SERVICESApplication for Naturalization

Turkish Citizenship by Investment Program was first introduced on 12.01.2017 and amended significantly on 18.09.2018. Within the scope of this regulation, Turkey now grants citizenship to foreigners who buy real estate in Turkey worth at least $250.000 under the condition that the property is not sold for at least 3 years. By purchasing a property of valued minimum $250.000 USD in any part of Turkey or making $500.000 capital investment, a foreign investor will be able to get Turkish Citizenship for him/herself and the family within 3 months.

What are the Turkish Citizenship Requirements for Naturalization?

a) General Acquisition
Foreigner may acquire Turkish citizenship provided that:
1. Be in the age of majority and has the capacity to act either according to his/her own national law or, if he/she is stateless, according to Turkish law
2. Has been legally and duly resident in Turkey without interruption for 5 years preceding the date of his/her application. The applicant may stay abroad without exceeding six months within 5 years.
3. Verify his/her determination to settle down in Turkey with his/her manners
4. Has no disease constituting an obstacle in respect of public health
5. Be of good moral character
6. Be able to speak a sufficient level of Turkish
7. Has income or profession to provide for maintenance for himself/herself and his/her dependents in Turkey.
8. Has no situation posing an obstacle in respect of national security and public order

b) Exceptional Acquisition
Council of Ministers may reward foreign persons with citizenship in the event of exceptional states, following an offer made by the relevant Ministry and the Ministry of Internal Affairs. This may take various forms, including investment or other economic benefit brought to Turkey.
a. Persons who have brought industrial plants into Turkey or have rendered or are believed to render an outstanding service in the social or economic arena or in the fields of technology, sports, culture or arts and regarding whom a reasoned offer has been made by the relevant ministries
b. Persons whose naturalization have been considered necessary
c. Persons who have been recognized as migrants
* The only condition that is required to be met in exceptional acquisition of citizenship is not to be in a situation constituting an obstacle in respect of national security and public order.

c) Re-acquisition of Turkish Citizenship:

• Persons who had lost Turkish citizenship by obtaining a renunciation permit shall re-acquire Turkish citizenship by the affirmative decision of the Ministry of Interior Affairs, irrespective of their residence period.
• Persons who had lost Turkish citizenship because of their parents and have not acquired the citizenship by using the right of choice within 3 years from the majority age, shall re-acquire citizenship by the affirmative decision of the Ministry of Interior Affairs, irrespective of their residence period.
• Persons who had lost Turkish citizenship by the Council of Ministers’ decision on the grounds mentioned in article 29 of the Law (i.e. rendering services for a foreign state which are incompatible with the interests of the Republic of Turkey, rendering military services for a foreign state without obtaining permission) shall re-acquire Turkish citizenship by the decision of the Council of Ministers, provided that they have been legally and duly resident in Turkey for 3 years.
• Persons who had lost Turkish citizenship by exercising their right of choice, regulated in article 34 of the Law (children who renounced their Turkish citizenship at their majority age in order to hold or acquire another state’s citizenship), shall re-acquire Turkish citizenship by the decision of the Ministry of Interiors, provided that they have been legally and duly resident in Turkey for 3 years.

d) Acquisition by Marriage: Person who has been married to a Turkish citizen for at least 3 years and whose marriage continues, may apply for acquisition of Turkish citizenship. Applicants shall be required to:
• live together as a family
• refrain from any activity incompatible with being a family
• not to be in a situation that poses an obstacle with respect to national security and public order
If the spouse that possess the Turkish citizenship, dies during the application, the condition of living together as a family shall not be required.
Marriage must be valid according to either the parties’ permanent residency law or Turkish law.
e) Citizenship by Investment:
Since 18 September 2018, Law No 5901 disposes that foreign citizens investing in Turkey will be granted the right to apply for Turkish citizenship.
Foreigners who meet any of the following criteria may be eligible for Turkish citizenship:
• Made a minimum fixed capital investment of US$D 500,000 or equivalent foreign currency or Turkish lira, as attested by the Ministry of Industry and Technology,
• Acquired a property worth a minimum of $250,000 or equivalent foreign currency or Turkish lira with a title deed restriction on its resale for at least three years, as attested by the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization,
• Created jobs for at least 50 people, as attested by the Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Services,
• Deposited at least $500,000 or equivalent foreign currency or Turkish lira in banks operating in Turkey with the condition not to withdraw the same for at least three years, as attested by the Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency,
• Bought at least $500,000 or equivalent foreign currency or Turkish lira worth of government bonds with the condition that they cannot be sold for at least three years, as attested by the Ministry of Treasury and Finance,
• Bought at least $500,000 or equivalent foreign currency or Turkish lira worth of real estate investment fund share or venture capital investment fund share with the condition that they cannot be sold for at least three years, as attested by the Capital Markets Board of Turkey

