Exceptional Citizienship Application

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Information on Acquiring Turkish Citizenship on an Exceptional Basis

Under Article 12 of the Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901, foreigners who do not pose an impediment regarding national security and public order may acquire Turkish citizenship by the decision of the President. The procedures and principles regarding the implementation of this provision are set forth in Article 20 of the Regulation on the Implementation of the Turkish Citizenship Law.

 

Investment Instruments and Conditions for Application

  •  Application via Participation Account: Funds amounting to at least 500,000 USD (or the equivalent in foreign currency) must be deposited into a bank account. In accordance with legal requirements, this amount must be sold to the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey, converted into Turkish Lira (TL), and a Foreign Currency Purchase Certificate (DAB) must be issued. The resulting TL balance must be held in the account under a block (restriction on withdrawal) for a minimum period of 3 years. 
  • Application via Investment Fund: Funds amounting to at least 500,000 USD (or the equivalent in foreign currency) must be sold to the Central Bank, converted into Turkish Lira, and a DAB must be issued. Using this TL balance, participation shares in a Real Estate Investment Fund or a Venture Capital Investment Fund must be purchased, subject to a condition of non-disposal for at least 3 years. 
  • Application via the Private Pension System (BES): Funds amounting to at least 500,000 USD (or the equivalent in foreign currency) are sold to the Central Bank to obtain a DAB. The TL balance must be deposited into the Private Pension System, subject to the condition

Legal Points to Consider

  • Foreign currency amounts subject to the application must be sold to the Central Bank of the Republic of Türkiye prior to the transaction. The foreign currencies eligible for direct sale are the US Dollar, the Euro, and the British Pound. Other currencies (e.g., the Swiss Franc) are sold after being converted based on the cross rates from the business day prior to the transaction date. 
  • Once the foreign currency purchase process with the Central Bank is completed, it is not possible to withdraw from or cancel the transaction. Furthermore, no exchange rate guarantee is provided for the deposited amounts.
    During the mandatory three-year period, transferring the investment amount from one bank to another or splitting and holding it across multiple banks is contrary to regulations.
  • During the mandatory three-year period, transferring the investment amount from one bank to another or splitting and holding it across multiple banks is contrary to regulations.

Application Process via Participation Account

  • The relevant amount is deposited personally by the citizenship applicant into their own account. 
  • Following the transaction, the Identity Verification, Declaration Form, Account Statements, Passport Copy, and Foreign Currency Purchase Document are forwarded by the bank to the Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency (BRSA). 
  • The BRSA notifies our Bank, the General Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs, and the General Directorate of Migration Management regarding applications that meet the requirements via an official letter (Certificate of Conformity). A copy of the Certificate of Conformity is forwarded by our Bank to the citizenship applicant. 
  • The individual submits their official citizenship application to the relevant institutions (Population and Citizenship Affairs and Migration Management) in person or through a legal representative, using the Certificate of Conformity issued by the BRSA.