BECOME A CITIZEN NOW

Citizenship Law

ACQUISITION OF TURKISH CITIZENSHIP

There are 2 fundamental possibilities:

  • Citizenship by birth: Principle of generation,
    Basis of land
  • Naturalization: By decision of the authorized authority,
    Use of the right to elect

WAYS TO ACQUIRE BY DECISION OF THE AUTHORIZED AUTHORITY

A. General way
B. Special ways:

  • Adoption by a turkish citizen
  • Marriage
  • Reacquire
  • Exceptional way

CONDITIONS FOR ACQUIRING CITIZENSHIP BY THE GENERAL WAY

The first two conditions are objective. The following six conditions are subjective conditions and are fully open to interpretation.

  • The applicant must be adult (and legal capacity) according to the applicant’s state law. If you are stateless, turkish law is applied. When there is more than one citizenship, the law of the state with the strongest relationship is taken as the basis.
  • From the date of application, they must reside in turkey for 5 continuous years. Exception: (article.15) during this period, they can go abroad for a total of 12 months.
  • The applicant should demonstrate with its conduct that he has decided to settle in turkey. Ex: buying property, establishing business, investing, marrying a turkish citizen
  • The applicant should not have a dangerous disease.
  • Must have good morals
  • Should speak basic turkish.
  • He must ensure the livelihood of his own and those he is responsible for.
  • There should not be a suspicion of national security breach (not committing a crime against the state) and public order.

CITIZENSHIP BY EXCEPTIONAL WAYS

  • A foreign person who has done an outstanding service in turkey.
  • Foreigners with turquaz card
  • Persons who has made investments in Turkey. Cash Investment: 500.000 USD or Real Estate Investment: 250,000 USD
  • Persons whose citizenship is essential for the state
  • People accepted as migrant: migrant; they are persons of Turkish ancestry with commitment to the Turkish culture who are moving to turkey are approved under this law.

REACQUIREMENT

1. THOSE WHO HAVE RENOUNCED CITIZENSHIP BY PERMISSION


Those who have lost their Turkish citizenship due to their parents renouncing their citizenship and have not use the opportunity to reacquire with the right of choice. They can apply within 3 years from being adult, on the condition that they do not breach the national security.


2. THOSE WHO HAVE LOST THEIR CITIZENSHIP


Those who lose their citizenship through the right of choice. There should not be a consequence with national security. They have to residence in turkey for 3 years back from the application.


3. DEPRIVATION OF CITIZENSHIP


They are granted citizenship by the ministry without the requirement of residence, on the provision that they do not breach national security.


Exceptions: Abolished law No 403 matter 25/B:

  • 1. Acquiring citizenship from a foreign state without permission from turkey.
  • 2. Related to military:
    • Those who have been abroad and renounced citizenship due to duty
    • Those who have been military in turkey and left abroad
    • Those who become an nco in turkey and were sent abroad due to duties and did not come back

NOTE: LOSS OF CITIZENSHIP


  •   By decision of the authorized authority.
    • 1. By permission
    • 2. Taken away by the state
    • 3. Cancellation: if naturalized citizens do not follow the required requirements or declare fake documents.
  •   By choice.

—  A special status has been brought to those who left with permission: Blue card.

NATURALIZATION THROUGH MARRIAGE

The first two conditions are objective and are application requirement.

  • 1. Continuing marriage for at least 3 years
  • 2. That the marriage is still continuing. It is essential to be married at the time of the decision. Exception: death of the turkish citizen wife or husband.
  • 3. Living together.
  • 4. Must not do any activity incompatible within marriage.
  • 5. Must not breach national security and public order.

THROUGH ADOPTION

By a turkish citizen, a minor person under their national law. He can acquire turkish citizenship from the decision on the provision that it doesn't breach national security and public order. (here is the decision on citizenship, not a decision to adoption.) If this process is made abroad, a case of recognition must be opened in turkey.

ACQURIREMENT BY EXCEPTIONAL WAY

ARTICLE 31/J: BY INVESTING

  • 1.  Buying property, field, land, house, office, shop, land (1- The value of the real estate(s) purchased between 12.01.2017-18.09.2018; Have a value of 1,000,000 USD, 2- The value of the property/properties purchased/to be purchased after 19.09.2018; be worth 250,000 USD)
  • 2.  With fixed capital investment, company takeover (citizenship through fixed capital investment: 500,000 USD)
  • 3.  Blocking at least 500,000 USD in the bank, citizenship acquisition through investing in government debt instruments, acquiring citizenship by investing in real estate investment fund or venture capital investment fund participation shares
  • 4.  By creating at least 50 people employment

To get citizenship based on 31/j, a certificate of conformity must be obtained first.


