Foreigners who wish to be Turkish citizens can apply via general routes if they do not meet the exceptional criteria or conditions.
How can I become a Turkish Citizen?
Every foreigner who wants to become a Turkish citizen can acquire citizenship in the general way, if they do not meet the conditions of marriage, adoption or exceptional means of obtaining Turkish citizenship.
Within the framework of the general acquisition of citizenship by the decision of the competent authority, the foreigner must meet the conditions sought in the law on the date of application. However, the existence of these conditions does not necessarily mean that the foreigner will be granted Turkish citizenship.
What are the Requirements to Obtain Turkish Citizenship Through General Routes?
The following conditions are sought in the acquisition of citizenship in the general way by the decision of the competent authority. The person applying for citizenship,
To be mature and have mental competence according to his own national law, and if he is stateless, according to Turkish law,
Have been residing in Turkey for five consecutive years, backwards from the date of application,
Confirming with his/her behavior that he/she has decided to settle in Turkey,
Not have a disease that poses a danger to general health,
have good morals,
Can speak Turkish adequately,
-Having an income or profession to provide for himself/herself and his/her dependents in Turkey,
It should not be in a situation that would constitute an obstacle in terms of national security and public order.
What are the Required Documents for Application to Turkish Citizenship via General Routes?
A file consisting of the following documents is prepared by the application authorities on behalf of the foreigner who has applied to acquire Turkish citizenship:
Application Form
2 biometric photographs, 50x60 mm in size, on a white background, without a pattern, determined by ICAO and can be read in the machine,
Passport or similar document showing which state the person is a citizen of, and if it is stateless, the relevant document if it is possible to obtain it.
A document showing the identity of the person, such as a birth certificate or an extract of civil registry.
Marital status document and marriage certificate if married, document proving divorce if divorced, spouse's death certificate if widowed
A health report stating that the person does not have a disease that will pose a danger to general health.
Work permit, tax plate, undertaking or similar document proving his income or profession, indicating that he/she and his/her dependents make a living in Turkey.
A document showing the dates of entry and exit from the country, to be obtained from the provincial police directorate, stating that you have been residing in Turkey for five years without interruption, backwards from the date of application.
Residence permit for a period of time sufficient to finalize the citizenship procedures from the date of application.
If there is a finalized court decision due to any crime, a certified copy of it.
If the person's date of birth does not have a month and day, the document obtained from the competent authorities of the country for the completion of the date of birth, and if the document cannot be obtained, the signed statement that he accepts the action in accordance with Article 39 of the Civil Registry Services Law No. 5490.
A receipt showing that the service fee has been paid.
As a rule, official documents issued by foreign authorities must be ratified in accordance with international conventions and laws.
It is sufficient for foreigners who want to acquire Turkish citizenship to submit documents such as diplomas and passports, which are submitted by foreign authorities at the time of application, to be translated into Turkish and notarized.
Where deemed necessary, the approval of the originality of residence permits can also be made by the provincial directorates.
How to Apply for Turkish Citizenship via General Routes?
Citizenship application in the general way is done as follows:
Applications are made to the governorate where the foreigners residence is located, in person or with a special power of attorney regarding the exercise of this right. Applications made by post will not be accepted. A special power of attorney is required for applications made with a lawyer. It is not necessary to come in person for applications made with a special power of attorney.
Applications for citizenship of minors or incapable of discernment are made by their parents or guardians. All family information must be attached to the application form.
Foreigner identification number is taken as a basis for applications and transactions.
As the application date, the date on which the foreigner's application form is registered by the application authority is taken as a basis.
How to Calculate Residence Duration? Is It Mandatory to Stay in Turkey for 5 Full Years?
The foreigner who wants to acquire Turkish citizenship can stay outside of Turkey for a total of six months during the residence period. The total period not exceeding six months spent outside of Turkey is considered within the stipulated residence period.
If the foreigner spends more than six months in total outside of Turkey during the residence period or stays in Turkey for more than six months without a valid residence permit or without obtaining a residence permit, the residence period is cut off and the residence periods before this date are not taken into account.
Persons who do not have a legal residence permit or who do not show their intention to settle in Turkey although it is legal, asylum seekers, students, tourists, accompaniment to their child in education, with a residence permit obtained for purposes such as treatment or residence permit of persons residing in Turkey for diplomatic reasons periods are not considered as valid residence in the acquisition of Turkish citizenship.
In the event that a foreigner residing in Turkey for reasons of residence that is not accepted in the acquisition of Turkish citizenship subsequently residing in Turkey for a reason deemed valid, the previous residence periods are also taken into account. This provision does not apply to those who are in Turkey with a residence permit for touristic purposes.