How Turkish Citizenship By Investment Helps You Get an E2 Visa Fast – Start Today! 

When it comes to countries to immigrate to, the United States is often listed as the number one choice. As the ‘land of the free’ and the home of modern capitalism, it’s no surprise that people are keen to get their hands on an E2 visa. An E2 investor visa is only open to citizens of countries who are part of the E2 treaty, excluding countries like Russia, China and India.

If you fall outside of the E2 treaty countries and if you have $400,000 to invest in a property, you can still get your hands on an E2 visa. Securing Turkish citizenship by investing means that you can take apply for an E2 visa. We’re taking an in-depth look at the E2 visa and how Turkish citizenship could be the answer to your problems. 

Your options if your country is not an E2 treaty country

If your country is not part of the E2 visa treaty such as for India, Russia, China, you still have options. The easiest and fastest way to access an E2 visa is through second citizenship by investment to a treaty country. If you’re an investor, a second citizenship can open doors for you internationally. Turkey is one of the leading countries that enable you to access an E2 visa through second citizenship.

What are the top two countries for second citizenship for applying to E2 visa?

Top 2 are Turkey and Grenada. Turkey has been the largest Citizenship by Investment market in 2020 and has passed any other country, due to its attractiveness for E2 visa, low investment, growing real estate market, being a top 20 economy in the world and closeness to Europe and Asia. A recent article from Investment Migration Insider selected Turkey as the top en-route country to get a E2 visa in the US and Turkey has been the country with the highest number of citizenship by investment applications. 

Why should I get Turkish citizenship for my E2 visa?

Turkish citizenship minimum investment requirement is $400,000 vs. $350,000 for Grenada and Turkey approved ANY type of real estate, so you have an easy exit strategy after three years, with a potential of a high return on your investment. Turkish real estate market is more liquid and approved real estate properties are much more. You can easily sell your property after three years. It is also very fast in terms of citizenship processing time with less than 3 months after the completion of asset purchase.  

The Benefits of Turkish Citizenship       

While there are other countries available for second citizenship, Turkey is one of the leading choices. Whether you want an E2 visa or the benefits of a different passport, Turkey is quickly becoming the go-to destination for second citizenship. The Turkish investor citizenship program is one of the most popular, bringing with it a myriad of benefits.

Turkey is ranked 3rd in the world for medical tourism, with the country also providing pension programs. It’s also the perfect location for business investment, sitting between East and West, with international links and government-backed schemes to encourage investment, particularly with SMEs. With its booming real estate market and a top 10 economy, there is nowhere better to do business than Turkey.

Your Turkish citizenship will also give you access to 170+ universities and international schools w a reputation of sending students to ivy league colleges. 

Turkish citizenship by investment means that the world is your oyster. You’ll have access to visa-free travel to 114 countries and can apply for various visa programs. Once you have your Turkish citizenship, you can apply for an E2 visa.

Part of the appeal of Turkish citizenship by investment is its lower property investment threshold of $400,000 and quick turnaround. This Turkish citizenship investment program is streamlined and straightforward, allowing you to get a second passport within a few months. 

How long does it take to apply for an E2?

To apply for an E2 visa as an investor, you need to submit a business plan for either an existing or future business that you want to establish in the United States. You’ll also need to provide civil documentation. 

The process of applying for an E2 visa typically takes 3 months, with the option to expedite it to 3 weeks for a fee. You can apply for an E2 visa at a US embassy or consulate, adding a spouse or dependent children under 21 to your application.

FAQs about E2 and Turkish citizenship

Q: How do I get Turkish citizenship to get an E2 visa?

A: The most straightforward way to get Turkish citizenship is by purchasing a property valued at over $400,000. It makes a smart investment, as the average property price in Turkey goes up by an estimated 11% year on year. You do not need to visit Turkey to purchase your property and can do it with the help of an estate agent.

Q: What Turkish properties can I purchase for citizenship?

A: You can purchase any real estate property in Turkey at a price of $400,000 or higher. We exclusively offer prime properties in central Istanbul and Antalya from the award-winning, most trusted, and market leader developer in Turkey.

