The following information is for those who want to obtain a green card, those who have outstanding green card contributions, and anyone seeking details about this subject. The term “green card debt” is more commonly known as a contribution debt. This contribution is calculated as a percentage of the minimum wage. Some families are exempt from green card contribution obligations. These are households with no income and no working members. In such difficult circumstances, the state provides support and social protection. However, there are conditions to receive this assistance: applicants must submit the necessary applications. After review, qualified people receive help and a card; some people are asked to pay contributions while others are not. When calculating the minimum wage or contributions, the state uses all available means to support those in need.
Situation of People in Need of a Green Card
Before discussing green card debt, it is useful to consider who qualifies for a green card. In parts of our country poverty is severe and many struggle to make ends meet. In some areas people are forced to accept uninsured work simply to provide for their families and children; the number of such individuals is substantial. Worse, some employers and institutions exploit this hardship by hiring workers without social security. People often have no choice but to accept these conditions. Those who are financially strained and lack health coverage cannot retire, and when they fall ill they may be unable to receive care at hospitals. Working under these harsh and unsafe conditions makes the situation even more difficult.
Green card contribution payments are the responsibility of green card holders. Many workers in our country receive social protection through institutions like the Social Security Institution or Bağ-Kur. That protection is very beneficial and provides significant reassurance. Yet a large portion of the population has no social security and earns only a small income to sustain their household. For these people, a different form of protection has been developed.
Green card health coverage: under Law No. 3816, the green card is a written document issued by the state to people who are in need of assistance, living at or below the poverty line, and lacking any health insurance. It enables them to access state hospital services and, when necessary, certain private medical services without payment. This social protection differs from other programs because it is issued directly by the state to the extremely poor and needy and no fee is charged.
Who Can Obtain a Green Card?
Green card contributions are paid by those who hold the green card. To apply for a green card, applicants must have no social security coverage whatsoever — for example no Bağ-Kur or Social Security Institution registration. Additionally, neither the applicant nor any family member should own property or assets that would prevent eligibility, such as registered land, a house, a car, a workplace, or agricultural plots. The combined monthly income of the applicant and family members must be less than thirty percent of the relevant income threshold; otherwise eligibility may be affected. First, apply at your local district governorship (kaymakamlık).
The documents required for a green card application are as follows:
- Completed green card application form.
- Copy of the population registration record.
- Three passport-size photos for each household member.
- Document from the land registry office confirming absence of property ownership.
- Certificate from the municipal office (mayor’s office) of residence registration.
- Document from the tax office indicating low income.
- Certificate from the Social Security Institution showing no registration.
- Corresponding certificate from Bağ-Kur indicating no registration.
- Relevant documents from the police department.