Article republished as a reminder - the deadline for signing the KTLN appeal is 31st July.  See below.

Following the slashing of residency fees back in April, lots of foreigners are now choosing to go for their residency permit (ikamet), rather than doing the 90 day visa run.

If you live in the Kalkan/Kaş area, this usually entails at least two trips to Kemer, near Antalya - perhaps more, if you hit some kind of snag.  Each journey is a 5 hour round trip.

Imagine how much more convenient it would be, if the Police in Kaş could deal with residency applications.

Prospects for change
Kalkan Turkish Local News has been speaking with a number of people, about the possibility of having a foreigners department in the Kaş Police station.

We have concluded that if we can demonstrate there are sufficient numbers of foreigners seeking residency, there is a reasonable prospect that a properly worded request would be seriously considered.

Given the increasing numbers applying, KTLN feels that now is a particularly good time to be asking such a question, so here is what we are proposing.

We would like all foreigners, (not just British), who would like to see a foreigners department in Kaş, to join us in our efforts to achieve this goal.

Step by step
The first step is to gauge the strength of feeling on this matter.  We assume that most foreign residents would prefer a local office, but maybe we are wrong.  Perhaps people don't see it as a big deal.  We would like to know for sure.

If there is a significant demand, the next step will be to approach the British Embassy, (who will no doubt represent the largest group of foreigners), and seek their assistance.  We will ask them to approach the relevant Turkish government department, on our behalf.

At the same time, we have the relevant contact details for the Police in Ankara and Antalya, and we will publish those details on KTLN, and invite foreigners to write direct personal appeals, in Turkish.

Strength of feeling
But first things first.  Let's find out how many people would like to support us in this appeal. 

If you are an existing resident, or are thinking about applying for residency, and you would like to see a foreigners department at the Police station in Kaş, please contact us using the link below.

Even if you are not planning to apply for residency right now - perhaps you are planning to come out here over the next year or so, you can still register your views now.  

You need to tell us:

• Your name(s)
• Your email address
• Message Subject - please type Residency Survey
• In the message box, please give your address, and briefly, why you want to see this change.

Please note that we will share your comments with the British Embassy and they may be passed on to the relevant Turkish government departments. 

Unless you specifically ask us not to, we will also provide your name and address.  (We would prefer to show these details, as it will give greater authenticity to any submission).

We will not share your email address.

You have until 31st July 2011 to submit your comments. 

Here is the link to contact us: KTLN Survey: Foreigners Department in Kaş

If you are aware of friends and neighbours who may be in favour of such a move, but you think they may have missed this article, please bring it to their attention.  If they don't have a computer to send a response, please consider allowing them to use your computer.

If we get a significant response in favour of our proposal, we will move on to the next steps.

Article originally published on 9th July 2011.

Kalkan Turkish Local News - your window on Kalkan Turkey