Frequently Asked Questions About Acquisition of Turkish Citizenship by Naturalization

How is the application for acquisition of Turkish citizenship by naturalization made in Turkey, and to which authorities should it be submitted?
What residence permits are valid in Turkey for acquisition of Turkish citizenship by naturalization?
How is the five-year residence requirement calculated in applications for acquisition of Turkish citizenship by naturalization in Turkey?
How is the intention to settle proven in applications for acquisition of Turkish citizenship by naturalization in Turkey?
What documents are required for the application for acquisition of Turkish citizenship by naturalization in Turkey?
What health conditions are required in applications for acquisition of Turkish citizenship by naturalization in Turkey?
How is the good moral character requirement assessed in applications for acquisition of Turkish citizenship by naturalization?
How is Turkish language proficiency measured in applications for acquisition of Turkish citizenship by naturalization in Turkey?
How should the source of livelihood be documented in applications for acquisition of Turkish citizenship by naturalization in Turkey?
How does the security investigation proceed in applications for acquisition of Turkish citizenship by naturalization in Turkey?
For what reasons can applications for acquisition of Turkish citizenship by naturalization in Turkey be rejected?
How does the objection process proceed if an application for acquisition of Turkish citizenship by naturalization in Turkey is rejected?
Can a rejected application for acquisition of Turkish citizenship by naturalization be resubmitted?
What are the consequences of missing documents in applications for acquisition of Turkish citizenship by naturalization in Turkey?
How long does the acquisition process take and how can it be tracked?
Why is legal assistance important in applications for acquisition of Turkish citizenship by naturalization in Turkey?
What should be considered in the acquisition process to avoid rejection?
What are the most common mistakes made in applications for acquisition of Turkish citizenship by naturalization in Turkey?
What rights do persons acquiring Turkish citizenship by naturalization have?
Does professional consultancy provide advantages in the acquisition process of Turkish citizenship by naturalization in Turkey?

The Process of Acquisition of Turkish Citizenship by Naturalization in Turkey

Through which legal procedures is Turkish citizenship by naturalization acquired in Turkey?

The acquisition of Turkish citizenship by naturalization in Turkey is an important legal process that directly concerns both the individual's life and the state's sovereign authority. Acceptance of a foreign person into Turkish citizenship is not only an individual gain but also means the inclusion of a new citizen with all rights and obligations into the system of the Republic of Turkey.

This process is conducted under the Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901, especially pursuant to Article 11, and applications are subject to the discretion of the administration. That is, even if the applicant meets the necessary conditions, there is no absolute right to acquire citizenship. Applications are evaluated within the framework of public order, national security, and public interest.

The path to acquisition of Turkish citizenship by naturalization generally starts with submitting the application domestically through Provincial Population and Citizenship Directorates or abroad through foreign representations. During the application, various documents such as the candidate's identity information, residence status, income situation, health, and criminal records are examined. Then the application file is evaluated by commissions established by the Ministry and the final decision is submitted to the Presidency.

Within this scope, applications are not limited only to legislation; many factors such as the applicant's social adaptation in Turkey, communication skills, cultural proximity, and economic contribution are also taken into account. Especially with recent regulations, it is observed that the digitalization of the process and clarification of certain criteria have made applications more transparent and traceable.

In conclusion, for foreigners who wish to acquire Turkish citizenship by naturalization in Turkey, the process is not limited to the preparation of documents. In this complex structure that requires legal knowledge, strategic approach, and professional support, working with an experienced Turkish citizenship lawyer is among the foremost factors directly affecting the success of the process.

Legal Basis of the Application for Acquisition of Turkish Citizenship by Naturalization in Turkey

On which legal regulations is the application for acquisition of Turkish citizenship by naturalization based?

All legal procedures regarding the acquisition of Turkish citizenship by naturalization in Turkey are basically regulated by the Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901 dated 29.05.2009. This law details under which conditions and how citizenship procedures are carried out. The acquisition of Turkish citizenship by naturalization is carried out based on the general provisions contained in Article 11 of this law.

Article 11 of Law No. 5901 adopts a system that grants discretionary authority to the administration. In this context, a foreigner who meets the necessary conditions only obtains the right to apply; does not automatically gain the right to citizenship. Criteria such as public order, national security, and public interest are fundamental in evaluating applications.

In addition to this legal framework, the Regulation on the Implementation of the Turkish Citizenship Law also determines the details of the process in practice. The regulation includes details regarding application documents, procedural transactions, and evaluation criteria. Furthermore, these procedures are carried out by the General Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs of the Ministry of Interior, and the final decision is made by the Presidency.

The law applicable in the acquisition process of Turkish citizenship by naturalization is not limited only to the Turkish Citizenship Law. Other legislations such as the Turkish Civil Code No. 4721, Law on Foreigners and International Protection No. 6458, and International Labor Law (Law No. 6735) are also taken into account, especially in relation to the applicant’s residence and work status.

