Turkey has rapidly emerged as a desirable country for Iranians in search of new ventures and businesses concentrating on investments mainly due to its geographical advantage and appealing way of life. To make the process of moving to the country easier for citizens of other countries including Iran, the Turkish authorities have put in place several provisions for the acquisition of Turkish citizenship. This blog identifies the best ways in which Iranian people can obtain Turkish citizenship, and what are the requirements and advantages of this process.
Why Turkish Citizenship Should Be Considered?
Turkish citizenship has many pros, which include:
Travel without Visa:
Holders of Turkish passports do not need visas, and they do not obtain visas on arrival in over 110 countries.
Openness to European Markets:
Thanks to Turkey's good relationship with most European countries, European markets are open to its citizens, which in turn encourages engagement in business ventures.
Charging in Residing Family Members:
Citizenship provision extends to close members of the family which means that husbands and children will also benefit.
Possibility of Holding Dual Citizenship:
Turkey allows its citizens to hold dual citizenship which means that Iranians do not have to lose their original citizenship.
How Iranians Can Get Turkish Citizenship?
Concerning the provision of citizenship to its nationals, the Turkish government has provided several ways for Iranian nationals to select the most suitable according to their needs, capacity to invest, and plans.
Turkish Citizenship by Investment
This is one of the fastest and most popular means for those seeking Turkish citizenship who happen to be Iranians. This program was announced in 2018. Among the Turkish Citizenship by Investment programs other investment options include the following.
Real Estate Investment:
By purchasing real estate property worth no less than $400,000, Iranians can obtain citizenship. This property is required to be kept for a period of not less than three years.
Bank Deposit:
Another alternative is to put $500,000 or more in a Turkish bank for a period of three years.
Government Bonds:
$500,000 or equivalent sum in bonds of the government or a similar type of instrument for a three-year period will also do.
Job Creation:
Foreigners who offer employment to at least 50 citizens of Turkey are granted citizenship.
Obtaining Citizenship using Marriage
Turkish citizenship can be applied for by Iranian individuals who marry a Turkish citizen after three years of marriage. However certain conditions apply:
- The marriage must be real and not just to gain national benefits.
- The partners must cohabitate and be in a committed relationship.
- In case the couple is divorced within this time frame or in case the authorities think of foul play, the application may be revoked.
Obtaining Turkish Citizenship via Naturalization in Turkey
Naturalization is another alternative but it is usually slow and has many requirements. For instance, Iranians who have been living legally on the territory of Turkey for at least five years, with no considerable absences from the country, are eligible to apply for naturalization. However, they must prove:
Turkish Language Proficiency:
A minimum command of Turkish is essential for applicants to be able to assimilate into society.
Ability to Earn:
Showing that the applicant has a reliable source of income or employment in Turkey.
Clean Record:
They generally must have no criminal record in Turkey or the country of origin.
In consideration of risk factors, this, as compared, may take less time, though other requirements differ.
Citizenship for Special Contributions
Those Iranians who have great achievements in such areas as science, technology, culture, or sports may be able to obtain citizenship due to such contributions to Turkey. For this purpose, potential candidates typically need an invitation from a Turkish governmental body, or extensive work experience in the given sphere.
How to Apply Step-by-Step
The steps for acquiring citizenship in Turkey may differ in some instances according to the way one chooses, but generally consist of the following:
Application for Permanent Residence:
Most procedures for applying for citizenship commence with getting a Turkish residence permit, which normally takes a few weeks to get.
Completion of Investment (to Investors):
Finish the process of investment and receive all licenses and evaluations.
Filing of Petition:
The application for citizenship is to be filed with the provincial Directorate of Migration Management in Turkey
Consideration of the Application:
The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Turkey will process the papers and carry out the necessary investigations within a few months.
Decision on the Granting of Citizenship:
Upon granting citizenship, the applicants are given Turkish citizenship, and they are allowed to request for Turkish passport shortly thereafter.
The Benefits for Family
Turkish nationality is also given to the investor’s spouse and children who are under the age of 18. When the primary applicant is granted citizenship, other family members may also apply, making it significantly more appealing for persons interested in migrating with their families.
The Possibility of Maintaining Dual Citizenship
During application, the Turkish authorities permit owning citizenship to twenty other countries. In this case, Iranian applicants do not have to give up their Iranian citizenship. This provision offers the advantage of working and living in Turkey while maintaining strong connections with Iran.
Timeline for Applying for Turkish Citizenship
For Iranian citizens applying through the investment route, the process of obtaining citizenship normally lasts between 3 to 6 months. Naturalization states that it may take much longer bearing in mind the period the applicant has been staying in a given country and other requirements.
Conclusion:
Becoming a citizen of Turkey provides access to a rare synthesis of Eastern and Western culture and lifestyle opportunities. Iranians have many options available to make this need possible, each with differing benefits and prerequisites. To help streamline the process and help guarantee that everything is done properly and meets the criteria, it is advisable to seek the services of Turkish immigration solicitors for their input on how to navigate the application process.
