Citizenship and residence permit in Turkey: competent answers to frequently asked questions

Interest in Turkey among Russians is growing every year. So, if in 2021 the Republic of Turkey was visited by about 4.7 million tourists from Russia, then in 2021 this figure was almost 6 million people. Four warm seas, developed infrastructure and high service provide the opportunity to fully relax. But this is not the only thing that attracts Russian citizens to Turkey: the rapid development of the country’s economy creates good conditions for Russian-Turkish business. Turkish citizenship opens up new opportunities for Russians, and the immigration policy of the Turkish authorities is one of the softest in the world.

Turkish citizenship for Russians: main advantages

The question of what Turkish citizenship gives is not new. To be fair, it is worth noting that foreigners who have residence permit status in this state already enjoy much of what is available to its citizens.

Thus, living in a country with a comfortable climate and friendly population, a high standard of living and relatively low prices, they have the right to employment and entrepreneurial activity, to purchase real estate, receive medical care, and pensions.

A Turkish citizen's passport allows its holder to fully enjoy all political, social and other rights of citizens of the Republic of Turkey, including:

• priority when applying for a job. There is no need to annually renew the work permit;
• the right to free education for children, social benefits;
• the right to participate in elections to local and central authorities;
• the opportunity to work in government agencies - army, police, diplomatic institutions;
• Possibility of visa-free entry to 110 countries. It is easier to enter a number of states with which the Russian Federation does not have such agreements - Japan, the Republic of Korea, Ukraine - using a Turkish passport.

In addition, obtaining Turkish citizenship does not necessarily require renunciation of previous citizenship. Speaking about what a Turkish passport looks like, we note that it is a plastic D-card (kimlik karti), which is issued for 10 years.

The Turkish biometric foreign passport is a red book with a golden crescent, star and the inscriptions “Republic of Turkey” and “Passport” in Turkish and English. It is also issued for ten years.

Obtaining citizenship: a matter of timing

It takes from six months to one and a half years to obtain citizenship. At the same time, the paperwork itself as a preparatory stage takes at least several more months. If your application for citizenship was denied for the first time, you can apply again no earlier than a year later. And since the whole procedure is quite lengthy, it is better not to delay it.

Turkish citizenship gives Russian citizens many advantages. At the same time, it is not even necessary to break ties with Russia. So it makes sense to understand the procedure for obtaining a Turkish passport, which is quite simple.

How accessible is Turkish citizenship for foreigners?

Answering the question of how a foreigner can become a Turkish citizen, it should be noted that, on the one hand, Turkish migration legislation is distinguished by its loyalty to foreign citizens who wish to obtain a Turkish passport, but, on the other hand, all applicants for citizenship are subject to strict verification by security authorities .

Turkey is waging an irreconcilable war against ISIS militants, and armed conflicts with the Kurds regularly occur on its borders, so it is important for the authorities to know that the applicant does not pose any threat to the state and society. Thus, during the check, Turkish law enforcement officers interview the immigrant’s neighbors and send appropriate requests to the law enforcement agencies of the state from which he arrived.

Those Russians who are seriously thinking about how a Russian citizen can obtain Turkish citizenship should take into account the mandatory requirements for the applicant:

• majority;
• capacity;
• absence of diseases that pose a threat to others;
• knowledge of the basics of the Turkish language;
• having a permanent income or having a profession that can support the applicant and his dependents;
• law-abidingness and high morality (Article 11 of Law No. 5901 “On Turkish Citizenship” dated May 29, 2009).

How to obtain Turkish citizenship for a Russian citizen in 2021

There are three main ways for Russians and other foreign citizens to obtain Turkish citizenship in 2021:

• Through marriage - by entering into a marriage union with a citizen or citizen of Turkey;
• By investment – ​​citizenship can be obtained for investments over $250,000. For example, by purchasing an apartment or other real estate;
• By origin – when obtaining Turkish citizenship, your origin is taken into account, not your country of birth. If your blood connection with the Turkish people can be proven, you can apply for Turkish citizenship.

