How to get Turkish citizenship through investment?

Obtaining Turkish citizenship offers a number of benefits for both personal and business purposes. Here are some of the key benefits:

1. Visa liberalization. The Turkish passport provides visa-free entry to many countries and also simplifies the procedure for obtaining visas to other states.
2. Access to EU and Middle East markets. Turkey occupies a strategic geographical position between Europe and the Middle East, which provides excellent opportunities for international business and trade.
3. Economic Opportunities. Turkey offers a developed economy with ample opportunities for investment and entrepreneurship in sectors such as real estate, tourism, manufacturing, agriculture and technology.
4. Quality of Life. Turkey offers a high quality of life, including access to quality healthcare, education and developed infrastructure.
5. Real estate and housing construction. Opportunity to invest in the dynamically developing real estate market without restrictions on the value and location of real estate.
6. Dual Citizenship. Turkey allows dual citizenship, which allows you to keep your current citizenship while acquiring Turkish citizenship.
7. Social security and pension programs. Access to social security and pension programs in Turkey.
8. Ability to apply for a U.S. investor visa (E-2).
9. Your future generation will automatically become citizens of Turkey.

Once you obtain Turkish citizenship, you do not need to live in the country to maintain your citizenship status.

Obtaining Turkish citizenship through investment is possible under the following conditions:

1. Real estate investments:

• Foreign citizens can obtain Turkish citizenship by investing at least $600,000 in real estate. (The estimated value of the real estate must be at least 400,000 USD in 2023 and more than 600,000 USD from January 2024).
• The investment must be confirmed by the government agency in charge of real estate.
• The property must have been retained in ownership for a minimum of three years, which is confirmed by a special notation in the cadastral records.

2. Capital investment:

• Capital investment of at least 500,000 USD in Turkish banking institutions or government securities with a commitment to maintain the investment for 3 years.

3. Job Creation:

• Creation of at least 50 jobs in Turkey, confirmed by the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection.

4. Investments in venture capital or investment funds:

• Investments of at least $500,000 in venture capital or real estate investment funds for a period of at least three years.

Once the investment is made and confirmed by the relevant authorities, the applicant can apply for Turkish citizenship. The process involves submitting documents and passing the necessary checks.

The Turkish citizenship process can vary in time depending on various factors such as the method of obtaining citizenship, the specific case of the applicant and the efficiency of the Turkish government authorities.

The standard timeframe for obtaining citizenship through investment is usually 3 to 6 months from the time you submit all the required documents and complete the investment until you receive your Turkish passport.

Requirements for an investor wishing to obtain Turkish citizenship.

In addition to the cost requirements for obtaining Turkish citizenship through investment, the investor must:

• confirm the investments made with the help of the relevant Turkish public authorities
• retain investments for a minimum period of 3 years by documenting their existence
• be in Turkey during the citizenship application process in a legal status
• no criminal record
• have valid health insurance
• have an official source of income
• prove financial independence (ability to support yourself and your family)

The following documents will be required to apply for Turkish citizenship on the basis of investment:

1. Application for Citizenship: Standard application form to be filled out for submission to the relevant state authorities.

2. Proof of investment:

• For real estate investments: Certificate of Ownership (TAPU) and appraisal report confirming the value of the property.
• For bank investments: Confirmation from the bank about blocking of funds on the account for the required period.
• For investments in government securities: Relevant financial documents (from the Ministry of Finance or broker).
• For job creation: Document from the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection.

3. Biographical documents:

• A copy of all pages of the passport.
• Birth certificates of the applicant and his/her family members.
• Marriage certificates (if available).
• Divorce certificate (if available).
• Certificate of no criminal record.

4. Health Insurance:

• A valid health insurance policy in Turkey for the applicant and all family members.

5. Financial Documents:

• Documents confirming financial independence and ability to support yourself and your family (bank statements).

6. Photographs - Biometric photographs of the applicant and all family members.

Documents issued by non-Turkish organizations must be apostilled and translated into Turkish.

The process of obtaining Turkish citizenship through investment involves several key steps. Here are the main steps:

1. Selecting the type of investment:

• Determining the appropriate type of investment: buying real estate, investing in a bank, investing in government securities, creating jobs, or investing in venture capital investment funds.

2. Conducting investments:

• Making eligible investments (e.g., purchasing at least $600,000 worth of real estate in 2024).

3. Obtaining a certificate of compliance:

• Obtaining an official confirmation or certificate of compliance from a government Due Diligence agency, confirming that the investment made meets the requirements for granting citizenship, is a crucial step that determines the approval to apply for citizenship.

4. Submission of citizenship application, including all necessary documents.

5. Verification and evaluation of the application:

• Your application will be reviewed by the Turkish authorities. This will include a check of the documents provided and possibly additional checks for compliance with the law.

6. Receipt of the decision and execution of documents:

• Once your application is approved, you will be issued a certificate of naturalization, which is the official document proving your citizenship.
• Turkish passport and other citizenship related documents.

7. Maintaining investments for a set period of time (minimum 3 years), to comply with the terms of the program.

Together with the investor, his family can also obtain Turkish citizenship.

When applying for Turkish citizenship, there is no need to pass a local language test.