Residence permit and citizenship: why investors receive both

Short answer

On the investment route, you receive both. First, a short-term residence permit lets you and your family stay in Türkiye. Then you apply for citizenship. NVİ describes the order: make the investment, receive the conformity certificate, get the residence permit, then apply for citizenship.

The full programme is explained in our Turkish citizenship overview.

Two statuses in one sentence each

Residence permit: permission to live in Türkiye. Law 6458 article 31(1)(j) gives it to investors, their foreign spouse and their minor or dependent children.

Citizenship: you become a Turkish citizen. Law 5901 article 12(1)(b) lets the President grant it to holders of that permit and their family.

How they differ

Legal basis. The permit comes from Law 6458. Citizenship comes from Law 5901.

Length. A permit under (j) can be issued for up to five years at a time (article 31(5)). Citizenship has no end date.

Decision. The migration authority handles the permit. For citizenship, the file goes to the Ministry of Interior, and the President decides.

Why investors receive both

The citizenship law refers directly to holders of the investor residence permit. So the permit is a planned step on the way, not a detour.

NVİ says you make these applications in person. The order of steps is in the process and stages guide. Who comes with you is in the spouse and children guide. Prefer property? See the property investment route.

Dated facts (checked 15 September 2026)

Article 31(1)(j) was added to Law 6458 in 2016. The Migration Management website still shows older wording, so we quote the law.

The order of steps comes from NVİ’s citizenship services FAQ.

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