Qualified Investor Residence Permit 2026: Investor, Spouse, and Children

Last update: September 10, 2026

Short answer: The qualified investor residence permit is a special short-term residence permit that can be granted to foreign nationals who do not work in Turkey but make investments within the scope and amount determined by the legislation, as well as to their foreign spouses, and the minor or dependent foreign children of the investor or the spouse. Permits within this scope can be issued for periods of up to five years at a time. Making the investment alone is not sufficient; the determination of the investment condition by the competent authority and a separate residence application for each family member are required.

Qualified Investor Residence Permit, is governed by Article 31/1-j of the Law on Foreigners and International Protection No. 6458. This status is distinct from standard real estate residence permits and direct citizenship proceedings. For the general system of residence permits Turkey residence permit 2026 guide may be examined.

What is a Qualified Investor Residence Permit?

The Law provides a special short-term residence permit opportunity for foreign nationals who do not work in Turkey but will make investments within the specified scope and amount. The same subparagraph also covers the investor's foreign spouse, as well as their and their spouse's minor or dependent foreign children. In this respect, the status is regulated not only for the primary investor but also for the close family members enumerated in the law.

In the official announcement of the Presidency of Migration Management it is stated that residence permits can be issued to this group for periods of up to five years at a time. However, the "five years" is not an automatic and unconditional right. The nature of the investment, the certificate of conformity, passport validity, family ties, and other application conditions are evaluated together.

Who is Eligible?

• The foreign investor who meets the investment scope and amount determined in the legislation,
• The foreign spouse of the investor,
• The minor foreign child of the investor,
• The dependent foreign child of the investor,
• The minor or dependent foreign child of the foreign spouse.

The definition of family member in the Law cannot be interpreted broadly to encompass all relatives. Mothers, fathers, siblings, or economically independent adult children cannot automatically benefit from this subparagraph simply because they are relatives of the investor. Regarding dependent adult children, dependency must be demonstrated through current and concrete documents.

Differences Between the Qualified Investor Residence Permit and Other Statuses

Which Investments Can Be Evaluated Within the Scope of Qualified Investment in 2026?

Investment types and amounts are subject to legislative changes. Current regulations and the practice of the competent authority must be checked prior to application. As of 2026, the prominent pathways for exceptional citizenship and the related conformity practices are as follows:

The thresholds in the table are for general informational purposes only. The transaction date, currency conversion, investment structure, encumbrances on the investment instrument, and the competent authority's current implementation principles may alter the outcome. For instance The official announcement of the Capital Markets Board, regulates the compliance certificate for mutual fund investments and the three-year holding period in detail.

Are Real Estate Residence Permit and the $400,000 Investment the Same Thing?

No. Short-term residence permits based on real estate ownership in Türkiye and real estate transactions under citizenship by investment/qualified investor status have different legal bases and purposes.

For real estate-based residence applications under the 2026 practice, the USD 200,000 threshold applies to a single residential property. The combined values of two different properties are not accepted to fulfill this requirement. As for qualified investment and exceptional citizenship pathways, a USD 400,000 threshold, a three-year disposal restriction, and a clearance procedure by the competent authority are required.

The details of this distinction real estate residence permit and the USD 200,000 rule is explained in the correspondence. The nature, valuation, and title deed annotation of the real estate acquired for citizenship investment must be examined separately.

What is a Certificate of Conformity?

A Certificate of Conformity is a document demonstrating that the relevant public institution has verified whether the foreigner meets the scope, amount, and other requirements stipulated for the chosen investment path. Not the same institution is authorized for every type of investment. Different authorities conduct reviews regarding bank deposits, real estate, fixed capital, employment, and investment funds.

A bank receipt, title deed, or company capital record alone does not substitute for a Certificate of Conformity in every circumstance. The source of the investment, transfer method, foreign currency conversion, blockage, valuation, and retention period must comply with the specific rules of the respective path.

Can the Investor, Spouse, and Children Apply Together?

The investor, foreign spouse, and children enumerated in the law may apply for a residence permit under the same investment basis. However, a single residence card is not issued on behalf of the family. A separate application form, passport, photograph, fee/card processing, and documents proving family ties must be prepared for each individual.

With respect to the spouse

The marriage must be valid and proven by an official document. For a marriage certificate issued in a foreign country, an apostille or appropriate certification and a notarized Turkish translation may be required. Since the law uses the term "foreign spouse," the citizenship status of the spouse must be evaluated separately.