WHERE CAN I GET A CERTIFICATE OF CONFORMITY?


Land Office, Ministry Of Family, Social And Labor, Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency, Ministry of Industry and Technology, Ministry of Environment and Urbanization, Ministry of Treasury and Finance, Capital Markets Board.

Certificate of conformity is approved in approximately 1-2 weeks.

AUTHORITIES ISSUING CERTIFICATE OF CONFORMITY

  • 1.  In case of fixed capital investment; Relevant units of the Ministry of Industry and Technology.
  • 2.  In case of real estate investment; Ministry of Environment and Urbanization, General Directorate of Land Registry and Cadastre.
  • 3.  In case of earning through employment creation; Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Services, General Directorate of International Labor Force, Social Security Institution, Revenue Administration.
  • 4.  In case of earning through employment creation; Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Services, General Directorate of International Labor Force, Social Security Institution, Revenue Administration.
  • 5.  In case of investing in Real Estate Investment Fund or Venture Capital Investment Fund Participation Shares; Central Registry Agency and Capital Markets Board Intermediary Activities Department.
  • 6.  In case of investment with government debt instruments; Ministry of Treasury and Finance.

Then, according to article 31/j, a short-term residence permit is received from the immigration administration on behalf of the investor.

Residence permit is given on the same day. Card delivery takes 1-2 weeks. After residency, a citizenship application is made from the population directorate.

Citizenship applications are concluded in 5-6 months. Later, approval announcement documents are received from the population directorate. Then an appointment is made from the population directorate to apply for turkish id card and passport. The card is delivered to the investor.

RESIDENCE PERMITS

  • Short term residency permit
  • Students residence permit
  • Family residential permit
  • Long term residency permit
  • Human residence permit
  • Victim of human trade residence permit

SHORT TERM RESIDENCY PERMIT

Who can receive it?


  • Arrival due to scientific research
  • The owners of property in turkey
  • They to establish commercial connections or business
  • They will participate in service training programs
  • Education etc. Purpose (exchange program)
  • Tourism purposes
  • They will be treated on the case of not carrying one of the diseases that may be a threat to public health
  • Those who has to stay in turkey by judicial or administrative authorities’ decision
  • Has family residence permit
  • Participants in turkish learning courses
  • They will participate in education, research, internship and courses
  • Those completing higher education in turkey apply within 6 months from the date of graduation
  • Investor, its spouse and children
  • KKTC citizens

HOW LONG ARE THESE PEOPLE GIVEN RESIDENCE PERMIT?


  • To investors and their family: 2 years
  • To kktc citizens: 5 years
  • To kktc citizens: 5 years
  • For graduates in turkey:1 year

UNDER WHAT CONDITIONS CAN A SHORT TERM RESIDENCE PERMIT BE CANCELED?


  • Release of necessary conditions
  • Use other than the purpose of application
  • In case of deport decision or entry prohibition

FAMILY RESIDENCY PERMIT

WHO CAN GET?


It is given to certain relatives of a person who is a turkish citizen or has a residence permit. Maximum of three times, each time the residence permit is either extended by a maximum of 3 years or by the duration of its supporter's residence permit.

STUDENT RESIDENCE PERMIT

  • Taking primary and secondary education
  • For higher education purposes

LONG TERM RESIDENCE PERMIT

All conditions are obligatory

  • Residents in turkey for 8 years uninterrupted
  • Not received social assistance in the last 3 years
  • Securing itself and family
  • Have a valid health insurance

CANCELLATION: Being out of turkey more than 1 years except for health, education and mandatory public service in own country

HUMANITARIAN RESIDENCE

CONDITIONS:


  • Only if genuinely humanitarian cause.
  • The child's best interest
  • Failure to be deported out of turkey despite the decision to deport
  • Those who cannot be deported because of the obstacles stated in the law
  • Those who are in the appeal process of their international protection application denial
  • Until the process of first asylum or transported to a secure 3rd country
  • Foreigners who were not able to obtain any of the residence permit and who are required to stay in Turkey either due to public order and security, or emergency reasons.
  • Extraordinary Cases

It can be given per period of up to 1 year.


CANCELLATION: When conditions are invalid.

FOOTNOTE: This residence permit does not give the right to transition to a long-term residence permit.

VICTIM OF HUMAN TRADE RESIDENCE PERMIT

For those who are victims of making money for reasons such as forced work, being, organ mafia.


This residence permit is a 30-day permit to cooperate with the authorities for crime investigation and heal.


Due to person's safety, health and special status, it can be extended up to 3 years in total.

