Citizenship by Investment: Obtaining the Essential Certificate of Eligibility

Questions

1. What is the minimum investment amount for citizenship by investment in Turkey in 2025?
2. Is it mandatory to obtain a "Certificate of Eligibility" for a Turkish citizenship by investment application?
3. What should I do if my Certificate of Eligibility application is rejected?
4. Where can I obtain a Certificate of Eligibility for a citizenship application by purchasing real estate in Turkey?
5. How long does it take to obtain a Certificate of Eligibility from the BRSA (Bank Deposits)?
6. What documents are required for a fixed capital investment Certificate of Eligibility from the Ministry of Industry and Technology?
7. Are SSI records important when obtaining a Certificate of Eligibility for employing 50 people (Ministry of Labor)?
8. What is the obligation to hold my investment (e.g., deposit/housing) for 3 years after obtaining the Certificate of Eligibility?
9. Will the Certificate of Eligibility be canceled if I sell the investment or withdraw the deposit within 3 years?
10. How does a Turkish citizenship lawyer assist in the process of obtaining a Certificate of Eligibility?
11. How is a 31/j (investor) residence permit application made after obtaining the Certificate of Eligibility?
12. What exactly do the Special Joint Offices in Istanbul and Ankara do?
13. Can family members (spouse and children) also benefit from a citizenship by investment application?
14. Can I apply from Izmir for the Certificate of Eligibility?
15. What are the conditions for obtaining a Certificate of Eligibility by acquiring funds through the CMB (Capital Markets Board)?
16. Is the Certificate of Eligibility process difficult for the Ministry of Treasury and Finance (Government Debt Instruments)?
17. Does an Izmir citizenship lawyer audit whether my investment complies with the Certificate of Eligibility requirements?
18. How can I track my Certificate of Eligibility application?
19. What should I do if my Turkish citizenship by investment application is rejected?
20. How is the citizenship by investment process managed with a Karşıyaka citizenship lawyer?
21. Is investment the fastest way among the methods of subsequent acquisition of Turkish citizenship?
22. Does the Certificate of Eligibility have a validity period?
23. Is sworn translation required for a Certificate of Eligibility application?
24. Is it mandatory for the investor to be in Turkey during the Turkish citizenship application process?
25. Does KL Legal Consultancy provide consultancy services for obtaining a Certificate of Eligibility?

The Fundamental Basis of the Citizenship by Investment Program in Turkey: The Conformity Certificate

What is the Conformity Certificate for investors in Turkey and why is it mandatory?

The citizenship by investment program in Turkey offers foreign investors the opportunity to acquire Turkish citizenship in return for certain economic contributions. For this process to officially begin and for the investor's eligibility for citizenship application to be proven, the first and most critical step to be taken is to obtain the "Conformity Certificate". This document is an official document confirming that the minimum investment requirement, specified in the Regulation on the Implementation of the Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901, has been fully met by the investor.

Without the Conformity Certificate, it is not technically possible for the investor to initiate the Turkish citizenship application process. Depending on the type of investment, the authorized institution to issue this document varies. For example, for real estate acquisition, the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change (General Directorate of Land Registry and Cadastre), for fixed capital investment, the Ministry of Industry and Technology, or for bank deposits, the Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency (BRSA) is authorized. Each institution's required conditions, procedures, and document standards differ. Even the smallest mistake or deficiency made at this stage can lead to the rejection of the application at the very beginning. For this reason, carrying out the process under the supervision of an Izmir citizenship lawyer is of great importance in order to prevent potential loss of rights.

Certificate of Conformity Process for Those Making Fixed Capital Investment in Turkey

How to obtain a Certificate of Conformity from the Ministry of Industry and Technology for fixed capital investment in Turkey?

Fixed capital investment, which is one of the ways of acquiring Turkish citizenship, is under the supervision of the Ministry of Industry and Technology (General Directorate of Incentive Implementation and Foreign Capital). This type of investment, beyond merely depositing a certain amount of money, includes complex elements such as the nature of the investment, its sustainability, and its compliance with the technical criteria determined by the ministry. The Ministry meticulously examines whether the investment falls within the definition of "fixed capital," its contribution to the national economy, and other conditions sought in the regulation.

This process generally involves more technical details and legal procedures compared to other types of investment. If the investment is not structured correctly, if it is not deemed "appropriate" by the ministry, it may cause the entire Turkish citizenship application process to halt. To ensure that your investment plan fully complies with the ministry's criteria and to manage the Certificate of Conformity acquisition process smoothly, working with a Turkish citizenship lawyer will play a decisive role in securing your investment and citizenship goal. Professional support ensures that the correct steps are taken at every stage of this technical process.

