TVK no. 5901 article 11: 5 years of legal stay requirement for general citizenship application.
General Citizenship Conditions
- Over 18 years of age
- 5 years of uninterrupted legal stay
- Showing through behavior that you intend to settle in Türkiye
- Not being a general health threat
- Suitable for general morality behaviors
- Adequate level of Turkish
- Income to provide a living in Türkiye
- Not to be an obstacle in terms of national security
Process
- Online application to the Ministry of Internal Affairs
- Documents (legal stay certificate, income, health, registry)
- Interview / investigation
- Inspection (usually 1-3 year)
- Presidential decision
- Decision notification
Turkish Proficiency
- TÖMER or similar certificate
- Verbal evaluation in the interview
- Controversial (since there is no objective criterion)
Ministry Appreciation
- The Ministry may exercise discretion even if all conditions are met
- Rejection may make the decision
- The justification of "national security" is broad
Objection to the Rejection Decision
- Administrative court within 60 days
- Stay of execution
- The reasons for the decision must be explained
Special Situation for Syrians
- Those under "temporary protection" can make a general application
- Administrative discretion large
- Educated and professional people have more advantages
Council of State 10th Chamber
10. The Chamber accepts that citizenship rejection decisions must be based on "objective reason", that mere allegation is insufficient, and that citizenship requests canceled by court decision can be re-evaluated.
Citizenship lawyer is recommended.