Golden Visa and Its Requirements
The Golden Visa is a special immigration program that allows foreign investors to obtain a residence permit and, in some cases, citizenship in a country in exchange for specific economic contributions.
At the core of Golden Visa programs is the granting of residency rights through investment. Investors can typically participate in the program through methods such as real estate purchases, capital investments, government bond purchases, or job creation. While the rights granted vary by country, the primary benefits include residency permits for the investor and their family, the right to free movement (particularly within the Schengen Area), and access to education and healthcare services.
The eligibility requirements for Golden Visa programs vary by country; however, the general criteria include:
- Meeting the specified minimum investment amount,
- Making the investment with funds obtained from legal sources,
- Having a clean criminal record,
- Not posing a threat to public safety or public order, etc.
Golden Visa (Citizenship by Investment) in Turkey
The citizenship-by-investment program, known as the "Golden Visa" in Turkey, is a legal mechanism that offers foreign investors the opportunity to obtain Turkish citizenship directly in exchange for certain economic contributions. It is implemented in accordance with relevant legislation, primarily the Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901. Under this framework, foreign individuals may obtain citizenship by: purchasing real estate worth at least $400,000 and committing not to sell it for three years, make a fixed capital investment of at least 500,000 USD, deposit the same amount in a bank and keep it in the system for a specified period, invest in government debt instruments, or create employment for at least 50 people.
Unlike the Golden Visa programs of many other countries, Turkey's program stands out by granting the investor not just a residence permit, but direct citizenship. The applicant and their family are granted comprehensive rights, including permanent residency, the right to work, access to education, and healthcare services. Since this process involves stages such as investment eligibility assessment, administrative approvals, and the citizenship application, it is of great importance that the procedures are carried out correctly and efficiently through the relevant authorities to avoid any loss of rights.