Title Deed and Cadastre (TKGM) Certificate of Conformity for Citizenship Through Real Estate Acquisition in Turkey

What are the conditions for obtaining a Certificate of Conformity from the TKGM to acquire citizenship by purchasing real estate in Turkey?

One of the most preferred methods of acquiring citizenship for foreign investors is the purchase of real estate in Turkey. The official authority for this process is the General Directorate of Land Registry and Cadastre (TKGM), affiliated with the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change. However, not every real estate acquisition is considered "suitable" for a Turkish citizenship application. It is a fundamental condition that the investment must be above the minimum value determined in the regulation, and this value must be confirmed by a licensed appraisal report.

The process is much more complex than merely purchasing a property. It is critically important that the annotation "cannot be sold for three years" is correctly processed in the title deed record of the acquired real estate, and that this annotation is presented in accordance with legal requirements in the Certificate of Conformity application. Furthermore, there must be no mortgage or lien on the acquired property that would impede the citizenship application, and the transfer of the sale price must be documented through legal means (via bank) and in due form. The TKGM subjects all these documents to a detailed review. An incomplete document, an erroneous title deed annotation, or an irregular appraisal report may lead to the rejection of the Certificate of Conformity application and put the entire investment at risk. Managing this technical process with a karşıyaka citizenship lawyer ensures your investment is secure and the path to citizenship proceeds smoothly.

Acquisition of Citizenship by Creating Employment in Turkey and Ministry of Labor Eligibility Certificate

How is an Eligibility Certificate obtained from the Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Services to acquire citizenship by creating employment for 50 people in Turkey?

Another important way to acquire citizenship through investment in Turkey is to create employment for at least 50 Turkish citizens. The supervisory institution for this method is the General Directorate of International Labor, affiliated with the Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Services. This option is not limited to employing merely 50 people; what is expected from the investor is to continuously maintain this employment for at least three years and to legally document it.

When issuing the Eligibility Certificate, the Ministry thoroughly examines the Social Security Institution (SGK) records, payrolls, and whether the company fulfills its legal obligations. A momentary decrease in the number of personnel during the process or a disruption in SGK premium payments can lead to the rejection or subsequent cancellation of the Eligibility Certificate request. This situation jeopardizes the entire Turkish citizenship application process. Since the employment-based citizenship process also covers complex labor law and social security legislation, proceeding under the supervision of a Turkey work permit lawyer is the only way to minimize the risks in this challenging legal compliance process.

BDDK Eligibility Certificate for Citizenship by Bank Deposit in Turkey

What is the process for obtaining an Eligibility Certificate from the BDDK to acquire citizenship by depositing funds in banks in Turkey?

Keeping a certain amount of deposit in a bank in Turkey is a frequently preferred method for citizenship by investment. The authorized institution for this process is the Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency (BDDK). The investor must deposit the minimum foreign currency amount or equivalent Turkish Lira specified in the regulation into a bank operating in Turkey and commit not to withdraw this deposit for three years.

However, this transaction is not merely a simple act of opening an account and depositing money. It is essential that the bank where the money is deposited makes a notification to the BDDK in the correct format and completely, and officially confirms that the deposit has been blocked for citizenship purposes. An error in banking procedures, the selection of the wrong account type, or the failure to properly place the three-year blocking annotation may lead the BDDK to refuse to issue the Eligibility Certificate. This situation halts the entire Turkish citizenship application process. To ensure that your investment is secure and that banking transactions fully meet legal requirements, working with an izmir citizenship lawyer will eliminate potential financial and legal risks.

Acquisition of Government Debt Instruments in Turkey and Ministry of Treasury and Finance Conformity Certificate

What are the conditions for a Conformity Certificate from the Ministry of Treasury and Finance for citizenship through the acquisition of government debt instruments in Turkey?

Among the options for acquiring Turkish citizenship through investment is the purchase of Government Debt Instruments at a minimum amount. The supervisory and approval authority for this type of investment is the Ministry of Treasury and Finance. If the investor chooses this path, they are expected to purchase the debt instrument at the determined minimum amount and commit to holding these instruments in their portfolio for at least three years.

The process is different from any ordinary debt instrument acquisition. The Ministry meticulously supervises whether the purchased instruments possess the qualifications determined for the citizenship program, and whether the acquisition transactions and the 3-year blocking commitment comply with legal procedures. The dynamics of financial markets and the technical structure of public debt securities can make this type of investment complex. An erroneous financial step taken for a Turkish citizenship application can disrupt the entire citizenship process. Therefore, working with a Turkish citizenship lawyer to ensure that the investment is made in the correct instruments and that the procedures before the Ministry of Treasury are fully executed will secure your investment and application.

Acquisition of Investment Funds (REIF/VCIF) and CMB Compliance Certificate in Turkey

How is the CMB Compliance Certificate obtained to acquire citizenship by purchasing investment fund participation shares in Turkey?