Conditions for Application for Acquisition of Turkish Citizenship by Naturalization in Turkey

What conditions must be fulfilled for application for acquisition of Turkish citizenship by naturalization in Turkey?

The rules applicable for foreigners wishing to acquire Turkish citizenship by naturalization in Turkey are regulated by Article 11 of the Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901. This provision grants the right to apply but leaves the evaluation and discretionary authority to the administration. In other words, the person who meets these conditions has the right to apply, not the right to acquire citizenship.

Below, the legally required conditions are clearly listed:

Maturity and competence:
The applicant must be mature and competent according to their national law; if stateless, according to the Turkish Civil Code No. 4721. This condition is supported by documents and declarations during the application.
Uninterrupted five-year residence in Turkey:
It is a basic requirement to have legally resided in Turkey uninterruptedly for five years prior to the application date. Short-term exits abroad during this period can be tolerated under certain conditions, but continuity is essential.
Proving intention to settle in Turkey:
The settlement decision must be proven by one or more of the following examples:
- Acquiring immovable property in Turkey,
- Establishing a commercial or business center,
- Making an investment,
- Working in a workplace with a work permit,
- Being married to a Turkish citizen,
- Applying together with family members,
- Having relatives who previously acquired Turkish citizenship,
- Completing education in Turkey.
General health status:
The applicant must not have a disease that could threaten public health. This situation is documented by a health report.
Being of good moral character:
The applicant must demonstrate through their behavior that they are trustworthy, responsible, and do not have habits contrary to societal values. This assessment is made through criminal records, social environment information, and general lifestyle.
Proficiency in Turkish language:
The applicant is expected to be able to speak Turkish at a level that allows adaptation to social life. This is generally evaluated through a face-to-face interview.
Having income or a sustainable profession to provide livelihood:
The applicant and the persons they are responsible for must have income or a sustainable profession to provide livelihood. This matter is verified by bank records, work documents, and declarations.
Not posing a risk to national security and public order:
The applicant must not pose a risk in terms of national security or public order for the Republic of Turkey. This assessment is made based on reports from relevant law enforcement and intelligence units.

If any of these conditions are not met, the application can be directly rejected. Working with an expert Turkish citizenship lawyer to submit all documents completely and conduct the process legally significantly increases the chances of a positive outcome.

How to Apply for Acquisition of Turkish Citizenship by Naturalization in Turkey?

Where and how is the application for acquisition of Turkish citizenship by naturalization made in Turkey?

The application process for foreigners wishing to acquire Turkish citizenship by naturalization is a complex process filled with detailed and administrative procedures, not limited to the preparation of documents only. Therefore, every stage of the application process must be conducted carefully. Applications can be made both from inside the country and from abroad.

If the foreign national legally resides in Turkey, they apply through the Provincial Population and Citizenship Directorate of their province of residence. If living abroad, they can apply through the Turkish embassy or consulate in the country they belong to. Applications must be made in person; proxy applications are not possible.

Obtaining the necessary documents:
The applicant must prepare the documents proving the conditions required by Article 11 of the Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901 completely. The documents include passport, residence permit, criminal record, income declaration, health report, Turkish proficiency, and declaration of intention to settle.
Making an appointment:
Applications are carried out by appointment system. The applicant starts the procedures by making an appointment through the online system of the Directorate General of Population and Citizenship Affairs or from provincial directorates.
Evaluation process:
The application file is examined by the Provincial Population Directorate and sent to the Directorate General of Population and Citizenship Affairs of the Ministry of Interior. Here, the suitability of the application, security investigation, intelligence reports, and other official inspections are evaluated.
Decision stage:
The final decision is made by the Presidency. This clearly reveals that citizenship acquisition is subject to administrative discretion.

The applicant can follow the process via (e-Government Portal). Developments and notifications of missing documents are usually made through the system. Since the process may take months, patient and careful tracking is required.

The smallest deficiency, contradiction, or insufficiency in Turkish proficiency in the documents may lead to a negative evaluation of the application. Also, failure to convincingly prove intention to settle and livelihood conditions is a frequent reason for rejection.

For these reasons, obtaining professional support from an Izmir citizenship lawyer or an expert on Turkey citizenship applications is critically important for the error-free and speedy execution of the process.

Evaluation Criteria in Applications for Acquisition of Turkish Citizenship by Naturalization in Turkey

How is the citizenship application evaluated in Turkey and who decides?

Applications for acquisition of Turkish citizenship by naturalization are evaluated not only by looking at whether the conditions are met but also considering the applicant’s general situation, risks to public order, and contributions to the country within the framework of administrative discretion. This evaluation process is conducted in accordance with the Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901 and related regulations.

