Foreigners & Citizenship Law
Advice is provided on residence and work permit applications, the acquisition of Turkish citizenship, and foreigners' investments and real estate acquisitions in Türkiye.
Representation is offered in challenges against deportation and administrative detention decisions, and in international protection claims.
Services in This Area
- Short-term, family and student residence permit applications and renewals
- Work permit applications, extensions and exceptional work permit processes
- Management of Turkish citizenship by investment applications
- Citizenship applications through marriage and under the general provisions
- Annulment actions before the administrative courts against deportation decisions
- Applications to the criminal judgeship of peace against administrative detention decisions
- Representation in international protection and temporary protection applications
- Advice on real estate acquisition and company formation by foreigners in Türkiye
How Is Turkish Citizenship Acquired?
The subsequent acquisition of Turkish citizenship is governed by the Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901. The main routes are uninterrupted residence in Türkiye under the general provisions, marriage to a Turkish citizen, and the exceptional route of citizenship by investment.
For citizenship by investment, one of the qualifying options — such as real estate acquisition, a fixed capital investment or a bank deposit — must be made at the amount and under the conditions prescribed by the legislation. As these amounts and conditions change over time, checking the current legislation before applying and planning the process accordingly is essential.
What Rules Govern Residence and Work Permits?
The legal status of foreigners in Türkiye is principally governed by the Law on Foreigners and International Protection No. 6458 (YUKK); residence permits are divided into types such as short-term, family, student and long-term. Each type has its own conditions, documentation and duration.
Work permits are regulated by the International Labour Force Law No. 6735 and are, as a rule, applied for through the employer. Preparing applications completely and using the objection and litigation routes within the time limits in the event of refusal are decisive for the process to proceed soundly.
What Can Be Done Against a Deportation Decision?
A foreigner subject to a deportation decision may bring an annulment action before the administrative court within the short statutory period running from notification of the decision; as a rule, the foreigner is not deported until the case is concluded. Foreigners placed under administrative detention may, separately, apply to the criminal judgeship of peace.
International protection claims are assessed independently in light of the principle of non-refoulement. Given the brevity of the deadlines and the technical nature of these procedures, obtaining legal support at an early stage is important for preventing the loss of rights.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How can I obtain Turkish citizenship by investment?
- One of the qualifying investments — such as purchasing real estate, making a fixed capital investment or placing a bank deposit at the amount prescribed by the legislation — is made and a certificate of conformity is obtained; a short-term residence permit and the citizenship application then follow. As the required amounts and conditions change over time, the current legislation should be checked before applying. How the process unfolds depends on the type of investment and the circumstances of the application.
- What can I do if my residence permit application is refused?
- A refusal may be challenged through an administrative objection and an annulment action before the administrative court within the statutory period; where appropriate, remedying the deficiencies and filing a fresh application may also be considered. Analysing the grounds for refusal correctly is decisive in choosing the right route. The outcome depends on the circumstances of each case.
- When is Turkish citizenship acquired through marriage?
- Marriage to a Turkish citizen does not confer citizenship by itself; an application may be made once the marriage has lasted at least three years and is genuinely continuing. Conditions such as living within the family unit and posing no threat to public security are assessed during the application. The result is determined separately in each case following the examination and interview.
- What is the deadline for challenging a deportation decision?
- An annulment action may be brought before the administrative court within seven days of notification of the deportation decision; once the action is filed, deportation is, as a rule, suspended until the proceedings conclude. Given how short this period is, acting without delay upon notification is essential. The appropriate course depends on the grounds of the decision and the specific situation.
These answers are for general information only and do not constitute legal advice. For an assessment of your specific situation, please consult a lawyer.
Request an appointment to talk
Get in touch to discuss your questions and plan the process together.
Meetings are held by appointment, online or in person.