WORK PERMIT

REJECTIONS OF WORK PERMIT


  • Not compatible with international labor policy
  • Fake or false documents
  • The reason for foreign employment is not seen enough
  • Does the work intended for turkish citizens, ex: notary
  • It has been detected that the person does not have the necessary qualification or expertise
  • Does not follow the evaluation criteria
  • Those who are not permitted to enter turkey, visa is not given and their deport decision has been taken.
  • Danger for public order, safety, health
  • Citizens of a country that turkey doesn't recognize and without a diplomatic relationship
  • Not made within the legal period or failure to complete the deficiencies

FOOTNOTE: 5 turkish workers must be employed in a workplace to be employed to foreigners. At the same time, there must be a certain amount of capital.

WORK PERMIT TYPES

  • 1. TIME WORK PERMIT: It is given for 1 year at the maximum first application. In the event of extension, it can be extended up to 2 years by applying to the same employer. In the next extension, an application is made to the same employer for up to 3 years. Following extensions the consequent ones will be 3 years each. but it will not be accepted if the employer changes.
  • 2. INDEFINITE WORK PERMIT: Long-term residents, total of 8 years of legal working period can get this work permit.
  • 3. INDEPENDENT WORK PERMIT: Professional owners or manager, member of the board of directors, executive position of companies established in turkey. The time that these permissions are subject to is determined by the ministry.
  • 4. TURQUOISE CARD: Those whose contribution to turkey’s economy and employment by the applicant’s educational level, vocational experience or its contribution to science and technology has been recognised by international labor policy consulting and consulting guidelines and their application has been deemed valid by the ministry.

The first 3 years are the transition period. Then it becomes permanent. They get permanent working rights like blue card holders.


Those who are in temporary protection cannot benefit from this card.

DEPORTING FOREIGNERS

  • Those who violate the provisions regarding entry, stay, exit to turkey
  • Threats to public safety, order and health
  • Illegal workers
  • Those whose international protected status has been terminated or ended.
  • Residence permit cancelled or rejected

We are filing an annulment case against the authority that issued the decision for foreigners for whom deportation decision has been taken due to the above-mentioned reasons and we have the deportation decision lifted.

WELCOME TO TURKEY

Immigration Law

WE WILL ASSIST YOU WITH YOUR IMMIGRATION ISSUES

For generations, people from countries across the globe have dreamed of making a life in the Turkey. Istanbul especially has a rich history of welcoming immigrants from numerous backgrounds and being enriched as a whole by their diverse cultural heritage. Hence, as the world has become increaasingly complex, so has immigration.

A maze of paperwork and administrative requirements now hounds both aspiring immigrants and temporary visitors alike – so much so that many have been forced to enter the country without inspection and every day live under the fear of removel. That is why we make every effort to take the guesswork out of immigration and give our clients peace of mind during the process.

CONSEQUENCES OF CRIMINAL AND FRAUDULENT CONDUCT

The immigration consequences of criminal or fraudulent conduct can be harsh and often illogical. Even a very minor offense could have a dramatic immigration consequence, including deportation, detention without bond, being denied naturalization, a visa or re-entry into the Turkey.

Likewise, the use of fake or fraudulent documents, aliases, and other misrepresentations can have similar immigration consequences. We have a long history of strategizing deportation and removal defenses,as well as applications for waivers, in very complicated cases.

REMOVAL AND UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRATION

Those who enter the Turkey without documentation are often forced to live on the fringes of society. They may be denied access to employment and various government programs and face the constant threat of discovery and deportation.

If you are living in the country as a non-citizen, an attorney can help you understand your options for gaining permanent legal residency or another adjustment of status, including deferred action if you entered the country as a child.

If you have already been discovered by immigration authorities, we can provide zealous representation during removal proceedings and subsequent appeals. Contact our dedicated immigration attorneys today.

BUSINESS DISPUTE?

Commercial Law

ARE YOU INVOLVED IN A BUSINESS DISPUTE?

At the core of nearly every business dispute there is a breach of contract or dispute over the interpretation of a contract, Our firm specializes at prosecuting or defending Breach of Contracts claims. Successful resolution of the breach of contract involves extensive contract interpretation. The Law Office of PIGEON, will interpret your contract and assess the viability of your claims and defenses, identify the strength of your case and proceed toward the best possible resolution.

Our firm provides comprehensive business litigation services. We strive to resolve disputes through negotiations to the extent possible to minimize costs to our clients. As trial attorneys, we prepare every case fort he porssibility of court proceedings. Throughout your case, you will receive attentive, cost-effective legal representation.

If you have a business dispute or a Breach of Contract matter, please contact our Office so we can assess your claims professionally and expeditiously.


