Citizenship By Investment
Türkiye Citizenship by Investment
Government-Licensed Advisory by NTL
Programme Highlights
- Minimum Investment: USD 400,000 (Real Estate) or USD 500,000 (Other Investment Routes)
- E-2 Visa Access: Turkish citizens eligible for US E-2 Treaty Investor Visa after 3-year domicile in Türkiye
- Family Inclusion: Spouse and children under 18 eligible (spouse requires residence permit)
- No Minimum Residency: No mandatory residence requirement during application process
- Dual Citizenship: Permitted under Turkish Citizenship Law Article 44
- Processing Time: 3 to 6 months from complete application submission
- Holding Period: 3-year mandatory holding period for all investments
About Türkiye
Türkiye is a transcontinental republic bridging Europe and Asia, with territory on both continents. As the successor state to the Ottoman Empire, Türkiye is a member of NATO, the OECD, the G20, and maintains customs union status with the European Union. The country occupies a position of significant geostrategic importance at the crossroads of Europe, Western Asia, and the Middle East.
Location
Southeastern Europe and Western Asia, bordering the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea, and Aegean Sea
Area
783,356 square kilometers (302,455 square miles)
Population
Approximately 85 million
Capital
Ankara
Largest City
Istanbul
Official Language
Turkish
Currency
Turkish Lira (TRY)
GDP Growth (2024)
1.7% quarterly (fastest-growing G20 economy)
Legal Framework
Governing Legislation
Law No. 5901 on Turkish Citizenship (May 29, 2009)
The Turkish Citizenship Law establishes the legal framework for acquiring, retaining, and loss of Turkish citizenship.
Article 12 (Exceptional Acquisition of Citizenship)
Amended July 28, 2016, Article 12 provides the legal basis for exceptional acquisition of citizenship through economic contribution. This provision enables the President of the Republic of Türkiye to grant citizenship to qualifying foreign investors.
Presidential Decree No. 106 (September 18, 2018)
Presidential Decree No. 106 established current investment thresholds and qualifying investment categories.
Regulation on the Implementation of the Turkish Citizenship Law
This regulation, as amended on May 13, 2022, provides detailed procedures for citizenship applications and sets forth investment requirements. The May 2022 amendment increased minimum investment thresholds to current levels.
Recent Changes (Effective January 2024)
Amendments effective January 2, 2024 introduced additional procedural requirements including mandatory physical presence for biometric collection and expanded residence permit requirements.
Investment Options
The Türkiye Citizenship by Investment Programme offers seven qualifying investment routes established under Article 12 of Law No. 5901 and Presidential Decree No. 106:
Important Investment Requirements
- 3-Year Holding Period: All investments must be maintained for 3 years after citizenship grant
- Currency Conversion: Investments may be made in USD or converted to Turkish Lira at prevailing exchange rates
- Exchange Rate Risk: Applicants bear currency fluctuation risk when converting to Turkish Lira
- Banking System: All financial transactions must be processed through Turkish banking system
- Documentation: Complete attestation from relevant government authority required for each investment type
- Revocation Risk: Early withdrawal or sale of investment may result in citizenship revocation
Eligibility Requirements
Main Applicant Criteria
| Requirement | Criteria |
|---|---|
| Age | Minimum 18 years old |
| Health | Good health, no communicable diseases (medical certificate required) |
| Financial Capacity | Sufficient legal funds to complete qualifying investment |
| Criminal Record | Clean criminal record (certified criminal record certificate required) |
| Security Clearance | No national security or public order concerns |
| Physical Presence | Must be physically present in Türkiye for biometric collection (effective 2024) |
Eligible Dependents
Legally married spouse of main applicant (marriage certificate required)
New Requirement (2024): Spouse must obtain residence permit and provide biometrics
Biological or adopted children below 18 years of age
Children of any age who are living with disabilities and dependent on main applicant
- Parents and Grandparents: NOT eligible for inclusion
- Adult Children (18+): NOT eligible unless they have disabilities
- Siblings: NOT eligible for inclusion
- Independent Applications: Financially independent adult children may apply separately as main applicants if they meet investment requirements
Restricted Nationalities
Citizens of the following countries are not eligible to participate in the programme:
- Armenia
- Cuba
- Nigeria
- North Korea
- Syria
Note: Eligibility restrictions are subject to change by government decision.
