Turkish Citizenship by Investment Funds: 7 Essential Benefits (2025)

Investment Fund Route to Turkish Citizenship::
Secure Your Turkish Citizenship Through
GYF & GSYF Investments

A Safe, SPK-Regulated Route to Turkish Citizenship

Investment funds offer one of the most secure and predictable paths to Turkish citizenship. By acquiring 500,000 USD worth of Real Estate Investment Fund (GYF) or Venture Capital Investment Fund (GSYF) participation shares and holding them for three years, foreign investors can obtain citizenship for themselves and their families.

Minimum 500,000 USD investment (GYF or GSYF)
3-year holding requirement with MKK block
Mandatory FX sale to the Central Bank before investment
SPK + MKK verification leading to the official Eligibility Certificate

Minimum Investment Requirement

Foreign investors must acquire at least 500,000 USD worth of GYF/GSYF participation shares, funded through a foreign currency sale to a Turkish bank and then sold to the Central Bank before the investment.

MKK “Citizenship Blockage Sub-Account”

Your participation units must be transferred and blocked within the MKK under the Citizenship Blockage Sub-Account, proving secure three-year holding.

SPK Evaluation Process

The Capital Markets Board (SPK) verifies whether the investment meets the required scope, value, and uninterrupted holding conditions.

Weekly MKK Monitoring

MKK performs weekly audits of the blocked units and reports any issues (sales, transfers, liens, restrictions) to SPK within 3 business days.

Eligibility Certificate (Uygunluk Belgesi)

If all conditions are met, SPK issues the Eligibility Certificate within 2 business days, delivered to:
— NVI
— Göç İdaresi
— Investor (via investment institution)

Citizenship Application Step

With the certificate, investors proceed to:
— Short-term residence
— Citizenship application (family included)
TENHA LAW FIRM manages these through power of attorney if preferred.

SPK-Approved Investment

Capital Markets Board Supervision

All eligible Real Estate Investment Funds (GYF) and Venture Capital Funds (GSYF) operate under the strict regulatory framework of the Capital Markets Board (SPK). This ensures full transparency, audited portfolio management, and compliance with Turkish capital markets legislation—providing a secure foundation for foreign investors seeking a predictable and legally sound path to citizenship.

Central Bank FX Procedure

Mandatory Conversion for Regulatory Compliance

Before purchasing investment fund participation units, the investor’s foreign currency must be sold to a Turkish bank and immediately transferred to the Central Bank (TCMB). This mandatory FX conversion introduces traceability, prevents irregularities, and guarantees full alignment with governmental financial regulations—making the citizenship investment process both transparent and compliant.

MKK Blockage Protection

Secure Holding Under Custody

Your participation units are held within the Central Securities Depository (MKK) under the dedicated Citizenship Blockage Sub-Account, ensuring that they remain untouched for the required three-year period. This blockage system prevents unauthorized sale, transfer, or encumbrance and provides continuous monitoring, creating an additional layer of protection throughout the citizenship process.

Flexible Investment Structure

Choice Between GYF and GSYF Funds

Investors may select from Real Estate Investment Funds (GYF), offering exposure to professionally managed property portfolios, or Venture Capital Funds (GSYF), which support high-growth companies and innovation-focused ventures. This flexibility allows foreign investors to choose the fund type that best aligns with their financial profile, risk appetite, and long-term investment strategy.

Family-Wide Eligibility

Citizenship for the Entire Household

The investment route provides citizenship not only for the main applicant but also for their spouse and dependent children, allowing the whole family to benefit simultaneously. This unified application approach minimizes administrative complexity and enables families to obtain Turkish citizenship together under one coordinated investment structure.

Fast Ministry Processing

Accelerated Eligibility Certification

Once the investment and blockage requirements are met, the Capital Markets Board evaluates the file and typically issues the official Eligibility Certificate within two business days. This expedited review process significantly shortens the timeline between investment completion and citizenship application, offering investors a swift, efficient transition into the final application stage.

Real Estate Investment Funds (GYF)

Professionally managed funds investing in large-scale real estate portfolios.

Venture Capital Funds (GSYF)

High-innovation companies and startups curated under SPK supervision.

3-Year Holding Requirement

Your participation units must remain untouched and unrestricted for 36 months.

Treasury & Central Bank Compliance

All foreign currency must be sold to a Turkish bank and then to TCMB before fund acquisition.

SPK-VERIFIED INVESTMENT FUNDS • A SAFE PATH TO TURKISH CITIZENSHIP

urkish citizenship by investment funds – GYF & GSYF fund certificate illustration with 500,000 USD and 3-year lock | TENHA LAW FIRM

At TENHA LAW FIRM, we believe the fund route offers a unique blend of security, transparency, and regulatory integrity. Unlike traditional real estate purchases, GYF and GSYF participation units are fully supervised by SPK, monitored by MKK, and backed by precise legal structures. This ensures a predictable and safe pathway for global investors seeking Turkish citizenship through compliant and well-regulated investment vehicles.

ARSLAN TENHA – FOUNDER

START YOUR FUND-BASED CITIZENSHIP APPLICATION

TENHA LAW FIRM – CONTACT INFORMATION

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

FAQ

Which funds qualify for Turkish citizenship (GYF or GSYF)?

Both Real Estate Investment Funds and Venture Capital Funds qualify if purchased through FX sale and held for 3 years.

Is the 3-year holding requirement strict?

Yes. Any voluntary sale, transfer, or lien voids eligibility.

Can fund value drop below 500,000 USD?

Yes, and it does not affect eligibility.

What happens if the fund distributes dividends or partial repayments?

Investor is not penalized; such events do not break the requirement.

How long does SPK take to issue the Eligibility Certificate?

Typically 2 business days after receiving the MKK confirmation.