Turkey hosts a large number of foreigners every year due to its geographical location, economic potential and social opportunities. In this process, many people who have been living in Turkey for a long time or who are connected to Turkey for reasons such as investment, marriage or family ties request to acquire Turkish citizenship.
However, applying for citizenship is not just a process of submitting documents. It requires a multifaceted application process that includes stages such as legal review, official procedures, interviews and audits. At this point, working with a lawyer makes a significant contribution to speeding up the process by ensuring that the application is complete and error-free.
Who can apply for Turkish Citizenship?
In order to apply for Turkish citizenship, you must meet the legal requirements. The main ways to apply are as follows:
Citizenship through the General Pathway (Long-Term Residents)
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Being in Turkey with an uninterrupted residence permit for at least 5 years,
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Deciding to settle in Turkey (supporting ties such as work, education, family),
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Being able to speak Turkish,
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Not threatening public order and security.
Citizenship by Investment
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Purchase of real estate amounting to at least USD 400,000,
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USD 500,000 bank investment or government bond purchase,
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Provide employment for at least 50 people.
Citizenship by Marriage
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Being married to a Turkish citizen for at least 3 years and still being married,
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The existence of a bona fide union in marriage.
Lineage and Turkish Citizenship by Birth
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Citizenship application of persons whose parents are Turkish citizens,
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Special rights for children born in Turkey but stateless.
Why Should You Apply with a Lawyer?
The citizenship application process can be complex and exhausting for many people as it involves official documents, time limits and due diligence. In particular, language barriers, document discrepancies or incorrect applications may lead to rejection.
Applications made with a lawyer:
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It is done with complete and accurate documentation,
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Communication with relevant public institutions is carried out in a professional manner throughout the process,
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Risky situations such as application rejection are assessed in advance,
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If necessary, an appeal process is initiated and followed up.
We see this process not only as a technical application, but also as a legal representation and defense area; we plan every step in favor of the applicant.
CITIZENSHIP APPLICATION PROCESS
SUITABILITY ANALYSIS
The first and most critical step before applying for Turkish citizenship is to analyze the applicant’s situation in detail. In this analysis, many factors are taken into consideration, such as the duration of the applicant’s legal residence, living arrangements in Turkey, social and economic ties, educational status, investments or family relationships, if any.
For example, for a foreigner considering citizenship by investment, the eligibility of the type and amount of investments, land registrations and money transfers are assessed, while for a foreigner applying for citizenship by marriage, the authenticity of the marriage, cohabitation and duration of the marriage are examined. There are separate criteria for each type of application and the eligibility analysis forms the basis of the application strategy.
This lawyer-led analysis helps to avoid choosing the wrong type of application or a rejected application. In this process, we comprehensively evaluate the applicant’s situation and determine the best way to apply.
PREPARATION OF NECESSARY DOCUMENTS
Once the eligibility analysis is completed, the next step is to prepare the application-specific documents in a complete and proper manner. The required documents differ for each type of application. For example:
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Passport (still valid),
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Residence permit card and proof of residence,
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Criminal record (both from Turkey and the country of citizenship),
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Income declaration, tax records or investment documents (e.g. bank statements, title deeds),
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Biometric photo,
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Documents on marital status (marriage certificate, birth certificates),
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Sworn Turkish translations and notarization of documents.
Some documents are obtained from consulates, while others are obtained from official institutions in Turkey. Incomplete, incorrect or contradictory documents may lead to rejection or suspension of the process. In lawyer-assisted applications, documents are checked in advance and any deficiencies are completed in a timely manner. In addition, proper translation and certification of the documents are professionally managed.
SUBMISSION OF THE APPLICATION TO THE GENERAL DIRECTORATE OF POPULATION AND CITIZENSHIP AFFAIRS
Once all documents are prepared, the application is submitted to the Provincial Directorate of Population and Citizenship in the province of residence. From there, the applications are forwarded to the General Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs through the governor’s office. Once the application is officially received, the process begins and the following steps are taken respectively:
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Preliminary review: The documents are checked for completeness.
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Security investigation and archive research: The applicant’s criminal history in Turkey and in his/her country of citizenship is investigated.
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Obtaining opinions from relevant institutions: Opinions may be requested from institutions such as Migration Management, Police, MIT.
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Interview process: Turkish proficiency and intention to apply can be assessed.
This process may take several months and additional documents may be requested from time to time. Therefore, it is of great importance that the application is filed correctly, that there are no deficiencies and that the follow-up is done professionally. Lawyers represent the applicant during this process and ensure that both the legal and administrative aspects of the process function properly.
APPLICATION FOLLOW-UP AND LEGAL SUPPORT
Applying for citizenship does not end with the submission of documents. Rather, the application needs to be actively pursued and legal interventions should be made when necessary. During the application process:
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Missing documents,
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Delays in the security investigation,
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Negative decision due to incorrect assessment,
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The process may be suspended for systemic reasons.
At this point, a lawyer follows the process on behalf of the applicant, contacts the institutions and intervenes in problems. In addition, if the application is rejected, an appeal process is initiated and an administrative lawsuit is filed if necessary. If the documents need to be updated, these updates are made quickly and the application is reactivated.
In short, legal assistance in this process guarantees not only the receipt of the application, but also its successful conclusion.
Common Mistakes in the Application Process
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Incomplete or incorrect documentation,
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Inaccurate or inadequate Turkish translations,
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Applying without completing the required period of residence,
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Ignoring behaviors contrary to public order,
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Delays in the follow-up of the process.
It is only possible to avoid such mistakes with professional advice. Especially in the event of a rejection, the process may not be restarted or may result in loss of time and risk of a residence permit.
Transition to Turkish citizenship is a process that requires a multifaceted personal and legal assessment. When the application process is managed correctly, it is possible to obtain results; however, irregular applications may lead to serious loss of rights.
As Lawyer Atakan Ayhan, we provide legal support at all stages of the application process for Turkish citizenship, from the preparation and follow-up of the application file to litigation and appeal processes, if necessary.
Contact Us
If you are considering applying for Turkish citizenship and want the process to go smoothly, we can determine the most suitable application method for you and manage your application professionally. You can contact us for detailed information and support.
