Istanbul Citizenship Lawyer

An Istanbul citizenship lawyer provides legal consultancy and attorney services in the fields of Turkish citizenship applications, objection and litigation processes against the rejection of applications, foreigners law, residence permits, work permits, and Turkish citizenship through investment.

Turkish citizenship applications are evaluated within the scope of the Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901 and the Regulation on the Implementation of the Turkish Citizenship Law [1], [8]. For citizenship applications through the general route, conditions such as uninterrupted residence in Türkiye for five years prior to the application date, the ability to speak Turkish, having an income or profession sufficient to support oneself, and having no obstacle in terms of public order are required [2].

Important: A Turkish citizenship application is not merely the submission of documents. Correctly determining the application route, examining the residence history, and preparing the file completely are important for the healthy progress of the process.

 

What Does a Citizenship Lawyer Do?

A citizenship lawyer follows application, consultancy, objection, and litigation processes related to the legal status of foreigners in Türkiye. The lawyer determines the most suitable citizenship route according to the applicant’s situation, evaluates the necessary documents, and assists in following the process before administrative authorities.

Within this scope, a citizenship lawyer provides legal support especially in the following areas:

• Evaluation of the Turkish citizenship application
• Determination of the application type
• Checking the required documents
• Submitting the application to the relevant administrative authority
• Following the application process
• Evaluating objection and annulment lawsuit options in case of a rejection decision
• Handling residence permit, work permit, deportation decision, and restriction code procedures

In citizenship applications, the applicant’s period of residence, family status, source of income, investment status, criminal record, and ties with Türkiye should be evaluated together [1], [2].

In connection with these areas, the processes of a foreigners law lawyer, residence permit application, work permit application, and removal of a deportation decision may also be important for the integrity of the citizenship file.

Turkish Citizenship Application Routes

Turkish citizenship can be acquired through different routes. The applicant’s personal situation, residence history in Türkiye, family ties, investment status, and whether they meet the conditions required by law determine which application route should be preferred [1], [2], [8].

Marriage to a Turkish citizen does not, by itself, directly grant Turkish citizenship. Foreigners who have been married for at least three years and whose marriage is continuing may apply if they also meet the other conditions set out in the law [1], [2].

In citizenship through investment, acquisition of real estate, capital investment, job creation, or other investment routes prescribed by legislation may come into question [1], [8]. A more detailed evaluation on this subject can also be made through the content titled Turkish citizenship through investment.

How Is a Citizenship Application Made?

Although the citizenship application process varies depending on the application type, it generally consists of the following stages:

1. Evaluation of the applicant’s legal status
2. Determination of the appropriate citizenship route
3. Preparation of the required documents
4. Submission of the application to the relevant administrative authority
5. Follow-up of the administrative review and commission process
6. Acceptance or rejection of the application

The General Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs publishes the application routes for acquiring Turkish citizenship and the forms related to citizenship applications [2], [3].

During the application process, submitting incomplete documents, choosing the wrong application type, or failing to meet the legal conditions may lead to a rejection decision. Therefore, it is important to have the file legally evaluated before applying.

Legal Evaluation: One of the most common problems in citizenship files is directing the applicant to an application route for which they are not eligible. Before the file is prepared, it is necessary to clarify which citizenship route the person is eligible for.

 

What Should Be Done If a Citizenship Application Is Rejected?

If a Turkish citizenship application is rejected, the reason for the rejection decision should first be examined. Since the rejection decision is an administrative act, if it is believed to be unlawful, filing an annulment lawsuit before the administrative court may be considered [7].

In case of rejection, the citizenship lawyer:

• Examines the reason for the rejection decision
• Evaluates whether there are missing or incorrect documents in the application
• Investigates the legality of the administrative act
• Evaluates reapplication or litigation options if necessary
• Follows the litigation process if an annulment lawsuit needs to be filed

A rejection decision does not always mean that the process has completely ended. Depending on the content of the file, reapplication, administrative objection, or an annulment lawsuit may come into question [7]. The contents titled rejection of citizenship application and administrative litigation lawyer may also be reviewed in this regard.

Relationship Between Residence Permit and Citizenship

In some citizenship applications, having legally resided in Türkiye for a certain period is a basic requirement. Therefore, the type, duration, and uninterrupted continuity of the residence permit are important for the citizenship application [2].

According to the Presidency of Migration Management, a residence permit is an authorization document issued to foreigners who wish to stay in Türkiye. Foreigners who will stay in Türkiye longer than the period granted by a visa or visa exemption, or for more than ninety days, must apply according to the type of residence permit for which they meet the conditions [4].

Residence permit types include short-term residence permit, family residence permit, student residence permit, long-term residence permit, humanitarian residence permit, and residence permit for victims of human trafficking [5].

Foreigners aiming for citizenship must carefully monitor their period of residence, residence permit type, and application dates. Situations such as a residence permit application or residence permit rejection may directly affect the citizenship process.

Citizenship Lawyer Fee

The citizenship lawyer fee varies depending on the type of application, the scope of the file, the procedures to be carried out, the nature of the consultancy service, and whether there is a litigation process.

When determining attorney fees, the Attorneyship Minimum Fee Tariff published by the Union of Turkish Bar Associations is taken into account. The Union of Turkish Bar Associations announced that the 2025-2026 Attorneyship Minimum Fee Tariff was published in the Official Gazette [6].

Therefore, it is not appropriate to state a fixed amount for the citizenship lawyer fee. The applicant’s situation, the scope of the application, and the content of the attorney service should be evaluated together [6].

What Should Be Considered When Choosing an Istanbul Citizenship Lawyer?

A citizenship application is an important process that directly affects a person’s legal status in Türkiye. Therefore, when choosing a lawyer, not only the fee but also the scope of service, experience in foreigners law, and file follow-up should be taken into account.

Applicants should pay particular attention to the following criteria:

• Experience in citizenship and foreigners law
• Knowledge of current legislation
• Command of application types
• Regular information sharing regarding file follow-up
• Experience in rejection and litigation processes
• Clear determination of the fee and service scope

Instead of definitive expressions such as “the best citizenship lawyer,” it is more appropriate to work with a lawyer who is experienced in citizenship and foreigners law and suitable for the applicant’s needs.

Contact for Legal Consultancy

You can receive professional support for the legal evaluation of your file in processes involving Turkish citizenship applications, residence permits, work permits, citizenship through investment, or application rejection.

You can contact our law office to determine your application route, examine the required documents, and plan the legal process.