We have answered the most common questions about the revocation (annulment) of Turkish citizenship and its legal consequences.
1. What does revocation of Turkish citizenship mean?
Revocation of Turkish citizenship means that a person’s Turkish citizenship is retroactively annulled by an administrative decision of the Ministry of Interior when it is determined that citizenship was acquired through fraud, forged documents, false statements, or unlawful means.
As a result, the individual is deemed never to have acquired Turkish citizenship, and their Republic of Türkiye ID and passport become invalid.
2. In which situations can citizenship be revoked?
The most common reasons for revocation include:
• Applying with forged or false documents,
• Entering into a sham or profit-based marriage,
• Engaging in activities contrary to national security or public order,
• Failing to meet the actual residence requirements,
• Concealing or falsifying a criminal record,
• Providing false information about investment or property acquisition.
3. What happens to my ID and passport if my citizenship is revoked?
Once the decision becomes final, the Turkish ID card, passport, citizenship number, and population registry become invalid.
The person is no longer considered a Turkish citizen and reverts to the legal status of a foreign national.
4. How long does a citizenship-revocation lawsuit take?
Such cases usually conclude within 8 to 18 months, but depending on the file’s complexity, expert examination, and Danıştay (Council of State) appeal process, it may extend up to two years.
5. Will I become stateless if my citizenship is revoked?
If the person has no other nationality, revocation may result in statelessness (apatrid status).
However, under international conventions, Türkiye protects the basic rights of stateless persons. Later, the individual may re-apply for Turkish citizenship.
6. Which authority issues the revocation decision?
The decision is generally made by the Ministry of Interior or the General Directorate of Civil Registration and Citizenship Affairs.
The legality of the decision is subject to judicial review by the Ankara Administrative Court.
7. Which court has jurisdiction over revocation cases?
A lawsuit must be filed with the Ankara Administrative Court within 60 days of official notification.
This period is peremptory; missing the deadline results in loss of the right to sue.
8. Can I first file an administrative objection before going to court?
Yes. After notification, the individual may file an optional administrative objection within about 30 days.
However, this is not mandatory; it is also possible to directly file a lawsuit.
9. Does the revocation decision affect family members?
Yes. Spouses or children who obtained Turkish citizenship through the person whose citizenship is revoked may also be affected.
Nevertheless, the court may limit this effect in light of the child’s best interests and international human-rights principles.
10. Can citizenship acquired through marriage be revoked?
Yes. If the marriage is found to have been concluded solely to obtain citizenship (a sham or convenience marriage), revocation is possible.
The administration often investigates the couple’s lifestyle, residence records, and witness statements.
11. Can citizenship obtained through investment or property purchase be revoked?
Yes.
If the investment amount was not actually paid, was falsely declared, or if a fake appraisal or collusive sale occurred, the Ministry of Interior may initiate revocation proceedings.
12. Can I remain in Türkiye during the revocation process?
Yes. While the case is pending, the person usually retains their existing residence permit or a temporary stay right derived from the ongoing lawsuit.
However, once the revocation becomes final, a new residence permit must be obtained under the Law on Foreigners and International Protection (Law No. 6458).
13. What happens to my property and assets if citizenship is revoked?
Revocation does not automatically remove property rights.
However, as the person becomes a foreign national, the restrictions applicable to foreigners (such as ownership limits or military-zone prohibitions) start to apply.
14. Can I appeal the revocation judgment?
Yes.
A Danıştay (Council of State) appeal may be filed against the Administrative Court’s decision.
After Danıştay, further rectification of judgment or individual application to the Constitutional Court is possible.
15. Can I reapply for Turkish citizenship after revocation?
Yes.
If the reason for revocation is eliminated (e.g., replacing forged documents with genuine ones), a new application may be submitted.
However, the administration retains discretionary power to decide.
16. Is it mandatory to hire a lawyer in a revocation case?
No, but given the technical complexity of such cases, it is strongly recommended to be represented by a lawyer specialized in foreigners and administrative law.
17. What evidence can be submitted in a revocation case?
• Original application documents,
• Notarized papers,
• Witness statements,
• Marriage or residence certificates,
• Official foreign documents (with apostille & translation),
• Bank records and property title deeds.
18. Can I travel abroad during the case?
Yes, as long as the case is pending and citizenship has not been finally revoked, travel with a valid passport is permitted.
After revocation becomes final, visas or residence permits must be arranged according to the new status.
19. Can I apply to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR)?
Yes.
After exhausting domestic remedies (Administrative Court → Danıştay → Constitutional Court), an ECHR application may be made, alleging violations such as the right to a fair trial or the right to family life.