ARISTOTLE ONCE SAID:

“AT HIS BEST, MAN IS THE NOBLEST OF ALL ANIMALS; SEPARATED FROM LAW AND JUSTICE, HE IS THE WORST.”

NULLITY AND REMEDY

Administrative Law

ACTION FOR NULLITY

In case of missing one of the five elements (authority, form, reason, subject, purpose) about administrative proceedings, they are the lawsuits filed by those whose interests are violated for the cancellation of the transaction.

Our law office provides legal consultancy services for disputes and grievances that occur with the administration, opening and following up action for nullity.

FULL REMEDY ACTIONS

These are the lawsuits filed by those whose personal rights are directly violated due to administrative actions and transactions.

CANCELLATION ACTIONS

Cancellation actions filed against the administration in cases of an inad passenger decision or restriction codes regarding the cancellation of residence of foreign citizens within the framework of the prohibition of repatriation

Lawsuits for the action for nullity of the administrative action arising from the relevant legislation, especially the law numbered 6458, are handled by the expert team of our office.

SALE AND SHARE

Real Estate & Construction Law

CONSTRUCTION AGREEMENT IN RETURN FOR LAND SHARE

Construction contracts in return for land share should be prepared with the help of experts and should contain detailed regulations. As a Pigeon law firm; Consultancy and advocacy services are provided in the preparation of these contracts, termination of contracts, compensation cases, adaptation cases and all other cases that may arise from these contracts.

PRELIMINARY CONTRACT FOR REAL ESTATE SALE

The aim here is to ensure the conclusion of the main contract. This contract is drawn up at the notary public. In case of refraining from issuing the promised sales contract despite the arrangement of this contract, there is the right to apply to the court.

While preparing preliminary contract for real estate sales, by getting help from expert lawyers; It is important to prevent the loss of rights that the contract is valid, the statute of limitations, and the fact that the real estate can be sold to third parties is prepared in a way that includes protective regulations for the contracting parties.

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

Vehicle Accidents

VEHICLE ACCIDENTS

The Law Firm of PIGEON, help clients receive justice and compensation for their injuries and losses from negligence or other wrong doing. They understand the challenges you may be facing after an injury from a car accident or other type of injury.

Auto accidents cause thousands of injuries and thousands of deaths in the Turkey each year.

WHY YOU NEED LAWYER AFTER AUTO ACCIDENT?

Auto accidents cause thousands of injuries and thousands of deaths in the Turkey yearly. We’re commited to helping those who have serious injuries from an auto accident. If the crash was caused by the negligence of another driver, a trucking company, a defective roadway, or another party, you might be able to recover compensation.

After an accident, you probably have a lot of questions.

  • When can I go back to work?
  • How will I pay my medical pills?
  • How will I afford my vehicle repairs?
  • Do I have to negotiate with the insurance company?

These are big questions. Car accidents can cause injuries that require significant medical treatment. You may suffer life-changing injuries or the entire loss of your vehicle. Handling your injury claim can be time-consuming and complicated. You need an experienced attorney who will understand your injuries so that full compensation can be obtained. With the help of our experts, we will investigate your accident thoroughly to identify the at-fault party or parties.

PROTECT YOUR RIGHTS

Insurance adjusters are hired to handle accident claims.

They’re professional negotiators that will use a variety of tactics to reduce the value of your claim, protecting company profits. They want to pay you the least amount of money as possible for your losses. Initially, they may offer you a figure that is far less than what your case is worth, hoping you’ll take a quick settlement.

A qualified attorney will know how to handle your potential claim. Don’t wait to file a claim; according to Turkey Law you have a limited amount of time in which you can file an accident claim.

If you have been injured in an auto accident and required medical attention, it’s critical to reach out to a qualified, experienced attorney, before you speak to the insurance company. A skilled personal injury attorney will help you negotiate with the insurance company and help you recover the compensation you may be entitled to after an accident.

HOW CAN WE HELP?

To discuss your legal rights and options, contact us to schedule your free case consultation. We will listen, answer your questions and help you make an informed decision about taking legal action.

NO MORE DEBT

Execution & Bankruptcy Law

DEBT ENFORCEMENT AND BANKRUPTCY LAW

At our PIGEON law office, we provide advocacy and consultancy services for the collection of receivables of domestic and foreign companies and real persons in Turkey. Our basic principle is to get the client's receivables in the fastest, most effective and least costly manner.

Our office provides consultancy and legal services to companies, institutions and individuals regarding all Concordat processes, the implementation of all kinds of debt enforcement and bankruptcy proceedings, and the follow-up of cases.