Do I need to travel to Türkiye?

Not necessarily. Most steps can be completed through a power of attorney granted to your lawyer, and your bank account can be opened remotely. Travelling to Türkiye usually makes the process faster. Your lawyer will advise whether a visit is needed for residence permit biometrics.

Can my family be included?

Yes. The main applicant, their spouse and children under 18 can be included in the same application. Adult children need a separate investment.

How long does it take?

Typically 3–6 months in total, depending on the authorities.

Who issues the Certificate of Conformity?

For the fund route, the Capital Markets Board of Türkiye (CMB / SPK). We apply on your behalf.

Can I follow the value of my investment?

Yes. You can follow the daily value of your fund units in your custody account throughout the holding period.

Do I have to live in Türkiye?

No. There is no residence requirement, language test or minimum stay, apart from the biometrics visit at the residence permit stage if required.

My country does not allow dual citizenship. What are my options?

The fund route first grants a residence permit, followed by citizenship. You may choose to remain at the residence permit stage. A residence-only option is also available through a residential property purchase of at least USD 200,000. Contact us to discuss your situation.

Can I invest without applying for citizenship?

Yes. Investors who do not seek citizenship can invest in the same funds from USD 100,000.

Turkish Citizenship by Investment for Indian Investors

What Indian residents and NRIs need to know about the USD 500,000 fund route – remittances, nationality, OCI, documents and timing.

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Indian entrepreneurs, professionals and NRIs are among the most active applicants for Turkish citizenship by investment. Through the fund route you invest at least USD 500,000 in units of an eligible Turkish real estate investment fund, hold them for three years, and your spouse and children under 18 are included in the same application. The process typically takes 3–6 months and does not require living in Türkiye.

Indian applicants have a few specific points to plan for – above all how the money leaves India and what happens to Indian nationality. This guide covers both, together with documents and timing. It is written by FT Portföy, a CMB-licensed portfolio management company that manages the investment stage of citizenship files every month.

Why Indian investors look at Türkiye

Global mobility: a Turkish passport offers visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to more than 110 countries and territories.
US E-2 access: Türkiye is an E-2 treaty country, so Turkish citizens can apply for the US E-2 investor visa – a route not available to Indian citizens.
A base between Europe, Asia and the Gulf: Istanbul is a few hours from Europe, the GCC and Central Asia.
Family: spouse and children under 18 are included; children can live and study in Türkiye.
Regulated investment: your capital is invested in a CMB-supervised fund with assets held at Takasbank, not in a single property.

Indian nationality, dual citizenship and OCI

This is the most important point for Indian applicants. India does not permit dual citizenship. Under the Indian Citizenship Act, an Indian citizen who voluntarily acquires another nationality ceases to be an Indian citizen, and is expected to surrender the Indian passport.

Many former Indian citizens then apply for an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card, which gives a lifelong visa to India and broad rights to live, work and own most property types there, with some restrictions. Rules on OCI eligibility, surrender of the Indian passport and timing are set by the Government of India and should be confirmed with an Indian advisor before you apply.

Some families therefore choose for the citizenship application to be made by the family member for whom a second nationality fits best. We are happy to talk this through with you and your advisors.

Türkiye itself permits dual citizenship; the restriction comes from Indian law.

Sending USD 500,000 from India: LRS and other routes

Resident Indians remitting funds abroad do so under the Reserve Bank of India's Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS), which has an annual limit of USD 250,000 per resident individual per financial year, and outward remittances are subject to tax collected at source (TCS) rules. A USD 500,000 investment therefore usually needs planning, for example:

using funds already held abroad (for NRIs, or for investors with overseas accounts);
combining permitted remittances of family members, where appropriate and documented; or
spreading remittances across financial years before the investment date.

Remittance rules, TCS and the tax treatment of the investment are matters for your chartered accountant or bank in India. What matters on the Turkish side is simple: the money must arrive from abroad in foreign currency into your own Turkish bank account and be converted with a foreign exchange purchase certificate (DAB).

The process for Indian applicants

Introductory call – your family, timing and how the funds will be transferred.
Fund documents – issuance document and subscription agreement, signed remotely.
Tax number, power of attorney, accounts – during a short trip to Istanbul, or remotely through a power of attorney signed at the Turkish consulate or apostilled in India.
Transfer and conversion – funds sent from abroad and converted with a DAB.
Subscription – units credited and blocked in the monthly window (1st–7th).
CMB Certificate of Conformity – typically within about 15 days.
Residence permit and citizenship application – handled by your lawyer.
Passports – typically 3–6 months from start.

Documents Indian applicants usually need

Investment stage

Passport
Utility bill in your name (India or abroad) as proof of address
Turkish tax number
Power of attorney (Turkish notary, Turkish consulate or apostilled in India)
Bank records of the transfer from abroad

Citizenship stage

Passports of all family members
Birth certificates (apostilled by the Ministry of External Affairs)
Marriage certificate (apostilled)
Sworn Turkish translations
Biometric photographs

India is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention; apostilles are issued by the Ministry of External Affairs. Check exact requirements with your lawyer.

Frequently asked questions

Can I keep my Indian passport after becoming Turkish?

India does not allow dual citizenship. Acquiring Turkish citizenship voluntarily ends Indian citizenship under Indian law; many applicants then apply for an OCI card. Please confirm with an Indian advisor.

Can I send USD 500,000 from India in one year?

The LRS limit is USD 250,000 per resident individual per financial year. Investors usually combine overseas funds, permitted family remittances or remittances over more than one financial year. Your chartered accountant can advise.

Are NRIs subject to the LRS limit?

LRS applies to resident individuals. NRIs investing from accounts abroad are typically not using LRS; check your specific situation with your bank or accountant.

Do I need to visit Türkiye?

Once. The investment stage can be completed through a power of attorney, but the main applicant and spouse visit Türkiye once for biometrics during the residence permit step.

Are my children over 18 included?

No. Only the spouse and children under 18 are included.

This page is general information and not an investment offer, tax or legal advice. Investment involves risk and the value of fund units may go up or down. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Citizenship is granted by decision of the Turkish authorities. Details of the citizenship stage should be confirmed with your lawyer. Last reviewed: October 2026.

Talk to the team that manages the funds

Tell us about your family and timeline. We will get back to you in English, Turkish or your own language.

WhatsApp: +90 542 188 02 81 Email serkan@ftportfoy.com