Russians' interest in Turkey is growing every year. So, if in 2021 the Republic of Turkey was visited by about 4.7 million tourists from Russia, then in 2021 this figure was almost 6 million people. Four warm seas, developed infrastructure and high service make it possible to fully relax. But Russian citizens are attracted to Turkey not only for this: the rapid development of the country's economy creates good conditions for Russian-Turkish business. Turkish citizenship opens up new opportunities for Russians, and the immigration policy of the Turkish authorities is one of the softest in the world.
Turkish citizenship for Russians: the main advantages
The question of what gives Turkish citizenship is not new. For the sake of fairness, it is worth noting that foreigners with residence permit status in this state already use much of what is available to its citizens.
So, living in a country with a comfortable climate and a friendly population, a high standard of living and relatively low prices, they have the right to employment and entrepreneurship, to purchase real estate, receive medical care, and pensions.
A Turkish passport allows its holder to fully enjoy all the political, social and other rights of citizens of the Republic of Turkey, including:
- priority when applying for a job. There is no need to renew the work permit annually;
- the right to free education of children, social benefits;
- the right to participate in elections to local and central authorities;
- the opportunity to work in government agencies - the army, police, diplomatic institutions;
- the possibility of visa-free travel to 110 countries of the world. It is easier to enter a number of states with which the Russian Federation does not have such agreements - Japan, the Republic of Korea, Ukraine - with a Turkish passport.
Moreover, acquiring Turkish citizenship does not necessarily require renouncing previous citizenship. Speaking about what a Turkish passport looks like, we note that it is a plastic D-card (kimlik karti), which is issued for 10 years.
Biometric foreign passport of Turkey - a red book with a golden crescent, a star and the inscriptions "Republic of Turkey" and "Passport" in Turkish and English. It is also issued for ten years.
How accessible Turkish citizenship is for foreigners
Answering the question of how a foreigner can become a Turkish citizen, it should be noted that, on the one hand, Turkish migration legislation is distinguished by its loyalty to foreign citizens who want to acquire a Turkish passport, but, on the other hand, all applicants for citizenship are subject to strict verification by the security authorities. ...
Turkey is waging an implacable war with ISIS fighters, armed conflicts with Kurds regularly occur on its borders, so it is important for the authorities to know that the applicant does not pose any threat to the state and society. So, during the check, Turkish law enforcement officers conduct a survey of the immigrant's neighbors, send relevant requests to the law enforcement agencies of the state from which he arrived.
Those Russians who are seriously thinking about how to obtain Turkish citizenship for a Russian citizen should take into account the mandatory requirements put forward to the applicant:
- coming of age;
- legal capacity;
- the absence of diseases that pose a threat to others;
- knowledge of the basics of the Turkish language;
- the presence of a permanent income or possession of a profession that can feed the applicant and his dependents;
- law-abidingness and high morality (Art. 11 of the Law No. 5901 "On Turkish Citizenship" dated May 29, 2009).
The main ways to obtain citizenship of the Republic of Turkey
The Turkish government seeks to attract more trained specialists, businessmen and investors from abroad. In this regard, the laws regulating the issues of obtaining citizenship (Law No. 5901 "On Turkish Citizenship" dated May 29, 2009, Law No. 6458 "On Foreigners and International Protection" dated April 11, 2021) are regularly amended and supplemented, which should facilitate simplification of this process, as well as greater compliance with EU standards and international agreements.
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The requirements from the Turkish immigration authorities are the same for all foreigners: Ukrainians, Belarusians, Russians and others.
Methods for acquiring Turkish citizenship that require minimal financial costs
Less expensive options include options related to origin, kinship and marriage:
- By birthright. Children born to the families of citizens of this country automatically receive Turkish citizenship by birth, and it is enough that one of the parents is a Turkish citizen. This category also includes children adopted by a Turkish family. The rule of land, when an indigenous person is acquired by a person at the place of birth, does not apply in Turkey (except for newborn children of stateless persons living in the republic).