The acquisition of Turkish citizenship by naturalization is finalized by Presidential decision at the end of the application process. However, until this stage, the process is subject to a multi-stage and multi-actor examination:

Receipt and preliminary evaluation of applications: Provincial Population and Citizenship Directorates
Legal examination of documents and conditions: Directorate General of Population and Citizenship Affairs, Ministry of Interior
Security investigation and intelligence analysis: General Directorate of Security and National Intelligence Organization
Final decision: President

What are the Evaluation Criteria in Applications for Acquisition of Turkish Citizenship by Naturalization in Turkey?

Document Compliance:
It is essential that the documents submitted in the application are complete, consistent, and up-to-date. Missing or contradictory information may cause the application to be rejected.
Whether the Conditions Are Actually Met:
It is investigated whether all conditions listed in the law are met not only formally but actually. For example, even if the five-year residence period is completed, it is considered whether the applicant has actually lived regularly in the country during this period.
Intention to Settle and Adaptation:
Whether the applicant has a long-term intention to settle in Turkey is evaluated with indicators such as residence, business establishment, investment, social relations, and integration into society.
Public Safety and National Security:
The applicant’s past, criminal record, and whether they have connections with foreign intelligence are examined in detail. The slightest security suspicion can constitute a serious obstacle to citizenship acquisition.
Adaptation to Social Values:
The applicant is expected to live according to general moral rules, respect social norms, and be a trustworthy individual. These criteria are evaluated through local law enforcement reports and intelligence reports.
Economic Contribution:
The applicant must have income and profession that can provide livelihood in Turkey, which should be not only legal but practically sustainable.

The evaluation duration varies depending on the applicant’s situation, adequacy of documents, and duration of the security investigation. This process may take more than a year in some cases.

This multi-layered evaluation system ensures that applications are examined objectively and comprehensively. However, this also poses a great risk for applicants managing the process alone. Working with a Turkey citizenship lawyer is critical to complete the application process completely, present it strategically, and establish effective communication with official authorities.

Practical Problems Encountered in Acquisition of Turkish Citizenship by Naturalization in Turkey

What kind of problems do applicants face in the application for acquisition of Turkish citizenship by naturalization?

Although the application for acquisition of Turkish citizenship by naturalization theoretically relies on clear rules determined by legislation, many applicants encounter serious problems due to the complexity of the process and administrative details in practice. These problems can directly affect both the acceptance and timely completion of the process.

One of the most common problems is lack of documents and document inconsistency. Especially discrepancies in the dates of documents proving residence, faulty translations of foreign-language documents, or lack of notary approvals may lead to the application not being processed. Also, incomplete apostille procedures of documents obtained from some countries may cause rejection.

Another serious problem is applicants misunderstanding the five-year residence period. In Turkey, legal residence alone is not sufficient; this period must be completed uninterruptedly and with valid residence permits. Certain types of residence permits, such as student residence permits, are not taken into account during this period, which may lead to unexpected rejection decisions for applicants.

Moreover, many applicants think that the intention to settle is met only by living in Turkey. However, citizenship authorities want to see concrete evidence that the person has permanently settled in Turkey, such as investment, property acquisition, family life, or employment. Applications that are not sufficiently convincing in this regard may be rejected due to insufficient settlement reasons.

Turkish proficiency is often overlooked but is a very decisive factor for applicants. Candidates who cannot speak Turkish at a basic level may fail the face-to-face interview. Likewise, even the smallest penalty recorded in the criminal record within the scope of the “good moral character” assessment may cause the application to be negatively concluded.

For all these reasons, technical and legal shortcomings experienced in practice cause many applicants to wait for a long time or have their applications rejected. Especially in terms of document preparation, process management, and effective communication with relevant authorities, support from an experienced Izmir citizenship lawyer is of great importance for proper conduct of the process.

Rejection of Applications and Objection Process in Acquisition of Turkish Citizenship by Naturalization in Turkey

What legal remedies are available if a citizenship application is rejected in Turkey?

Each application made for acquisition of Turkish citizenship by naturalization undergoes a comprehensive examination process and is finally approved by the Presidency. However, it is not possible for every application to result positively during this process. A large number of applications are rejected or removed from the process for both technical and administrative reasons.

Rejection generally occurs as a result of evaluation by the General Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs of the Ministry of Interior. These decisions are usually communicated to the applicant via written notification. The most common reasons for rejection include incomplete or faulty documents, negative findings in the security investigation, insufficient Turkish proficiency, or failure to sufficiently prove the intention to settle.