Programme Benefits
Citizenship Advantages
Permitted under Article 44 of Turkish Citizenship Law. No requirement to renounce existing citizenship.
Spouse and children under 18 included in single application at no additional investment cost.
Turkish citizenship passes to future generations and new spouses.
No mandatory minimum stay requirement during application process or after citizenship grant.
Access to markets in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East through transcontinental position.
Right to establish and operate businesses in Türkiye with full ownership rights.
Access to Turkish universities and education system at domestic tuition rates.
Access to Turkish healthcare system and social security benefits.
US E-2 Treaty Investor Visa
Türkiye maintains an E-2 Treaty with the United States, enabling Turkish citizens to apply for E-2 Treaty Investor Visas.
E-2 Visa Overview:
- Domicile Requirement: Turkish citizenship holders must establish domicile in Türkiye for three years before applying for E-2 visa
- Investment: Substantial investment in a U.S. business (typically minimum USD 100,000, amount varies by business type and U.S. Consulate)
- Validity: Initial validity of 2 to 5 years depending on reciprocity agreement
- Renewability: Renewable indefinitely in 5-year increments as long as business remains operational
- Family: Spouse may obtain work authorization in U.S.; unmarried children under 21 may accompany
- Visa Type: Non-immigrant (does not directly lead to green card or permanent residence)
Note: E-2 visa applications are adjudicated by U.S. Department of State. Approval depends on business plan viability and investment qualifications. Some U.S. Consulates verify domicile history when assessing E-2 applications.
Global Mobility
Turkish passport holders have visa-free, visa-on-arrival, or electronic visa access to over 110 destinations worldwide, including:
- Asia: Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Philippines, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia
- Americas: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela
- Europe: Kosovo, Ukraine, Serbia, Montenegro, Albania (Schengen visas available for 5-year validity)
- Middle East: Qatar, Jordan, Lebanon
Schengen Visa Access: Turkish citizens may obtain multiple-entry Schengen visas with validity up to 5 years, facilitating travel to 27 European countries.
US Tourist Visa: Turkish passport holders eligible for US B1/B2 tourist visas with validity up to 10 years.
Application Process
While direct applications are theoretically possible, the complexity of Turkish administrative procedures, language requirements, and multi-agency coordination strongly favor engagement of licensed legal advisors. NTL provides comprehensive application support with licensed Turkish legal counsel.
Process Timeline
Preliminary Assessment
Eligibility review, investment route selection, preliminary document collection, and budget analysis for family composition.
Residence Permit Application
Apply for short-term investor residence permit pursuant to Article 31(1)(j) of Law No. 6458. Both main applicant and spouse must obtain residence permits (requirement effective 2024).
Bank Account Opening
Open bank account in Türkiye for investment fund transfers and financial transactions.
Document Preparation
Complete identity documents, obtain certified criminal record certificates, prepare source of funds documentation, obtain medical certificates, and prepare all supporting documentation with certified Turkish translations.
Investment Completion
Complete selected investment (real estate purchase, bank deposit, bond purchase, capital investment, fund purchase, or employment creation). Obtain attestation certificate from relevant ministry or regulatory agency.
Citizenship Application Submission
Submit complete citizenship application to Ministry of Interior General Directorate of Migration Management. Include residence permit, investment attestation certificate, and all supporting documentation.
Biometric Collection
Main applicant and spouse must be physically present in Türkiye to provide fingerprints and biometric photographs (mandatory requirement effective 2024). Children under 18 exempt from personal attendance.
Due Diligence and Review
Government conducts security clearance, criminal background verification, and financial source of funds review. Interview may be requested (representative may attend with adequate power of attorney in most cases).
Presidential Decision
Citizenship applications approved by Presidential decree pursuant to Article 12 of Law No. 5901.
Citizenship Certificate Issuance
Citizenship decision published in Official Gazette. Citizenship certificate (vatandaşlık belgesi) issued to approved applicants.
National ID and Passport Application
Apply for Turkish national identity card (kimlik kartı) and passport. Documents can be collected in Türkiye or at Turkish Embassy/Consulate.
Applications typically processed within 3 to 6 months from complete submission. Actual timelines vary based on application complexity, completeness of documentation, due diligence requirements, and current processing volumes.
