Herein you will find useful information regarding getting the Turkish citizenship.
What are benefits of getting Turkish passport:
- Visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 110 destinations including Hong Kong, Japan, and Singapore
- Dual citizenship is allowed
- Life time citizenship is granted for applicant and family members (spouse and children under 18 years old)
- No minimum residency time in Turkey required
- Full medical and healthcare assistance
- Pension programs and social services
- Free education and university reimbursement plans
- Turkey Passport allows visa free travel to more than 110 countries
- A solid investment with rental returns
- Citizenship of a country that enjoys a mild Mediterranean climate, beautiful scenery, and a high standard of living
- Eligibility for an E-2 Investor Visa in the USA for a five-year renewable period and easier process for UK
- Access to a transcontinental Eurasian country that is a stable economic, financial, and political hub between Europe, Western Asia, and the Middle East
Power of Passport
Turkey passport ranks 56 among other countries and you can travel 110 destinations without visa.
VISA FREE ACCESS : 72 Destinations
VISA ON ARRIVAL : 35 Destinations
eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) : 3 Destinations
ONLINE VISA APPLICATION : 16 Destinations
VISA REQUIRED : 103 Destinations
Turkish Citizenship by investment
As per the new regulations published in the Official Gazette on September 18, 2018, foreigners who meet any of the below conditions may be eligible for Turkish citizenship. Subject to the decision of the President of the Republic of Turkey:
1• Proven by the Ministry of Industry and Technology to have made a minimum fixed capital investment of USD 500,000 or equivalent foreign currency or Turkish lira.
2• Proven by the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization to have acquired a real estate worth a minimum of USD 250,000 or equivalent foreign currency or Turkish lira with a title deed restriction on its resale for at least three years.
3• Proven by the Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Services to have created jobs for at least 50 people.
4• Proven by the Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency to have deposited at least USD 500,000 or equivalent foreign currency or Turkish lira in banks operating in Turkey with the condition of not to withdraw for at least three years.
5• Proven by the Ministry of Treasury and Finance to have bought at least USD 500,000 or equivalent foreign currency or Turkish lira worth of government bonds with the condition that they cannot be sold for at least three years.
6• Proven by the Capital Markets Board of Turkey to have bought at least USD 500,000 or equivalent foreign currency or Turkish lira worth of real estate investment fund share or venture capital investment fund share with the condition that they cannot be sold for at least three years.
Qualifications for applying Turkish Passport
- Applicant must be over the age of 18 to apply.
- Dependent children must be below the age of 18 years.
- Dependent parents are not qualified in the same application.
- The applicant must hold a valid passport.
- Applicants must not hold a criminal record.
- Investing amount must be transferred through and documented.
Procedures and time frame of the Turkey Citizenship
Turkish Citizenship by Investment Program was first introduced on 12.01.2017 and amended significantly on 18.09.2018. Within the scope of this regulation, Turkey now grants citizenship to foreigners who buy real estate in Turkey worth at least $250.000 under the condition that the property is not sold for at least 3 years. The law amended and effective from May 13, 2022 for the Turkish real estate minimum value that will be received when applying for Turkish citizenship investment program has increased from 250 thousand dollars to 400 thousand dollars. By purchasing a property of valued minimum $400.000 USD in any part of Turkey or making $500.000 capital investment, a foreign investor will be able to get Turkish Citizenship for him/herself and the family within 3 months.
With the amendment made to the Regulations Regarding the Implementation of Turkish Citizenship Law, Foreigners who meet any of the following criteria may be eligible for Turkish citizenship, subject to the decision of the President of the Republic of Turkey:
1-) Real Estate Investment : $400.000
- Acquiring a property worth minimum of 250,000 USD (previously 1 million USD) or equivalent foreign currency or Turkish lira with a title deed restriction on its resale for at least three years starting from 18.09.2018 (attested by the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization) which has been increased to 400.000 USD since 13 May 2022.
- For the real estate(s) purchased between the dates 12.01.2017 and 18.09.2018, the real estate must be worth at least $1.000.000 and above.
- It is not possible to apply for citizenship with real estate(s) purchased before the date 12.01.2017 and the real estate(s) covered by an agreement for the promise of sale before the date 07.12.2018.
- USD value of the property is calculated based on the effective exchange rate of Turkish Central Bank at the date of transaction. Real estate valuation report, bank receipts and title deed value must be more than the minimum investment amount each separately.
- All money transfers related to the real estate must be sent between buyer/seller’s banks.
- Joint owned property/multiple property application is possible. There is no restriction on the type of immovables to be acquired (residence, office, land, field,etc) Properties subject to sale/promise to sell contracts for citizenship application can only be purchased from Turkish citizen/companies.
- The property subject to sale or promise to sell agreement shouldn’t be among the properties which were transferred to a Turkish citizen/company after 12.01.2017 by the foreign investor, his/her spouse and children or another foreign person of the same nationality. However, if the property registered in the name of a foreign real person is transferred to a Turkish citizen/company after 12.01.2017, a foreign investor of a different nationality can acquire citizenship with the property in question.