- Acquisition of Turkish citizenship by right of origin. Any descendant of immigrants, former subjects or citizens of Turkey can apply for repatriation to the homeland of their ancestors. There are no special programs for the return of former compatriots to their homeland. Each such application will be considered on an individual basis, in connection with which the applicant may be required to prove the Turkish citizenship of his ancestors.
- Family reunification. We are talking about moving to close relatives, citizens of Turkey - children, parents, spouses who live, are employed or study.
- Turkish citizenship by marriage. Despite the fact that Turkey is a secular country, Islam has a strong position here. But only persons whose marriage is not just of a religious nature, but was officially registered at the local registry office, will be able to apply for citizenship. After registration, the foreign spouse receives a residence permit for a period of one year with the right to extend it for another two years. After three years of cohabitation of the spouses in the country, you can apply for Turkish citizenship.
Options for financially independent applicants.
Obtaining Turkish citizenship through investment in the country's economy is one of the most common options. The latest amendments introduced on September 18, 2021 to Turkish Law No. 5901 have made this process much easier.
So, for example, instead of 1 million dollars, an amount of 250 thousand is now required, instead of creating 100 jobs - 50. Financially secured persons have the opportunity to choose one of the options:
- Become the owner of any real estate under construction or finished, one or more properties worth at least $ 250,000. It is possible to acquire Turkish citizenship when buying real estate if you have an official deed of purchase and sale and a title deed (TAPU). Foreigners are not allowed to own property in border areas, near military bases and on the Black Sea coast.
- Open a deposit of $ 500,000 in any local bank for a period of 3 or more years.
- Invest $ 500,000 in securities for three years or more.
- Create your own company with a registered capital of $ 500,000 or more or invest the same amount in the equity capital of one of the Turkish companies.
- Create 50 jobs for Turkish citizens, with their subsequent approval by the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection.
- Invest $ 500,000 for three years in the State Real Estate Investment Fund.
Money can be deposited in Turkish lira, US dollars and other foreign currencies.
A spouse and their minor children (up to 18 years old) acquire Turkish citizenship by investment together with the investor. Adult children and parents receive an unlimited residence permit. Acquisition of citizenship takes place in a simplified manner.
Special cases of obtaining Turkish citizenship by foreigners
Art. 12 of Law No. 5901 provides for special cases of gaining the Turkish indigenous people. So, if there are no reasons for refusal from the point of view of national security, then by decision of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Turkey, citizens can become:
- candidates proposed by ministries. As a rule, these are foreigners involved in industrial and technological assistance to the country, who have achieved high results in certain areas of activity and are able to make an invaluable contribution to science, economy, culture, art, sports;
- persons who have committed a heroic deed in the name of Turkey;
- persons who have been granted political asylum after five years of permanent residence in Turkey;
- foreign refugee citizens who have lived in the country for 4 years, subject to ongoing hostilities in their homeland.
Indigenate of Turkey through naturalization
For foreigners wishing to obtain Turkish citizenship through naturalization, Art. 11 of Law No. 5901 "On Turkish Citizenship" a necessary condition for acquiring a Turkish indigenous person defines a continuous (at least 245 days a year) five-year stay in the country in the status of a residence permit.
Therefore, first of all, you need to worry about obtaining a document of the established form - a residence permit (ikamet).
After effective 13.08. 2021 of Law No. 6735 "On the International Labor Force" and the amendment of 2021 to Law No. 6458, you can get a short-term “ikamet” for a period of 2 years.
To obtain it, you will need an annual medical insurance (saglik sigortasi) and confirmation of the availability of a sufficient amount of money for a decent living ($ 500 per month for an adult, $ 250 for a child).
Student residence permits are valid only for the period of study. A work permit is recognized at the same time as a residence permit in Turkey.
Highly skilled workers are issued a temporary Tuquoise card, and after a three-year transition period, it can be exchanged for a permanent Tuquoise card. Holders of such cards have the right to obtain a residence permit for all members of their family.