Required Documents
Identity Documents
- Valid passport (certified copy)
- Birth certificate for all applicants
- Biometric passport photographs (recent, white background)
- National identity card (if applicable)
Civil Status Documents
- Marriage certificate (for spouse inclusion)
- Divorce decree or death certificate (if previously married)
- Birth certificates for dependent children
- Adoption certificates (if applicable)
- Notarized consent from other parent (for children from previous marriages)
Criminal Record
- Certified criminal record certificate from country of citizenship
- Criminal record certificate from country of residence (if different from citizenship)
- Turkish criminal record certificate (if applicant has resided in Türkiye)
- All certificates must be apostilled or legalized and translated into Turkish
Financial Documents
- Bank statements demonstrating source of investment funds
- Evidence of legal source of funds (employment income, business ownership, inheritance, asset sales, etc.)
- Bank reference letters
- Business ownership documentation (if applicable)
- Tax returns or tax clearance certificates
- Foreign Exchange Purchase Certificate (for real estate investments)
Investment Documentation
- Investment attestation certificate from relevant government authority (Ministry or regulatory agency)
- Real Estate: Title deed (tapu) with 3-year restriction annotation, property valuation report, purchase contract
- Bank Deposit: Bank deposit certificate with 3-year restriction clause
- Government Bonds: Bond purchase documentation from licensed financial institution
- Capital Investment: Capital registration certificate from Ministry of Industry and Technology
- Investment Funds: Fund share certificates from licensed fund manager
- Pension System: Pension contribution certificate from licensed pension company
- Employment: Social security registration for 50+ employees, employment contracts
Residence Permit
- Short-term investor residence permit (ikamet) pursuant to Article 31(1)(j) of Law No. 6458
- Required for both main applicant and spouse (effective 2024)
Health Documents
- Medical examination report from approved Turkish hospital or health center
- Confirmation of no communicable diseases
Translation Requirement: All documents must be officially translated into Turkish by certified translators and notarized. Apostille or consular legalization required for documents issued outside Türkiye.
Post-Approval Considerations
Investment Holding Period
All qualifying investments must be maintained for a minimum of 3 years from the date of citizenship grant. Early withdrawal, sale, or disposal of the investment may result in revocation of citizenship status.
Specific Requirements by Investment Type:
- Real Estate: Cannot be sold for 3 years. Title deed restriction lifted after 3-year period.
- Bank Deposit: Funds cannot be withdrawn for 3 years
- Government Bonds: Bonds cannot be sold for 3 years
- Capital Investment: Investment must remain registered for 3 years
- Investment Funds: Fund shares cannot be sold for 3 years
- Pension System: Contribution must remain in system for 3 years
- Employment: 50+ employee positions must be maintained for 3 years
Taxation Considerations
Tax Residency: Turkish citizens who are not resident in Türkiye are taxed only on Turkish-sourced income. Tax residents are taxed on worldwide income.
Gift and Inheritance Tax: Turkish citizenship subjects worldwide assets to Turkish gift and inheritance tax. Professional tax advice recommended.
Double Taxation Treaties: Türkiye maintains double taxation treaties with over 80 countries, providing relief from double taxation on income.
National Service
Turkish male citizens between ages 20-41 are subject to military service obligations. Citizenship by investment participants should consult legal advisors regarding national service exemptions, postponements, or paid exemption options that may be available.
Programme Changes
The Türkiye Citizenship by Investment Programme operates under Law No. 5901 and Presidential Decree, both of which are subject to amendment. Investment thresholds, eligible investment categories, procedural requirements, and programme terms may change by government decision.
Recent Programme Modifications:
- May 2022: Investment thresholds increased (real estate from USD 250,000 to USD 400,000; other routes from variable amounts to USD 500,000)
- January 2024: Mandatory physical presence and biometric requirements introduced; spouse residence permit requirement added
- 2025: YUVAM currency-protected account option discontinued
NTL: Licensed Advisory Services
NTL provides comprehensive advisory services for Türkiye's Citizenship by Investment Programme with licensed Turkish legal counsel and extensive regulatory experience.
Our Advisory Services
Eligibility Assessment
Comprehensive review of applicant eligibility, nationality restrictions, and programme suitability.
