Turkish Citizenship and Turkish Passport are the best choices for foreigners who want to live and work abroad. The Number of Turkish Passport visa free countries is 111 which means Turkish Passport holders can travel to 111 countries visa-free or visa on arrival. It is worlds’ 51st most robust passport according to Wikipedia.
Islamic country Turkey is a beautiful blend of eastern and western culture as it is a bridge between east and west. It is one of the world’s developed countries and soon going to get visa free entry to European Union. Its fast-growing economy is the 6th largest economy in Europe and 18th in the world. It will grow 12th largest economy By 2030. Immigration laws of Turkey allow dual citizenship, so foreigners do not need to leave their current citizenship to get Turkish nationality. People from all over the world visit Turkey for tourism, work, business, and other purposes. Pakistani, Indians, Bangladeshi, and other South Asians also living and working in Turkey. It had been like a gateway to Europe as it supplied a large number of illegal immigrants to Europe. It no doubt offers excellent opportunities to foreigners who want to live and work and become a citizen of this great country. Various Programs are there to get residency and citizenship in Turkey.
How to get Turkish Citizenship?
If you are thinking to live and work abroad permanently and do not want to leave it, you can apply for Turkish citizenship. Several programs for Turkish nationality are there for you. You have to choose the right and suitable program. Eighteen years or above age, good health certificate, Basic knowledge of Turkish language, reasonable income, respectful to national laws in Turkey and good character (no criminal record) are some Basic requirements its nationality. Other requirements depend on the citizenship program you choose. Let’s discuss different ways to gain Turkish Citizenship and Passport.
Turkish citizenship by Turkish Residency:
It is the most common method of obtaining nationality. All you have to get a residency visa and residence permit in Turkey. You can apply for citizenship after living for five years in Turkey. Turkey residence permit is not hard to obtain. You have to get a long term visa like a work visa, student visa, marriage/spouse visa, dependent visa, investment visa and any other long term visa including investments and business visas. Long term or long duration visas are known as residency visas, but long term visitor visas are not included in residency visas. You can apply for a Turkish residence permit once you have obtained long term visa.
You can apply long term visa from inside Turkey as well as outside. Requirements and process of long term visa depend on the visa type you want to apply. However, you can convert your visit visa into residence permit in Turkey. Visitor holing Turkey visit visa can apply for Short Term Residence Permit if they want to live in Turkey for more than 90 days. The duration and validity of this short term residence permit are a maximum of two years. Foreigners with short term residence permit cannot work or take employment. This short term residence permit is only for tourism purpose. Your short term residence permit will be canceled if you live more than 120 days outside Turkey.
If you want to work in Turkey, you can apply for Turkey work visa. You have to find a job contract from an employer/company to apply for a work visa. This is also a residency visa, and you can get a residency permit with this work visa.
You can apply for Turkish citizenship after living for five years in Turkey. Citizenship allows you to get a valuable passport of Turkey.
Many educational institutes are there in Turkey which accepts international students from all over the world. All you need to find a college or university on Google, open their website, choose the course you want to study and then contact to university admission department through their website. They will let you know further procedure of enrollment. Once you get college acceptance letter/enrollment, you can proceed to Turkey student visa. International students can also apply for a Turkish residence permit.
You will get a residence permit, once you are in Turkey on any long term visa. You can get it renewed each time by extending your visa. After living for five years, you can apply for Turkish citizenship. During this period of five years, the applicant can live outside Turkey for six months in total in a year. International Students need to find a job for this purpose after their study as students cannot apply for citizenship soon after living five years in on student visa. However, if a student marries a Turkish citizen or follows another program, nationality is possible accordingly.
Own a Property to Get Citizenship:
In this program, there is no limit of investment or value of the property. If you buy any immovable property like a house, flat with a reasonable amount in Turkey, you can get 1-year residence permit of Turkey. You can renew it every year. Once you have spent five years, you are eligible to apply for Turkish citizenship. But you have to keep your property under your name for a period of up to 5 years. You are allowed to make use of this property for any business or other purposes.
Turkish citizenship by marriage:
It is the fastest and secure way to get the easiest citizenship of a country. It usually is popular in young generation. It has become easier due to social media platforms. If you marry Turkish citizenship, you will be able to get Turkish citizenship in 3 years. Marriage can be conducted either in Turkey or outside Turkey. If marriage is done outside Turkey, foreign consulate of Turkey should be informed of marriage. After the wedding, you can get an extendable visa of 1-year duration, and it allows you to live and work in Turkey, and after three years of marriage, you can get Turkish passport by marriage. If you get a baby after the wedding, the citizenship approval will be faster. If marriage is broken up after getting nationality, no need to worry, your nationality will not be affected.
Turkey citizenship by investment programs:
Like many other countries, Turkey also has citizenship through investment programs with a minimal requirement of stay in the country. Citizenship by investment has many options for investing in the country. These programs are actually in the benefits of the country because your investment may generate revenue for the state and creates jobs for the local citizens. You can get quick citizenship without waiting for three or five years. The following options are available for a fast passport by investment in Turkey.
Buy property and get Quick citizenship :
This program is to boost real estate and property value and business in Turkey. However, it is one of the fastest ways of acquiring citizenship. If you make an investment of 250,000 US dollars or the equivalent amount of Turkish Lira to buy property/real estate in Turkey, you can directly get Turkish citizenship along with your family members. But bear in mind, you will not be allowed to sell this property up to three years, As you have to make an agreement or promise that you will not sell this property and keep it under your name for three years. You are allowed to make use of this property for any business or other purposes.
Invest in Company for Quick Citizenship:
If you invest 500,000 US dollars in Turkish company or buy shares in a company with this amount, you can apply for fast track citizenship. But you cannot withdraw your investment for three years.
Bank deposit Program for Quick Citizenship:
If you make a fixed deposit with the amount of 500,000 US dollars in a Turkish bank, you are eligible to apply for Turkish citizenship. You cannot withdraw your money for three years.
Start a Business/company to get Turkish Passport:
Setting up a business organization or company is also good to live permanently in Turkey. There is only one primary condition that your business or company must create 50 jobs for local citizens. If you meet this requirement, you can get citizenship on the fast track. A certificate will be required from the Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Services.
Buying Public Borrowing Instruments:
Foreigners who purchase public borrowing instruments like bonds, certificate with a 500,000 US dollars amount can get quick Turkish citizenship. But they have to agree they will keep these instruments for a minimum of three years.
Buy Flat:
Buying immovable property like flat which has value 500,000 US dollars or equivalent can also give you Turkish citizenship.
You can make Turkish citizenship application only in Turkey. Each citizenship program has its own and different requirements. If you are interested in getting citizenship through investment, you should think before you proceed because there are much better options for rich people to gain citizenship through investment. You can travel to 110 countries without a visa with a Turkish passport, but you have no visa free entry to Europe, Canada, USA, and other developed countries. There are many other countries like Caribbean’s which offer cheaper and faster programs for a passport with a high ranking of passport and visa-free access to much more countries up to 150 countries of the world.
Refugees and asylum seekers in Turkey:
Turkey is a signatory to the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol, but it has some geographical limitations for refugees based on country of origin of asylum seekers and refugees. A large number of Pakistani, Indians and Bangladeshi asylum seekers are living in Turkey waiting for their cases to be finalized. Turkey doesn’t grant nationality to non-European asylum seekers; instead, it gives them temporary protection/humanitarian permits to live and work in the country. If the application of asylum is accepted and asylum seeker is accepted as a refugee, UNHCR is responsible for his resettlement in the third country like USA, Canada, etc.
