Turkiye Citizenship by Investment Program

Yes. Turkiye maintains a bilateral E-2 Treaty Investor Visa agreement with the United States. As a Turkish citizen, you are eligible to apply for an E-2 visa, which permits you to live in the US, direct a qualifying business investment, and bring your spouse and dependent children. The E-2 visa is renewable indefinitely as long as the US business remains operational. This makes Turkish citizenship particularly attractive for investors who want both a second passport and a legal pathway to the American market. The E-2 application is separate from the CBI process and requires a substantial investment in a US-based enterprise.

The most popular route — real estate — requires a minimum purchase of USD $400,000, confirmed by independent appraisal. The bank deposit and capital investment routes each require USD $500,000. The job creation route requires employing at least 50 Turkish nationals. Real estate investments can combine multiple properties to reach the threshold, and properties in any Turkish city are eligible provided they are confirmed by the Land Registry.

The typical timeline from investment completion to citizenship grant is three to six months. This includes obtaining the conformity certificate, residency permit, security screening, and presidential decree. Well-prepared applications with clear documentation tend to be processed within three to four months. The timeline does not include the property search and purchase phase, which varies by investor.

The property must be held for a minimum of three years from the date of title deed transfer. During this period, an annotation on the deed prevents resale. After three years, the annotation is removed and the property can be sold freely without any impact on your citizenship status. Turkish citizenship, once granted, is permanent and is not affected by the subsequent sale of the qualifying investment.

Yes. Your spouse and children under 18 are automatically included in the citizenship application at no additional investment cost. Adult children over 18 are not eligible to be included as dependants and would need to apply independently. There is no option to include parents or siblings in the Turkish program, which is more limited in family coverage than Caribbean CBI programs.

No. There is no physical residency requirement after Turkish citizenship is granted. While a short-term residency permit is obtained as part of the application process, there is no ongoing obligation to live in or regularly visit Turkiye. You are free to reside anywhere in the world while maintaining your Turkish citizenship and passport.

Yes. Turkiye fully recognises dual citizenship. Acquiring Turkish nationality does not require renouncing your existing citizenship, and there is no limit on the number of citizenships you may hold simultaneously. This provides maximum flexibility for investors managing international affairs across multiple jurisdictions.

Istanbul is the most popular choice, offering the strongest rental yields, highest capital appreciation potential, and deepest property market. Antalya and the Turkish Riviera are favoured for holiday properties with tourism rental income. Ankara provides value-oriented investment in the political capital. Izmir and Bodrum also attract significant interest. The choice depends on your objectives — whether maximising rental return, personal use, long-term appreciation, or a combination. Our advisory team can help identify the right city and property type for your profile.

Yes. The program is codified in Turkish law under the Turkish Citizenship Law (Article 12) and administered by official government agencies including the Ministry of Interior and the General Directorate of Land Registry. All applicants undergo security screening by Turkish intelligence services. Turkiye is a NATO member, a G20 economy, and a candidate for EU membership, providing strong institutional and legal frameworks. Citizenship, once granted by presidential decree, is permanent and irrevocable.