Afghan Families in Fatih Speak Out on New Work Permit Rules: 'We Just Want Stability'

On a humid afternoon in Fatih, outside the Süleymaniye Mosque complex, Nasrin Ahmadi sits with her two children, discussing the weight of uncertainty that has settled over Istanbul's Afghan community. The new work permit restrictions introduced this month have sent ripples of concern through neighbourhoods like Fatih, Aksaray, and Zeytinburnu, where thousands of Afghan migrants have built fragile but determined lives.

"Before, I could work at the textile factory near Edirnekapı without too many questions," explains Ahmadi, who requested her surname be partially anonymised for safety reasons. "Now, even finding informal work feels dangerous. I have two mouths to feed." Her concerns echo across the community: Istanbul's estimated 150,000 Afghan residents now face a bureaucratic maze that many say was already difficult to navigate.

The Turkish government's June policy shift requires all non-citizens seeking employment to obtain updated residency certificates alongside work permits—a process costing approximately 1,200 Turkish Lira and taking up to four weeks. For families living paycheck to paycheck in cramped apartments renting for 8,000-12,000 Lira monthly in outer Fatih, the delay represents genuine hardship.

At the Medeniyetler Kütüphanesi community library in Aksaray, volunteer coordinator Davoud speaks to the broader impact: "We're seeing more people unable to pay their utility bills. Some families are considering leaving Istanbul entirely for Ankara or İzmir, hoping conditions are better elsewhere. The uncertainty paralyses people."

Yet amid the anxiety, voices also emphasise resilience. At a small kebab shop near the Byzantine Walls in Fatih—operated by Afghan owners for the past eight years—manager Habib notes that their establishment remains operational, having secured proper documentation months ago. "We're not victims waiting for charity," he states firmly. "We want to work legally, pay taxes, contribute properly. The system just needs to be clearer, faster. That's all we're asking."

Community leaders are also mobilising. The Afghan-Turkish Chamber of Commerce, based near Laleli, has begun documenting employment cases and submitting formal requests to municipal authorities. "We're not demanding exceptions," explains their communications officer. "We're asking for transparent, humane implementation of these rules. Give people time. Reduce fees for vulnerable families. That's reasonable."

As Istanbul enters the summer season—when seasonal work traditionally peaks—the Afghan community faces a critical juncture. Whether new regulations ultimately strengthen integration or deepen marginalisation may depend on how quickly authorities respond to these voices from the ground.

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