Investment Route Advisory
Analysis of seven investment routes with consideration of liquidity, currency risk, holding period, and investor objectives.
Source of Funds Documentation
Guidance on preparing compliant financial documentation demonstrating legal source of investment funds.
Residence Permit Processing
Application and processing of investor residence permits for main applicant and spouse.
Investment Execution
Coordination of real estate transactions, bank account opening, fund transfers, and investment completion with Turkish banking system and regulatory compliance.
Attestation Certificate Procurement
Liaison with relevant ministry or regulatory agency to obtain investment attestation certificate required for citizenship application.
Document Preparation and Translation
Complete document validation, certified Turkish translation, apostille/legalization coordination.
Citizenship Application Filing
Application preparation and submission to General Directorate of Migration Management with ongoing liaison.
Biometric Coordination
Scheduling and coordination of physical attendance in Türkiye for biometric collection by main applicant and spouse.
Passport and ID Procurement
Application processing for Turkish national identity card and passport following citizenship grant.
Compliance Standards
NTL operates in strict accordance with Turkish regulatory requirements, maintaining the highest standards of:
All services provided in accordance with Law No. 5901, Presidential Decree No. 106, and applicable regulations.
Comprehensive source of funds verification and background assessment prior to engagement.
Partnership with licensed Turkish legal practitioners with expertise in citizenship and immigration law.
Clear, written fee agreements with no undisclosed costs or charges.
Request Your Eligibility Assessment
Contact NTL for a confidential consultation on Türkiye's Citizenship by Investment Programme. Our licensed advisors will assess your eligibility, explain investment options, and outline the application process.
Frequently Asked Questions
The minimum investment is USD 400,000 for real estate purchase with a 3-year holding period, or USD 500,000 for other investment routes including bank deposits, government bonds, capital investment, investment funds, or pension system contributions.
Yes. Turkish citizens can apply for E-2 Treaty Investor Visas after establishing domicile in Türkiye for three years. Türkiye maintains an E-2 visa treaty with the United States enabling Turkish citizens to apply for this visa category.
Applications are typically processed within 3 to 6 months from complete submission. Actual timelines vary based on application complexity, due diligence requirements, and current processing volumes at the General Directorate of Migration Management.
Yes. Türkiye permits dual and multiple citizenship under Article 44 of the Turkish Citizenship Law. Applicants are not required to renounce their existing citizenship.
There is no minimum residency requirement during the application process or after citizenship is granted. However, applicants must obtain investor residence permits and be physically present in Türkiye for biometric collection (requirement effective 2024). For E-2 visa eligibility, a 3-year domicile in Türkiye is required.
Eligible dependents include spouse and children under 18 years of age. Children with disabilities of any age may be included if dependent on main applicant. Parents, adult children (unless disabled), and siblings are NOT eligible. Spouse must obtain residence permit and provide biometrics (requirement effective 2024).
Yes. After maintaining the investment for 3 years from citizenship grant, you may sell real estate, withdraw bank deposits, sell bonds, or liquidate other investments. Early disposal may result in citizenship revocation.
No. There is no Turkish language requirement for citizenship by investment applications. However, all official documents must be translated into Turkish by certified translators.
Recent changes include: (1) Investment thresholds increased in May 2022, (2) Mandatory physical presence in Türkiye for biometric collection effective January 2024, (3) Spouse must obtain residence permit effective 2024, (4) Criminal record certificates required from both citizenship and residence countries, (5) YUVAM currency-protected account option discontinued in 2025.
Yes. Multiple properties can be combined to reach the USD 400,000 minimum threshold for title deed purchases. However, each property must be registered in the investor's name, and co-ownership with non-qualifying parties is not permitted.
This page provides general information only and does not constitute legal, tax, or investment advice. The Türkiye Citizenship by Investment Programme operates under Law No. 5901 and Presidential Decree No. 106, both of which are subject to amendment. Programme requirements, investment thresholds, fees, and procedures may change by government decision.
Application outcomes are determined by the President of the Republic of Türkiye pursuant to Article 12 of Law No. 5901. NTL provides professional advisory services to support compliant applications but does not guarantee approval, processing timelines, or investment outcomes.
Prospective applicants should consult licensed legal and tax advisors before making investment decisions. Currency conversion to Turkish Lira involves exchange rate risk borne by the applicant.
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