Foreigners - applicants for the "Turquoise Card" must collect special points in accordance with their qualifications, education, salary, experience, success achieved, degree of proficiency in the Turkish language and other indicators. Investors also receive such a card, but according to a simplified scheme.
The next step is to extend the ikamet. 60 days before its expiration, you must apply for a residence permit for a new period to the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection - turkiye.gov.tr. At the end of the 5-year period of naturalization, an application for an indigenous person can be submitted.
Foreigners who have lived in the country for more than 8 years, but do not want to acquire citizenship, are given the right to obtain a permanent residence permit; the spouse of a Turkish citizen has an advantage - she gets this right after 3 years.
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Acquisition of Turkish Citizenship: Procedure and Terms
If all the requirements are met, the applicant for citizenship can start preparing the documents necessary for the procedure for issuing this status. The basic list includes:
- an application and a questionnaire on the form (the form of the questionnaire depends on the method of obtaining the indigenate);
- original foreign passport;
- a copy of the residence permit (ikamet);
- confirmation of marital status (marriage, the presence of children, etc.). In the absence of marriage - a certificate from the consulate (certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs) of the applicant's country of citizenship;
- certificate of completion of language courses and test results;
- a certificate of the absence of diseases dangerous to the surrounding area;
- income statement;
- a copy of the birth certificate certified by a notary;
- 4 color photos (3x4 cm) taken during the last six months;
- police clearance certificate;
- military service document - a certificate of deferral, of the dismissal of conscripts or a certificate of dismissal (for military personnel);
- confirmation of payment of the registration fee.
Russian-language documents for obtaining Turkish citizenship must be translated and certified.
In addition to the basic set of documents, additional documents may be required. Their list, as well as the registration procedure itself, depends on the method of acquiring the indigenous people of Turkey.
For those categories of applicants who become holders of citizenship in an accelerated manner for investments, the procedure for obtaining a residence permit, the "Turquoise Card" and the launch of the process of acquiring citizenship take place simultaneously. Such applicants fill out the questionnaire form 5901-12-B.
They also need to issue a certificate of conformity. Applicants who invest in fixed assets should apply for this document to the Ministry of Industry and Technology, buying real estate - to the Ministry of Environment and Urban Development, creating new job places - to the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection.
When depositing funds in a bank, you need to contact the Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency (BRSA), and when buying public borrowed funds - to the Ministry of Finance.
Papers should be submitted to the Main or local department of the Civil Registry Office and Citizenship at the place of residence or to the Turkish Embassy in the Russian Federation. After consideration and verification of the correctness of filling out the forms, revision (if necessary), the application is forwarded to the relevant ministry to confirm the fact of the implementation of the required investment and draw up an opinion, which is transferred to the General Directorate of the Civil Registry Office.
The General Directorate requests an application and documents for an indigenous person from the local government. The terms of consideration are from 3 to 12 months. Registration fee is 15 Turkish liras.
Applicants who have chosen the standard path need to contact the Ministry of Internal Affairs and, having prepared the documents, attend an interview to check and submit them. The state duty is 100 Turkish liras.
Having handed over the documents, received a certificate of acceptance of the application and a referral to the police, you should submit your biometric data and be interviewed. Within 1-2 months the applicant will be sent an invitation for an interview at the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Turkey. It is held in Turkish.
After the interview, a notification of the decision will be sent by mail. The whole process takes 6 to 18 months.
Additional documents that will be required depending on the visa case
The list of additional documents depends on the method of acquiring the Turkish indigenous people.
Citizenship by Investment (Advance Application):
- Letter of consent. Issued by a notary. Contains the consent of the applicant for access to records of deposits, securities in banks.
- Receipt of payment of the fee. The amount of payment is 15 Turkish liras.
Fixed capital investments:
- Certificate of conformity to current legislation.
- Attachment: bank receipt from the ministry.
- Information about the company.
- Investment information.
- A copy of the bulletin indicating the structure, capital, etc. of the investment object. Issued in the commercial register
- Report of a certified public accountant on fixed assets. There must be a receipt from the bank for the money transfer ($ 500,000).
