Let's find out who this visa is suitable for, what are its advantages and what you need to get it.
Obtaining Turkish citizenship for investment
In recent years, obtaining Turkish citizenship for investment has become an attractive option for many foreign nationals. Turkey, located at the intersection of Europe and Asia, offers unique business opportunities, quality education and a high standard of living. The citizenship by investment program launched in 2017 allows foreigners to become full citizens of Turkey by making certain investments in the country's economy.
One of the leading companies providing assistance in obtaining Turkish citizenship for investment is OneWorld. The company offers a full range of services, starting from consultations and ending with the execution of all necessary documents. OneWorld specialists have a deep knowledge of the legislation and many years of experience in this area, which allows them to effectively help their clients to achieve the goal of becoming Turkish citizens.
The citizenship by investment program in Turkey offers several investment options, including buying real estate, opening a deposit in a bank or investing in a business. The minimum investment amount varies depending on the chosen direction, making the program accessible to a wide range of investors.
Obtaining Turkish citizenship offers many benefits, such as visa-free or simplified entry to more than 110 countries, the right to live and work in Turkey, and access to quality medical and educational services. OneWorld makes the citizenship process simple and fast, making Turkey even more attractive to foreign investors.
Turkey
Turkey is a unique country located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, which gives it a special cultural and geopolitical significance. With a rich history dating back thousands of years, Turkey is the heir to great civilizations such as Byzantium and the Ottoman Empire. Modern Turkey is a dynamic state with a developing economy, highly developed infrastructure and a vibrant cultural life. The capital of Turkey is Ankara, and the largest city and cultural center is Istanbul, located on the banks of the Bosphorus Strait, which connects the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara.
Climate
Turkey's climate is diverse and varies from region to region. The Aegean and Mediterranean coasts have a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters. In the central part of the country, particularly on the Anatolian Plateau, the climate is continental with cold snowy winters and hot dry summers. In the northern areas, washed by the Black Sea, the climate is more humid with heavy rainfall throughout the year. This climatic diversity allows Turkey to be attractive to tourists at any time of the year.
Population
Turkey has a population of over 85 million people, making it one of the most populated countries in the region. Turkish society is ethnically and culturally diverse. Turks make up the bulk of the population, but Kurds, Arabs, Greeks and other ethnic groups also live in the country. The official language is Turkish, but Kurdish and Arabic are also widely spoken in some regions. Turkey is a secular state where religion plays an important role in society, and the majority of the population is Muslim. The high birth rate and urbanization contribute to the constant population growth and urban development.
National language
The official language of Turkey is Turkish. It is a Turkic language that is used in all official documents, education and media. The Turkish language has a rich history and literary heritage dating back to the Ottoman Empire. In addition to Turkish, Kurdish and Arabic are widely spoken in some regions of the country, reflecting the ethnic diversity of the population.
National currency and exchange rate for 2024
The national currency of Turkey is the Turkish lira (TRY). In 2024, the exchange rate of the Turkish lira fluctuates between 22 and 25 liras to one U.S. dollar. This significant fluctuation in the exchange rate is due to economic and political factors affecting the country's currency market.
Advantages of obtaining citizenship
Obtaining Turkish citizenship for investment offers many advantages. Firstly, Turkish citizens have the right to visa-free or simplified entry to more than 110 countries, which opens wide opportunities for traveling and doing international business. Second, citizens can live and work in Turkey, enjoying a high standard of living and a favorable climate. Turkey also offers access to quality medical and educational services, making it an attractive destination for families with children. Finally, Turkish citizenship allows investors to protect their assets and enjoy tax advantages.
Cost of obtaining citizenship
Obtaining Turkish citizenship through investment requires a minimum investment of $400,000. The investment can be to purchase real estate, open a bank deposit or invest in a Turkish business. This threshold allows a wide range of foreign investors to take advantage of the program and receive all the benefits of Turkish citizenship.
Who can obtain citizenship
Foreign citizens who have no criminal record, have not violated the migration laws of Turkey and have fulfilled all the conditions of the investment program can obtain Turkish citizenship.
However, citizens of Armenia cannot participate in the program.
Turkish citizenship is granted to the investor's spouse and their children under the age of 18. Parents of spouses and their adult children may obtain a residence permit (TPL) in Turkey, with an additional fee of $5,000 per person for TPL.
If the investor's adult children and parents have their own sources of income, they cannot be included in the application. To obtain citizenship, they must participate in the program as separate principal applicants and fulfill all investment conditions.
Timeframe for obtaining citizenship
The process of obtaining Turkish citizenship for investment takes a relatively short period of time - from 8 to 12 months. This timeframe includes all steps from filing documents and completing the required investments to obtaining a Turkish passport. Thanks to this, the citizenship by investment program in Turkey is one of the fastest and most efficient in the world, which makes it particularly attractive to foreign investors.
