Gaining Turkish citizenship is an exciting step for many people who want to live in Turkey and build a permanent future. However, the process is a bit more detailed and requires more patience than you might think. In particular, the Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901 can help you determine which path is right for you in the application process. Let’s look at the details together.
Citizenship Application in Turkey: Basic Information
There are several different ways you can apply for citizenship in Turkey. This process takes place in the form of direct application or acquisition by the decision of the competent authority. According to Law No. 5901 on Turkish Citizenship, in order to apply for citizenship, you must generally meet the following conditions:
- According to his/her own national law or, if he/she is stateless, according to the Turkish Civil Code, being an adult and having the power of discernment.
- Residence in Turkey for at least 5 years without interruption.
- Behaving in a way that shows intent to settle.
- No obstacle to public order or national security.
Of course, the process is not limited to this; applications are evaluated and finalized by the General Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs. You can get information from official sources for details: Nüfus ve Vatandaşlık İşleri Genel Müdürlüğü.
Turkish Citizenship with 5 Years Residence Requirement
One of the most common ways to gain citizenship in Turkey is to fulfill the 5-year uninterrupted residence requirement. In order to meet this requirement, you need to live in Turkey for at least 5 years with a residence permit or a Stateless Person Identity Document.
Here is the process of gaining citizenship with 5 years of residence:
- Reside in Turkey for at least 5 years without interruption (student residence is not included in this period).
- Document your intention to settle (e.g. start a business, own property, start a family).
- Provide documents showing that you have no disabilities in terms of public order and safety.
- Contact the General Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs.
You can also review the details of this process in our Reasons and Consequences of Residence Permit Cancellation in Turkey article in Turkey.
Citizenship Opportunities for Students in Turkey
The process of gaining citizenship is also a very curious subject for students studying at university in Turkey. However, there is an important detail to be considered here: Those who reside in Turkey on a student visa cannot use the 5-year residency requirement in their citizenship application. This is because this form of residence does not carry the “intention to settle” and is granted only for the purpose of study.
For more information on this subject, please see our article titled What to Do When Your Student Visa Expires in Turkey.
Gaining Citizenship in Turkey through Investment
Turkey is one of the countries offering attractive opportunities for investors. With the 2018 regulations, foreign nationals who invest a certain amount can gain Turkish citizenship.
The most prominent options for citizenship by investment are as follows:
- Purchase of real estate worth at least USD 400,000 and a title deed stating that this real estate will not be sold for 3 years.
- Maintaining deposits of at least USD 500,000 in a bank in Turkey for 3 years.
- Participation in a government bond or mutual fund of at least USD 500,000.
- Creation of at least 50 jobs.
The application process starts with certificates of eligibility from the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change or relevant institutions and is then carried out by the General Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs. Citizenship by investment offers a quick solution, especially for those who want to apply without wasting time.
Turkish Citizenship by Marriage and Descent
Marriage and family ties are other ways to acquire citizenship in Turkey. Foreigners who marry a Turkish citizen can apply for citizenship by fulfilling certain conditions.
However, there is an important detail here: In order to gain citizenship through marriage, it is not enough to get married; it is necessary to stay married for at least 3 years and live in a family union. In addition, there must be no threat to public order or national security.
Citizenship by descent can be acquired directly if one of the parents is a Turkish citizen. In this case, it is enough to apply to the Directorates of Population and Citizenship Affairs with the necessary documents to apply.
Documents and Process for Turkish Citizenship
The documents you need to complete when applying for citizenship are very important. You can speed up the application process with complete and correct documents. Here are the main documents:
- Application form (VAT-3)
- Passport or identity document for stateless persons
- Valid residence permit in Turkey
- Residence documents for the last 5 years (evaluated differently for students)
- Documents showing financial status (e.g. bank statement or payslip)
- Court record
- Biometric photo
After you submit your application, a detailed examination is carried out by the General Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs. The process usually takes between 6 months and 2 years to complete.
Submitting incomplete or inaccurate documents during the application process may cause the application to be rejected and the process to be prolonged. Therefore, it is very important to do a good research before applying.