Some other possibilities are also available to foreigners, for example, through adoption, through naturalization, after long-term residence under a residence permit and some other methods, but the above 3 methods are the main and most popular for 2021.
Turkish citizenship by investment is the most universal, fast and reliable solution not only for Russians, but also for other foreigners: citizens of Kazakhstan, Ukraine and other countries. The government of the republic does not make any requirements regarding the country of origin of applicants.

The main ways to obtain citizenship of the Republic of Turkey

The Turkish government is striving to attract more trained specialists, businessmen, and investors from abroad. In this regard, the laws regulating issues of obtaining citizenship (Law No. 5901 “On Turkish Citizenship” dated May 29, 2009, Law No. 6458 “On Foreigners and International Protection” dated April 11, 2021) are regularly amended and supplemented, which should facilitate simplification of this process, as well as greater compliance with EU standards and international agreements.

The requirements from Turkish immigration authorities are the same for all foreigners: Ukrainians, Belarusians, Russians and others.

Ways to acquire Turkish citizenship that require minimal financial outlay

Less expensive options include those related to origin, kinship and marriage:

• By right of birth. Children born into families of citizens of this country automatically receive Turkish citizenship by birth, and it is enough that one of the parents is a Turkish citizen. Children adopted by a Turkish family also fall into this category. The rule of land, when indigeneity is acquired by a person at the place of birth, does not apply in Turkey (except for newborn children of stateless persons living in the republic).

• Acquiring Turkish citizenship by right of origin. Any descendant of immigrants, former subjects or citizens of Turkey can apply for repatriation to their ancestral homeland. There are no special programs for the return of former compatriots to their homeland. Each such application will be considered individually, and therefore the applicant may be required to provide evidence of the Turkish citizenship of his ancestors.
• Family reunification. We are talking about moving to close relatives who are Turkish citizens - children, parents, spouses who live, are employed or study.
• Turkish citizenship by marriage. Despite the fact that Turkey is a secular country, Islam has a strong position here. But only persons whose marriage is not just of a religious nature, but was officially registered in the local registry office, will be able to apply for citizenship. After registration, the foreign spouse receives a residence permit for a period of one year with the right to extend for another two years. After three years of living together, spouses can obtain Turkish citizenship.

Options for financially independent applicants.

Obtaining Turkish citizenship by investing in the country's economy is one of the most common options. Recent changes made on September 18, 2021 to Turkish Law No. 5901 have greatly simplified this process.

So, for example, instead of 1 million dollars, an amount of 250 thousand is now required, instead of creating 100 jobs - 50. Financially secure individuals have the opportunity to choose one of the options:

• Become the owner of any real estate, under construction or ready, one or more objects worth at least $250,000. You can acquire Turkish citizenship when purchasing real estate if you have an official deed of sale and ownership document (TAPU). Foreigners are not allowed to own property in border areas, near military bases and on the Black Sea coast.
• Open a deposit of $500,000 in any local bank for a period of 3 or more years.
• Invest $500,000 in securities for three years or more.
• Create your own company with an authorized capital of $500,000 or invest the same amount in the fixed capital of one of the Turkish companies.
• Create 50 jobs for Turkish citizens, with their subsequent approval by the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection.
• Invest $500,000 for three years in the state Real Estate Investment Fund.

Money can be deposited in Turkish lira, American dollars and other foreign currencies.

Turkish citizenship by investment together with the investor is acquired by the spouse and their minor children (under 18 years of age). Adult children and parents receive an indefinite residence permit. Acquiring citizenship occurs in a simplified manner.

Special cases of obtaining Turkish citizenship by foreigners

Art. 12 of Law No. 5901 provides for special cases of acquiring Turkish indigenous status. Thus, if there are no reasons for refusal from the point of view of national security, then by decision of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Turkey the following can become citizens:

• candidates proposed by ministries. As a rule, these are foreigners involved in industrial and technological assistance to the country, who have achieved high results in certain fields of activity and are capable of making an invaluable contribution to science, economics, culture, art, and sports;
• persons who committed a heroic act in the name of Turkey;
• persons who have been granted political asylum after five years of permanent residence in Turkey;
• foreign refugee citizens who have lived in the country for 4 years, subject to ongoing hostilities in their homeland.

