Uzbek citizens ranked third among irregular migrants detained in Turkiye in 2025, according to official statistics released by the country’s Migration Directorate.
The number of detained Uzbek nationals increased from 11,521 in 2024 (fourth place) to 13,683 in 2025, moving Uzbekistan to third place in the ranking. Since the beginning of 2026, 1,437 Uzbek citizens have been detained.
Since 2022, the number of detained Uzbek migrants has been rising, reaching 7,553 that year, while detentions of Afghan nationals — which totaled 115,775 in 2022 — have shown a downward trend in subsequent years.
Data show that Afghan and Syrian nationals accounted for the largest number of detentions. In 2024, Turkish authorities detained 65,815 Afghan nationals and 50,641 Syrians. In 2025, these figures declined to 44,157 Afghans and 22,515 Syrians. As of February 19, 2026, 5,372 Afghan and 2,361 Syrian nationals had been detained.
The statistics also include nationals of Turkmenistan, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Morocco, Sudan and Algeria.
Additionally, statistics on foreign brides in Turkiye had showed that Uzbek women rank second after Syrian nationals among foreign spouses in the country.
Earlier, Uzbekistan’s Migration Agency urged citizens to rely on official sources after misinformation circulated online about alleged changes to Turkiye’s deportation policies, clarifying that individuals residing or working illegally remain subject to legal procedures under Turkish law.
