Immigration to Turkey

A very hospitable country to foreigners. Any real estate transaction here gives you the right to a residence permit, and purchase of some realty immediately leads to citizenship. A Turkish passport not only allows you to move to Turkey, but also simplifies immigration to the United States and the United Kingdom. And what is especially pleasant, the local authorities allow dual citizenship, which means that you will not have to renounce citizenship obtained at birth. 

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Advantages of Moving to Turkey

Turkey has become famous as a tourist paradise: sun, sea, fruit, excellent service. For those who plan to move to the country for a long time, this also matters. Another significant advantage is low prices, and this applies to the cost of living, and to the purchase of real estate. Those who moved to Turkey, praise the developed infrastructure, good medicine, security, favorable conditions for business.

The country is loyal to foreigners, many Turks speak English. Children can be sent to English kindergartens and schools.

Possible Disadvantages

For Europeans, many things in Turkey may seem unusual. First of all, you need to take into account the fact that this is a Muslim country with its own rules.

Another significant disadvantage is the high level of unemployment and difficulties in finding employment for foreigners. Much will depend on the specialization and knowledge of the Turkish language.

The Turkish bureaucracy also must be mentioned with an unkind word, but in terms of issuing a residence permit, officials work fast.

How to Move to Turkey?

The standard method of immigration is to move to the country with a residence permit (in Turkish it is called "İkamet"), then get permanent residence, and subsequently citizenship. Therefore, the first step for someone who is heading for a sunny country will be to determine the basis for a residence permit. There are several of them, but, for example, to obtain a residence permit on the basis of real estate you need decent funds, and for a residence permit by marriage you need a future husband or wife in the country. Therefore, more common options are to find a job or go to university in Turkey.

Step-by-step Immigration Process

Getting a residence permit

A mandatory stage for most foreigners. An exception is made for buyers of expensive real estate, they can get citizenship immediately. The application for a residence permit is submitted electronically, through a special website of the Turkish Migration Service.

After filling in the main contact details, the system will generate a list of documents, determine the amount of the fee and the date of the interview.

General requirements

  • No criminal record in the country of permanent residence.
  • Compliance with the laws in Turkey.
  • The presence of permanent residence in Turkey.
  • The lack of dangerous diseases.

General documents

  1. A valid international passport.
  2. 4 photos.
  3. A filled application form.
  4. Medical insurance.
  5. Certificate of no criminal record.
  6. Confirmation of the residential address.
  7. Bank statement (required for most options).

Foreign language documents must be translated into Turkish and notarized.

Costs and terms

The official deadline for reviewing documents is 1 month, but in practice it often stretches to 2 or even 3 months.

Fees and duties are in the range of $50-100.

The reasons for the refusal

  • Errors in the documents, incomplete applications, inaccurate information.
  • Insufficient funds, lack of housing.
  • Criminal record, violation of the laws of Turkey.
  • Involvement in terrorist groups or conducting anti-state activities against Turkey.

Obtaining permanent residence

Permanent residence, or "long-term residence permit" is issued to those who have lived in the country for a long time in compliance with the laws and immigration rules. In general, it can be claimed after 8 years of residence, the period is reduced for the spouses of Turkish citizens. At the same time, the period of stay in the country for a student residence permit is divided into two when calculating the length of service. The main condition is the availability of means of subsistence. At the same time, they usually focus on an income of at least the minimum wage. In 2020, it is about $400 a month. The applicant should not apply for assistance from the state within the last three years. You will also need to know Turkish.

Documents

  • Passport of the applicant and their parents.
  • The application.
  • Residence permit (it must be valid for at least another 6 months).
  • 2 photos.
  • Proof of sufficient income to live on.
  • Certificate of knowledge of Turkish.
  • Certificate of no criminal record.
  • Proof of legal residence in the country for the last 8 years.
  • Documents on marital status.
  • Medical insurance.
  • Medical certificate.

Citizenship

In general, it can be obtained after 5 years of residence in the country. The term is reduced to 3 years for the spouses of Turkish citizens. To get it, you need to know the Turkish language, not violate the law, have a permanent source of income (work) and a place of residence. Turkey allows a second citizenship, so there is no need to give up the first passport.

Ways of immigration to Turkey

Short-term Residence Permit

This is a residence permit for up to one year. It is issued to those who can confirm that they have sufficient funds to live in the country. The purposes of your stay can be different - tourism, study (science), business, medical treatment, visiting relatives, etc.

Documents

  • Justification of the purpose of the visit (a letter from the Ministry of Culture or a university, real estate documents, an invitation from a partner from a Turkish company, etc.).
  • Confirmation of financial independence.

Family Residence Permit

A Turkish citizen or a holder of a residence permit who has lived in the country for at least a year can invite the next of kin to the country – a spouse and minor children, as well as adult dependent children. To do so, they will need to confirm the availability of housing for the family in the property or rent and the required level of income: each family member must account for at least 1/3 of the minimum wage and at least 1 minimum wage in total.

A family residence permit is granted for a period of up to two years, if the main applicant has a residence permit. If you have citizenship, then for three years. After that, you can make a request for permanent residence.

Documents

  • Proof of kinship: birth certificate, marriage certificate.
  • Certificate of absence of dangerous infectious diseases.
  • The official address.
  • Certificate of absence of criminal record of adult applicants and the main applicant.