Turkey's indigenous people through naturalization

For foreigners wishing to obtain Turkish citizenship through naturalization, Art. 11 of Law No. 5901 “On Turkish Citizenship” defines a continuous (at least 245 days a year) five-year stay in the country with the status of a residence permit as a necessary condition for acquiring Turkish indigenous status.

Therefore, first of all, you need to worry about obtaining a document of the established form - a residence permit (ikamet).

After entry into force on 13.08. 2021 Law No. 6735 “On International Workforce” and the 2021 amendments to Law No. 6458, you can get a short-term “ikamet” for a period of 2 years.

To obtain it, you will need annual medical insurance (saglik sigortasi) and proof of having enough money for a decent living ($500 per month for an adult, $250 for a child).

Student residence permits are valid only for the duration of study. A work permit is also recognized as a residence permit in Turkey.

Highly skilled workers are issued a temporary “Tuquoise card”, which can be exchanged for a permanent Tuquoise card after a three-year transition period. Owners of such cards have the right to obtain a residence permit for all members of their family.

Foreigners applicants for the Turquoise Card must score special points in accordance with their qualifications, education, salary, experience, achievements, level of Turkish language proficiency and other indicators. Investors also receive such a card, but according to a simplified scheme.

The next step is to extend the ikamet. 60 days before its expiration, you must apply for a residence permit for a new period at the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection - turkiye.gov.tr. Upon completion of the 5-year naturalization period, you can submit an application for indigenous status.

Foreigners who have lived in the country for more than 8 years, but do not wish to acquire citizenship, are granted the right to obtain a permanent residence permit; The spouse of a Turkish citizen has an advantage - she receives this right after 3 years.

Citizenship in Turkey when purchasing real estate

Buying real estate is a type of investment, so this method is fully included in the basic citizenship by investment program in Turkey. The real estate option is the most affordable, since a foreigner is required to invest $250,000.

Where and what kind of property should you buy?

You can buy any real estate in Turkey, for example, an apartment, a private house or a plot. There are some restrictions for foreign buyers:

• The area of ​​the land plot cannot exceed 30 hectares;
• Russian citizens are prohibited from buying real estate on the country's border and on the Black Sea coast;
• Private restrictions on facilities or locations that Turkey considers strategically important to the country's security. For example, you cannot purchase land near military bases.

Properties in popular destinations such as Istanbul, Antalya, Izmir and Ankara are fully available to foreigners. To purchase real estate in a number of regions, it is necessary to obtain additional permission from the military department, which will confirm that the object is not strategically important for the security of the country.

In what currency is real estate paid?

The currency of payment for real estate does not matter.
You can pay in dollars or in other currencies, such as lira or euro. It is important that at the time of transfer of ownership, the cost of the apartment at the rate of the Central Bank of Turkey is at least $250,000. Subsequently, the commission considers your request for citizenship based on the Central Bank exchange rate for that day. The value of the property that is indicated in the cadastre is taken into account. Therefore, it is important to check that not only the object itself fits the conditions of the investment program, but also that the cadastral value is recorded correctly.

Is it possible to sell investment property?

Investment properties can be freely sold after 3 years of ownership.
If you own real estate for more than 5 years, you can also get tax breaks. At the time of ownership of real estate, a foreigner has the right to rent out his property and receive investment income. The only thing that is prohibited from doing according to the program is selling real estate earlier than 3 years after purchase.

Shared acquisition of real estate

Shared acquisition of real estate is also possible, for example, two people buy an apartment and own it in equal shares.
In this case, it is important that the value of each share is $250,000 or more. Let's look at an example

: 3 friends buy a lot worth $800,000 with equal ownership shares. In this case, each of them has the right to take advantage of the program to obtain Turkish citizenship.

