![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/deadline-nears-new-regulation-ends-dual-sim-loophole-in-turkiye-3218016_202604131450_20260413145031_.jpeg\")
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<\/p>\nA person holds an umbrella while checking their phone near the waterfront during heavy rain in Istanbul, T\u00fcrkiye. (Adobe Stock Photo)<\/p>\n
By Newsroom<\/p>\n
\nApril 13, 2026 06:21 PM GMT+03:00\n<\/p>\n
T\u00fcrkiye is implementing stricter controls on mobile phones brought from abroad to curb registration irregularities.<\/p>\n
The Information Technologies and Communication Authority (ICTA\/BTK) identified widespread misuse involving dual-SIM devices where users registered a second IMEI number to a different phone to bypass fees.<\/p>\n
While the standard regulation allows travelers to use a foreign phone for 120 days before registration, the current crackdown targets those who used technical loopholes to extend this period.<\/p>\n
Officials state this method allowed multiple devices to appear registered under a single passport, violating the rule that permits travelers to bring only one phone every three years.<\/p>\n
BTK recently completed a technical review and discovered hundreds of thousands of devices using these unauthorized IMEI registrations.<\/p>\n
These specific devices will lose network access unless owners pay the official registration fee by the upcoming deadline.<\/p>\n
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\nA person scrolling through social media on a smartphone. (Adobe Stock Photo)\n<\/p>\n
Deadline set for next month<\/p>\n
The grace period for devices flagged for unauthorized usage ends on May 1, 2026.<\/p>\n
BTK began tracking these specific handsets on January 1 and issued warning messages to affected users, granting them a final 120-day window to comply. This specific window closes at the start of May.<\/p>\n
Owners must pay a registration fee of \u20ba54,258 ($1,213.22)for the year 2026 to maintain service. Failure to settle this amount will result in the device being completely blocked from all Turkish mobile networks.<\/p>\n
To avoid sudden disconnection, users should dial *#06# on their handsets to find their IMEI number and verify their registration status through the e-Devlet portal immediately.<\/p>\n
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\nForeigners in T\u00fcrkiye must register mobile phones by May 1 to avoid network blocks. (Adobe Stock Photo)\n<\/p>\n
Strict enforcement replaces temporary fixes<\/p>\n
New measures effectively end popular methods used to extend phone usage without payment.<\/p>\n
Previously, owners of dual-SIM or e-SIM phones often shifted their SIM cards between slots to gain an additional 120 days of time. This “usage extension” tactic is no longer viable.<\/p>\n
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