With respect to minor children

The birth certificate, custody status, and, where necessary, the consent of the other parent are of importance. Whether the child is born not only to the investor but also to the foreign spouse of the investor may be evaluated within the scope of the law.

With respect to dependent adult children

Attaining the age of eighteen does not automatically preclude application; however, dependency due to economic, health, or similar reasons must be demonstrated with concrete documents. Merely living in the same household with the family or being a student may not be deemed sufficient on its own in every case.

Is It Required for Family Members to Make Separate Investments?

Since Article 31/1-j of the YUKK encompasses the investor along with their foreign spouse and the children enumerated in the article, the rule requiring a separate investment of the same amount for each of these individuals is not stipulated. However, family ties, age, and dependency status must be documented. Each family member's application is evaluated separately in terms of personal security, passport, and other conditions regarding residence.

Directing family members to a general family residence permit instead of this special status is not appropriate in every case file. Family residence permit requirements and the special provision regarding the families of qualified investors must be distinguished from one another.

Does the Qualified Investor Residence Permit Grant the Right to Work?

No. The statutory provision is based on foreigners who "will invest in Turkey but will not work in Turkey." A residence permit alone is not sufficient for the investor to manage a company, work for a salary, or engage in independent professional activity in Turkey.

If the investor or a family member will actually work in Turkey, a work permit or a valid work permit exemption must be separately evaluated. Foreigner work permit guide explains the differences between residence and work status.

Does the Qualified Investor Residence Permit Provide Turkish Citizenship?

A residence permit alone does not grant citizenship. Although a connection can be established between the investor residence permit and exceptional citizenship by investment, these are distinct administrative procedures. Obtaining a certificate of conformity, the residence application, and the citizenship application are evaluated by different authorities and under different conditions.

Meeting the investment condition does not mean that citizenship will automatically be granted. National security, public order, application documents, and other conditions under the legislation are examined. The rejection or delay of a citizenship application is not the same proceeding as the legal nature of the investor residence card.

For How Many Years Is the Qualified Investor Residence Permit Issued?

Within this scope, a residence permit for periods of up to five years each may be issued. The phrase "up to" means that the administration is not obligated to grant a five-year period in every application. Passport validity, the period for which the investment must be maintained, the scope of the certificate of conformity, and the specifics of the file may affect the duration to be granted.

While other short-term residence permits can generally be issued for a maximum of two years at a time, there is a special maximum limit of five years for qualified investors and TRNC citizens.

What Are the Basic Application Requirements?

• Realization of the investment in the scope and amount determined by the legislation,
• Obtaining a conformity or investment determination certificate from the authorized institution,
• Having a passport valid for at least 60 days longer than the requested permit duration,
• Notification of the address to be resided at in Turkey,
• Having health insurance suitable for the application or a valid exemption,
• Submission of necessary identification and family documents by the applicant and family members,
• Absence of inadmissible passenger conditions falling within the scope of YUKK Art. 7,
• Evaluation of entry bans, deportation, or situations that may constitute an obstacle in terms of public order.

Current texts of the Law and secondary regulations from the Presidency of Migration Management legislation page can be reviewed.

What Are the Required Documents?

For the main investor

• residence permit application form,
• Copies of the passport and relevant pages,
• Biometric photographs,
• Certificate of conformity issued by the competent authority,
• Title deed, bank, fund, capital, or employment documents specific to the type of investment,
• Proof of address,
• Health insurance or exemption certificate,
• Receipts for the payment of fees and card costs.

For spouses and children

• Separate residence permit application form for each individual,
• Passport and biometric photographs,
• Marriage and birth certificates,
• Custody order or letter of consent, if applicable,
• Health and financial documents proving dependency for dependent adult children,
• Eligibility and application information establishing a connection with the investor,
• Address, insurance, and payment documents.

Whether documents obtained from a foreign country require an apostille, consular legalization, and a notarized Turkish translation must be verified based on the country of issuance.

How Does the Application Process Progress?

1. The appropriate investment route, family structure, and application objective are determined.
2. The investment is made in compliance with the foreign currency, valuation, blocked account, or duration requirements of the relevant route.
3. The certificate of conformity is obtained from the competent authority.
4. For the investor and each eligible family member official e-Residence system a separate application is submitted via.
5. Identity, family ties, address, and investment documents are compiled into a file.
6. Appointment and document submission procedures are completed.
7. Requests for additional documents or reviews by the administration are fulfilled within the prescribed time limits.
8. Following a positive evaluation, the card printing and delivery process is monitored.

