This blog post herein has been prepared with respect to the acquisition of Turkish citizenship through making an investment at the minimum amount of USD 500.000 in accordance with the Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901 (“Citizenship Law”) which was published in the Official Gazette dated 12.06.2009, and the Regulation numbered 27544, Related to Making Amendments on the Regulation on the Implementation of the Turkish Citizenship Law (“Regulation”), published on the date of 18.10.2018 the pursuant to the Presidential Decree No:106.
Acquisition of the Turkish citizenship through the investment of at least 500.000 US dollars or its equivalent in foreign currency or equivalent amount of Turkish Lira and making commitment to hold the amount of deposits for three years at banks operating in Turkey as one of the ways to acquire Turkish citizenship in exceptional terms, will be examined below.
1. Procedure of the Acquisition of Turkish Citizenship by Investment
1.1. Process Before the Banks and Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency
Within the process of the acquisition of Turkish citizenship in exceptional terms which is set forth under the Article 1 of the Regulation, primarily the foreigner shall invest at least 500.000 US dollars or its equivalent in foreign currency or equivalent amount of Turkish Lira and make commitment to hold the amount of deposits for three years at banks operating in Turkey and this shall be approved with the certificate of conformity, issued by the Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency (“BRSA”). The requirement to hold the amount of deposits for three (3) years, shall be done through the applicant’s request to block the amount and by implementation of such request for three (3) years.
In this process, the requested documents and information may vary, according to the bank chosen by the applicant to open the bank account, but a foreigner identification number or taxpayer identification number may be requested by the bank. Taxpayer identification number can be easily obtained through Turkish tax offices by submitting the notarized and sworn translation of the foreigner’s passport. Moreover, this can be done both by the duly authorized representative and the foreigner himself. Banks operating within Turkey shall abide by the Law numbered 5549 Regarding the Prevention of Laundering of Crime Revenues and other regulations linked to this law, and carry out their transactions pursuant to the principles determined by Financial Crimes Investigation Board. For this reason, the applicant may be requested to prove the source of the money to be deposited by providing documentation. Including the address for service and a Turkish mobile phone number, but not limited to these, other information can be requested from the applicant.
The balance of the bank account which the money is deposited for the reason explained above, shall not drop below USD 500.000; otherwise it may result in the loss of the citizenship or hinder the process. The foreigner should fill in and sign the statement which can be found on BRSA’s website and deliver it to the bank. Some banks demand that the applicant to be present at the time of the signature, and some banks accept the already signed statement to be delivered by the duly authorized representative of the applicant.
The bank shall send the relevant documents and information and request the approval of BRSA through a certificate of conformity. The bank shall also send the signed statement in Turkish alongside with the signed statement in any other language. After the statement is delivered to BRSA, General Directorate of Civil Registration and Nationality (“GDCRN”) and Directorate General of Migration Management (“DGMM”) shall be notified by the BRSA if the foreigner meets the designated requirements. In order to provide information to the applicant, BRSA will send a copy of such notification to the bank as well.
1.2. Process Before Private/Joint Office
1.2.1.1. Residence Permit Process Before the Directorate General of Migration Management
After taking the letter of conformity, the residence permit will be obtained by the applicant or the authorized representative through the DGMM by getting an appointment from the DGMM web site and submitting the necessary documents which will be listed below, to the DGMM desk at the private/joint office, if the applicant meets the requirements for the residence permit. Within this process the applicant may be requested to be present at the office and an interview can take place. In the event that applicant is unable to be present, the application can only be accepted if the applicant has a valid excuse on condition that the excuse is justified with documentation.
1.2.1.2. Citizenship Application Process Before the General Directorate of Civil Registration and Nationality
After the residence permit is obtained from DGMM in accordance with the procedure explained above, the required documents shall be prepared and the application shall be made before GDCRN desk at the private/joint office.
Following the application before the GDCRN desk, an investigation will be made through the archives in order to check if the applicant is not in a situation that threatens the national security and public order. If the investigation results in favor of the applicant, the application will be sent to the Ministry for the approval of the President. Upon the approval of the President, the applicant can obtain the Turkish citizenship. The whole process is planned to be completed within 45 days, however, implementation may last longer than planned.
If the process explained above is followed, application fees, service fees, circulating capital fee, consular fee and other fees may apply. Moreover, health insurance fees, notary and translation fees are other expenses that might be paid by the applicant.
2. Status of the Spouse and Children
A residence permit is not compulsory for the spouse and children of the applicant who wants to obtain citizenship alongside with the applicant. However, if the spouse and children will be residing with the applicant in Turkey, the residence permit will be necessary. Specifically, for the citizenship application, the spouse and children may benefit from the same investment made by the applicant for the citizenship, on condition that the necessary documents are prepared for them as well. In addition to the documents listed below, consulate approved family registry, birth certificates and if there are no birth certificates available, notary certified civil registry records shall also be submitted.
Minor children can obtain citizenship within the scope of this application, however if there is only one spouse applying for the citizenship, the other spouse shall also give a notarized statement of consent. If the process will be carried out by a representative, a special power of attorney is only necessary for the spouse but not for the children.
3. Necessary Documents for the Application Process
3.1. Necessary Documents for the Residence Permit Under the Article 31/J of the Law Numbered 6458
1. Application form for Residence Permit (Reason to stay shall be stated as follows: “Within the scope of the Article 31/J of the Law Numbered 6458”)
2. Certificate of Conformity for the investment, from the relevant ministry or public authority,
3. Passport (original) and the copies of the pages which include identification information and pictures
4. Four (4) biometric photographs which are taken within the last six months, taken in front of pattern-free white background
5. Original stamped/sealed, signed insurance policy valid through the requested duration of residence permit
NOTE: In order to have a valid insurance policy, the insurance company should have agencies in Turkey and these agencies shall approve the policy. If the policy will be taken out in Turkey, it should be stated that the insurance is done for the residence permit. The maximum duration for the residence permit that can be obtained, is determined based on the duration of the health insurance.
3.2. Necessary Documents for the Citizenship Application
1. Application form which can be found on GDCRN website (VAT-4),
2. Notary certified Turkish translation of the passport or similar document indicating the country of nationality or the duly issued document if the applicant is stateless,
3. The notarized or authorized officer approved (within Turkey) consent of the other parent if there is a child under the custody of the mother or father who has applied for Turkish citizenship together with him or her, (This consent shall be issued by the foreign representations of Turkey or competent authorities of the foreign country if abroad)
4. The certificate of civil status and the marriage certificate if married, and the divorce document if divorced, the death certificate belonging to spouse if widowed,
5. Birth certificate showing the identity of the person or similar document and if married, certificate of identity or similar document proving family ties of spouses and children,
6. If the applicant’s month and date of birth is not known, the certificate obtained from the competent authorities of his/her country for the completion of his/her date of birth, if the applicant cannot obtain such document, a signed statement which displays the applicant’s approval pursuant to Article 39 of the Law on Civil Registration Services numbered 5490
7. Receipt of service fee received from treasury cash desk,
8. Two (2) photographs which are 50x60 mm, taken in front of pattern-free white background, and biometric, readable, in accordance with standards determined by ICAO.
Last Update: 10 March 2020
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This article is provided by YÖNET Attorneys at Law to keep its clients and other interested parties informed of current legal developments that may affect or otherwise be of interest to them. The information is not intended as legal advice or legal opinion and should not be construed as such.
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