Senior Associate
Tuğba Özyakup
Country / Territory
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Languages
- Dutch
- English
- Turkish
Contact information
Tuğba is a Senior Associate at Fragomen's Amsterdam office, where she leads the Private Client team, Litigation, and Legal & Governance practices. With more than a decade of immigration law experience, Tuğba serves as the senior legal advisor to the Dutch immigration practice, providing strategic counsel on complex legal matters, business development and client onboarding, working closely with Fragomen's Office of General Counsel.
Her practice encompasses the full range of Dutch immigration services, including Highly Skilled Migrant permits, EU Blue Card applications, family reunification, long-term residency, Association Agreement (EU-Turkey) cases, Dutch citizenship and nationality law, and matters involving the Dutch Caribbean (ABC islands). Tuğba serves as lead legal advisor on large-scale corporate projects, including mergers and acquisitions, workforce reductions, and international trade regulation matters. Tuğba also has specific and deep knowledge of Dutch sports immigration processes.
Tuğba regularly appears before Dutch immigration authorities and courts at all levels, including appeals to the Council of State. She files official complaints, transparency requests under Dutch public records law, and advocates for improved immigration processes on behalf of both individual and corporate clients. Her litigation experience and government relations work position her as a trusted advisor for clients navigating complex challenges requiring strategic intervention.
Prior to joining Fragomen, Tuğba practiced at boutique immigration law firms in Amsterdam, building deep experience in both corporate and individual immigration matters.
Tuğba is fluent in Dutch, English, and Turkish, enabling her to serve diverse client communities throughout the Netherlands and beyond.
Education
- The Netherlands Bar Association, Professional Training for Lawyers (BA), 2020
- Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Master of Laws, 2017
- Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Bachelor of Laws, 2013
More from Tuğba
Admissions
Bar Admissions: Amsterdam Bar Association, 2017; Dutch Bar Association, 2017
Publications and lectures
Speaker, “Europe’s Entry and Exit System (EES): What Travelers Need to Know.” Fragomen, 5 May 2026.
Quoted, “How to make your move from the UK to the Netherlands.” The Sunday Times, 15 April 2026.
Co-author, “The Rights and Responsibilities of Highly Skilled Migrants Under Dutch Law.” Fragomen, 21 January 2025.
Translation
Tuğba is Senior Advocaat bij Fragomen in Amsterdam, waar zij de Private Client, Litigation, en Legal & Governance-afdelingen leidt. Ze fungeert als senior juridisch adviseur voor de Nederlandse immigratiepraktijk. Met meer dan 10 jaar ervaring in het immigratierecht adviseert Tuğba onder andere over complexe juridische vraagstukken, business development en client onboarding. Ze werkt daarin nauw samen met Fragomen’s Office of General Counsel.
Tuğba’s ervaring omvat het volledige spectrum van Nederlandse immigratieprocedures, waaronder kennismigrantenvergunningen, Europese Blauwe Kaart-aanvragen, gezinshereniging, verblijfsvergunningen voor onbepaalde duur, procedures in het kader van het Associatieverdrag (EU-Türkiye), het Nederlandse nationaliteitsrecht, en immigratie-procedures in de Nederlandse Cariben (ABC-eilanden). Daarnaast treedt Tuğba op als hoofdadviseur bij grootschalige bedrijfsprojecten, waaronder fusies en overnames, reorganisaties, en projecten in het kader van de Regeling Internationaal Handelsverkeer. Tuğba heft tevens specifieke en diepgaande expertise in sportimmigratie in Nederland.
Tuğba verschijnt als advocaat geregeld voor de Nederlandse immigratieautoriteiten en rechtbanken op alle niveaus, inclusief procedures bij de Raad van State. Zij dient officiële klachten en WOO-verzoeken in en pleit vurig voor verbeterde immigratiepropcessen namens zowel individuele als zakelijke cliënten. Haar ervaring hiermee, en haar relaties met de overheid, maken van haar een vertrouwd adviseur voor cliënten die voor complexe uitdagingen staan.
Voordat zij in dienst kwam bij Fragomen was Tuğba werkzaam bij gespecialiseerde immigratieadvocatenkantoren in Amsterdam, waar ze uitgebreide expertise opbouwde in zowel zakelijke als individuele immigratiezaken.
Tuğba spreekt vloeiend Nederlands, Engels en Turks, waardoor zij diverse cliëntengroepen in Nederland en daarbuiten kan ondersteunen.
Professional accomplishments
Member, Werkgroep Rechtsbijstand in Vreemdelingenzaken / Working Group on Legal Support in Immigration
Member, Dutch Legislative Committee on Immigration Law, 2026 to 2030
Tuğba’s insights
September 30, 2026 | Blog post
September 10, 2026 | Awards
May 5, 2026 | Video
