Required Documents and Checklist for Turkish Citizenship by Investment Application

Essential Documents for Turkish Citizenship by Investment

Acquiring Turkish citizenship through investment is a structured legal process. To ensure a smooth application, you must prepare a comprehensive dossier of documents. These documents verify your identity, the legality of your investment, and your family status. Errors in paperwork are the most common cause of delays or rejections.

Phase 1: Pre-Investment and Property Purchase Documents

Before you can apply for citizenship, you must complete your investment. If you are choosing the real estate route, you need specific documents to finalize the property purchase and meet the government's criteria.

Passport and Identification

You need a valid passport. A sworn translator in Turkey must translate it into Turkish, and a Notary Public must certify it. Ensure your passport has at least six months of validity remaining.

Turkish Tax Identification Number

Every investor needs a Turkish Tax ID. You can obtain this from any local tax office or apply online through the Interactive Tax Office website. This number is required to open a bank account and register the property title deed.

Foreign Exchange Document (Döviz Alım Belgesi)

As of 2022, investors must sell their foreign currency to the Central Bank of Turkey through a local bank before the property purchase. The bank will issue a "Foreign Exchange Document." This document proves that the investment amount entered the country in foreign currency and was converted to Turkish Lira for the transaction.

Real Estate Valuation Report

You must obtain a property appraisal report from a company authorized by the Capital Markets Board (SPK). This report confirms that the property's market value meets the minimum investment threshold (currently $400,000). The report is valid for three months from the date of issue.

Phase 2: Obtaining the Certificate of Conformity

Once the investment is complete, you must apply for a Certificate of Conformity (Uygunluk Belgesi). This document is issued by the relevant authority depending on your investment type:

• Real Estate: Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change.
• Bank Deposit: Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency (BRSA).
• Capital Investment: Ministry of Industry and Technology.

This certificate confirms that your investment officially qualifies for the citizenship program.

Phase 3: Residency Permit for Citizenship Applicants

Before the final citizenship filing, the main applicant must hold a valid short-term residence permit (under Article 31/J of Law No. 6458). This is a special category for investors. You do not need to reside in Turkey to maintain this permit, but it must be active during the citizenship application process.

Phase 4: Final Citizenship Application (VAT-4) Checklist

The final stage involves submitting the VAT-4 application form to the Provincial Directorate of Census and Citizenship. This stage includes the main applicant, their spouse, and children under 18.

Personal and Family Documents

• Application Form (VAT-4): The official request form for citizenship.
• Birth Certificates: Required for all family members included in the application. They must show the names of both parents.
• Marital Status Documents: Marriage certificates, divorce decrees, or death certificates of a spouse.
• Family Record/Certificate: A document proving the link between the main applicant, spouse, and children.
• Biometric Photos: Two photos for each person (50x60 mm, white background, ICAO compliant).

Criminal Record Clearance

Applicants must provide a clean criminal record from their country of origin and any country they have resided in for the last five years. In some cases, Turkish authorities may also pull a local record.

Legalization and Translation Requirements

All documents issued outside of Turkey must undergo a specific legalization process to be recognized by Turkish authorities.

The Apostille Process

If your country is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, you must get an Apostille stamp on your original documents (birth certificates, marriage certificates, etc.). If your country is not a member, you must legalize the documents through your Ministry of Foreign Affairs and then the Turkish Embassy or Consulate in that country.

Notarized Turkish Translations

Once the legalized documents arrive in Turkey, they must be translated into Turkish by a sworn translator. After translation, a Turkish Notary Public must certify them. Only then are they ready for submission.

Power of Attorney (POA)

Most investors choose to complete this process through a legal representative. A Power of Attorney allows your lawyer to handle the tax ID, bank account opening, property purchase, and citizenship submission on your behalf. This POA must be issued at a Turkish Embassy abroad or a Notary Public within Turkey.

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