Check out some of the citizenship-qualified properties by clicking here. We can schedule real or virtual property visits after you complete your free consultation. Join one of our 150 happy customers that purchased citizenship property with Elmaslar in the last two years. 

Q: What are the investment requirements for an E2 visa?

A: As you are required to submit a business plan, there is no minimum investment. Your investment needs to match the type of business that you’re intending to establish. Depending on your business, you may only need to make a $70,000 investment – but this will depend on the state you wish to establish your business in.

Q: Is there a residency requirement for the E2 visa?

An E2 visa does not require you to remain in the US for a specific time to renew your visa. You can move freely around the US and are not restricted to residing in a specific state.

Q: What is an E2 visa vs. an EB5 visa?

If you’re looking to freely travel to the US, you’ll be considering either an E2 or EB5 visa. While both will gain you access to the US, their application process and turnaround times are different. 

The main difference between an E2 and EB5 visa is the investment requirement. While an EB5 visa is easy to apply for, it requires a substantial investment that restricts its accessibility. Depending on the project, you may need to invest a minimum of $500,000. However, the main issue for many people is that the current backlog of EB5 visas means that your application could take up to 14 years to approve. In comparison, E2 visa will take 2 weeks to four months.  

If you’re looking for an easier route, take a look at the E2 treaty visa. A limited number of countries have access to this program, which gives visa holders the ability to live and work in the United States. There are three tiers to the E2 visa – investors who want to establish a business, employees brought into the country by a US business, and managers brought into the country by a US business.

The investor options mean that you can immigrate to the United States without needing a job offer. The only way to access an E2 visa is by being a citizen of a country that has signed the E2 treaty.

Frequently Asked Questions about Turkish Citizenship for en route to E2 Visa

 

What does your company do and why are you different from other companies? 

Elmaslar Real Estate represents international sales of one of the largest developers in Turkey and we are part of the developer organization. Our developer has won the most trusted developer award in the last two years and it is one of the superbrands in Turkey and has become a household name. They have many properties in the most prime locations in Istanbul and Antalya. Due to our close family relationship with the developers, we get you the best prices in the market and prioritize your transaction and citizenship application with the developer. 

We are different because we represent only one developer that has over ten projects and helps you all the way from property selection, acquisition, citizenship application, and rental management. We completed 150 passport applications in Turkey in the last two years and achieved 100% success rate. We are the #1 company in the market for Turkish citizenship applications in Turkey. Our commitment to trusted relationships and best properties and service for our customers resulted in many customers through partners and word of mouth. 

Whether you’re already looking for a house for sale in Turkey to get your 2nd passport or if you’re considering your options, you’ve no doubt got a myriad of questions. We’ve pulled together the most common questions about how to get a Turkish passport through investment to provide you with all the information you need.

 

How can I get a second passport by investing in Turkey?

While there are six different avenues for gaining Turkish citizenship, the most practical option is to purchase a property valued at over $400,000. This citizenship program is more streamlined, and you can have your second passport within a few months.

 

Where can I travel with a Turkish passport?

One reason why people are attracted to buying Turkish nationality is that it opens the door to visa-free travel across the world. 115 countries offer visa-free travel for Turkish citizens, making it an ideal choice for anyone who regularly travels internationally for business. 

Are any countries excluded from Turkey’s citizenship program?

No countries are excluded from the Turkey investment program. All you need to do is purchase a property valued at $400,000 or above. You can also reach the $400,000 threshold by purchasing multiple properties with that combined value.

Can my children also get Turkish citizenship by investment?

Your spouse and any children under the age of 18 can also get a Turkish passport when through this ‘residency by investment program. Any dependent over the age of 18 will only gain Turkish citizenship through your application if they are disabled, requiring continued care from their parents.

How much does it cost to get Turkish citizenship?

An amendment to the Turkish Citizenship Law in 2018 reduced the financial burden of the citizenship program. The easiest way of gaining a second passport is by purchasing a property worth at least $400,000 in Turkey. There are also lawyer fees of ~$5,000 for property acquisition and citizenship application and closing costs of 2-4% of the property purchase price. If you work with us, you will not pay any buyer agent commissions to Elmaslar Real Estate.

