Success Story: Turkish Passport and Istanbul Property with Astons

Ryan, 38, runs a business in the Middle East and frequently travels through Istanbul. Over the years, he’s gotten to know the city well, watching it grow and evolve. Recently, he decided to buy an apartment there — not just as a smart investment but also to avoid hotel stays and secure a backup plan in an uncertain geopolitical climate. Along with his property documents, Ryan also obtained a Turkish passport. Here’s how he did it.

In the past 5 years, Ryan has visited Istanbul over 40 times. He knows the city inside out and has grown fond of its vibrant energy. “I think I know it better than my hometown, San Francisco,” he joked during his first consultation with Astons.

Eventually, Ryan set his sights on buying an apartment. He was tired of staying in hotels, saw the city’s rapid development, and recognized the potential of real estate as a lucrative investment. Property prices in Turkey have been rising steadily, with annual appreciation rates reaching 10-20% (in USD).

Astons’ Istanbul office has an extensive portfolio of properties catering to even the most discerning buyers. The team informed Ryan that purchasing real estate worth at least $200,000 would qualify him for a residence permit, while a $400,000 investment would grant him Turkish citizenship. Given the global political uncertainty, this option appealed to him, so he decided to secure both a home and a second passport.

After carefully reviewing Ryan’s preferences, our experts suggested several properties in high-end residential developments in Istanbul’s business district. Each one met the criteria for Turkey’s citizenship by investment programme.

Ryan ultimately chose a spacious apartment in a luxury eco-friendly complex. The development is surrounded by 4 forest parks and offers residents top-tier amenities: a swimming pool, a spa, barbecue areas, an open-air coworking space, conference rooms, and an on-site restaurant.

His future home will feature a large sunlit terrace and designer finishes.

Once Ryan chose his property, the Astons team provided him with a detailed checklist of the documents required for both the purchase and his citizenship application. Our experienced legal team handled all paperwork, ensuring full compliance with program requirements.

With support from our immigration experts, Ryan opened a Turkish bank account, transferred the payment to the developer, and finalized the purchase agreement. He also covered additional administrative costs and fees.

An independent licensed appraiser assessed the property’s value to confirm it met the minimum investment threshold for citizenship. The report was submitted to Turkish authorities, and based on this document, Ryan received his property title deed.

To apply for citizenship, investors have to first get a Turkish residence permit. However, there’s no requirement to live in the country. Astons managed the entire residence permit process, and Ryan only needed to visit Turkey briefly to submit his fingerprints.

Once his residence permit was issued, our specialists filed his citizenship application. Ryan returned to Istanbul twice—once for biometric data collection and later to receive his passport.

• $470,000 — a 100 sq. m apartment in Istanbul’s business area
• 1% of the property price — VAT
• $1,000 — other administrative fees
• Legal assistance by Astons — pricing determined individually

Total: $475,700 (excluding Astons service fees).

Seven months after his initial consultation with Astons, Ryan received his Turkish passport. Now, he has a secure backup plan in case of economic or political instability. By the second half of 2025, the residential project will be completed, and Ryan will receive the keys to his new home.

Family members also benefit: the investor’s spouse and children under 18 can be included in the application. There’s no requirement to live in Turkey. The process takes 6 to 12 months.

A Turkish passport grants visa-free access to 118 countries, including Singapore, Japan, and South Korea.
With its strategic location, international business environment, and investor-friendly climate, Turkey offers exciting opportunities for business growth.

With Astons, obtaining Turkish citizenship is fast and hassle-free. Our Istanbul-based experts handle the entire process, ensuring a smooth and efficient experience. Let us take care of the paperwork while you enjoy the benefits of your new passport.