- The property subject to sale or promise to sell agreement must not be registered in the name of a company in which the foreign investor or his/her spouse or his/her children is a shareholder or manager. The said property also must not be registered in the name of a foreign capital company where there is a foreign person shareholder(s) of the same nationality with the foreign investor.
- The same property cannot be subject to citizenship acquisition again after being used once.
- In the event that the foreign investor who has acquired Turkish citizenship by acquiring property transfers (or sells) the relevant real estate back to the same Turkish citizen/company after the expiration of the investment holding period (excluding compulsory transfers made by court decisions or compulsory execution), or abandons the promise to sell contract to transfer the property to a third person, the General Directorate is notified and the status of the eligibility certificate that forms the basis of citizenship acquisition is reevaluated.
2-) Deposit Account in Turkish Bank : $500.000
- Depositing at least 500,000 USD or equivalent foreign currency or Turkish lira in any bank(s) operating in Turkey with the condition not to withdraw the same for at least three years (attested by the Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency)
- In case of depositing another currency than US Dollars, the USD equivalent of the currency on the date of determination by the Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency will be taken as basis by the banks and will be expected to remain at the same exchange rate. (to protect the investor against the fluctuations in exchange rates)
- Investor can benefit from all kind of returns (interest, dividend and similer returns) as long as the amount doesn’t fall below $500.000
- Shifting from deposit investment to other capital investment options within the investment holding period is possible
3-) Fixed Capital Investment : $500.000
- Making a minimum fixed capital investment (land, building, machinery and equipment for the production of goods and services, company shares) of 500,000 USD or equivalent foreign currency or Turkish lira (as attested by the Ministry of Industry and Technology)
4-) Government debt instruments : $500.000
- Buying at least 500,000 USD or equivalent foreign currency or Turkish lira worth of government bonds with the condition that they cannot be sold for at least three years. (attested by the Ministry of Treasury and Finance)
- Includes: Government debt securities, Bonds issues in foreign markets by Turkish Treasury (Eurobonds,etc) lease certificates issued by Turkish Treasury and Sukuks.
- Investors can freely benefit from the interest / rental income (coupons) of above mentioned debt instruments blocked in their investment account.
5-) Real estate investment fund / venture capital investment fund : $500.000
- Buying at least 500,000 USD or equivalent foreign currency or Turkish lira worth of real estate investment fund share or venture capital investment fund share with the condition that they cannot be sold for at least three years (attested by the Capital Markets Board of Turkey)
6-) Employment : 50 People
- Creating jobs for at least 50 Turkish employees (attested by the Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Services)
- Continuity of the employees working full time in the last 6 months will be taken into consideration
- The applicant can keep the investment and its regular income & acquire citizenship at the same time.
Some of the benefits are visa free travel to more than 100 countries, full health coverage for the whole family, pension program, free education at public schools and universities, allowing multiple citizenship, etc.
No requirements to reside in Turkey during or after the application process.
No need to donate any specific funds to the government
No exam or complex procedures.
Open to almost all nationalities in the world.
– Citizenship&Passports: 3-4 Months
– Scope: Principal Applicant+Spouse+children under the age of 18
– Investment holding period: 3 years
APPLICATION PROCESS&LEGAL SERVICES
Citizenship applications requires careful and professional attention by specialized immigration lawyer who knows ins and outs of this process and who can represent clients vis-a-vis government authorities.
With a deep expertise and experience on all investment options of Turkish Citizenship Program from the very beginning, we conduct and follow up all the steps and procedures very diligently for our clients from different countries.
We actively take part in the following phases to manage the process under the best possible legal framework from A to Z and in full compliance with the related official regulations. We assure confidence & transparency, simplify complexities and ensure a successful outcome for our clients.
Getting the foreigner tax number & Opening a bank account in Turkey
Investment Process & Obtaining the ‘Certificate of Conformity/Eligibility’ from the related ministry/government agency.
Real Estate Investment Services:
Finding the most suitable and secure residential or commercial property that fits client’s preferences and investment plan. Homist professionals will help you with all your citizenship process.
Arranging/reviewing the appraisal report of the real estate
Completing Tax (VAT) exemption procedures through tax office
Handling the contracts, transactions, title deed transfer process, tax planning.
Investment Process&Obtaining the ‘Certificate of Conformity’ from the Land Office
Ensuring that the property is transfer-ready, suitable for the citizenship application and free of any debts, taxes, legal problems, encumbrances.
Collection and preparation of the documents in required legal forms (Apostille, attestation, consular formalities, embassy legalization, notarization, certified translation etc.)
Application for Investor Residence Permit
Submission and follow up of the Turkish Citizenship Application
Receiving the citizenship approval certificates from the Civil Registration and Citizenship Directorate
Passport and ID appointments, arrangements (Civil registry offices in Turkey or Turkish Embassies/Consulates)
Professional relationship with the authority
%100 Success Rate (50+ application files / 160+ passports)
Homist Advisors provide valued advisory service for all types of real estate transactions – from idea to development and completion, sales and property management or long-term income asset and many other related services. Contact HOMIST Advisors today for a free consultation! or Send message to our whatsapp