Additionally, the applicant and those family members to be included in the application (children under 18 and the spouse of the applicant can be included) must have a clear criminal background that will be checked by the internal authorities within the Ministry of Interior although a clean-background document is not necessary.
Applicants must submit documents issued in their name that shows their name and surname, the names of their father and mother, city of their birth, date of their birth, their identification/passport numbers, their marital status (marriage books if married, documents if divorced or widowed) and other main details about themselves. Financial declarations nor criminal background check documents are required.

The investment made and claimed by the foreign national is monitored and confirmed by the relevant government authority. Once the investment is confirmed by the relevant governmental authority, the foreign national is granted Turkish citizenship

Benefits of Turkish Citizenship?

The Turkish passport was ranked 39th worldwide in 2020, with 121 points recorded in the Visa Travel Index, which allows the person who holds it to enter more than 72 countries without the need to apply for a visa in advance, and also enables access to more than 42 countries with an entry visa issued upon arrival in the country. The Turkish passport holder can also enter more than 7 countries by means of an online visa.
• A lifetime Turkey citizenship granted in 6 months.
• No minimum residency in Turkey required.
• Full medical assistance included.
• Pension programs are available.
• Free education and university reimbursement plans.
• Turkey Passport allows visa free travel to more than 70 countries.
• Future access without visa to EU and Schengen countries.
• A solid investment with rental returns.

Does Turkey allow dual citizenship?

Dual citizenship is possible in Turkish law.

The laws of Turkey provide for acquisition of Turkish citizenship based on one’s descent—by birth to a Turkish citizen parent (or parents) in Turkey and also by birth abroad to a Turkish citizen parent (or parents)—regardless of the other nationalities a person might acquire at birth. Children born in Turkey to foreign citizens do not have a claim to Turkish citizenship, unless one of the parents is also a Turkish citizen or the child would otherwise be stateless. The automatic acquisition (or retention) of a foreign nationality does not affect Turkish citizenship. Turkish laws have no provisions requiring citizens who are born with dual nationality to choose one nationality over the other when they become adults.

While recognizing the existence of dual nationality and permitting Turkish citizens to have other nationalities, the Turkish government requires that those who apply for another nationality inform the relevant Turkish authority (the nearest Turkish embassy or consulate abroad) and provide the original naturalisation certificate, Turkish birth certificate, document attesting to completion of military service (for males), marriage certificate (if applicable) and four photographs. Dual nationals are not required to use a Turkish passport to enter and leave Turkey; it is permitted to travel with a valid foreign passport (or national ID card for some nationals) and the Turkish National ID card.

Since not all countries allow dual citizenship, Turks must sometimes give up their Turkish citizenship in order to naturalise as citizens of another country.

How To Apply for a Turkish Work Permit?

Foreigners lay their applications for work permit through Turkish consular offices in the country of their residence or nationality. Your passport, visa application form and a letter from your employer are the necessary documents for your application. Other documents should be submitted to the Turkish Ministry of Labor and Social Security (MLSS) by your employer within 10 working days after your application.

Work Permit Applications are concluded positively or negatively by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security. Work Permits have equivalence to residence permits. Thus, should a working permit is approved by the Ministry, the foreigner is charged an Entry Visa Fee, Work Permit Certificate Fee and Residence Fee by the Turkish consular offices. Since Work Permit Card substitute residence permit in Turkey, “Work Annotated Visa” issued by these offices can only be used for entrance and for 90 days at maximum.

Applications are finalized by the Turkish Ministry of Labor and Social Security (MLSS) within thirty days at the latest. Right after your arrival in Turkey (before starting to work), you should be registered at the local police department within one month to obtain the necessary residence permit.

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