Legal Advisory & Representation Services
Turkish legal representation and immigration law matters — managed by licensed attorneys.
We provide independent legal advocacy for individuals, families, and businesses navigating Turkish immigration legal frameworks — preparing required documentation, representing clients before government bodies, and providing formal legal counsel throughout official administrative procedures.
Our Istanbul-based legal counsel oversees every phase of representation — from statutory assessment and document authentication through to client representation before the Ministry of Labour, Directorate General of Migration Management, and competent state departments.
Notice: NLI Global is an independent law firm providing legal legal representation and consultancy services. NLI Global is not a government body and does not issue official passports or legal status directly.
2017
Programme Established
A statutory government framework administered directly by competent state authorities under Turkish law since 2017.
100+
Countries of Origin
Foreign investors from over 100 nationalities have been represented under statutory investment frameworks.
6–8
Months Typical Review
Estimated legal processing timeline from initial filing through to official state evaluation for qualifying applicants.
110+
Global Mobility Frameworks
Advisory on international rights and mobility benefits established under statutory Turkish legal standards.
Turkey as an Immigration Jurisdiction
A statutory framework with a clear path to legal residency and state approval.
Turkey's immigration framework is administered by the Directorate General of Migration Management under the Ministry of Interior. The legal basis for all immigration procedures — including residence permits, work authorizations, and citizenship applications — is the Law on Foreigners and International Protection No. 6458, which established the unified legal framework for foreign nationals in Turkey.
The framework distinguishes clearly between short-term and long-term residence permits, work permits issued by the Ministry of Labour, and the citizenship by investment legal framework administered separately by state departments. Each route carries its own documentation standard and legal timeline — requiring precise legal preparation at every filing stage.
Turkey's strategic geographic position, access to European markets, and English-friendly legal landscape in Istanbul make it a primary destination for global entrepreneurs and investors seeking a legally secure base with international connectivity.
The Turkish work permit system requires employer sponsorship and Ministry of Labour registration, with specific documentation standards that differ by employment type. Our legal team manages this process on behalf of both the employer and employee, ensuring filings meet current regulatory standards and move forward smoothly.
Turkish immigration legal representation requires procedural accuracy. A missing legal document or improper filing can suspend administrative review. We manage every stage of legal advocacy to safeguard client applications.
Immigration clients we work with.
From individual professionals to corporate HR departments — we represent clients across the full spectrum of Turkish legal representation matters.
Skilled Professionals
Foreign professionals relocating to Turkey for employment who require legal representation for work permit and residence permit filings before state authorities.
Employers & HR Departments
Companies sponsoring foreign staff who need Ministry of Labour work permit filings managed to regulatory standards by licensed counsel.
Families
Families applying for family residence permits to join a relative legally residing in Turkey, with all dependant legal documentation coordinated together.
Investors
Investors pursuing statutory programs who require coordinated legal assessment, residence filings, and application representation managed as a single engagement.
Long-Term Residents
Existing residents managing permit renewals, status transitions, or administrative appeals requiring continuous legal representation.
Apostille & Document Needs
Individuals and businesses requiring apostille, notarization, and certified translation support for official submissions before administrative bodies.
Providing legal representation for clients across 100+ countries — GCC, Europe, Central Asia, Africa, and beyond
Immigration legal services,
in detail.
Six areas of Turkish immigration law. For each, we handle the preparation, filing, and representation from first instruction to the authorities' decision.
01 Residence Permit
We represent applicants for short-term, long-term, and student residence permits before the Directorate General of Migration Management. We prepare the full application file, book and attend the appointment on your behalf, and manage the process through to the authority's decision.
What we handle
02 Work Permit
We manage Ministry of Labour work permit filings for both employers and foreign employees — preparing the application, verifying the documentation standard, and representing both parties through the review process to the authority's decision.
What we handle
03 Citizenship by Investment
We manage the legal work of the citizenship by investment application — from eligibility assessment and investment structuring to filing and representation before the Ministry of Interior until the government reaches its decision. Full detail is available on our dedicated citizenship practice page.
What we handle
04 Family Residence Permit
We represent families applying for family residence permits to join a spouse or parent legally resident in Turkey. All dependant applications are prepared and filed together, and we attend the government appointments on the family's behalf.
What we handle
05 Visa Applications & Appeals
We provide legal representation on Turkish visa matters — preparing application files, advising on the applicable legal requirements, and representing clients in appeals against visa refusals or entry-ban decisions before the relevant authorities.
What we handle
06 Apostille & Notarization
We handle apostille, notarization, and certified translation of documents for use in Turkish legal proceedings or abroad — coordinating with notaries, sworn translators, and the relevant authorities so your documents are accepted without procedural issues.
What we handle
Key Legal Frameworks
What Turkish citizenship and residency provides — legally and practically.
