In this essay, we tried to explore every aspect of the acquisition of Turkish Citizenship. First will give the general structure and then will go into details.
Turkish Citizenship by Investment Program was first introduced on 12.01.2017 and amendments were brought afterwards. According to this regulation, Turkey now grants citizenship to foreigners who buy real estate in Turkey worth at least $250.000 providing that the property cannot be sold for at least 3 years. By purchasing a property of valued minimum of USD 250.000 in any part of Turkey or making a $500.000 capital investment, a foreign investor will be eligible to get Turkish Citizenship for him/herself and the family within 3-6 months. Since all phases of citizenship applications require careful and professional attention by a specialised immigration lawyer who has deep knowledge of this process and who can represent clients vis-a-vis government authorities.
Before we go into details, the advantages of Turkish citizenship must be underlined. For example, the applicant can keep the investment and its benefits without limitation. Also, citizenship will give you a chance to travel to more than 100 countries visa-free, full health coverage for the whole family, a pension program, free education at public schools and universities. Moreover, it is not required for the applicant to reside in Turkey during or after the application process or not to donate any specific funds to the government or no exam procedures you will face when applying. It is open to almost all nationalities in the world and multiple citizens are allowed.
The whole process can be summarised: first, we will get a foreigner tax number and open a bank account in Turkey. Then we proceed with the investment process and obtain the “Certificate of Conformity/Eligibility” from the related government agency. We will help you in every step of the investment process by finding you the most suitable investment plan with the participation of professionals such as real estate agents, capital market professionals, employment lawyers, etc. After that, we will collect and prepare documents in the required legal forms. Afterwards, we will apply for the residence permit and then submit your citizenship application. Once the citizenship is issued. We will collect the citizenship approval certificates from the Civil Registration and Citizenship Directorate and apply on behalf of you for a pass and ID.
· First of all, who else can apply with the main applicant?
The applicant himself/herself, the applicant's spouse, children under the age of 18 or dependent children can be eligible to apply for Turkish citizenship after the investment. The applicant’s children over the age of 18 cannot apply for Turkish citizenship together with the applicant. However, the applicant’s children over the age of 18 can acquire Turkish citizenship either by making a new investment or by residing in Turkey for 5-years with a residence permit.
· How many investment types are available?
There are 6 different investment types to acquire Turkish citizenship. The applicant can acquire Turkish citizenship by using one of these methods.
1)Real Estate Investment: $250.000 / 2)Deposit Account in Turkish Bank: $500.000 / 3)Fixed Capital Investment: $500.000 / 4)Government Debt Instruments: $500.000 / 5)(Real Estate Investment Fund / Venture Capital Investment Fund: $500.000) / 6)Employment: 50 People
Foreigners who meet any of the following criteria may be eligible for Turkish citizenship, with the decision of the President of the Republic of Turkey:
1) Real Estate Investment: $250.000
The applicant may be eligible with the acquisition of a property worth a minimum of 250,000 USD or equivalent foreign currency or Turkish lira and with a restriction on the title deed meaning resale is not possible for at least three years. Moreover, the applicant cannot 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. For investment amounts, the effective exchange rate of the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey is used, and calculations are performed using the cross-exchange rate. Financial transactions must take place between buyer/seller's banks. Otherwise, some problems may arise. Also, joint-owned property/multiple property application is possible. There is no restriction on the type of immovables to be acquired. Properties subject to sale/promise to sell contracts for citizenship application can only be purchased from Turkish citizens/companies. The same property cannot be used in the application if it is used once in another application.
2) Deposit Account in Turkish Bank: $500.000
The applicant may be eligible by depositing at least 500,000 USD or equivalent foreign currency or Turkish lira in any bank(s) operating in Turkey with the restriction not to withdraw the money for at least three years. It is important to note that there is no restriction for the applicant from benefitting from all kinds of returns of his investment if the amount doesn’t fall below $500.000.
3) Fixed Capital Investment: $500.000
The applicant may be eligible with the minimum fixed capital investment of 500,000 USD or equivalent foreign currency or Turkish lira.
4) Government Debt Instruments: $500.000
The applicant may be eligible by 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.