If you plan to obtain citizenship for yourself, your spouse and children, then you can use the program individually - that is, buy real estate worth at least $250,000 for 1 family member, and then, according to the rules, obtain citizenship for both yourself and the rest family members.

Is it possible to buy several properties?

There is no legal requirement that a single property be worth a minimum of $250,000.
It is important that the total value of the purchased property reaches a value of $250,000. For example, you can buy one apartment within this price range, or several, for example, 2-3 or even more. If the total cost has reached the required limit, you have the right to use the program.

What to do if you bought real estate before September 18, 2018

Unfortunately, the program only applies to new investors, since the main goal is to attract new funds to the country.
This means that if ownership of your property in Turkey was transferred to you before September 18, 2021, then you will not be able to take advantage of the current program for your previous purchase. From January 1, 2021 to September 18, 2021, the minimum value of investment property eligible for the Turkish citizenship program for foreigners was $1,000,000.

One of the options for solving this problem is to sell real estate and re-purchase, however, it is important to correctly calculate the tax burden.

Acquiring Turkish citizenship: procedure and deadlines

If all requirements are met, the applicant for citizenship can begin preparing the documents necessary for the procedure for obtaining this status. The basic list includes:

• application and questionnaire on a form (the form of the questionnaire depends on the method of obtaining the indigenous visa);
• original foreign passport;
• a copy of the residence permit (ikameta);
• confirmation of marital status (marriage, presence of children, etc.). If there is no marriage, a certificate from the consulate (certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs) of the applicant’s country of citizenship;
• certificate of completion of language courses and test results;
• a certificate of absence of diseases dangerous to others;
• income certificate;
• a copy of the birth certificate certified by a notary;
• 4 color photos (3x4 cm), taken during the last six months;
• certificate of good conduct;
• document on military service - a certificate of deferment, dismissal of conscripts or a certificate of dismissal (for military personnel);
• confirmation of payment of the registration fee.

Russian-language documents to obtain Turkish citizenship must be translated and certified.

In addition to the basic set of documents, additional ones may be required. Their list, as well as the registration procedure itself, depends on the method of acquiring Turkish indigenous status.

For those categories of applicants who become holders of citizenship in an accelerated manner by investment, the procedure for obtaining a residence permit, “Turquoise Card” and the launch of the process of acquiring citizenship occur simultaneously. Such applicants fill out.

They also need to obtain a certificate of conformity. Applicants investing in fixed assets should apply for this document to the Ministry of Industry and Technology, purchasing real estate - to the Ministry of Environment and Urban Development, creating new places for employment - to the Ministry of Labor and Social Security.

When depositing funds in a bank, you need to contact the Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency (BRSA), and when purchasing government borrowed funds, you need to contact the Ministry of Finance.

Papers should be submitted to the Main or local civil registry office and citizenship department at the place of residence or to the Turkish Embassy in the Russian Federation. After reviewing and checking the correctness of filling out the forms, finalizing (if necessary), the application is transferred to the relevant ministry to confirm the fact of execution of the required investment and draw up a conclusion, which is transferred to the General Department of the Civil Registry Office.

The main department requests an application and documents for indigenous status from the local administration. Review periods range from 3 to 12 months. Registration fee - 15 Turkish lira.

Applicants who have chosen the standard route need to contact the Ministry of Internal Affairs and, having prepared documents, appear for an interview to check and submit them. The state fee is 100 Turkish lira.

Having submitted the documents, received a certificate of acceptance of the application and a referral to the police, you must submit biometric data and undergo an interview. Within 1-2 months, the applicant will be sent an invitation to an interview at the Turkish Ministry of Internal Affairs. It is held in Turkish.

After the interview, you will receive a notification by mail about the decision made. The whole process takes from 6 to 18 months.

Additional documents required depending on the visa case

The list of additional documents depends on the method of acquiring Turkish indigenous status.

