What Is Exceptional Acquisition Of Turkish Citizenship?
Acquisition of Turkish Citizenship by Exception
The exceptional acquisition of Turkish citizenship is stipulated in Article 12 of the Citizenship Law No. 5901. The aforementioned article of the law stipulates that a foreigner may become a Turkish citizen upon the proposal of the Ministry of Interior and the decision of the Council of Ministers, provided that there is no situation that poses a threat to national security and public order.
Who is Eligible?
Those who have served or are expected to serve in scientific, technological, cultural, artistic, economic, or social fields in Turkey, or those who bring industrial facilities and are recommended by the relevant ministries;
Those whose naturalization is deemed necessary for the benefit of our country or for any other reason;
Immigrants, in accordance with the Settlement Law.
Procedures for Acquiring Turkish Citizenship by Exception
After the relevant ministry issues written instructions regarding the application of a foreigner who wishes to acquire Turkish citizenship by exception, a file is prepared. The file must contain the following documents:
An application letter indicating the request for Turkish citizenship by exception;
Notarized Turkish translation of the identity document of the country of which the person is a national (passport or similar document);
Notarized Turkish translation of the birth certificate;
Notarized Turkish translation of the duly certified document indicating marital status;
Marriage certificate, if married;
If divorced, divorce certificate;
If widowed, spouse’s death certificate.
Notarized Turkish translation of the certified copy of the population registry showing spouse and children or a similar valid certified document;
Population registry copy of the applicant’s first and second degree relatives (to be obtained by the application authority);
Receipt for the service fee paid to the Treasury.
In exceptional citizenship applications, the procedure is as follows.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs sends written instructions to the application authority regarding foreigners who wish to obtain Turkish citizenship through exceptional means;
The application authority collects the necessary documents and creates a citizenship file;
A letter is sent to the Security Directorate requesting a security investigation to determine whether the applicant poses a threat to public safety and public order;
If these procedures yield positive results, the application authorities conduct checks and send the case to the Council of Ministers for a decision;
If the Council of Ministers gives a positive decision, the person acquires Turkish citizenship.