Acquisition of real estate:
- Certificate of conformity to current legislation.
- Appendix: extract from the land registry.
- Real estate appraisal report. The market value must be indicated (but not less than 250,000).
- A copy of the certificate of registration of the object in the cadastre.
Creation of 50 jobs:
- Certificate of conformity to current legislation.
Local bank deposit:
- Certificate of conformity to current legislation.
- A copy of the money transfer receipt.
- Confirmation (certificate of deposit) of the purchase of securities.
- Document on the provision of security in the accounts.
Purchase of state loans:
- Certificate of conformity to current legislation. Get it from the Ministry of Finance.
- Confirmation of purchase of a government borrowing instrument. Issued by the bank.
- Document on the provision of security in the accounts. Issued by the bank.
Repatriation and other special cases:
- Confirmation of ethnic Turkish roots
- Passports of parents and grandparents with indication of nationality, archival data, etc.
- Petition form VAT-4 Türk Vatandaşlığının.
Standard naturalization:
- Proof of residence in the country for the last five years. Help from the provincial directorate.
- Petition form VAT-3 (at the place of residence) İkamet Yoluyla (Genel Olarak).
- Petition form VAT-5 Yeniden Türk.
Citizenship by Marriage:
- Spouse's passport.
- Originals and copies.
- Marriage certificate.
- Birth certificate of the applicant.
- Petition form VAT-6 Evlilik Yoluyla Türk.
- Documentary confirmation of a joint married life. Rental contracts, utility bills, shop receipts, etc.
- 4 color photos of the spouse. Not older than six months.
- 8 passport photos. All photos must be no more than 6 months old and signed on the back.
- Letters of recommendation from two Turkish citizens. The attachment must contain copies of their passports and contact information.
Potential refusal or revocation of citizenship
Refusal of citizenship will be guaranteed upon identification of the fact that the foreigner:
- was a member of armed groups or terrorist groups hostile to Turkey;
- engaged in anti-Turkish propaganda;
- is a soldier or government official of another state;
- is wanted by Interpol or has an outstanding criminal record in the last 10 years;
- provided fake documents or false information about yourself.
The paid state duty is not refundable. The refusal decision can be challenged in court by filing an appeal within 2 months from the date of its receipt.
Deprivation of Turkish citizenship is possible for terrorist and anti-state activities. For naturalized Turks, the reason for deprivation of citizenship can also serve as the absence in the country for 5 years.
Dual or Second Citizenship: Positions of the Russian Federation and Turkey
Russian legislation does not prohibit citizens of the Russian Federation from having multiple citizenship. But the presence of a second or more foreign passports for Russians requires notification of their availability in the prescribed manner. The state considers such persons exclusively as Russian citizens.
At the same time, the legislation does not discard the idea of dual citizenship, but subject to the existence of an appropriate agreement between the Russian Federation and another state. Russia does not recognize Turkey's dual citizenship, since no agreements have been concluded on this score.
The Turkish side permits both dual and second citizenship. An applicant for a Turkish indigenous person is required to indicate all his citizenships that are valid at the time of application (VAT-12 petition form - Çok Vatandaşlık Tescili Başvuru Formu).
The main problem (it concerns primarily men) is that both states require their citizens to fulfill constitutional obligations, including service in the armed forces. To avoid this, many are considering the option of refusing a Russian passport.
Let's summarize
In recent years, Turkish citizenship has become more accessible and profitable for Russians. Immigration legislation in Turkey does not stand still. The last important changes took place in 2017-2018.
They are primarily associated with the desire to attract highly qualified specialists and investors from abroad to Turkey. For these categories, the procedure for acquiring Turkish citizenship has been greatly simplified, much attention is paid to protecting the interests and rights of foreigners who decide to immigrate to the republic.
In turn, stable economic development, business opportunities, a comfortable climate, affordable prices, recognition of multiple citizenship and other factors make Turkey an increasingly profitable option for Russians who want to try their luck abroad.