Citizenship by Investment (pre-application):

• Letter of consent. Issued by a notary. Contains the applicant’s consent to access records of deposits and securities in banks.
• Receipt for payment of the fee. The payment amount is 15 Turkish lira.

Investments in fixed capital:

• Certificate of compliance with current legislation.
• Enclosure: bank receipt from the ministry.
• Information about the company.
• Investment information.
• A copy of the bulletin indicating the structure, capital, etc. of the investment object. Issued in the commercial register
• Certified public accountant's report on capital assets. There must be a receipt from the bank for the transfer of money ($500,000).

Purchase of real estate:

• Certificate of compliance with current legislation.
• Enclosure: extract from the land registry.
• Real estate valuation report. The amount of market value must be indicated (but not less than 250,000).
• A copy of the act of registering the property in the cadastre.

Creation of 50 jobs:

• Certificate of compliance with current legislation.

Depositing funds at a local bank:

• Certificate of compliance with current legislation.
• A copy of the money transfer receipt.
• Confirmation (certificate of deposit) of the purchase of securities.
• A document confirming the provision of security in accounts.

Acquisition of government borrowed funds:

• Certificate of compliance with current legislation. Get it from the Ministry of Finance.
• Confirmation of purchase of a government borrowing instrument. Issued by the bank.
• A document confirming the provision of security in accounts. Issued by the bank.

Repatriation and other special cases:

• Confirmation of ethnic Turkish roots
• Passports of parents and grandparents indicating nationality, archival data, etc.
• Petition form VAT-4 Türk Vatandaşlığının.

Standard naturalization:

• Confirmation of residence in the country for the last five years. Certificate from the provincial directorate.
• Petition form VAT-3 (by place of residence) İkamet Yoluyla (Genel Olarak).
• Petition form VAT-5 Yeniden Türk.

Citizenship through marriage:

• Spouse's passport.
• Originals and copies.
• Marriage certificate.
• Applicant's birth certificate.
• Petition form VAT-6 Evlilik Yoluyla Türk.
• Documentary evidence of married life together. Rental agreements, utility bills, store receipts, etc.
• 4 color photos of the spouse. No older than six months.
• 8 passport photos. All photos must be no older than 6 months and signed on the back.
• Letters of recommendation from two Turkish citizens. The application must contain copies of their passports and contact information.

Turkish residence permit (ikamet): questions and answers

How much time and money do Russians need to obtain a residence permit? What documents are required?

For citizens of different countries (not only Russians) there are two reasons directly related to housing. Firstly, you will be issued a residence permit on the basis of an official rental agreement for an apartment in Turkey. However, it is worth keeping in mind that the authorities of the Republic are not very willing to renew such a residence permit. An easier way to obtain and regularly (without problems!) Renewal of a residence permit is to become the owner of real estate in Turkey. The owner of a home in any Turkish city will also be able to obtain a residence permit for his relatives and friends who come to stay for more than two months.

The processing of your application may take from two to three weeks to a couple of months. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, many bureaucratic processes have slowed down, so an application for a residence permit should be submitted immediately upon arrival, without waiting for the end of the visa-free period. To renew a residence permit, documents and an application must be submitted sixty days before the expiration of the current Ikamet.

Registration of a one-year residence permit in Turkey for one Russian citizen in 2021 costs a total of 250 liras (two-year – 390 liras). The cost consists of the state fee (140 liras per year) and payment for the document itself - a plastic card with an individual number and data of a foreign citizen (110 liras). We recommend that you check the amount of the fee for citizens of other countries (not Russia) with the migration service.

The package of documents required to obtain a Turkish residence permit includes:

• vergi numarası, individual tax number (analogous to the Russian TIN);
• TAPU or notarized apartment rental agreement;
• notarized translation of a foreign passport;
• health insurance;
• receipt of payment of state duty;
• three biometric photographs;

Migration service employees may additionally request documentary evidence of income - in this case, a bank account statement must be attached to the above documents (the reserve of funds should be five hundred dollars per month per person).

