with the Fees Law No. 492, and that there had been no change in fees during that period.

In other words, even though there was no price hike, the rumor that “fees had increased” had spread rapidly. In such situations, the hotline’s sole purpose is not just to provide information; it is to stop the spread of misinformation.

Get ready before you call

The success of the meeting depends largely on the information you have on hand. Before calling, make sure to have the following information ready: your passport or ID details, your foreign ID number (if applicable), your application number (if you’ve submitted an application), and the date of any notice or letter you’ve received.

Try to summarize your question in a single sentence. Saying, “I applied for a short-term residence permit on May 12; my appointment date has passed, but I haven’t received any information about the card,” rather than “What’s the status of my residence permit?” will lead you to the correct answer much more quickly.

Make a note of the information provided to you, the date of the meeting, and the reference number, if any. It will be helpful to know what information you received and on what date in case the regulations change.