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Obtaining of Turkish Citizenship through Government Bonds

The stage of obtaining Turkish citizenship through government bonds is one of the most popular topics of interest today.Foreign investors can apply for Turkish citizenship by purchasing government bonds. Let's always together clarify Turkish citizenship by government bonds.

Turkish citizenship procedure by government bonds contains a government debt instrument of at least 500,000 USD (US Dollars) or a foreign currency or Turkish lira equivalent, provided these bonds hold for a minimum of three (3) years. 

It is possible to invest in government debt instruments in nine different ways. Government bonds are one of these debt instruments for Turkish citizenship.
The debt securities issued by the government to provide periodical financing, with a maturity of 1 year or longer from the date of issue, are called government bonds. The government bonds are issued by the Treasury through the Central Bank and can be invested through banks. If the sum of government bonds and other debt instruments and investments made through one or more banks established in Turkey and/or in different time periods provide 500,000 USD or an equivalent foreign currency exchange rate, they can be subject to Turkish citizenship applications by placing a three-year blockage commitment.

In addition, the fact that government bonds or other debt instruments were purchased before the relevant Legislation is issued will not be an obstacle to Turkish citizenship transactions. However, the period from the investment date is not contained in the commitment period. In the calculation procedure, the effective selling rate of the CBRT on the date of the transaction is taken into account for each of the government bonds purchased on different dates. If 500,000 USD or an equivalent exchange rate is ensured as a result of the calculation, then Turkish citizenship procedures can be applied with a 3-year commitment to each transaction. Changes in exchange rates after the purchase date will not influence the investment amount. Moreover, the blockage put on the last investment in gradual investments is considered as the beginning of the commitment period.

Files of investors who purchased 500,000 USD worth of government bonds and applied for a 3-year block are transferred through banks and sent to the Ministry of Treasury. In this point, the aim is to obtain a certificate of conformity. Investors who have been given a certificate of conformity can make official applications to obtain Turkish citizenship. There is no need to wait for a 3-year blockage period in order to apply for Turkish citizenship. After achieving the certificate of conformity, the application is made and even finalized.
If the foreign person who is entitled to Turkish citizenship removes the blockage before the expiry of the commitment period, the situation is reported to the relevant ministry by the banks. The Turkish citizenship of the person is canceled.
The 3-year commitment period does not restrict the investor from the gains of his investment. During this period, the investors are entitled and can use their rental interest etc. The blocking only prevents the use of the capital. In addition, it is possible to change between investment types during the 3-year period. This transition is admitted both in terms of government debt instruments and other investment methods.

Instruments of Government Bond for Turkish Citizenship


The market of debt instruments contains the target of converting the prices at which investors will invest in fixed-income securities into cash at any time by determining the prices in the competitive environment of the market. There are nine different public debt instruments for Turkish citizenship. These are:
  • Asset and Mortgage Covered Securities
  • Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey Liquidity Bills
  • Commercial Papers
  • Government Debt Securities
  • Income-Indexed Bonds
  • Revenue Partnership Bonds
  • Bank Bills
  • Private Sector Bonds
  • Asset and Mortgage Backed Securities

Moreover, pursuant to subparagraph (d) of Article 20 of the relevant regulation, foreign investors holding at least USD 500,000 worth of government bonds listed above under their responsibility will be entitled to Turkish citizenship application. In order for the investor to be entitled to Turkish citizenship within the framework of the regulation, they must have the relevant participation shares uninterrupted for three years from the date the minimum investment condition is determined.

Conditions of Obtaining Turkish citizenship by Government Bonds

The situations in which Turkish citizenship is granted to foreign investors include general conditions as explained in Turkish law. These general conditions are:

  1. The foreign person should be one of the nationalities covered by the law (especially with regard to the purchase of real estate).
  2. The bonds must meet the declared financial value in each case
  3. The integrity of the personal data of the investors and their families (wife and children under the age of 18) when submitted.
  4. A pledge to fulfill the investment period three years before reselling or withdrawing
  5. The money used in the investment must be transferred from abroad
  6. The foreign person does not pose a threat to Turkish national security

Stages of Obtaining Turkish Citizenship by Government Bonds

Obtaining Turkish citizenship by government bonds goes in several stages.