20. Is there a statute of limitations for revocation?
Law No. 5901 does not prescribe a specific limitation period.
However, if the administration acts after an excessively long time, courts may annul the decision based on legal certainty and foreseeability principles.
21. How does revocation affect my children’s education?
Children are classified as foreign students once their parents lose citizenship.
Nevertheless, to avoid disruption, the authorities often allow temporary continuation of education within the same academic year.
22. What happens to my social-security (SGK) rights?
Revocation does not automatically eliminate existing entitlements.
Contribution days and retirement rights remain valid, but the individual is registered as a foreign insured person.
23. Can revocation trigger a criminal investigation?
Yes.
If based on forged documents, false statements, or fraud, a criminal investigation may be launched under Article 204 of the Turkish Penal Code (forgery of official documents).
24. Can I keep working while the case continues?
Yes, as long as the person legally holds Turkish citizenship and the decision is not final.
After revocation, however, a work permit must be obtained under foreigners’ legislation.
25. Can I request a stay of execution against the revocation decision?
Yes.
When filing the lawsuit, you may request a stay of execution, which temporarily suspends enforcement of the administrative decision until the court rules on the merits.
26. What if the revocation conflicts with international law?
If the decision violates international human-rights treaties (e.g., the prohibition of arbitrary deprivation of nationality), the Constitutional Court or ECHR may find a rights violation.
27. Can citizenship be restored after revocation?
Yes.
If the court annuls the revocation, citizenship is automatically reinstated.
Additionally, the administration may decide to re-grant citizenship when justified by “legitimate reasons.”
28. What is the difference between revocation, deprivation, loss, and renunciation?
“Revocation” = retroactive annulment due to illegality (fraud/false statements).
“Deprivation/loss” = forward-looking termination based on later conduct.
“Renunciation” = voluntary relinquishment with administrative approval.
29. Does revocation have retroactive effect on my previous transactions?
Yes, in principle, it is retroactive; however, legal transactions made in good faith (marriage, sale, contracts, etc.) remain valid to protect third-party rights and legal certainty.
30. How is my right to defense protected during the process?
The administration must specify the allegations and give the person a chance to defend themselves—through written statements, interviews, or notifications. Lack of defense is a ground for annulment.
31. Who bears the burden of proof?
The burden lies with the administration, which must establish illegality with clear, verifiable, and lawful evidence. Mere suspicion is not sufficient.
32. How are notifications handled if I live abroad?
Service is made through postal, diplomatic, or electronic channels.
Deadlines run from the date of notification. Keeping your address information updated is critical to avoid loss of rights.
33. What does the administration examine in sham-marriage allegations?
Shared residence, utility records, financial transactions, witness testimony, and lifestyle consistency are analyzed.
Short-term marriage alone is not conclusive evidence of fraud.
34. How is a “fake property appraisal” detected in investment-based citizenship?
Authorities review the appraiser’s license, market values, payment records, and title-deed data.
Discrepancies between declared and actual values are strong indicators of fraud.
35. Are expert reports or on-site inspections possible?
Yes.
Depending on the file, the court may appoint experts, request institutional reports, or conduct site inspections.
36. Can I be detained during the revocation process?
Revocation alone is not a reason for detention.
However, if accompanied by deportation or criminal proceedings, administrative detention may occur.
37. How are children’s interests evaluated (“best interests of the child”)?
Courts and authorities must prioritize the child’s education, health, and family unity.
This principle may limit or defer the effects of revocation on dependents.
38. What residence-permit options exist after revocation?
Depending on circumstances, one may apply for humanitarian, family, or short-term residence permits. Supporting documents are required for each category.
39. Can I claim compensation if the revocation was unlawful?
Yes.
If damages arise from an unlawful administrative act, you may file a full-remedy (compensation) action alongside or after the annulment case.
40. Can I follow the case without traveling to Türkiye?
Yes.
Through the Turkish consulate and an apostilled notarized power of attorney, your lawyer can represent you.
Personal attendance at hearings is not mandatory.
41. What should I pay attention to when preparing a power of attorney and documents?
Ensure passport/ID consistency, specify litigation powers precisely, and include apostille + notarized sworn translations. Missing formalities may cause dismissal or delay.
42. Are my personal data protected during the process (KVKK compliance)?
Authorities may process personal data only for legitimate purposes.
Unlawful sharing can be challenged before data-protection bodies or the courts.
43. Are my civil acts (marriage, property, contracts) invalidated?
Generally no. Civil acts performed while legally a citizen remain valid.
Yet, certain ongoing rights (e.g., property near restricted areas) are reassessed under foreign-ownership rules.
