Migration – Iranian Families in Turkey Face Uncertain Future Amid Conflict

Migration – The daily life of Sadri Haghshenas revolves around selling freshly made borek in a small Istanbul shop, but her thoughts remain fixed on her daughter back in Tehran. The family recently made the difficult decision to send her home after struggling to renew her visa, fearing that growing instability could further complicate their situation.

A Family Divided by Visa Challenges

Haghshenas and her husband moved to Turkey five years ago with their two daughters, relying on renewable tourist visas to stay. However, financial strain this year prevented them from hiring legal assistance to manage paperwork. As a result, they missed a critical visa renewal deadline for their 20-year-old daughter, Asal, who is still completing high school.

Earlier this month, Asal was stopped at a checkpoint and briefly held at an immigration facility. To avoid further complications, the family arranged for her return to Tehran. They now hope she can re-enter Turkey on a student visa. Communication has been difficult since her departure due to prolonged internet disruptions in Iran.

Temporary Status Leaves Many in Limbo

For years, Turkey has served as a temporary haven for thousands of Iranians seeking economic opportunity and relative stability. According to official data, nearly 100,000 Iranians were living in Turkey in 2025. While tens of thousands have crossed the border since the conflict began, many have also left, either returning home or moving onward to other countries.

Short-term residency options remain the most accessible pathway for many, but they offer little long-term security. Legal experts say obtaining formal protection status is often complex, pushing migrants to rely on repeatedly renewed short-term permits instead. Some individuals have lived under such arrangements for over a decade.

Financial Pressures Force Difficult Choices

For Nadr Rahim, who moved to Turkey 11 years ago to secure better education opportunities for his children, the ongoing conflict has created severe financial challenges. His income depended on a motorcycle business in Iran, but sales have halted due to the war. Combined with sanctions and communication disruptions, transferring money has become nearly impossible.

With limited savings remaining, Rahim fears his family may soon have to return to Iran. His children, raised in Turkey, are not fluent in Farsi, raising concerns about how they would adjust. Despite these worries, he acknowledges that returning may become unavoidable if the situation does not improve.

Struggling to Survive in a Foreign Land

Another Iranian woman, who arrived in Turkey eight months ago with her daughter, shares a similar story of hardship. Enrolled as university students to secure visas, they balance academic responsibilities with long working hours in service jobs. She often works late into the night just to make ends meet.

Living in crowded conditions with several others, she sends whatever small earnings she can back to her family in Iran. While she expresses deep love for her home country, she sees limited prospects there. At the same time, life in Turkey has not brought the stability she had hoped for.

Searching for Stability Beyond Borders

A freelance architect from Tehran, who left Iran during a period of unrest, now faces another uncertain transition. Initially planning a short stay in Turkey, she found herself unable to return due to escalating tensions and conflict. With her visa nearing expiration and limited financial resources, she has decided to travel to Malaysia for temporary work in exchange for accommodation.

Like many others, she remains unsure about her long-term future. Her story reflects a broader pattern among Iranian migrants—moving from one temporary solution to another, without a clear path to stability.

A Shared Sense of Uncertainty

Across these experiences, a common thread emerges: uncertainty. Whether separated from family, struggling financially, or facing legal hurdles, many Iranian migrants in Turkey find themselves caught between two difficult realities. For Haghshenas and others, the hope of building a secure future remains overshadowed by ongoing instability both at home and abroad.