Turkey is an attractive destination for people who want to experience a mix of old and new. It has a rich cultural heritage, a moderate climate, and a welcoming atmosphere. It's a great place to invest, work, or retire, boasting a strong economy, modern infrastructure, and many professional opportunities. It's a perfect mix of East and West, offering visitors the best of both worlds.

The process is quite simple to gain residence or citizenship in Turkey. We’ve outlined some great tips here so you can pass immigration services with flying colours, starting with:

The Ways to Obtaining a Passport

  • Marriage: If you marry a Turkish citizen, and you are not doing anything that goes against your marriage, and you do not pose any risk to the country, then after three years of being married, you can apply for a Turkish passport.
  • Birth: This applies if at least your father or mother is a Turkish citizen.
  • Naturalisation: If you have lived in Turkey for five years, and the time spent away from the country has been within six months, you can apply for Turkish citizenship. You must be able to demonstrate a basic knowledge of Turkish, demonstrate that you are not a danger to the public or national security, have a job, and show evidence of a steady source of income.
  • Special merits: This includes gaining outstanding achievements in science, sports, culture, or business.
  • Investments: This is another popular (and legal) way of gaining citizenship or residency in Turkey because
  • It requires only a minimum amount of investment.
  • The process is fast, taking at least three months or a maximum of six.
  • There are no residency requirements for Turkish citizenship as an investor.
  • There are no minimum stay requirements.
  • There are no language requirements.
  • The investor may include family members like their spouse, minors (below 18), or children with disabilities (any age).

Additionally, the investor must meet these requirements to pass immigration services:

  • Buy real estate that is worth at least $400,000. People from overseas, including investors and those looking to make a home, regularly buy property here due to its booming market.
  • Invest a minimum of 500,000 USD into either a fixed capital contribution, a bank deposit, government bonds, a real estate investment fund, a venture capital investment fund, or a private pension system, and you must hold the investment for a minimum of three years.
  • Provide employment opportunities for at least 50 individuals, as confirmed by the Ministry of Family, Labour, and Social Services.

When Going the Investor Route, Here Are the Required Documents

  • Passport (per applicant).
  • Birth certificate.
  • Passport-size photos.
  • Proof of having made the necessary investment.
  • Proof of the source of your funds.
  • A Tax Number.
  • Document proving you are not an illegal immigrant.
  • Proof of payment of all the fees.
  • Other certificates that officials might request.

In Closing

Remember to choose the investment option that suits you best when applying. The goal is to maintain your financial stability while ensuring your family can become citizens of the world, starting with Turkey citizenship!

Begin with Ikamet

Ikamet is an online resource that provides extensive information and advice to ex-pats living in Turkey. It covers the topics of citizenship, residency, property, insurance, and other matters related to ex-pat life. Find out how to deal with immigration services in Turkey by calling 0850-390-2621!