Another one of the paths to Turkish citizenship is to purchase a minimum amount of Real Estate Investment Fund (REIF) participation shares or Venture Capital Investment Fund (VCIF) participation shares. The supervisory authority for this complex financial investment is the Capital Markets Board (CMB). Investors choosing this path are obliged to acquire shares from funds approved by the CMB and compliant with the citizenship program, and to undertake not to sell these shares for at least three years.

This method is a different and more technical process than acquiring shares from Borsa İstanbul. The selected fund must fully comply with CMB regulations and citizenship criteria, and transactions made with the intermediary institution and portfolio management company must be correctly reported to the CMB. The dynamics of fund buying-selling markets and the details of CMB legislation carry the risk of making an erroneous investment. Failure to obtain the CMB Compliance Certificate, which is critical for Turkish citizenship application, will halt the entire process. Therefore, working in coordination with an izmir citizenship lawyer is of great importance for the correct selection of the fund to be invested in and for the error-free management of capital market procedures.

Legal Steps After Obtaining a Certificate of Eligibility in Turkey: Investor Residence Permit

Where is the investor residence permit application made after obtaining the Certificate of Eligibility in Turkey (Law No. 6458, Article 31/j)?

Although obtaining a Certificate of Eligibility in the citizenship by investment process is the first and most important step to be taken, it does not complete the process. Immediately after obtaining this document, the investor must legally reside in Turkey to be able to make a Turkish citizenship application. At this point, a special type of residence permit ("investor residence permit") has been regulated for investors in accordance with subparagraph (j) of Article 31 of the Law on Foreigners and International Protection No. 6458. This is a special status, different from standard tourist or other short-term residence permits.

Applications are made to the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management in the province where the foreigner will reside. In metropolitan cities such as Istanbul and Ankara, "Special Joint Offices" specifically established for these procedures are also authorized. This residence permit application is made based on the Certificate of Eligibility and serves as a preliminary preparation for the citizenship file. The complete preparation of the application file and the full submission of the documents requested by the Directorate of Migration Management (health insurance, address registration, etc.) are mandatory. An error made in the residence permit application can halt the citizenship process. Therefore, working with a Turkey residence permit lawyer is the safest way to complete this critical intermediate step without errors.

Completion of Turkish Citizenship Application: Special Joint Offices and Directorates of Population

How is the Turkish citizenship application file submitted to Special Joint Offices in Istanbul and Ankara or to Provincial Directorates of Population?

After the Certificate of Eligibility and the investor residence permit (31/j) based on this document are obtained, the process reaches the final stage, which is the submission of the citizenship file. This final application is a legal procedure entirely different from the investment process and is under the jurisdiction of the Directorate General of Population and Citizenship Affairs. The correct address for application varies according to the location of the investment or residence. For investors residing in Istanbul and Ankara, these applications are made through Special Joint Offices established to accelerate the process. Investors in other provinces, on the other hand, must submit their applications directly to the Provincial Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs in their place of residence.

This stage is where all documents such as all investment documents, Certificate of Eligibility, investor residence permit card, passport, birth certificate, marital status certificate, etc., are submitted as a complete file, translated, notarized, and (if necessary) apostilled. The slightest deficiency or procedural error in the Turkish citizenship application file may lead to the application being rejected by the Directorate General or entering a cycle of additional document requests that could last for months. Managing this final and critical step with the full expertise of a Turkish immigration law lawyer is vital for the success of the application.

Importance of Lawyer Support in the Citizenship by Investment Process in Turkey

Why is receiving support from a lawyer critically important in the Turkish citizenship application process?

The Turkish citizenship by investment process, contrary to what it seems from the outside, is not merely about making an investment and receiving citizenship in return. This process involves; obtaining a "Certificate of Eligibility" from different institutions such as the Ministry of Industry, BRSA, CMB, or TKGM, obtaining a special residence permit from the Directorate General of Migration Management, and finally, submitting a complete file to the Directorate General of Civil Registration and Nationality, consisting of interconnected, technical, and complex legal stages. Each institution has its own procedures, required documents, and strict legal standards.

A minor procedural error made at any stage of the process; for example, a missing document in the Certificate of Eligibility application, a technical error in the investment block, or an inconsistency in the residence permit application, can lead to the rejection of the entire application. This situation not only delays your citizenship goal but can also put your significant financial investment at risk. Working with a specialized Turkey citizenship lawyer eliminates these risks. Legal support guarantees that your investment is structured in compliance with the laws from the very beginning, all applications are made correctly and completely, and your rights are protected at every stage.

In a vital process such as Turkish citizenship application, you can receive professional consultancy from KL Legal Consultancy to ensure your procedures are carried out completely and correctly. By contacting our specialized lawyers, you can safely complete this complex legal process and protect your rights in the best possible way.