Marriage

Getting married to a Turkish citizen is one of the most popular ways to move to the country. Marriage can be concluded in any country, but marriage in Turkey gives a foreigner advantages: the residence permit is issued faster, and the status is maintained even in the case of divorce. For this category of foreigners, the waiting period for citizenship is much shorter, only 3 years. The main thing is that the marriage is real, and not fictitious.

Residence Permit For Work

Those who want to come to Turkey for a permanent job must first find a job and sign a contract with an employer. The advantage will be for those who speak Turkish or at least English, have a sought-after qualification, and can confirm a diploma.

With an employment contract, you can already apply to the consulate for a work permit and an entry work visa. A valid work permit in Turkey can be used as a residence permit. In other words, in addition to apply for İkamet is not required.

Also, a working residence permit is obtained by those who intend to conduct business in Turkey.

Documents

  • Contract for work in Turkey.
  • Application from the employer.
  • Diploma / certificate, translated into Turkish and notarized.
  • Company certificate indicating the type of activity.

Residence Permit for Property Owners

A residence permit in Turkey can be obtained by a buyer of real estate of any value. If it is planned that the whole family will live in the country, as a rule, they formalize shared ownership of all relatives. This status is designed primarily for those who purchase housing for a long vacation and do not plan to work. A work permit with him must be requested separately. In addition, those who are absent from Turkey for more than 6 months a year will have their status revoked. If the property remains in your possession, you can, of course, get it again, but the countdown of your stay in the country will start from zero.

A residence permit is given for a period of six months to two years.

Documents

  • A TIN (taxpayer identification number).
  • A bank statement indicating the availability of funds for life (at the rate of $6,000 per year per person).
  • A copy of the TAPU.
  • A certificate from the Cadastral Office that the TAPU is valid.

Buyers of real estate worth from €250,000 can immediately count on citizenship.

Companies working with immigration programs to Turkey

Residence Permit Based on Business or Investment

Turkey welcomes those who develop its economy, but strictly ensures that business is real. The applicant for a residence permit will need to open an account in a Turkish bank, rent an office in the country and organize employee positions. Company registration takes only a couple of weeks. A residence permit on this basis can be obtained for 5 years, the spouses and children of the applicants also have the right to it.

Documents

  • Registration documents for the company.
  • A certificate from the tax authorities, a bank statement.
  • For investors - certificates of investments made.

Residence Permit for Study

A student residence permit can be issued for the entire period of study. It applies to students of universities, colleges and full-time language courses in Turkey. The peculiarity of this residence permit is that it does not give the student's relatives an automatic right to a family residence permit. However, the student's spouse and children will be able to obtain a residence permit on preferential terms. International students can work, but they will need to obtain a permit to do so. After graduation, you can get a short-term residence permit for employment. If a student or graduate finds a permanent job in Turkey, they can also apply for permanent residence.

Documents

  • An invitation from the university.
  • Contract with the university (tuition must be paid).
  • Information about the address of residence.

Residence Permit for Medical Treatment

Turkish medicine has a good reputation, and arrival for treatment is a sufficient basis for obtaining a residence permit. Its validity period will correspond to the duration of treatment. Up to two accompanying persons can receive a residence permit together with the patient.

Documents

  • A contract with a medical institution confirming the purpose of the visit and the duration of treatment.
  • Medical certificates.

Residence Permit on the Basis of Tourism

Those who want to stay in the country for longer than the standard allowed 3 months can request a residence permit on the basis of tourism. It is issued for a period of up to a year. Tourist İkamet has a number of restrictions: it does not give the right to work, and the possibility of extension may be in question.

Features of Immigration for Pensioners

Turkey is an attractive place for pensioners, but the country does not have a separate program for this category of foreigners. They can move and apply for a residence permit on general grounds for family reunification, buying real estate, medical treatment, tourism, etc.

Older foreigners receive bonuses such as no requirement to study Turkish for permanent residence and various benefits like large discounts on medicines, etc.

Older people can transfer their pension to Turkey and show it as proof of their source of income.

Residence Permit for Humanitarian Reasons

People who are persecuted at home or are in a difficult situation can get refugee status and a residence permit in Turkey for up to 1 year. It will not be counted in the length of service for obtaining permanent residence.

A separate category includes those who have suffered from human trafficking. They get a short-term residence permit for 1 month. During this time, they can file a lawsuit against the attacker. The residence permit can be extended, but not for more than 3 years in total. If it turns out that the relationship between the perpetrator and the victim was or subsequently became voluntary, the residence permit will be cancelled.

Documents

  • If possible, the applicant must provide evidence that he or she has been persecuted in his or her home country or has been a victim of human trafficking.
  • For refugees, the submission of the address of residence (asylum) is also required.

Citizenship for Property Owners

Buyers of housing worth more than $250,000 can count on obtaining citizenship under an accelerated procedure. The investor and their next of kin will be able to obtain Turkish passports in a few months.

Documents

  • The TAPU (certificate of ownership of real estate).
  • A valid residence permit in Turkey.
  • The contract of purchase and sale of the property.
  • Land plot development plan (if development is planned).
  • A building permit.
  • Income statement.
  • Documents on the performance of financial investment obligations (uygunluk belgesi) from the Main Department of Tapu and Cadastre.
 

Immigration programs to Turkey

Turkey
Turkey Citizenship by Investment - Real Estate
Citizenship For 3 months
from 400 000 $
Turkey
Residence Permit In Turkey - Real Estate
Residence permit For 2 months
from 50 000 $

Companies working with immigration programs to Turkey

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