Overview — Turkey Citizenship by Investment
Turkey's citizenship by investment programme was established under the Turkish Citizenship Law and has attracted significant interest from UAE-based investors since its launch. The programme offers three investment pathways, the most popular of which is real estate acquisition in major cities such as Istanbul, Ankara, and Antalya.
The Turkish passport provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 111 countries, including Japan, South Korea, and Singapore. It sits in a strategically unique position — bridging Europe and the Middle East — which makes it particularly valuable for investors who engage commercially with both regions.
Processing is handled by the General Directorate of Civil Registration and Citizenship (NÜFUS) and typically concludes within 3–6 months from submission of a complete application. There is no interview requirement, no language test, and no minimum stay obligation at any stage.
Who qualifies
- Any foreign national aged 18 or older with no criminal history
- Ability to make and hold the qualifying investment for a minimum of 3 years
- Clean due diligence record — no sanctions, no unspent serious convictions
- Financial capacity to demonstrate the source of investment funds
- Applicants can include a spouse and children under 18 as dependants
Investment routes
Real Estate Purchase
USD 400,000Purchase one or more properties with a combined value of at least USD 400,000. The property or properties must be held for a minimum of three years. A valuation report from a licensed appraiser is required, and the transaction must be conducted through a Turkish bank account.
Most popular route — tangible asset, potential rental income, sold after 3 years
Bank Deposit
USD 500,000Maintain a minimum deposit of USD 500,000 (or equivalent in foreign currency or Turkish Lira) in a Turkish bank for at least three years. Interest accrues normally during the holding period.
Government Bonds
USD 500,000Purchase government bonds worth at least USD 500,000 with a minimum three-year holding period. Bonds are held in custody with the Capital Markets Board of Turkey.
Fixed Capital Investment
USD 500,000Make a fixed capital investment of at least USD 500,000 as confirmed by the Ministry of Industry and Technology. This route is suited to investors with active business interests in Turkey.
Key benefits
- Visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 111+ countries
- Include spouse and children under 18
- No minimum stay requirement
- Dual citizenship permitted
- Real estate can be sold after 3 years
How we process your application
Strategy & Programme Review
We review your investment goals and select the most suitable route — typically real estate for UAE-based clients. We recommend Istanbul-based properties with strong rental yields from our network of TOKI-compliant developers.
Property Selection & Valuation
We connect you with licensed Turkish real estate agents and facilitate the mandatory SPK valuation report. We conduct title deed (TAPU) verification to ensure the property is free of encumbrances.
Investment Transfer
Funds are transferred to a Turkish bank account and the property purchase is completed. The title deed is registered in your name at the Land Registry.
Application Submission
We submit your citizenship application to the General Directorate of Civil Registration and Citizenship (NÜFUS) with all supporting documents — valuation, TAPU, conformity certificate, and due diligence file.
Government Review
The Ministry of Interior reviews your application. We respond to any government queries and track status weekly. Most applications reach approval-in-principle within 3–5 months.
Naturalisation & Passport
On approval, we facilitate the naturalisation process and Turkish ID registration. Your Turkish passport is issued and delivered. The property remains in your name — you may sell it after the three-year holding period.
Why apply with Avyanco
Frequently asked questions
Can I sell the property after receiving citizenship?
Do I need to visit Turkey during the process?
Does Turkey allow dual citizenship?
How many countries can a Turkish passport access without a visa?
Can I include my parents in the application?
Is there any risk of the programme being discontinued?

Reviewed by
Jashvantkumar Prajapati
Founder & CEO, Avyanco — 21+ years in global mobility advisory

