10 ways for foreigners to become Turkish citizen

TURKISH 'INSTANT CITIZENSHIP PROGRAM BY INVESTMENT' TO FOREIGNERS

UPDATE 2019: REGARDING THE AMOUNT OF FINANCE FOR TURKISH CITIZENSHIP APPLICATION THROUGH INVESTMENT HAS BEEN REDUCED. WITH DECISION # 106 PUBLISHED IN THE OFFICIAL GAZETTE SOME REGULATIONS ON THE TRANSITION OF FOREIGNERS TO TURKISH CITIZENSHIP HAVE BEEN CHANGED. TO QUALIFY THROUGH PROCESS THE FIXED CAPITAL AMOUNT HAS BEEN REDUCED FROM $2 MILLION TO $500,000 AND REAL ESTATE OWNERSHIP HAS BEEN TAKEN FROM $1 MILLION TO $250 THOUSAND USD.


OLD INVESTMENT AMOUNTS TO BECOME AN INSTANT CITIZEN OF TURKEY




HOW TO GAIN TURKISH CITIZENSHIP WITHOUT A RESIDENCE PERMIT IN TURKEY?

In the latest decision No.106 published in Official Gazette issue 22.10.2018, some regulations on the transition of foreigners to Turkey have been changed.

The decision published with the signature of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was amended in the 20th article of the regulation on the implementation of the Turkish citizenship law, which came into force in 2010, regulating the acquisition of "exceptional Turkish citizenship" by foreigners.


TURKISH CITIZENSHIP BY FIXED CAPITOL IN TURKEY

According to the new regulations, the fixed capital amount projected to qualify for Turkish citizenship has been reduced from $ 2 million to $ 500,000.


TURKISH CITIZENSHIP BY PROPERTY INVESTMENT IN TURKEY

In addition, the minimum real estate price required for the transfer of real estate ownership of foreigners in Turkey has been reduced from $ 1 million to $ 250 thousand.


TURKISH CITIZENSHIP BY JOB CREATION IN TURKEY

In addition, the expression of employment for at least 100 people included in terms of entitlement to citizenship has been changed to 50 people.


TURKISH CITIZENSHIP BY BANK DEPOSIT IN TURKEY

In order to qualify for naturalization, the amount of deposits to be held in banks in Turkey has been reduced from $ 3 million to $ 500,000.


UPDATED TURKEY CITIZENSHIP INVESTMENT AND FINANCIAL AMOUNTS IN EFFECT

As per regulation published in Official Gazette, the following is the new version of the 2nd paragraph of Article 20 of the related regulations;


1. TURKISH CITIZENSHIP BY FIXED CAPITOL INVESTMENT

Proven by the Ministry of Economy to have made a min fixed capital investment of US $500,000. Turkish passport is issued in 3 months.


2. TURKISH CITIZENSHIP BY REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT FUND FOR 3 YEARS

Real estate investment fund participation share of at least US $500,000 or equivalent in exchange or equivalent in Turkish Lira, or venture capital investment fund participation share of at least US $500,000 or equivalent in exchange or equivalent in exchange for at least three years, provided that the Capital purchased by the Capital Markets Board has been determined." Turkish passport is issued in 3 months.


3. TURKISH CITIZENSHIP BUYING REAL ESTATE IN INDUSTRY AND TECHNOLOGY CENTERS

Proven by the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization to have acquired a real estate worth a minimum of $500,000 US dollars or equal foreign currency or equivalent Turkish lira equivalent fixed capital investment, determined by the Ministry of Industry and Technology. Turkish passport is issued in 3 months.


4. TURKISH CITIZENSHIP BY 50 JOBS CREATION

Proven by the Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Security to have created jobs for min 50 people. Turkish passport is issued in 3 months.


5. TURKISH CITIZENSHIP BY BANK DEPOSIT FOR 3 YEARS

Proven by the Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency to have deposited at least USD $500,000 in banks operating in Turkey with the condition of not to withdraw for at least three years or equivalent in exchange or equivalent in Turkish lira. Turkish passport is issued in 3 months.


6. TURKISH CITIZENSHIP BY GOVERNMENT BONDS FOR 3 YEARS

Proven by the Under-secretariat of the Treasury to have bought at least USD $500,000 worth of government bonds with the condition that they cannot be sold for at least three years or equivalent foreign exchange or equivalent Turkish lira in the state debt instruments purchased. Turkish passport is issued in 3 months.


