Naturalization in Turkey is one of the important topics, and we prepared this article to be a full guide for Turkish citizenship, including the definition of the naturalization law, its conditions, types, and stages, with a comprehensive detail of all relevant information, to answers many inquiries about Naturalization of foreigners in Turkey.
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Turkish Nationality Law
Known in Turkish as "TÜRK VATANDAŞLIĞI KANUNU " Turkish Citizenship Law, is also known by the name of Law 5901 about the law number issued on May 29, 2009, which contains 49 legal articles detailing the methods of naturalization for foreigners in Turkey. The law was published in the Official newspaper in Turkey on 11/ 6/2009 and then many of its articles underwent some amendments later.
This law is still subject to amendments, to increase the motivation of foreign investors to obtain Turkish citizenship.
We can talk about the details of the law according to the following:
Definitions Turkish Citizenship Law -The First Part
It consists of articles one through four
It includes general information and definitions, and clarifications about the responsible department for naturalization "the Ministry of Interior" and some important definitions such as:
-Definition of a Turkish citizen: a person who has a bond of citizenship with the Turkish Republic
-Definition of a foreign citizen: a person who does not have a bond of citizenship with the Turkish Republic
-In addition to other details and clarifications about multinationalism and the services provided for obtaining Turkish citizenship.
Acquisition of Turkish Citizenship- The Second Part
It includes articles from 5 to 22
This part is dedicated to clarifying cases of obtaining Turkish citizenship. where the law clarifies all the cases under which Turkish citizenship is granted, and the Conditions to be met for candidates to be entitled to citizenship and we will talk about that in a later paragraph in detail. Here are some discussed points in short:
-Birth of Turkish parents or one of them, with clarifications on the naturalization of children born without documented marriage with the necessary procedures
-Turkish citizenship by married to Turkish citizens
-Turkish citizenship by adoption
-Procedures for obtaining Turkish citizenship
-Re-obtaining Turkish citizenship after losing it
- Clarifications about returning Turkish citizenship to children who lost it due to the loss of their father
Cases of Turkish Citizenship Revocation -The Third Part
This part is about cases of losing or withdrawing Turkish citizenship, and it includes articles from 23 to 35
The articles include details about who submits a request to renounce his Turkish citizenship, or who has his Turkish citizenship withdrawn, with reasons, procedures, and much information on these two topics.
Read our article: Cases of withdrawal of Turkish citizenship
Required Documents for Turkish Citizenship Application - The Fourth Part
This part relates to the required papers to obtain or prove Turkish citizenship, and it includes Articles 36 to 41. These articles include all details about submitting papers and documents, their certification, and cases of error or omission, as well as what is related to the use of unofficial or undocumented papers during Submitting the application for Turkish citizenship in Turkey.
Turkish Nationality Law - The Fifth Part
It talks about various provisions related to Turkish citizenship and its details and includes legal articles from 42 to 49. You can view the published Turkish version of the Naturalization Law published in the Official newspapers in Turkey: Click here
Conditions For Granting Turkish Citizenship
Turkish law put a set of conditions that are required to be met at the applicant or candidate for obtaining Turkish citizenship, which can be talked about according to the following:
General Conditions for Obtaining Turkish Citizenship The applicant or candidate for Turkish citizenship requires a set of general conditions, which we summarize as follows:
- The applicant must be a sane adult
- His behavior confirms his sincere intention to settle in the Turkish Republic
- clear from any disease that is considered a threat to public health
- To be of good conduct, and usually request a criminal record or what is known as an “unconvinced” document from the Ministry of Justice in Turkey.
- The ability to speak the Turkish language and this condition may be overlooked in cases of Turkish citizenship by investment or exceptional citizenship
- Having sufficient income or a suitable profession sufficient to support himself and his family in Turkey
- Does not consider a threat to Turkish national security and public order.
- Achieving the conditions required for a type of naturalization available in Turkey, such as residence, investment, or exceptional citizenship, and we will talk in detail about each of these types in the section on methods for foreigners to obtain Turkish citizenship.
Read more about Conditions for granting Turkish citizenship
Turkish Citizenship by Investment - Conditions
Foreign investors wishing to obtain Turkish citizenship must fulfill the following conditions:
- The minimum investment value requirements.