Do Turkish authorities check foreigners for residence at the address specified when obtaining or renewing a residence permit?

Yes, they check on a regular basis, as part of checking compliance with the rule of mandatory address registration by foreign citizens. Throughout the Republic, a unified system of electronic document circulation is in place and working well, so all movements of citizens are instantly recorded and are subject to scheduled checks.

Therefore, a foreigner is obliged to live at the address of his apartment in Turkey or at the address specified in the rental agreement. You must notify the migration service about moving to a new address within two weeks, then there will be no problems. How and with what frequency are inspections carried out? Migration Department employees can personally visit the specified address, and can also interview neighbors. The discovery of a violation may result in a fine or even cancellation of the residence permit.

Is it possible to officially find a job in Turkey after receiving a residence permit?

Unfortunately, having a Turkish residence permit does not give the right to legal employment in the territory of the Republic of Turkey: no matter on what basis the ikamet was obtained. To get a job in a Turkish company, you need to obtain a work visa in advance (issued by both the foreign applicant himself and the employer interested in a foreign specialist).

Where to go to renew your residence permit in Turkey?

The most accessible and budget-friendly way to extend a residence permit is to do it yourself, through the website of the local migration service (Göç idaresi). You can submit an application (fill out a form) quickly and easily online, and send a package of documents (with a printout of the completed form) by mail to the address of the migration service office of the city in which the foreigner lives. It is necessary to submit an application and send a package of documents with a questionnaire sixty days before the end date of the current Ikamet.

For those who do not have the opportunity or time to independently renew their residence permit in Turkey (or for those who are hampered by the language barrier), we recommend contacting specialized agencies that provide such services. Contacts of agencies can be found on social networks (in a local group, having received in response many options tested by people in practice). The employees of such agencies are Russian-speaking specialists who will help at all stages of registration: from receiving vergi numarası to collecting and submitting a full package of your documents to the migration authority. The cost of residence permit renewal services in Turkey in 2021 is 150-200 liras.

Another option for extending a residence permit available to buyers of apartments in Turkey is to use the help of the real estate agency that processed the purchase. As a rule, conscientious and reliable agencies offer their customers high-quality after-sales service, which includes assistance with the renewal of a residence permit.

Can a property owner in Turkey issue an Ikamet for his family or friends who come to visit?

When receiving a TAPU (certificate of ownership of real estate) in Turkey, the owner of an apartment or house does not have to worry that only his name is indicated on the document. Your ownership of housing may become the basis for issuing a one-year or two-year ikamet for both immediate and distant relatives (regardless of their citizenship). To obtain a residence permit addressed to friends (not relatives, so-called third parties) living in Turkey, you must provide the migration service with a notarized commitment from the host person. If the “third party” has a spouse, then a similar notarized commitment of the receiving person is also required from him. To do this, you need to register guests at your living space, and then use the registration agreement as the basis for obtaining or extending a residence permit.

Since the beginning of 2021, Turkey has canceled the possibility of obtaining and extending a tourist residence permit for a number of countries. The exceptions were citizens of the European Union, Russia, the USA, China, Japan, Canada, Australia, South Korea, Israel, Chile, Mexico, New Zealand, and Norway. What should citizens of the former CIS countries do if they live in Turkey under a tourist permit?

The abolition of the possibility to extend the tourist residence permit was a temporary measure that the Turkish authorities lifted in September 2020 for citizens of all countries of the world. For those who applied for an extension of a tourist residence permit this year and were refused by the migration service, we recommend re-submitting the application, questionnaire and documents, then paying a fine for late renewal and receiving a new ikamet. Those who entered Turkey this year and did not apply for a tourist residence permit, fearing refusal, can do so now (there is no need to leave, although you will need to pay a fine established by law; for Russians it is about $15 per month of delay). Information about the fine can be obtained by calling the migration service hotline: 157.