7. TURKISH CITIZENSHIP BY REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT IN TOURISM CENTERS

According to the Article 8/e of the Law for Encouragement of Tourism No. 2634, foreign real and legal persons who want to make investment for tourism objective in Turkey, can acquire real estate (by the decision of the Council of Ministers) in tourism areas and centers, being exempted from reciprocity principle and restrictions formulated for foreigners. Turkish passport is issued in 3 months.


HOW MANY BECAME TURKISH CITIZENS WITH PURCHASE OF $1 MILLION OF REAL ESTATE?

According to the information obtained from the records of the Land registry and Cadastre Directorate, Iranians are the first among the foreign investors who acquired Turkish citizenship by purchasing real estate and housing.

During the 20-month period in which the right to Turkish citizenship applied at $ 1 million, a total 20 different countries and 58 foreigners became Turkish citizen, the most being Iran with 11 nationals; 5 Yemen; 4 each Iraq, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Turkmenistan, Jordan; 3 each Palestine, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Saint Kitts; 1 each USA, China, Holland, Sweden, Canada, Poland.


HOW MANY BECAME TURKISH CITIZENS WITH PURCHASE OF US $250.000 OF REAL ESTATE?

During the 5-month period in which the right to Turkish citizenship applied at $ 250.000 USD, a total 63 different countries and 1.276 foreigners became Turkish citizen, the 1st place Iranians with 289, 2nd place Iraqis 195, 3rd place 157 Yemenis, Afghans with 123 people, Palestinians 85 people, Jordanians 84 people, Egyptians 45 people, Libyans 31 people, Pakistanis 24 people, Azerbaijanis with 22 people among them.


Foreigners to acquire Turkish citizenship through family when the father single investment will benefit his whole family, the male member taken citizenship at under age 18 must do compulsory military service in Turkey at the reach of age 18 to continue Turkish citizenship, or in the same case where the male taken Turkish citizenship at age 21-26 may provide document of completed military service in their own country of citizenship, to be exempt.



IMPORTANT UPDATE: THE TURKISH POLICE STATION HAS ENDED SERVICE TO FOREIGNER. IN THE NEW PERIOD FOREIGNER TO CONVERT TO TURKISH DRIVER'S LICENSE, TURKISH NATIONAL ID AND BIO-METRIC PASSPORT FOR CITIZENSHIP, WILL BE DIRECTED BY APPOINTMENT TO THE CLOSEST MINISTRY OF INTERIOR AND GENERAL DIRECTORATE OF POPULATION & CITIZENSHIP AFFAIRS AT 850 OFFICE LOCATIONS IN TURKEY.



EASY TURKISH CITIZEN WITH RESIDENCE PERMIT, MARRIAGE OR WORK PERMIT

1. TURKISH CITIZENSHIP BY PROPERTY PURCHASE ANY VALUE FOR 5 YEARS

To become Turkish citizenship in 5 years is required to purchase any value property in Turkey (can be anything as long as the Tapu name title stays in your name) and obtain the 2 year Touristic residence permit ID card purpose to stay for real estate ownership, and extend the residence permit consecutive under the same purpose 3 years, and does not require mandatory or continued stay in Turkey. Turkish passport is issued in 5 years.

There are a total of 288.000 non-Turkish nationals who owns a property in Turkey.


2. TURKISH CITIZENSHIP BY TURKISH SPOUSE MARRIAGE FOR 3 YEARS

The alternative for Turkish citizenship straight-off-the-bat with no hassle or without buying property in Turkey or without making an investment, is made possible by marriage to Turkish spouse and taking the Family Residence Permit ID card for 3 years. Turkish passport is issued in 3 years.


3. TURKISH CITIZENSHIP BY EMPLOYMENT IN TURKEY 5 YEARS

For 5 years completed employment in Turkey. This means the foreigner who shall reside in Turkey with 'Touristic residence permit' ID card by the home rental contract document (without real estate ownership) and who will work in Turkey (continued social security and pension benefit) with Foreigner work permit ID card is qualified to apply for citizenship in Turkey. NEW Turkish passport is issued in 5 years.

(Pending the foreigner may not travel outside Turkey for more than 6 months total, within the 60 month period).



On the final, with a foreign person name published in the Turkish Official Gazette, will conclude that Turkish citizenship has been granted and complete.