01
Global Mobility Frameworks
Turkish citizenship grants statutory travel privileges and mobility options across over 110 international jurisdictions under applicable state bilateral agreements and treaties.
02
Dual Citizenship Recognition
Turkey fully recognizes dual citizenship status. Applicants are not required to renounce existing citizenship under Turkish law. We verify whether your origin country's legal system permits dual nationality prior to application filing.
03
Full Civil & Commercial Rights
Upon government approval, individuals acquire full civil rights under Turkish law — including rights to reside, work, acquire property, access judicial courts, and operate commercial entities throughout Turkey.
04
Family Application Inclusion
Spouses and minor children (under 18) may be included under the primary application file. Dependant legal documentation is coordinated together under a single unified legal instruction.
05
No Statutory Presence Requirement
The statutory investment citizenship route carries no physical residence obligation. Once official state approval is granted, legal status is maintained unconditionally under relevant statutory provisions.
06
Banking & Institutional Access
Citizens gain full access to the Turkish banking system, financial institutions, public healthcare coverage, and state educational systems under identical statutory terms as native citizens.
Frequently Asked
Legal questions about Turkish immigration and residency.
Our legal team handles questions on residence permits, work authorizations, citizenship legal representation, and document legalization. Contact us directly for a legal assessment of your specific circumstances.
Do I need to live in Turkey to apply for Turkish citizenship by investment?
No. The statutory citizenship by investment route carries no minimum residency obligation under Turkish regulations. Applicants are not required to reside in Turkey before or during the application process. Most clients complete the process with one short visit to Turkey for the required biometric enrollment appointment before government officials.
What are the minimum legal investment thresholds for citizenship applications?
The minimum investment thresholds under statutory guidelines are: USD 400,000 for qualifying real estate, USD 500,000 for bank deposits held for a minimum of three years, USD 500,000 for government bonds, and USD 500,000 for qualifying fund investments. The job creation route requires the documented employment of a minimum of 50 Turkish nationals. We confirm current regulatory thresholds at the outset, as these are subject to periodic government review.
Can I retain my current nationality under Turkish dual citizenship law?
Turkish law permits dual citizenship status. However, whether you are permitted to hold dual citizenship also depends on the legal framework of your home country. We advise you on this specific legal point before initiating an application, as certain jurisdictions impose reporting requirements or restrictions regarding dual nationality.
Are my spouse and children included in the legal citizenship application?
Yes. Under Turkish law, a spouse and minor children (under 18) may be included in the same application file as dependants without requiring additional investment. We manage the family legal representation as a unified matter, including the preparation of legal relationship certificates, sworn translations, and apostille certifications for all family members.
Can every real estate property qualify for the citizenship investment framework?
No. Real estate must satisfy strict statutory criteria — including an official valuation report by a licensed expert, a clean title free of encumbrances, and an eligible seller history under Ministry standards. We conduct a comprehensive legal due diligence review on the title deed before transaction execution to verify qualification compliance.
Can legal representation and application filing be managed remotely?
Yes. Most legal representation stages — including document compilation, investment due diligence, and administrative filings — can be managed remotely via a notarized power of attorney. One brief visit to Turkey is required for the client's official biometric appointment. We coordinate this appointment and schedule state visits in advance for maximum efficiency.
What is the distinction between short-term and long-term residence permits?
A short-term residence permit is issued for up to two years and is renewable, serving property owners, investors, and foreign residents. A long-term residence permit may be granted indefinitely to foreign nationals who have maintained continuous legal residency for at least eight years without interruption and meet statutory financial criteria. We advise on the appropriate legal strategy during initial assessment.
How does the work permit application process function for foreign employees?
The Turkish work permit framework requires employer sponsorship. The employing company submits the application through the Ministry of Labour system, and the candidate coordinates with the relevant Turkish consulate. Our law firm manages both employer and employee legal documentation — assessing sector quota compliance and handling the Ministry of Labour submission through to administrative determination.
Is Turkish language proficiency required for residency or citizenship applications?
No. Language proficiency is not a statutory requirement for residence permits or the citizenship by investment program. All legal submissions and official administrative communications are executed in Turkish by our attorneys. Clients review legal materials with English translation support. Language requirements apply strictly to standard naturalization after long-term residency, not to the investment-based legal framework.
What legal obligations apply after citizenship approval is granted by the state?
Upon official state approval, applicants hold full statutory citizenship rights under Turkish law. If citizenship was obtained via real estate investment, the property title remains subject to a three-year statutory non-sale annotation registered at the Land Registry. We provide ongoing legal advisory regarding property maintenance, corporate structure, and statutory compliance following government approval.
Turkish immigration managed by a legal team
that handles every filing.
Our Istanbul-based lawyers manage the full scope of Turkish legal representation on your behalf — from legal assessment and document authentication through to Ministry filings, government appointments, and official administrative representation. Submit an enquiry and a member of our team will respond within one business day.
