The issue of obtaining Turkish citizenship for Syrians is a major topic among Syrian citizens living in Turkey or even abroad. Syrians share a wealth of information—true, false, or even outdated—about citizenship decisions and related issues.

In this article, we will explain the methods and mechanisms for applying for citizenship and who is most likely to obtain it. These are results based on real-life experiences, not official reports. The following table of contents:

Law on the naturalization of Syrians in Türkiye:

Who are the most likely candidates for naturalization?

Advantages of Turkish citizenship:

Disadvantages of Turkish citizenship:

Stages of obtaining Turkish citizenship:

File removal and the most common reasons for removal:

Solutions for some cases where files were removed or rejected:

Articles related to Turkish citizenship:

Law on the naturalization of Syrians in Türkiye:

The Turkish government began granting Turkish citizenship on an exceptional basis starting in 2016, specifically to Syrians. Prior to 2016, Turkish citizenship was granted to a limited number of Syrian journalists, doctors, and teachers.

The naturalization law for Syrians in Turkey changed significantly in early 2018. Under the new law, Syrians with permanent residency in Turkey can obtain Turkish citizenship exceptionally without having to wait a long time. This law requires certain conditions, such as permanent residency, the absence of legal problems, and good behavior.

In contrast, Turkish law for granting citizenship to foreigners typically requires that the person be a resident of Turkey and have held a work permit for 5 years, be married to a Turkish citizen, have Turkish or Ottoman assets, or invest according to certain conditions.

This new law reflects changes in Turkish policy toward Syrians and seeks to improve their status and integration into Turkish society.

Who are the most likely candidates for naturalization?

There are many cases, but we can summarize them as individuals who have achieved sufficient and beneficial integration in terms of work and interaction with the Turkish social fabric.

1- Owners of companies operating officially and legally in Turkey: These are those who hold official work permits in Turkey, pay taxes, and actively conduct business. Companies generate income and expenses regardless of the size of the business. This means that even if the business is simple and not large, it is sufficient for it to be official to be eligible for Turkish citizenship.

2- University students in Turkey are individuals who will constitute a strong tributary to Turkey. They have certainly mastered the Turkish language, are sufficiently familiar with Turkish culture, and have built friendships and relationships within Turkish society. Therefore, they are the most likely to be eligible for exceptional Turkish citizenship. It is important to note that this special status is reserved for Syrians and some of the nationalities mentioned above.

3- Investors and traders who bring benefits to Turkish society and are generally nominated through the Chambers of Commerce and Industry or the Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

4- Individuals who have provided significant services to society or could be beneficial to Turkish society, such as doctors, teachers, scientists, etc., are nominated by the Foreigners' Union, which accesses your information by updating your data and adding information that could be a reason for obtaining Turkish citizenship.

5- Some special cases of orphans, the disabled and people with special needs.

Advantages of Turkish citizenship:

Ease of administrative procedures:

Travel freely

Job opportunities:

Retirement:

Free transportation services:

Retaining original nationality:

Changing prohibited professions:

Right to run for office and vote:

Facilitating communication and social integration:

Disadvantages of Turkish citizenship:

Obligation to serve in the military:

Loss of some social benefits:

Loss of asylum rights:

Loss of international aid opportunities:

Military service restrictions in Syria:

Loss of the right to asylum in a third country:

These disadvantages highlight the importance of careful consideration and a comprehensive evaluation of the legal and social implications when deciding to obtain Turkish citizenship.

Stages of obtaining Turkish citizenship:

Application registration and approval:

File examination:

Initial verification:

File analysis and evaluation:

Strengthening oversight and archiving:

Submitting the file for approval:

Decision making:

Notification of the result:

These are the main steps to obtaining Turkish citizenship. The process requires patience and waiting, as it can take months to complete the procedures and make a final decision.

File removal and the most common reasons for removal:

Removing files and the most common reasons for removal. Unfortunately, taking into account that there are a number of files that are due for re-evaluation or actually usually due for re-evaluation:

1- Submitting false documents and information during citizenship applications: This is the most common and widespread reason for file removal. Even in this case, even if Turkish citizenship was obtained through these methods, you are subject to prosecution, citizenship revocation, and even deportation. The exact number of people removed under this specific name cannot be determined, as the person submitting the false information knows they have provided false and misleading information.

2- The reason for nomination ends or the reason for nomination is cancelled during the citizenship stages:

For example, the reason for applying for citizenship is a work permit and an active company. After applying, close the company and cancel the work permit. In this case, there is a 90% chance that it will be transferred to the re-search and removal stage later.

3- The candidate has been tried in court, whether criminal or administrative: This is one of the most important reasons that could halt the naturalization process until the court decides on the case. If the conviction is proven, it will be the main reason for refusing your citizenship.

4- One of the cases in which a citizenship application may be rejected or cancelled is the inability to verify your professional history and sources of wealth. Most of these cases involve those working in the goldsmithing, gold processing, and remittance sectors.

5- Some cases that are simple and can be resolved: In this case, it is recommended to hire a Turkish lawyer exclusively to verify the reasons for rejection or removal. For example, some of the cases mentioned include translation errors when submitting the papers to obtain citizenship, failure of the translator to clarify some terms, and inconsistency in the information contained in the various documents.

Solutions for some cases where files were removed or rejected:

The solutions are legal and take a long time to start with. It should be noted that they are not quick and magical solutions, as some people think. Add to that their somewhat high financial costs and the lack of a guarantee of acceptance or rejection.

- Appoint a Turkish lawyer exclusively to determine the reason for the rejection or removal of the file. The process may take between one and three months.

After first determining the reason for the file's rejection, the reasons are then investigated and an administrative case can be filed to recover the file or address the existing problem. Please note that some cases cannot be resolved, as some of the reasons mentioned above.

Of course, it must be taken into consideration that the removal is related to the population in the state and not to the Immigration Department.

If my name is nominated for Turkish citizenship, does this mean I am guaranteed to obtain it?

Answer: Nominating your name for Turkish citizenship does not mean you will obtain it, and your application may be rejected.

There is some news about the possibility of revoking Turkish citizenship from newly naturalized citizens. Is this true?

Answer: Turkish citizenship is granted in accordance with Turkish law and with the approval of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers. Citizenship is revoked in accordance with the law, not in a collective or random manner, but rather through individual review of cases.

Summary: Granting Turkish citizenship is done in accordance with the Constitution and is a constitutional right. It can only be withdrawn by the Constitution.

Is there a way for students studying in Türkiye regardless of nationality to obtain Turkish citizenship?

Answer: Based on the experiences of some individuals, after graduation, their student residency was converted into an official work residency in Türkiye, after which they applied for Turkish citizenship based on the work residency.

Articles related to Turkish citizenship:

Turkish citizenship through real estate ownership

Turkish citizenship through a bank guarantee

Turkish citizenship services