Obtaining Turkish citizenship through a marriage will be more difficult

Turkish authorities are tightening the rules for obtaining citizenship through marriage. This is due to the fact that in recent years the number of fictitious marriages has increased significantly. Foreigners seek legalization in Turkey, and until recently, obtaining a residence permit and passport through marriage was the easiest and fastest way.

The Turkish government attributes this to unrest in neighboring countries on the continent in recent decades.

How will they deal with fictitious marriage?

The Ministry of Internal Affairs intends to make the procedure for marriage between Turkish citizens and immigrants as difficult as possible.

Now Turkish marriage authorities cannot accept an application for marriage between a Turkish citizen and a foreigner if the foreign citizen does not have at least a Turkish residence permit, as well as a valid passport or an alternative document.

The same rule applies to marriage between two foreigners. If immigrants want to get married in Turkey, both of them must have an official residence permit.

What does this mean for residents?

Now, if a foreigner wants to marry a Turk, the couple will have to go to another country for this, or first look for other options for legalizing the partner.

In addition, at the end of July 2024, Turkey tightened the rules for obtaining citizenship, so it is becoming increasingly difficult for relocants to stay in the country.