Steps of obtaining
Citizenship verification
The first stage involves verifying that you meet all the requirements of the program. This includes checking for criminal records, compliance with Turkey's migration laws and whether applicants are citizens of countries excluded from the program (Armenia, Cuba, Nigeria, North Korea, Syria).
Collection of documents
The second step is to collect all necessary documents, including passports, birth certificates, marriage certificates and other personal documents. You will also need to prepare financial documents to prove that you have the necessary funds for the investment.
Income verification
At this stage, the applicant's sources of income are verified. It is important to provide evidence of the legitimacy of the origin of the funds that will be used for investment. This can be bank statements, tax returns or other financial documents.
Buying a property and submitting an application to the Land Registry
Once the documents have been verified and the income has been verified, the real estate purchase stage follows. Investors must purchase a property worth at least $400,000. Then, it is necessary to apply for the registration of the property with the Land Registry of Turkey.
Obtaining a certificate of compliance
After completing the property purchase process, the investor receives a certificate of compliance, confirming that all the conditions of the program have been met. This document is issued by the Ministry of Environment and Urban Planning of Turkey.
Applying for a residence permit
At this stage, the investor applies for a residence permit. The residence permit is issued on the basis of the investment and allows the applicant to reside legally in Turkey throughout the citizenship process.
Application for citizenship
The last step involves applying for Turkish citizenship. After submitting all the required documents and passing all the checks, the application is reviewed by the competent authorities. Upon completion of the review, the investor receives Turkish citizenship and a passport.
Obtaining a short-term residence permit
To obtain a short-term residence permit (STP) in Turkey, you need to submit an application with the necessary documents such as passport, photograph, proof of income and insurance. A short-term residence permit can be issued for up to one year with the possibility of renewal. This type of residence permit is often used for tourism, business travel, study or medical treatment.
Other ways
Marriage
One way to obtain Turkish citizenship is to marry a Turkish citizen. After three years of marriage, with actual cohabitation, the foreign spouse can apply for citizenship.
Birth
Children born to a parent who is a Turkish citizen are automatically granted Turkish citizenship. This rule applies regardless of the place of birth of the child.
Employment
Foreign citizens can obtain a residence permit on the basis of employment in Turkey. This requires a work visa and a work permit from the Turkish Ministry of Labor and Social Security. After five years of continuous work and residence in the country, it is possible to apply for citizenship.
Through naturalization
Naturalization is another way to obtain Turkish citizenship. To do so, one must have lived in Turkey for at least five years legally, know the Turkish language, have a stable income and the intention to stay in Turkey permanently.
For meritorious achievements in science, business, sports, etc.
Turkey may grant citizenship for special merits in science, business, sports, culture and other fields. The decision to grant citizenship in such cases is based on individual merit and contribution to the development of the country.
Banks operating in Turkey
There are many banks operating in Turkey, offering a wide range of financial services. Among them the most famous are:
- Ziraat Bank
- Is Bank
- Garanti BBVA
- Yapi Kredi Bank
- QNB Finansbank
These banks provide both personal and corporate banking services including account opening, lending, investment products and international money transfers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it possible to get Turkish citizenship if I buy an apartment?
Yes, it is possible to obtain Turkish citizenship if you purchase real estate worth at least $400,000. This process includes registering the property in your name and complying with all the requirements of the citizenship by investment program.
Which countries offer citizenship by investment?
In addition to Turkey, citizenship for investment is offered by countries such as:
- Malta
- Portugal
- Grenada
- St. Kitts and Nevis
- Dominica
- Antigua and Barbuda
- St. Lucia
- Egypt
- Vanuatu
- Jordan
Can I travel with two passports?
Yes, Turkey allows its citizens to hold dual citizenship. This allows Turkish passport holders to travel with two passports, which can be convenient for entering countries that require a visa for one of the citizenships.
Who is granted an indefinite residence permit in Turkey?
An indefinite residence permit in Turkey can be granted to foreign nationals who have continuously resided in the country on the basis of a temporary residence permit for at least eight years. To qualify, certain criteria must be met, such as a stable income and no violations of migration laws.
How much do foreigners in Turkey earn?
The average salary of foreign nationals in Turkey is about $1,250 per month. This figure may vary depending on the field of employment, qualifications and work experience.
After how long does a Turkish residence permit get canceled if you leave?
If you are absent from Turkey for more than 180 days, your current residence permit will be canceled. Upon your return to the country, you will need to apply for a new residence permit.
Another articles
Let's take a peek into the wallet of modern Greece and find out how affordable its famous lifestyle is!
In this material you will learn what documents are needed, how the procedure of registration and what is important to consider before traveling.