Can I make installment payments for the purchase price for citizenship?

You will be eligible for citizenship application after $400,000 payment is passed from the investor to the developer. For example, if you pay $100,000 and want to pay the rest in installments over a year, you must wait until after you complete the payments to apply. For this reason, it is recommended to pay the full amount to become a citizen quickly.

 

Do I have to visit Turkey to get Turkish nationality?

No. The Turkish citizenship program is continuously evolving, making it easier for foreign nationals to go through the Turkish immigration system without needing to be in the country. Your local Turkish embassy may be able to help you do the fingerprint portion of your application, meaning you won’t have to visit Turkey itself.

Do I have to give up my existing citizenship to get a Turkish passport?

Your ability to get dual citizenship will depend on the laws within your country. Turkey allows for dual citizenship, but not every country is the same. It’s worth double-checking if your country allows you to carry a second passport before starting the process to get your Turkish residency by investment. Several countries that impose restrictions on dual citizenships include China, India, and Saudi Arabia. We recommend always doing your research before you start looking at investment properties in Turkey.

Does Turkey offer a donation option instead of property investment?

No, Turkey program has no donation options. All your money is invested in a real asset and you can sell the property after three years. Property is also an attractive investment in Turkey. Prices have increased an average of 15% in the last ten years

House Pricing Index in Turkey has increased from 50 in 2011 to 160 in 2021, a 220% increase in 10 years, corresponding to ~15% increase in prices every year based on Central Bank of Turkey pricing index. 

 

How long does the citizenship application process usually take?

Typically, within 2-3 months of your property purchase assuming you submit your application quickly by working with responsive, trusted lawyers and that there are no delays or any issues with your property deed or appraisal. 

Once the lawyers submit your application, you can expect your passport within 1 month. While you’re waiting for your citizenship to be granted, you and your family will be issued a temporary residence permit. Check with your lawyer for the latest waiting times. 

Turkey is known for being one of the fastest countries in terms of providing your passport once all the documentation is correct. 

Do I have to buy a house, or can I purchase any type of property? 

While it’s possible to purchase a house for you and your family to live in, you can also buy other types of real estate, including commercial properties, office buildings, holiday homes or even timeshare that equate to a minimum of $400,000.

 

Can I buy multiple properties of less than $400,000? 

Yes. So long as the total value of the combined properties that you’ve purchased is more than $400,000, you can buy several properties to then be applicable for the citizenship application process.

How many houses are sold in Turkey in a year to foreigners? 

Based on the Turkish statistical institute, 30,000 international people purchase property every year in Turkey from almost all nationalities. 

Can my whole family get citizenship if only one person applies? 

Yes. Your whole family can acquire Turkish citizenship through the property investment scheme, providing your kid/s are under the age of eighteen by the time of the application. If your children are over the age of eighteen, they are only eligible for Turkish citizenship under your application if they are disabled and require full-time care. Another option is to purchase two units of properties valued at over $400,000 and use one of them towards the application of your daughter or son over 18 years old. 

My child will turn 18 this year, can I still get citizenship for them? 

Yes, as long as you submit your application before they turn 18. If you want to confirm, contact us with their birth date and our lawyers will check their eligibility for you. 

 

Can a developer buy back the property for citizenship? 

Based upon new legislation that was passed for 2021, developer buybacks are no longer permitted as part of the property investment process for citizenship.

 

What are the cost components for the application? 

As you might expect, there are several cost components that make up the application. These include but are not restricted to the following:

• Lawyer fees for property purchase: this cost is variable, depending on the rates charged by the law firm you use, typically around $5,000-6,000. This price is per family, not per person in the family.
• Citizenship application fees. This is usually somewhere in the region of $1,000 for the whole process.
• Closing costs, including real estate valuation report, taxes and associated legal fees, notary and public translator fees, agent’s service fee, attorney’s fee, and any travel and accommodation fees you have incurred in order to complete the purchase of your property. It is about 3-4% of the property value.