  • Meeting the requirements for the program: Investor who buy at least USD 500,000 or equivalent foreign currency or Turkish lira worth of government bonds with the condition that they cannot be sold for at least three years, as attested by the Ministry of Treasury and Finance, obtain the right to apply for Turkish citizenship in an exceptional way.
  • Necessary documents: In addition to standard documents, e.g. a questionnaire, a copy of a passport, confirmation of payment of state fees and photos, you will added:
  • A police clearance document
  • A notarized permit for the processing of the investor's data by local officials. Thanks to it, government departments will have access to information about investor’s bank accounts, assets, and real estate.
  • Documents confirming the investments: These documents can contain a certificate of conformity from the cadastral service, a market assessment report, an extract from a bank or investment fund. All foreign documents must be translated into Turkish. They should be notarized and apostilled.
  • Achieving a short-term residence permit: This document is issued without any problems. It is enough to indicate the purpose: to obtain Turkish citizenship by government bonds.
  • Applying for Turkish citizenship at the Turkish registry office or at the embassy abroad. To the package of necessary documents, you must add a copy of the residence permit and submit biometric data. The citizenship application is considered within three months. During this time, the documents are examined by the Turkish Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the decision on granting citizenship will be signed by the president.
  • Take a Turkish passport: The applicant of citizenship comes to Turkey and receives a passport. If this condition is not possible, the documents can be obtained by a lawyer.

After applicants of Turkish citizenship have chosen the government bonds option, a residence permit application shall be made on the family’s behalf. The key applicant is then required to open a bank account in Turkey. Once all necessary documents have been prepared (including applicable certifications and translations), the investment can be completed and the documents submitted to the government. Once the application has been received by the government, the review process will begin and an interview might be requested. Applications are usually approved within 120 days, following which the citizenship documents are issued. The passport application might then be submitted.

The Procedures and the Documents Required Obtaining Turkish Citizenship by Government Bonds

A foreign person who has purchased Turkish Government bonds that are worth at least US$ 500,000 (or the equivalent in another currency) is entitled to apply for citizenship of the country on the condition that the bonds will remain in his/ her possession for three years. Foreign investor has to perform the following actions in order to become a full citizen of Turkey:

  • First, you apply to the Ministry of Finance for a conformity certificate. The Ministry officers will inform you about the documents that the investor has to bring in order to obtain the certificate. Then, you apply to one of the authorized state bodies (a Civil Status Registration Department or an embassy) for citizenship of Turkey while bringing all the documents specified including the conformity certificate.
  • The state body that the candidate for Turkish citizenship has applied to will consider the application. The application for Turkish citizenship can be signed and submitted by personally or via an authorized agent acting on a power of attorney.
  • Documents required for obtaining Turkish citizenship by purchasing government bonds:
  • Conformity document: It can be received from the Ministry of Finance upon submission of the documents that the Ministry will request.
  • A document that certifies the buying of government bonds of the required worth: This can be obtained from the bank through which the payment has been made or from an intermediary company.
  • A document certifying the registration of the account when the government bonds are deposited: It can be achieved from the bank or from an intermediary company.

About Turkish Citizenship by Investment Program

Established in 2017, the Turkey Citizenship by Investment Scheme ensures one of the fastest and simplest ways to secure a second passport. After initially setting the investment threshold at US $1,000,000 the Turkish government reduced it to US $250,000 in 2019 to make the CBI more attractive. Then the Turkish government issued a decision in April 2022 to raise the minimum real estate investment value to US $400,000.

Application of Turkish citizenship process is straightforward and you can become the proud holder of a Turkish passport within as little as six months. A wide several of investment options are available including US $400,000 investment in real estate, US $500,000 cash deposit at a Turkish bank, US $500,000 cash purchase of government bonds, or the creation of 50 jobs in Turkey. For example, you can become a Turkish citizen by purchasing government bonds.

Where to Achieve Certificate of Eligibility for Turkey Investor Visa?

To receive a certificate of eligibility in Turkey, investors must apply to the following institutions (based on the nature of their investment):

  • Investment in real estate: It depends on the Turkish Land Registry and Cadaster of the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization.
  • A capital investment: This depends on Incentive Application and Foreign Capital of the Turkish Ministry of Industry and Technology.
  • A deposit in a Turkish bank account: This type of investment depends on the Department of Financial Consumer Relations of the Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency.
  • Investment of government bonds: It is related to the Turkish Ministry of Treasury and Finance.
  • Purchasing real estate investment fund share or venture capital investment fund share: This connected to the Department of the Brokerage Activities of the Capital Markets Board of Turkey.
  • Establishing a company that will employ at least 50 people: It is related to the General Directorate of International Labor of the Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Services.


Conclusion

Turkey is an excellent country located in Western Asia and is a country. This country shares a border with Greece, Bulgaria, Georgia, Armenia, Iraq and Syria. Turkey is located in both Europe and Asia where 97% of the country is placed in Asia. Turkey is a country famous and delicious for its cuisine. Moreover, it has a rich history. Citizenship in Turkey can be obtained by investing in real estate, government bonds or making a bank deposit.


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Yildirim Ozden - Managing Director
Yildirim Ozden
Managing Director
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