6 Ways to Get Turkish Citizenship

What advantages does Turkish citizenship offer?

Today Turkey ranks among the countries where it is easiest for foreigners to settle in. This country attracts Russians not only with a comfortable adaptation process but also with an optimal balance of price and quality of life.

A mild climate is not the country's only advantage. Along with the status itself, obtaining Turkish citizenship also gives Russians the opportunity to:

• travel visa-free to more than 100 countries, including Japan, Singapore, and Hong Kong;
• apply for a US E-2 business visa and tourist visa;
• pass citizenship on to their heirs;
• use education benefits for their children;
• recoup their investment within a few years.

In addition, Turkish citizenship gives Russians the right to use quality medical services and the option to study at international schools. At the same time, treatment at state clinics is provided free of charge for citizens of the country.

When obtaining a Turkish passport, expats are not required to give up their first citizenship. This means Turkey can become a fallback base if unforeseen economic or political problems arise in one's home country.

What's the easiest way to get Turkish citizenship?

Turkish citizenship can be obtained through investment, naturalization, marriage, employment, by birth, and for exceptional merit. Each of these routes has its own procedural features. We'll cover the legally significant nuances of each option below.

Investment

Citizenship by investment is the most convenient way to obtain a passport for financially independent individuals.

Anyone asking how a Russian citizen can obtain citizenship in Turkey needs to understand that the state investment program currently provides for 5 qualifying routes. These are:

• purchasing real estate (either a residential or a commercial property): the minimum transaction amount starts from $400,000;
• purchasing units in an investment fund for at least $500,000;
• acquiring government-issued bonds worth at least 500,000 rubles;
• investing funds in a local business by purchasing a stake;
• opening a deposit account at a Turkish bank for at least $500,000.

In addition, investors can open their own business venture in Turkey. This will also serve as grounds for issuing a passport, provided the entrepreneur creates jobs for at least 50 citizens of the country.

Marriage to a Turkish citizen

Marriage to a Turkish citizen gives foreigners the opportunity to obtain citizenship after three years of living together as a married couple.

When the marriage is registered, the foreigner first receives a one-year residence permit. At the end of this period, the residence permit is reissued for two years. Citizenship is granted only if the spouses can confirm the legitimacy of their marriage.

By birth

In this case the child's place of birth is not what matters most. A child with a parent who holds a Turkish passport automatically becomes a citizen of Turkey, regardless of the country in which the child was born.

As already mentioned, Turkish citizenship passes on to one's heirs. This rule also applies to participants in the citizenship-by-investment program.

Naturalization

Naturalization is the process by which a person who did not previously hold a passport from the chosen country obtains citizenship.

Turkish citizenship through naturalization can only be obtained after 5 years of continuous residence in the country.

It's important to note that the right to long-term residence is granted by a residence permit card, which can be obtained on one of the following grounds:

• enrollment at a university;
• family reunification (this right is available to spouses of Turkish citizens and their minor children);
• participation in investment programs;
• the presence of an emergency situation.

It's important to note that those applying for citizenship through naturalization must not leave the country for more than 6 months in a single calendar year.

In addition, applicants will need to pass an exam on knowledge of the official language and provide a certificate of no criminal record and a health certificate.

Through employment

By signing a contract with a Turkish employer, a foreigner can apply for a work permit. This permit essentially serves as grounds for obtaining a residence permit card. Official status in such cases must be renewed every year (the residence permit can be renewed provided the foreign national remains in an employment relationship with a Turkish employer).

After five years of work, the expat becomes eligible to obtain a Turkish passport through naturalization.

For exceptional merit

Turkish citizenship for Russians is also granted for exceptional merit. This category of applicants includes highly qualified specialists, athletes, and figures in the arts and culture.

In this case, foreign nationals are issued a Turquoise Card. This is an equivalent of a residence permit, valid for a limited period of three years. If the applicant proves themselves in a positive light during this period, the Turkish government will grant them an indefinite residence permit. After five years, the highly qualified specialist can obtain a passport.

The stages of obtaining citizenship through a real estate purchase

How can a citizen of Russia obtain Turkish citizenship? Participating in the citizenship-by-investment program is a route that financially independent individuals can take advantage of.

The process of obtaining a passport on this basis can conditionally be divided into the following stages:

1. A preliminary due diligence check. This stage is not mandatory. However, going through the check reduces the risk of refusal.
2. Preparing the package of documents required to process citizenship. The list of documents depends on the prospective investor's marital status, but it must always include a notarized translation of the individual's international passport, a health certificate, and a document confirming the applicant's solvency.
3. Purchasing the property and registering title to it. You don't need to fly to Turkey to choose an apartment - properties can be viewed remotely. It's best to entrust the purchase process to specialized professionals who will verify the legal cleanliness of the deal and explain the most important legal nuances of the procedure.
4. A government due diligence check (due diligence is the international name for this procedure). All applications submitted by foreign nationals are forwarded to Turkey's Ministry of Internal Affairs, whose staff verify the applicant's identity and financial standing. Their decision determines the prospects for participating in the investment program.

Receiving the passport is the final stage of obtaining citizenship. The identity document can be issued either in Turkey or at the Turkish Consulate in Russia.

It's important to note that a state fee must be paid for issuing the passport and preparing the naturalization certificate.