Can I sell the property after getting my citizenship?

You can sell the property after 3 years from the date of the purchase. We can help you sell your property after 3 years. 

How much rental income can I expect?

You can expect 2-3% of rental income every year based on the location of the property based on market rates. If any developer is offering more, they are likely charging more than the value of the property when you purchase. 

Do you guarantee rental income?

We don’t; but we help you with property management and renting the property for a service fee. Since all our properties are in prime locations, it is easy to rent them out in market rates.

Some developers charge more for the sale price to give you rental income guarantee. This scheme is frowned upon and investigated by government officials.

We choose to provide you the best price and more discount at the time of the property purchase rather than charging more and then providing rental guarantees. If you end up buying the property at an inflated price to get a rental income, you risk your application being rejected since market appraisal price will come at a much lower valuation and you will not qualify for citizenships.  Contact us to learn more about your options to increase your chances of getting your citizenship application approved and we will connect your with our local, experienced lawyers. Our citizenship application approval rate is 100%. 

Should I buy a unit that is in development or a developed one?

You will have more options for properties in development and it will be easier for citizenship application. We estimate that 90% of properties used for Turkish citizenship applications are new properties that are in development due to the issues with buying second hand property and having difficulty with citizenship.

Choose a trusted developer and the units that will complete within a year or so. Most new properties in Turkey are sold before the time it is complete since sales start at the time of development. The inventory for completed units will be limited if the development is an attractive one and they will be more expensive with less scope for price appreciation. If the development is over-priced and is not attractive, there might be many completed units; but this means the development was not attractive for the local market and you will not be making the best investment. We have some completed new units that come to market if the owners are wanting to sell; but the inventory is limited. We offer both completed and in-development properties; but most of our sales have been properties that are in development and will complete in the next year.

Can I get a second-hand property for citizenship application? 

In theory, yes. While you can buy a second-hand property to apply for citizenship, it’s normally extremely difficult to get the value of the property formally approved. As such, you can expect long delays on your application. This is mainly because second-hand sellers don’t wish to write the actual amount of the deed for tax purposes. As such, while they may agree to sell you the home for $400,000, they might only document that the sale went through for $100,000. For this reason, purchasing a brand-new property is much faster and easier to verify.

Can I pay in installments and get citizenship?

In order to apply for citizenship through this route, you will need to have paid at least $400,000 upfront in order to apply. If you purchase a property for $400,000 exactly, you will need to have completed all of the necessary payments on the home before submitting your application.

However, if you have purchased a house for more than $400,000, say $1,000,000, for instance, it’s possible to pay the $400,000 upfront, followed by instalments to complete the purchase at a later stage.

What documents do I need for the application? 

In order to complete the application process, you will need to be in possession of the following documents:

• Completed investment residence certificate.
• Copy of valid passport and its notarized Turkish translation.
• Copy of residence permit card [if applicable].
• Marriage and birth certificates of all family members to be included in the application.
• Passport-sized photographs of the applicant/s.
• Purpose report from a certified public accountant which shows the fixed capital investment.

If you work with us, we will connect you with one of the best lawyers for citizenship applications in Turkey

 

In addition to the $400,000 investment, what are the other requirements for acquiring citizenship through investment? 

The good news for applicants is that the process to acquire citizenship through investment is not an inherently difficult process. However, you will need to meet the following criteria:

• You must be over the age of eighteen.
• You must never have attempted to enter Turkey illegally.
• You must not have any criminal convictions either in Turkey or the country where you have resided for the last twelve months.
• In addition to the property purchase, you will have to show that you have sufficient financial resources to cover all of the associated expenses of the application.

Closing remarks

Thanks to this initiative by the Turkish government, applying for Turkish citizenship through investment has never been easier than it is now in 2021. Providing you have made an investment of at least $400,000 in real estate in Turkey since 2018, your application is likely to be approved, providing you meet the other basic requirements that have been articulated in this guide. Given all of the excellent benefits you and your family can enjoy by living and working in Turkey, this citizenship application process represents an excellent opportunity to start your new life in the country.