In case of rejection of the citizenship application, legal recourse is open to the applicant. Although Law No. 5901 does not specify a clear application period, it is possible to file a lawsuit at the administrative court within 60 days from the date of rejection under general administrative law. However, this lawsuit must be shaped according to the reason for the rejection. For example, for an application rejected due to missing documents, completing the documents and reapplying may be a quicker solution, whereas for an unfair rejection based on discretionary power, direct judicial recourse may be necessary.

Another important point is the situation of applications that are not “processed” or “removed from processing” due to missing documents. This is not considered a direct rejection but the process must be restarted. Such technical rejections are not the responsibility of the applicant and often arise from systemic or administrative errors.

In cases of rejected or removed applications, it is also possible for the person to make a new application. However, to be successful, the second application must necessarily remedy previous deficiencies. Therefore, applying again without legal consultancy increases the risk of repeated rejection.

For all these reasons, the administrative and legal aspects of the application process must be well managed. Taking the correct legal strategy in case of rejection, not missing the litigation deadline, and effectively presenting the necessary evidence make getting support from an expert lawyer such as a Karşıyaka citizenship lawyer the greatest assurance for the applicant.

Rights and Obligations of Persons Acquiring Turkish Citizenship by Naturalization in Turkey

What rights do foreigners acquiring Turkish citizenship by naturalization have?

Acquisition of Turkish citizenship by naturalization is not only a legal status change but also means the individual enters into a reciprocal relationship of rights and obligations with the Republic of Turkey. With this change, the person is no longer only a foreign resident but becomes a full citizen of Turkey with all rights.

Rights

Full Citizenship Rights:
Persons acquiring Turkish citizenship by naturalization have the same constitutional rights as those born Turkish citizens. The right to vote and be elected, employment in public institutions, and access to social security are all granted to them.
Social and Economic Rights:
Many economic advantages become valid with citizenship acquisition, such as free or state-subsidized healthcare services, social assistance benefits, loans from public banks, and application for state-supported housing projects.
Education and Work Rights:
Access to free education in public schools, benefiting from quotas reserved for citizens in university admissions, and the right to work in the public sector are also granted to naturalized citizens.
Right to Dual Citizenship:
Turkey recognizes dual citizenship with certain countries. If the person's home country also permits it, they can maintain both Turkish and their original citizenship. This provides great advantages especially in terms of commercial and diplomatic mobility.

Obligations

Military Service:
Male individuals acquiring citizenship in Turkey may be subject to military service obligation depending on their age and military status in their country of origin. However, exemptions or paid military service options may be available in some cases.
Tax Obligations:
Turkish citizens are taxpayers according to their earnings. Like all residents in Turkey, income tax, property tax, and similar obligations apply.
Compliance with Laws and Criminal Responsibility:
Everyone who is a Turkish citizen must fully comply with the laws. Acting responsibly is required to benefit from citizenship rights.
Voting in Elections:
Participation in elections is seen not only as a right but also as a constitutional duty. Individuals acquiring citizenship are expected to participate in elections.

Within this framework, significant changes occur in the lives of persons acquiring Turkish citizenship by naturalization. It is extremely important to be aware of the process to fully benefit from rights and fulfill obligations on time. Especially to avoid loss of rights, staying in contact with a Turkey citizenship lawyer during post-citizenship stages provides legal security.

Importance of Legal Support in the Process of Acquiring Turkish Citizenship by Naturalization in Turkey

Why should legal support be obtained in applications for naturalization?

Acquiring Turkish citizenship by naturalization in Turkey is not just about collecting documents. This process is technically detailed, involves many administrative institutions, and requires legal expertise. The smallest document error or wrong application strategy can lead to months of delay or outright rejection. At this point, professional legal support from a citizenship lawyer provides great advantages to the applicant.

First, with legal support, the application process is strategically planned from the beginning. The profile of the applicant, current status, history of residence and work permits, intention to settle, and similar factors are legally analyzed and deficiencies are completed. Furthermore, guidance is provided on which documents should be submitted and how Turkish proficiency should be proven.

Intervention in administrative problems encountered during the process is also resolved much faster with legal support. Especially in cases of documents being deemed incomplete, systemic application issues, or communication breakdowns with provincial directorates, the lawyer can bring the process back on track through official correspondence and applications.

Most importantly, if the application is rejected, the lawyer can promptly initiate the objection process. Necessary lawsuit petitions are prepared, and the administrative judicial process is pursued within deadlines. Especially in applications rejected due to security investigations, professionally presenting legal arguments is crucial.

Expert teams such as KL Legal Consultancy accompany the applicant throughout the Turkey citizenship application process, ensuring that all procedures are carried out completely and in compliance with legislation. At the same time, by establishing legal communication between the applicant and public institutions, they contribute to making the process more transparent and traceable.

You can receive professional consultancy from KL Legal Consultancy to ensure your Turkish citizenship application process is carried out completely and correctly. Contact our expert lawyers to best protect your legal rights.