5) Real Estate Investment Fund / Venture Capital Investment Fund: $500.000
The applicant may be eligible by 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 providing that shares cannot be sold for at least three years.
6) Employment: 50 People
The applicant may be eligible by recruiting at least 50 Turkish employees. The timespan of work of the employees must be full time in the last 6 months.
· What are the required documents?
The main application must include the following documents: A valid Passport / Biometric Photo / Birth Certificate / Marital Status Certificate and Power of Attorney.
Application of the applicant’s spouse must include the following documents: Valid Passport / Biometric Photo / Birth Certificate / Marital Status Certificate and Power of Attorney.
Application of the applicant’s children under the age of 18 must include the following documents: Valid Passport / Biometric Photo / Birth Certificate / Marital Status Certificate and Power of Attorney.
If any of these documents are missing, the application will not be processed by the related government agency. Moreover, all these documents must be approved by the Ministry of foreign affairs of the current country, then approved by the Turkish Consulate in the current country or have Apostille certification.
All the processes of real estate acquisition, bank account opening, residence permit application and citizenship application are carried out by lawyers authorized by the main applicant and his wife with the power of attorney. By this said PoA, bank account opening, real estate acquisition, residence permit application and Turkish citizenship application can be made without the need for the main applicant and his/her family to be in Turkey.
The content of the power of attorney to be issued has been carefully arranged by lawyers. We always use our drafts and send them to our clients, since the type of the PoA may differ according to investment type. For example, the power of attorney required for real estate acquisition must bear the photo of the grantors.
The applicant can easily grant PoA by notary public offices within the border of the Turkish Republic, by local notary public offices in the country you are currently located, should be Apostilled after taking the Ministry of Foreign Affairs approval or with a sworn translator from the Turkish Consulate of your country. Appointment of a sworn translator and consular is made by lawyers.
The process will be started after the lawyers received the required documents. Lawyers will make an appointment with the Tax Office for a Potential Tax Identification Number on behalf of the Main Applicant. This is because it is needed to complete the necessary procedures for real estate acquisition and bank account opening.
· Who will apply for the Residence Permit?
An application for a residence permit is made under paragraph 31/J of the law on Foreigners and International Protection number 6458. This is a different residence permit especially granted to people who applied for Turkish citizenship. On the other hand, it is only required for the main applicant to get a residence permit. In this context, the residence permit application is made only on behalf of the main applicant. Moreover, to get a residence permit, valid health insurance is required since the Provincial Migration Administration requires health insurance on behalf of applicants in residence permit applications. Therefore, it is obligatory to present the health insurance policy in question. We carry out the entire health insurance process on behalf of the main applicant.
The process starts with the online application. After the payments of the necessary fees determined by the Provincial Immigration Administration are done, we will deliver the documents to the Provincial Directorate of Immigration Administration. Apart from other types of the residence permit application, the main applicant is not required to enter Turkey.
· When will we make the Citizenship Application?
Once the Investment Eligibility Certificate and residence permit are received, an application for Turkish citizenship will be made by lawyers. With the application, the main applicant and his/her family are asked to choose Turkish first and last names for their Republic of Turkey identities and passports. Name and surname will be chosen by the applicant should be chosen from Turkish language names and surnames or the main applicant and his/her family can apply by using their names on the passport (only by using Turkish letters/characters) they use in the Turkish citizenship application process in the same way as their Turkish identity and passports. Moreover, the husband, wife and children must have a common surname according to the Turkish Civil Code.
After the application, the status of the application will be controlled by lawyers online. Applicants will be informed when any updates are in place. After the completion of the process, a lawyer on behalf of the applicants will send the decision to the competent authority and then submit it to the relevant authority for approval. After the approval, lawyers will collect the necessary documents from the General Directorate of Population and Citizenship and then apply for a Passport and ID Card After the Acquisition of Turkish Citizenship. If the applicant resides in Turkey, an application to the relevant Directorate of Population and Citizenship can be made to apply for ID cards and passports of the Republic of Turkey or the applicant can apply for ID cards and passports of the Republic of Turkey from the Turkish Consulate in the country where they are located.
Ünal § Partners Legal Team
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