- To submit all papers proving his eligibility to obtain Turkish citizenship by investment.
- A pledge not to sell the property or withdraw the bank deposit for 3 consecutive years
- if the type of investment is real estate or via bank deposit.
- To meet the general conditions / and does not usually require Turkish language proficiency
Read more about Turkish citizenship by buying a property
Turkish Citizenship by Residence - Conditions
If you want to obtain Turkish citizenship by residing in Turkey, you must fulfill all of the following conditions:
- Legal entry to Turkey with an entry stamp on a passport
- Obtaining the candidate's residence for citizenship, which is "long-term residence/family/work ".
- Spend the required period of stay in Turkey, which varies according to the type of residence:
-For long-term residence: 8 years
-For family residence: 3 years
-For business residence: 5 years
- Submit all papers and documents that prove your eligibility to obtain Turkish citizenship by residency
- To meet the general conditions mentioned above
Learn more about Turkish citizenship through the work permit
Exceptional Naturalization in Turkey - Conditions
There are other ways of obtaining Turkish citizenship in Turkey, which is collectively known as "exceptional Turkish citizenship", which is done by nominating the Turkish government for you to obtain it for several reasons. You can apply for Turkish citizenship only after the SMS message reaches the phone number to inform you of your nomination and the exact date to go to the Immigration department.
for exceptional naturalization, the applicant must be in Turkey for 3 months or more and be nominated by the Immigration Department in Turkey.
Have you seen our article Exceptional Turkish Citizenship?
Benefits of Turkey Citizenship
One of the important aspects that should be highlighted when talking about Turkish citizenship in Turkey are the benefits that the foreigner will enjoy after benefiting from the Turkish Nationality Law, which are:
-Have the same rights as a Turkish citizen
A citizen who obtains Turkish citizenship enjoys the same rights as a Turkish citizen, regardless of religion, language, or ethnicity.
-Family and children also benefit from citizenship
With the person applying for Turkish citizenship, His/her spouse, children under the age of 18, and the children who will be born also get Turkish citizenship
-Free health services
A citizen who obtains Turkish citizenship, he/she and his family benefit from health services. To receive free services in full-fledged hospitals operating in Turkey with international standards, allows you and your family to be safe in terms of health.
-Free high-level education opportunities-
When you obtain Turkish citizenship, you can get high-quality standards educational services for yourself or your family, thanks to educational institutions and universities that provide free or private service.
-Stronger working relationships
as Turkey has important roles in international trade, due to its economic strength in the international business world, maintains its strong trade relations in hundreds of different sectors.
-Obtaining a visitor visa in other countries will be easier.
As a Turkish citizen, you can get an E2 investor visa more easily for those who want to invest in America by establishing a company or taking on an existing business. The country of the citizen who will apply for an investor visa must have an E2 agreement with the USA. Turkey has an agreement with the United States on this issue.
-You can have dual citizenship
Since Turkey is a country that allows dual citizenship, you will get dual citizenship along with your citizenship. If you are a citizen of a country that does not allow dual citizenship, in case you qualify for the conditions of the turquoise card applied by the Turkish government, you may have a residence and work permit Indefinitely in Turkey.
-Long term residence in Turkey
To stay in Turkey in the long term and benefit from Turkey's climate, natural and cultural beauty as well as social living conditions, it is necessary to obtain a residence or work permit, as well as to renew it. When you obtain Turkish citizenship, there are no restrictions on the length of your stay in Turkey.
-Benefit from the law of inheritance
Those who hold Turkish citizenship follow the Turkish heritage law. the property acquired in Turkey is distributed according to the shares specified in the law among the person's heirs.
-Right to vote
A citizen who subsequently obtained Turkish citizenship has the same right to vote as Turkish citizens.
-Benefit from a retirement plan
According to the right to social security, a citizen who obtains Turkish citizenship has the Right to benefit from A Retirement Plan
if the required number of days is completed, installments are paid, and age is required
You can see an article: Advantages of Turkish citizenship
In this guide, we have provided you with a good set of information about naturalization in Turkey, starting with the definition of the naturalization law and then getting to know its conditions and features. We have indicated in the article several important links that lead you to articles of interest as well and talk about topics complementary to our article