Citizenship By Bank Deposit – Overview

Foreign investors may obtain Turkish citizenship by depositing 500,000 USD (or EUR / GBP / CHF equivalent) into a Turkish bank, converting it into Turkish lira through a mandatory Central Bank FX sale, and maintaining the deposit for three years without early withdrawal. The process is verified by the Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency (BDDK) before the citizenship application stage.

Minimum 500,000 USD (or equivalent) must be converted to TL and held for 36 months.
FX sale to the Central Bank is irreversible and cannot be cancelled after execution.
Deposit must remain in the same bank throughout the three-year period.
BDDK issues the official Certificate of Eligibility enabling the citizenship application.

Minimum Deposit Requirement

A minimum of 500,000 USD or equivalent (EUR, GBP, CHF) must be deposited and converted into TL. Post–06.01.2022 applications require a TL-term deposit account.

Central Bank FX Conversion (Mandatory)

All foreign currency must be sold to the Central Bank (TCMB) by the bank.
This process is final and irreversible—FX sales cannot be cancelled or reversed.

Deposit Holding Conditions

The deposit must be held for 3 full years, without transfer between banks or early withdrawal. Fragmentation across multiple banks is not permitted.

BDDK (Banking Authority) Verification

The investor submits identification documents, bank statements, FX receipts and the deposit confirmation. BDDK assesses compliance and issues a verification letter (Certificate of Eligibility) to the Ministry.

Applying for Citizenship

Once BDDK issues its confirmation, the investor applies to the General Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs and Directorate General of Migration Management — personally or via power of attorney.

Eligible Family Members

The investor’s spouse and minor children may apply simultaneously upon issuance of the BDDK verification letter.

Secure Investment Structure

Protected deposit account

Your capital remains in a time deposit under strict Central Bank and BDDK regulations, ensuring legal and financial security.

Predictable Approval Path

Regulated process

This is one of the most transparent citizenship routes due to fixed, measurable banking criteria.

Fast Documentation Process

Minimal paperwork

Compared with other investment routes, bank deposit requires mostly banking documents and basic identification.

Family Eligibility

Unified application

Your spouse and minor children obtain citizenship under your deposit-based investment file.

No Operational Investment Risks

Zero business obligations

No property valuation, no company audits, no fixed capital requirements—pure deposit-based qualification.

End-to-End Legal Guidance

Full support

We coordinate FX sale, bank compliance, BDDK verification and citizenship filing from start to finish.

500,000 USD Deposit Requirement

All deposits must be converted into TL through a verified Central Bank FX sale and held for 36 months.

No Banking Transfers Allowed

Deposit cannot be shifted to another bank or split after application; same bank must be used throughout.

Irreversible FX Transactions

FX deposits sold to the Central Bank cannot be reversed or withdrawn in foreign currency.

Verified Certificate of Eligibility (BDDK)

Citizenship application only begins after BDDK issues its official compliance letter.

TURKISH CITIZENSHIP BY BANK DEPOSIT — SECURE, REGULATED, RELIABLE

Turkish citizenship by bank deposit – 500,000 USD TL time deposit illustration with TENHA LAW FIRM branding

The bank deposit route offers one of the safest and most transparent paths to Turkish citizenship. With strict Central Bank controls, well-defined BDDK verification and minimal documentation requirements, it is a fully regulated investment model suitable for risk-averse international investors.

At TENHA LAW FIRM, we manage the entire process—from account opening to FX sale, deposit structuring, BDDK verification and citizenship filing—ensuring compliance, clarity and confidence every step of the way.

ARSLAN TENHA – FOUNDER

START YOUR BANK DEPOSIT CITIZENSHIP PROCESS TODAY

Contact Our Citizenship & Compliance Team

First Avenue Istanbul AVM,
Istanbul, Beylikduzu
Phone: +90 532 505 3130
Email: info@tenha.av.tr
Web: https://tenha.av.tr/

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