Possible refusal or deprivation of citizenship

Denial of citizenship will be guaranteed if it is revealed that the foreigner:

• was a member of armed groups or terrorist groups hostile to Turkey;
• engaged in anti-Turkish propaganda;
• is a military personnel or government official of another state;
• is wanted by Interpol or has an outstanding conviction for the last 10 years;
• provided false documents or false information about himself.

Paid state duty is not refundable. The decision to refuse can be challenged in court by filing an appeal within 2 months from the date of its receipt.

Deprivation of Turkish citizenship is possible for terrorist and anti-state activities. For naturalized Turks, the reason for deprivation of citizenship may also be absence from the country for 5 years.

Required documents and procedure for their submission

The package of documents that must be submitted along with the application varies depending on the chosen method of obtaining citizenship. However, it will definitely include:

• international passport (current and previous);
• birth certificate;
• passport;
• confirmation of the applicant’s legal residence in Turkey for the entire period;
• four photographs;
• confirmation of financial security.

Material security means the level of income (wages, dividends), which will allow, after accepting citizenship, not to use state assistance in the form of social benefits, subsidies, and the like. At the same time, a new Turkish citizen must provide not only for himself, but also for his family. Among the documents that the immigration authorities will require may be a military ID (for those liable for military service), confirmation of the degree of relationship with Turkish citizens, a medical certificate, a certificate of no criminal record in the home country, etc.

Obtaining Turkish citizenship is considered relatively easy

All documents will require translation into Turkish. The translation must be done in an accredited bureau. Also, many of the translated documents must be notarized.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs is responsible for immigration and citizenship issues in Turkey. Documents and petitions should be submitted to the police station at your place of residence. Each of them has a special migration department.

Dual or second citizenship: positions of the Russian Federation and Turkey

Russian legislation does not prohibit citizens of the Russian Federation from having multiple citizenship. But the presence of second or more foreign passports by Russians requires notification of their availability in the prescribed manner. The state considers such persons exclusively as Russian citizens.

At the same time, the legislation does not reject the idea of ​​dual citizenship, but subject to the existence of an appropriate agreement between the Russian Federation and another state. Russia does not recognize dual Turkish citizenship, since no agreements have been concluded in this regard.

The Turkish side allows both dual and second citizenship. An applicant for a Turkish indigenous status is required to indicate all his citizenships current at the time of filing the application (petition form VAT-12 – Çok Vatandaşlık Tescili Başvuru Formu).

The main problem (it concerns primarily men) is that both states require their citizens to fulfill constitutional obligations, including service in the armed forces. To avoid this, many are considering the option of giving up their Russian passport.

Mortgage loan on favorable terms

Both commercial and state-owned banks are willing to issue mortgage loans for real estate in Turkey for foreigners with a residence permit. The process of obtaining a mortgage takes about 3-5 business days. Mortgage loans are issued to people aged 21 to 65 years.

Applying for a home loan provides a fairly simple scheme for obtaining a mortgage for foreigners and this will require a minimum set of documents:

• Applicant's questionnaire.
• International passport and passport of your country.
• Taxpayer registration number.
• Certificate of ownership of the housing being purchased (TAPU).
• Residence permit.
• Certificate of income and taxes paid for the last 12 months (form 2-NDFL).
• Certificate of income received from the main place of work and other certificates of additional income.
• Bank statement of the client's account for the last 6 months.
• Other documents confirming the sources of origin of the individual’s own funds and assets.
• Title documents for real estate in any other country (this facilitates the process of obtaining a mortgage).
• Receipts confirming the absence of debts for utilities, water or electricity. Receipts must be issued in the name of the borrower.

Important! All documents must be prepared in Russian and Turkish!

Turkish banks issue loans to residents from the CIS countries on the following conditions:

• Loan amount: 30-50% of the appraised value of the apartment.
• Down payment: 20 to 30%.
• Maximum loan amount threshold: EUR 250,000.
• Currency: Turkish lira, American dollars, euros, rubles, pounds sterling. Interest rate:

• in Turkish lira –
  11-15%,
• in dollars –
  from 6 to 8% per annum,
• in euros –
  from 6.6-9%,
• in rubles up to 18% per annum. Mortgage term: 1-20 years.

