The interview given by Minister of Interior Ali Yerlikaya about the new migration policy to Sabah also resonated in the Russian media. Yerlikaya stated that those entering Turkey as tourists would not be granted a residence permit. The Minister said:
Turkey allows visa-free entry from 95 countries. People enter as tourists, travel for 6 months, and then say, 'I want to obtain a residence permit.' Our policy is clear: You leave with the same intent you arrived with! If you came as a tourist, you can't say, 'I want to be a shepherd now.' Go back to your country. Apply for a work permit from there, and I will evaluate your application. Tell me your intentions, and I will grant your residence permit accordingly."
Yerlikaya also mentioned that the long lines at the Migration Directorate will come to an end. The Interior Minister stated:
"There will be no more queues at migration offices. We've started a new project. Residence permits will now be available through notaries. Residence permits for over 100,000 foreign students will be processed through the student affairs offices at their universities. The Migration Directorate will complete the process by considering intelligence and other algorithms."
Yerlikaya concluded by saying that there are plans to collect fingerprints from foreigners upon entry into the country, similar to practices in the U.S. and the U.K.