Applying for Turkish Citizenship by Residing in Turkey

Turkish Citizenship by Residing in Turkey

What are the requirements for obtaining Turkish citizenship by residing in Turkey?

To apply for Turkish citizenship by residency, you must have legally resided in Turkey for at least five years continuously. During this time, you must demonstrate your intention to live in Turkey permanently and abide by Turkish laws and regulations. You must also have a clean criminal record and not pose a threat to national security or public order.

Can I apply for Turkish citizenship after staying in Turkey for 5 years as a Tourist?

Your reason for residing in Turkey, and the type of your residence permit, must not be touristic. You may apply for Turkish citizenship by residing in Turkey as a worker, as a student or as an investor, but not as a tourist. If you have been staying in Turkey as a tourist based on a rental contract, you may not apply for Turkish citizenship by residence even after 5 years of living in Turkey. The reason for this rule is that, if you are a tourist, then it is considered that you did not demonstrate an intention to live in Turkey permanently.

Can I apply for Turkish citizenship if I Left Turkey during the last 5 years?

To apply for Turkish citizenship by staying in Turkey, you must have stayed in Turkey for a minimum of 5 years uninterrupted, meaning you must have spent a minimum of 4 years out of the last 5 years in Turkey AND not have left Turkey for more than 6 months during each of those years.

How can I apply for Turkish citizenship by residing in Turkey?

The application process for Turkish citizenship by living in Turkey involves several steps. Firstly, ensure that you meet all eligibility criteria and have the required documentation, including proof of residence and a clean criminal record. Next, submit your application to the relevant authorities, along with any supporting documents. At this stage, it is recommended that you hire an experienced Turkish citizenship attorney to help you with the Turkish citizenship by residency process.

Your application will then be reviewed, and you may be required to attend an interview or provide additional information. The interview will be conducted in Turkish language, therefore you will be required to speak adequate Turkish.

What documents are needed for the citizenship application?

When applying for Turkish citizenship by residing in Turkey, you will need to provide various documents to support your application. These may include proof of residence, a clean criminal record certificate, passport, and any other relevant documentation. Most importantly, you need to document your continuous 5-year stay in Turkey via a document that you can get from the police station. This document is issued according to the entry and exit stamps in your passport.

How long does the citizenship application process take?

The citizenship application process can vary in duration but it typically takes at least one year, if not longer. Once you have submitted your application and all required documents, it will be reviewed by the relevant authorities. If everything is in order, you will be invited to an interview. Once you pass the interview, the rest of the process is fast.

Turkish citizenship lawyer Baris Erkan Celebi and his law firm in Turkey assist foreign nationals with all sorts of Turkish citizenship applications.