Foreigners who deposit at least 500.000 US Dollars or equivalent foreign currency or equivalent Turkish Lira in banks operating in Turkey for three years have the right to apply for Turkish citizenship, if there is no obstacle in terms of national security and public order. (Turkish Citizenship Law article 12/1-b, Foreigners and International Protection Law article 31/1-j, Regulation on the Implementation of Turkish Citizenship Law article 20/2-ç).

1- Who can apply for Turkish citizenship by depositing money in the bank?

Provided that the conditions specified in the law are met; foreigner who deposits $500.000 or equivalent currency in the bank, his/her spouse, his/her non-adult children and dependent (disabled) children even if they are over the age of 18 can apply.

According to the law, there is also the right to apply for Turkish citizenship by purchasing real estate worth $400.000. But it is not legally possible for the citizens of some countries to acquire real estate in Turkey, so it is not possible to apply for Turkish citizenship through the purchase of real estate. However, there is no such problem in acquiring citizenship by depositing money in the bank.

2- What is the process of acquiring Turkish citizenship by depositing money in the bank?

A deposit account will be opened in a bank operating in Turkey on behalf of the foreign person, and 500.000 USD or 500.000 USD equivalent of foreign currency or Turkish Lira will be deposited into this account. Then, the foreigner will sign documents such as a letter of undertaking, blocking order, and consent to keep the deposit of 500.000 USD or its equivalent currency in the bank for 3 years.

After opening an account at the bank and depositing money, the BDDK (Banking Regulatory and Supervisory Agency) will be asked to determine that if the conditions specified in the laws and regulations are met. The bank may make the determination request regarding this matter, as well as the individual or his special authorized representative.

The BDDK will report the determination and compliance report to the General Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs and the General Directorate of Migration Management. If the bank has requested determination, BDDK will also send a copy of the raport to the bank in order to inform the foreigner.

After receiving the letter of conformity from the BDDK, a short-term residence permit application will be made to the Immigration Administration. A "Residence Permit Application Document" is given by the administration to the person whose residence permit application is received. This document provides the right of legal stay in Turkey for 90 days from the date of application. After this application is made and a short-term residence permit is obtained, a citizenship application will be made to the Population and Citizenship Affairs Office.

3- Is it possible to apply for Turkish citizenship by depositing money in the bank with a proxy?

It is possible to carry out the application process for Turkish citizenship by a specially authorized attorney. However, in accordance with the legislation, institutions may request a face-to-face interview, and may also require the presence of the foreigner during the application, in which case the person must be present and attend the interview.

4- Can the Turkish citizenship application that I make by depositing money in the bank be rejected?

Even if the concrete conditions specified in the legislation are met, the application may be rejected if the applicant is deemed dangerous, especially in terms of national security and public order. Fulfilling the concrete conditions only provides the right to apply for Turkish citizenship, it does not provide the right to acquire citizenship definitively.

5-Can I withdraw the money I deposited in the bank?

Since the block placed on the money deposited in the bank is voluntary, it is possible to withdraw the money. However, if 500.000 USD or the equivalent amount is withdrawn from the bank before the 3-year period expires, or if the deposit in the bank falls below the specified amount, the bank will notify the BDDK and BDDK will notify the relevant institutions. In this case, if the application process continues, the application will be rejected, if the application process is over and Turkish citizenship is acquired, the citizenship will be cancelled.

6- What are the documents required for a short-term residence permit application?

Residence permit application form,

Original and photocopy of passport or substitute document,

Four (4) photographs (Taken within the last 6 months, with a white background and biometric. Family photos, selfies, outdated or black-and-white photographs that make you difficult to identify are not accepted.),

Valid health insurance,

If requested, a criminal record issued by the competent authorities of the country of citizenship or legal residence,

Receipt showing that the relevant fees and expenses have been paid.

For children, birth certificates are required if parents cannot be identified from passports or substitutes or national identity cards. In case of divorce, a certified custody document of the child is requested from the applicant foreigner. If these documents are obtained from Turkish authorities, they must be e-signed/signed and stamped/sealed, if they are obtained from abroad, they must be Apostille annotated and their Turkish translation must be notarized.

If the applicant foreigner is married, a certified copy of the marriage certificate or the document proving marriage (of the pages containing the information, usually the first 3 pages) is required. If it is received from Turkish authorities, it must be e-signed/signed and sealed/stamped, if it is obtained from abroad, notarized Turkish translation and Apostille annotation are required. In case of being a citizen of a country that is not a party to the Apostille agreement, the said document must be approved by the relevant country's authorities (consulate approval and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Turkish Authorities authorized in this regard).

7- What are the documents required for Turkish citizenship application?

Application form,

Notarized Turkish translation of a passport or similar document showing which state you are a citizen of,

If there is a child who is in the custody of the mother or father and is requested to acquire Turkish citizenship together with child, document showing the consent of the other parent or its duly approved Turkish translation (if he/she is in Turkey, in the presence of a notary public or an authorized officer; if abroad, it is arranged by the foreign representative office or the competent authorities of the country),

Marital status certificate and marriage certificate if married, divorce certificate if divorced, spouse's death certificate if widowed and its approved Turkish translation,

A document showing the identity of the person, such as a birth certificate or a copy of the birth certificate, and if married, a copy of the birth certificate or similar document proving the family ties of the spouse and children, and its approved Turkish translation,

If the person's date of birth does not have a month and day, the document obtained from the competent authorities of his country for the completion of the date of birth, and if the document cannot be obtained, the signed statement that he agrees to take action in accordance with Article 39 of the Population Services Law No. 5490,

A receipt showing that the service fee has been paid to the Finance cashier,

Two 50x60 mm, white background, unpatterned, machine-readable biometric photographs determined by ICAO

NOTE: Due to the fact that the citizenship process requires expertise and involves risks, it is recommended that the transactions be carried out by giving a power of attorney to a lawyer.

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