If transitioning from another existing residence type to investor status, residence permit transition application its rules must also be taken into consideration.

What Happens If the Investment Is Liquidated Before the Expiration of Three Years?

If the investment route entails a three-year holding, blocking, or non-disposal condition, the investor reducing, transferring, or selling the immovable property within this period may lead to the loss of the eligibility condition. Authorized institutions may report the breach of conditions to the Presidency of Migration Management and citizenship authorities.

The consequence of the breach varies depending on the type of investment, the applications made, and the stage of the decisions. It may be evaluated in terms of the elimination of the grounds for granting the residence permit, the revocation of the permit, or the non-extension thereof. Limitations on the investment such as liens, preliminary injunctions, or real rights may also produce special consequences in certain investment routes.

What Are the Grounds for Rejection or Revocation?

• The investment amount or type not complying with the legislation,
• Failure to obtain the conformity certificate or submission of untrue documents,
• Liquidation of the investment before the expiration of the mandatory preservation period,
• Failure to prove family ties with the spouse or children through valid documentation,
• Absence of the dependency condition in respect of adult children,
• Failure to fulfill passport, address, health insurance, or other general conditions,
• Having a valid entry ban or deportation decision against oneself,
• Using the residence permit outside the purpose for which it was granted.

When a rejection, cancellation, or non-extension decision is served, the legal nature, grounds, and litigation period of the decision must be examined separately. Detailed explanations residence permit denial and cancellation lawsuit can be found in the guide.

Pre-Application Checklist

1. Verify the current thresholds and timelines for the investment pathway.
2. Determine whether the investment is planned for residency, citizenship, or both purposes.
3. Review the implementation procedures of the competent authority before making the investment.
4. Conduct foreign currency transfers and conversion transactions with proper documentation.
5. Do not assume that the right of residence is finalized before obtaining the conformity certificate.
6. Prepare marital status, age, and dependency documents for spouses and children.
7. Create a separate passport, form, photograph, and address file for each family member.
8. Evaluate the work permit separately if there is a plan to work in Turkey.
9. Schedule the mandatory retention period and restrictions of the investment.
10. Regularly monitor notifications and requests for supplementary documents.

Frequently Asked Questions

For how many years is the qualified investor residence permit issued?

According to the law, they can be issued for a maximum of five-year periods each. The actual duration is determined as a result of the evaluation of the file and documents.

Is the spouse also required to make an investment?

The foreign spouse specified in the law may apply within the scope of the investor's investment basis. However, a separate residence application in the name of the spouse and a marriage certificate are required.

Can a child over the age of eighteen apply?

An adult child can only be included in the scope if they qualify as a dependent foreign child. Dependency must be proven with concrete documents.

Does everyone who purchases real estate worth $400,000 obtain a five-year residence permit?

No. The compliance of the real estate transaction with investment legislation, the title deed annotation, the conformity certificate, and the applicant's other conditions are examined. Five years is the maximum period, not an automatic duration.

Is the residence permit based on real estate worth $200,000 a qualified investor permit?

No. Short-term residence based on property acquisition is different from the qualified investor status under Article 31/1-j.

Does the investor residence permit grant the right to work?

No. A work permit or valid exemption must be separately evaluated for the investor or family member who will actually work in Turkey.

Does the investor residence permit guarantee citizenship?

No. Citizenship is subject to a separate application and administrative evaluation. Meeting the investment and eligibility requirements does not guarantee a definitive outcome.

Will the residence permit be affected if the investment condition is subsequently lost?

The elimination of the basis for the permit may lead to revocation or non-renewal review. The outcome is determined based on the type of investment, the violation, and current administrative procedures.

Conclusion

The qualified investor residence permit is not a simple card transaction consisting solely of the investment amount. The correct investment path must be chosen, the transaction must be completed in compliance with the rules of the competent authority, the certificate of conformity must be obtained, and a separate residence file must be prepared for the investor and each family member. Real estate residence, work permit, and citizenship processes must not be confused with one another. For the evaluation of the specific investment and family structure, our immigration law practice area information can be obtained regarding.

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Author Information

Attorney Batın YILMAZ

Istanbul Bar Association Bar Registry No: 77008

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Communication and Legal Information

Attorney Batın YILMAZ

Istanbul Bar Association Bar Registry No: 77008

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