When purchasing real estate in Turkey , a foreigner can apply for a residence permit or Turkish citizenship.

• A residence permit
  when purchasing real estate in Turkey can be issued immediately after concluding a sales contract and receiving a TAPU for the property, regardless of its value. A residence permit is issued for a period of 1-2 years and it can be extended by foreign nationals. After living in the Turkish state for at least 5 years, a citizen can apply for citizenship.
• Turkish citizenship
  is issued to foreigners who have invested $250,000 or more in residential or commercial real estate.

Let's sum it up

In recent years, Turkish citizenship has become more accessible and profitable for Russians. Immigration legislation in Turkey does not stand still. The last important changes occurred in 2017-2018.

They are associated primarily with the desire to attract highly qualified specialists and investors from abroad to Turkey. For these categories, the procedure for acquiring Turkish citizenship has been significantly simplified, and much attention is paid to protecting the interests and rights of foreigners who decide to immigrate to the republic.

In turn, stable economic development, opportunities for business development, a comfortable climate, affordable prices, recognition of multiple citizenship and other factors make Turkey an increasingly profitable option for Russians who want to try their luck abroad.

Advantage one: the ability to quickly move to the USA

The Republic of Turkey successfully manages to attract capital from active citizens of different countries seeking the opportunity to quickly and legally business emigrate to the United States. How does this happen? Obtaining Turkish citizenship for the whole family for investing in real estate today takes only two to three months. Then, new citizens of the Republic can quickly receive a business visa to the United States under the E2 program in their Turkish passport. This visa allows you to permanently live and work on American territory, based on investments in a new or existing business. In the future, an E2 visa makes it possible (if the volume of investment in a business increases to the EB-5 level or up to 900 thousand dollars) to obtain a green card and create ten jobs in the United States.

Over the past few years, professional migration services resources have regularly published articles and studies on how the E2 visa is the future of American residency for foreign investors. The main advantages of this business visa (when compared to the EB-5, a green card for those who invest in the country's economy) are much faster processing of incoming applications, the absence of tax burden and obligations, as well as fewer investment requirements. Every year, the minimum requirements for investors applying for an EB-5 green card are growing, and it is becoming more and more difficult to obtain the coveted document. Therefore, experts in the migration services market predict that the E2 visa, which Turkish citizens can apply for, will in the near future take first place in the market, displacing the long-standing leader - the green card for EB-5 investors.

An important point: the E2 business visa to the USA is negotiable. This means that it can only be issued by citizens of countries that have signed a corresponding treaty on privileged relations with the United States. In 2021, only five countries in the world that have an agreement with the United States on participation in the E2 program will issue citizenship ahead of schedule for investing in real estate. The necessary jurisdiction has: Türkiye, Jordan, Grenada, Montenegro and Moldova. Obviously, Turkey is the most attractive and promising option for acquiring “golden passports” on this list. The option to obtain Jordanian citizenship early requires a minimum real estate investment of $750,000. The program in Moldova has been temporarily suspended indefinitely. The Grenada program requires an investment of $150 thousand, but it is designed for a single applicant, without a family. You can obtain Montenegrin citizenship early for an investment in real estate in the amount of 450 thousand euros and a mandatory charitable contribution to the Country Development Fund (in the amount of 100 thousand euros).

Main advantages of the status

There are clear advantages to relocating to a permanent place of residence in the state. Among them are:

• favorable climatic conditions;
• relatively low unemployment rate;
• the demand for some specialists;
• Availability of available offers for the purchase of real estate.

Moving to Turkey may have some disadvantages, but they vary from person to person. For example, the residents’ commitment to religious norms and rules, which will not be clear to everyone. Turkish citizenship for Russians is available only after living for a period established by law on its territory and correct paperwork.