FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Table of Contents

✓ What are the required documents for  application?

  • Title deed of the property or district, block, parcel, building, detached section information
  • ID/Passport (With the translation if required)
  • “Property Valuation Report” taken from the valuation foundations listed in the webpage of Council of Bank Audit and Regulation (https://www.bddk.org.tr/Kuruluslar- Kategori/Bankalara-Degerleme-Hizmeti-Vermeye-Yetkili-Kuruluslar/11).
  • Mandatory earthquake insurance policy for buildings (house, office, etc..)
  • 1 photograph of the buyer, and 2 photographs of the seller (within last 6 months, sized 6×4)
  • Property’s “Current Market Value Document” from the municipality
  • Tax number,
  • Bank-approved transfer receipts (May be submitted pre-sale or post-sale)
  • Certified translator for the party who does not know Turkish (appointed by the Region Judicial Commission)
  • If there is representation, the document regarding the representation (If operated through letter of proxy that is issued abroad, clauses that are required by the notice numbered 2015/5 (1767) must be moved.)

✓ How is the value required for citizenship on the title deed determined?

It is based on the market value that is stated in the valuation report. Selling price on the title deed cannot be lower than the price in the valuation report. The transaction is based on the most recent effective selling rate shared by the Central Bank.

✓ How is the valuation report obtained and does it have a validity period?

“Property Valuation Report” may be taken from the valuation foundations listed in the webpage of Council of Bank Audit and Regulation (https://www.bddk.org.tr/Kuruluslar- Kategori/Bankalara-Degerleme-Hizmeti-Vermeye-Yetkili-Kuruluslar/11). The issuance date of the valuation report that is submitted during the acquisition application must be within three months at most prior to the application date. Mentioned valuation report will be valid throughout the acquisition process.

✓ How should the cost of the property be transferred?

It is possible to make the transfer from abroad or through domestic banks using foreign currencies or equivalent TL amount. The payment of the cost from the buyer’s account and the reception of the cost by the seller’s account must be certified via bank-approved receipts.

✓ What should be done to acquire “Certificate of Conformity”?

To obtain exceptional citizenship through property acquisition, after the 3-year commitment deal of not selling the property, transaction documents are sent from Directorate of Land Registry to General Directorate of Land Registers / Head of Foreign Affairs Department. (It is the mode of administration after the notice numbered 2018/12 (1791) and dated 15.10.2018. Before this date, acquisition processes were carried out through monitoring of the authorities.)

Head of Department of Foreign Affairs issues the “Certificate of Conformity”. Then, it is sent to the Directorate General of Migration Management and Directorate General of Civil Registration and Citizenship Affairs for action via cover letter; and to the addressee for information via e-mail. After the obtaining of the “Certificate of Conformity”, the application to the Provincial Administration of Migration Management for the residence permit, and the application to the Directorate General/Provincial of Civil Registration and Citizenship Affairs for citizenship are made.

✓ Is it possible to apply for exceptional Turkish citizenship through previously purchased property?

It is possible to apply for citizenship provided that the property bought between the dates 12.01.2017-18.09.2018 are valued at least at 1.000.000$; and after 19.09.2018 are valued at least at 250.000$. Real estate bought before 12.01.2017 are excluded.

✓ Is it possible to apply for exceptional Turkish citizenship through joint-owned property?

It is possible to apply for citizenship provided that the property share bought between the dates 12.01.2017-18.09.2018 are valued at least at 1.000.000$; and after 19.09.2018 are valued at least at 250.000$.

✓ Can the number of properties bought to obtain Turkish citizenship be more than one?

There is not a limit for the number of properties bought. It is, however, required for the total value of the properties bought between the dates 12.01.2017-18.09.2018 to be at least 1.000.000$; and after 19.09.2018 to be at least 250.000$.

✓Is it a necessity to buy all the properties at the same time?

No. It is possible to apply through different property purchases made at separate times. It is, however, required for the total value of the properties bought between the dates 12.01.2017-18.09.2018 to be at least 1.000.000$; and after 19.09.2018 to be at least 250.000$.

✓What should be the type of the property?

The type of the property does not matter. It could be house, office, land, field yard, etc.

✓ How should the valuation report that is to be obtained for properties after the obtaining of the title deed be issued?

For the properties of which title deed is obtained, if there is the requirement for commitment for 3-year not selling, the property valuation report that shows the value of the property during the date of acquisition is required.

✓ Can foreigners who own or partially own a foreign-capital company apply for citizenship through corporate-owned property?

They cannot, because the right to citizenship through real estate purchase is only available for real persons.

✓ Does it matter from whom the property is bought during the citizenship application process?

The property of acquisition must not be registered under the name of the applicant’s spouse or children or any other foreign real person. The property cannot be one that is transferred after 12.01.2017 by the applicant themselves, their spouse or children.

✓ Is it possible to sell the property before the annotation (3 years) in the title deed is expired?

It is possible, however, Directorate General of Civil Registration and Citizenship Affairs will be informed by Directorate of Land Registry about this particular incident and the incident will be re-evaluated.

✓ Is it possible to still apply for citizenship if the purchased property is mortgaged?

It is possible, however, under these circumstances, during the determination of value, mortgaged sum will be deducted from the total, and the remaining price will be taken into account. (Remaining value must meet the requirements.)

✓ Is it possible to apply for citizenship if the property is bought through a real estate loan?

Amount of loan that is withdrawn from the bank is deducted from the total sum, and the remaining value must meet the requirements.

✓ Is it possible to apply for property purchases for exceptional Turkish citizenship by proxy?

It is possible provided that the particularity is clearly stated in the proxy.

✓ Is it possible to apply for exceptional Turkish citizenship if the property is bought from a foreign-capitalized Turkish company?

It is possible. What matters in this situation is that the applicant meets the requirements of purchase.