44. I have dual citizenship—does revocation affect my other nationality?
No. Revocation of Turkish citizenship does not affect your other nationality, but you must update relevant documents and inform the other state if required.
45. Can citizenship by birth be revoked?
Revocation applies mainly to acquired citizenship.
In birth-based cases, only registry corrections or very exceptional loss procedures may occur.
46. Are minor clerical errors in application forms a reason for revocation?
Simple mistakes are not.
Only intentional misrepresentation or concealment of facts that influenced the decision constitute grounds for revocation.
47. What happens to my passport after revocation—can I still travel?
After the decision becomes final, Turkish passports and IDs become invalid.
Travel is then subject to your other nationality or valid visa/residence permits.
48. What if criminal proceedings and revocation run concurrently?
Administrative courts may consider criminal-case evidence, but criminal-law presumptions (like “in dubio pro reo”) do not bind administrative judges.
49. What happens to my tax, SGK, and bank records?
They remain valid; only your legal status changes.
Institutions update records to reflect your new foreign-national identity.
50. What about my children’s school enrollment?
Children may continue temporarily under transition rules but will later require foreign-student permits or residence documentation.
51. How are population records corrected after revocation?
Population registries are updated by the civil registry office.
In certain cases, separate court procedures may be required for name or identity corrections.
52. Are foreign documents (marriage, criminal record, birth) valid evidence?
Yes—if duly apostilled, translated, and notarized, and verified by consular channels when necessary.
53. What should I consider when applying to the ECHR?
Domestic remedies must be exhausted, deadlines observed, and violations (fair trial, family life, etc.) clearly substantiated with evidence.
54. Can I obtain a “Blue Card”?
The Blue Card is granted only to those who voluntarily renounced Turkish citizenship with permission.
It does not automatically apply to revocation cases.
55. How should an administrative objection or reconsideration be drafted?
Include concrete evidence, highlight procedural defects, invoke proportionality and legal certainty, and document family unity or child-welfare considerations.
56. Why is the “reasoning” of the revocation decision important?
Because the decision must state clear factual and legal grounds.
A vague or unreasoned decision constitutes a valid ground for judicial annulment.
57. What if evidence was obtained unlawfully?
Illegally obtained evidence must be disregarded, weakening the decision’s evidential basis and supporting a stay-of-execution request.
58. How are legal costs and attorney’s fees determined?
They depend on the case outcome, statutory fee schedules, and judicial discretion. In partial acceptance, costs may be apportioned.
59. What are the conditions for a stay of execution?
There must be manifest unlawfulness and a risk of irreparable harm.
The measure is temporary and lasts until the final judgment.
60. How should I plan family-reunification or visa procedures after revocation?
Notify relevant embassies/institutions and re-apply for visas, residence, or family-reunification permits consistent with your new legal status.
61. How can the principle of “legal certainty” be invoked if the administration acted too late?
Excessive delay or unpredictability may lead courts to annul the decision under the principles of legal certainty and proportionality.
62. Can old criminal-record entries justify revocation?
Not necessarily.
Only recent and directly relevant offenses can justify revocation; otherwise, it violates the principle of proportionality.
63. Do media or social-media reports affect my case?
Authorities may review open sources, but unverified content alone is insufficient.
False publications can be challenged through correction or removal actions.
64. What happens to my contracts referring to my old ID or citizenship number?
Contracts remain valid, but identity details should be updated to prevent future disputes.
65. How do property-sale restrictions in investment citizenship affect revocation?
Selling property before the mandatory three-year restriction or engaging in fictitious sales may be deemed a breach of good faith and a ground for revocation.
66. Is there any “conciliation” mechanism?
There is no formal settlement process, but additional evidence or corrective applications during administrative review may lead to reconsideration.
67. How are my consular transactions affected?
Consular services based on Turkish citizenship (birth registration, marriage, etc.) cease.
Future actions must be carried out under your remaining nationality.
68. Are precedent (emsel) court rulings binding?
Courts consider precedents for consistency, but each case is assessed on its own facts.
Precedents strengthen legal arguments but do not guarantee results.
69. Are the administration’s information-gathering methods reviewable?
Yes.
Correspondence, inter-agency data sharing, and open-source investigations are subject to judicial scrutiny for legality and proportionality.
70. What happens to my company or signature authority in Türkiye after revocation?
Trade-registry records are updated to reflect the new status.
Business activities may continue as a foreigner, provided work, residence, and representation requirements are fulfilled.
Summary
The revocation of Turkish citizenship is a highly technical process involving both administrative and judicial stages.
With timely action, complete documentation, and expert legal representation, individuals can protect their rights and avoid serious consequences such as loss of status, deportation, or statelessness.
