Application for Turkish Citizenship and Conditions
Turkish citizenship is a legal status that enables individuals to enjoy the rights and fulfill the obligations of the Republic of Turkey. Turkish citizenship can be acquired by birth or later. The process of acquiring Turkish citizenship for foreigners is regulated under the Turkish Citizenship Law (Law No. 5901).
Turkey is one of the countries where many foreigners want to acquire citizenship due to its strategic location, strong economy and advanced social rights. However, the process of acquiring citizenship is subject to certain procedures and legal requirements. In this article, the ways of acquiring Turkish citizenship, the application process and legal objection mechanisms will be discussed in detail.
Ways of Acquiring Turkish Citizenship
Turkish Citizenship by Birth
Turkish citizenship can be acquired by birth or later. Citizenship by birth is acquired on the basis of lineage (blood ties) or place of birth (territorial basis).
Citizenship by descent: According to Article 7 of the Turkish Citizenship Law, a child, one of whose parents is a Turkish citizen, acquires Turkish citizenship at birth. This rule is independent of the place of birth. In other words, children born abroad are also entitled to citizenship if one of their parents is a Turkish citizen.
Citizenship based on place of birth (Jus Soli): Children born in Turkey whose parents are unknown or stateless are recognized as Turkish citizens. This rule was introduced to prevent children from being left without identity or citizenship.
Turkish citizenship acquired by birth is valid from the moment of birth and does not require any application.
Ways to Acquire Turkish Citizenship Later
The acquisition of Turkish citizenship by foreigners is subject to certain conditions. The main ways of acquiring citizenship afterwards are as follows:
- Citizenship through the General Pathway
- Citizenship by Marriage
- Facilitated Citizenship for Foreigners of Turkish Descent
- Exceptional Citizenship
- Turkish Citizenship by Investment (Golden Passport Program)
Application for Turkish Citizenship in General
General Conditions and Legal Basis
Foreigners can apply for Turkish citizenship if they meet certain conditions. Article 11 of the Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901 has set the following conditions for the acquisition of citizenship through the general route:
- Being of legal age and having the power of discernment (being over 18 years of age)
- To reside in Turkey for at least 5 years without interruption
- Demonstrating the intention to settle in Turkey (such as buying a house, starting a business, making an investment)
- To have moral and social values that will harmonize with society
- To be able to speak Turkish at an adequate level
- Not to pose a threat to public safety
Foreigners who meet these conditions can start the citizenship process by applying to the Provincial Directorates of Population and Citizenship under the Ministry of Interior.
Application Process and Required Documents
The following documents are required to apply for Turkish citizenship in the general way:
- Application form
- Passport or identity document
- Document showing that you have a residence permit in Turkey for at least 5 years
- Criminal record
- Document showing income status (payroll, workplace certificate, etc.)
- Health report
- Proof of knowledge of Turkish (determined by interview)
After the application is completed, the relevant authorities investigate whether the person poses a threat to public order and, if deemed appropriate, a citizenship decision is issued by the Ministry of Interior.
Turkish Citizenship through Marriage
Conditions for Citizenship through Marriage
Foreigners who marry a Turkish citizen can apply for citizenship if they meet certain conditions. However, marriage does not directly confer citizenship. The person must meet the following conditions:
- Marriage must have lasted at least 3 years
- Being in a genuine family union (i.e., no sham marriages)
- No objectionable situation in terms of public order and security
Foreigners who meet these requirements can apply to the Directorate General of Migration Management of the Ministry of Interior and be considered for citizenship. If it is found that the marriage is a sham, the application will be rejected and the person may be deported.
Turkish Citizenship by Investment (Golden Passport Program)
Conditions for Citizenship by Investment
Turkey offers an accelerated citizenship program to encourage foreign investors. With the 2017 regulations, investors who fulfill the following requirements can apply for Turkish citizenship:
- Purchase real estate worth at least USD 400,000
- Deposit a bank deposit of at least USD 500,000
- Providing employment for at least 50 people
- Buying government bonds worth at least USD 500,000
Investments made in these ways should be protected for at least 3 years and should not be sold. The application process is accelerated and citizenship is granted in approximately 4-6 months.
Denial of Citizenship Applications and Appeal Process
Reasons for Rejection of a Citizenship Application
Citizenship applications may be rejected for the following reasons:
- Pose a threat to public safety
- Making false statements or presenting false documents
- Failure to fulfill the requirement to reside in Turkey for 5 years without interruption
- Not being able to prove the source of income
- Fake marriage
Appeal Process and Legal Applications
If the application for citizenship is rejected, the person can submit a written appeal to the Ministry of Interior. If the appeal is unsuccessful, he/she can file a lawsuit with the Administrative Court to request the annulment of the rejection. Seeking legal assistance can facilitate a positive outcome of this process.
There are various ways for foreigners wishing to apply for Turkish citizenship. Different methods, such as citizenship by birth, marriage, investment or long-term residence, allow applicants to benefit from the rights offered by the Republic of Turkey.
However, the application process must be managed carefully, all documents must be prepared in full and the legal requirements must be met. If the application is rejected, it is possible to appeal through legal means. Individuals wishing to obtain citizenship should conduct the process with the help of a specialized lawyer, which will increase the likelihood of a positive outcome.
