How to get a Blue Card in Turkey?

People who are legally bound to a country are called citizens or nationals. Citizenship brings certain rights and responsibilities to the individuals to whom it belongs within the framework of the laws of the country concerned. For this reason, it is necessary to officially acquire this title, either by birth or later. As a dual citizen, individuals can benefit from the laws of both countries. However, there are countries that do not allow this method. In this case, those with Turkish citizenship can change their legal ties by obtaining a blue card. In the rest of the article, we have explained the details of this document.rHow to Issue a Blue Card in Turkey?

WHAT IS A BLUE CARD?

A blue card is a document issued as a result of a change made by a citizen of the Republic of Turkey to gain citizenship status in another country. The rights of those who leave Turkish citizenship by obtaining this document are protected. Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901 includes the rights granted to blue card holders. According to this law, blue card holders and their descendants up to the third degree continue to benefit from the rights granted to Turkish citizens, with the exceptions specified.

The blue card, which changes legal ties, is an important legal opportunity especially for those who live in European countries that do not accept dual citizenship and who wish to gain citizenship status in these locations. Thus, people who have been removed from Turkish citizenship by obtaining permission can complete their official affairs here without dealing with bureaucratic processes. Obtaining a blue card in Turkey brings many more advantages.

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES AND RIGHTS OF THE BLUE CARD?

Article 28 of the Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901 includes the rights of blue card holders. According to the first subparagraph of this article, those who receive this document continue to benefit from the same rights as Turkish citizens. In addition, the person's descendants up to the third degree, i.e. children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, continue to benefit from the same rights. Some of the rights that holders of this official card can benefit from are as follows:

Vehicles purchased abroad can be used in Turkey with a local license plate.
They can work as workers or contracted personnel in public institutions and organizations.
In Turkey, they can practice professions such as lawyers and doctors.
He can retire by borrowing the time he spent abroad as a Turkish citizen.

On the other hand, there are also rights and responsibilities that blue card holders are exempted from. Below you can see the exceptions for those who renounce Turkish citizenship by obtaining permission.

Military service
The right to vote and be elected
Import of vehicles or goods with exemption
The right to hold primary and permanent public service posts based on a tenure and subject to a public law regime

Their rights to social security are reserved. In other words, no changes are made regarding the use of these rights. The rights and exceptions for blue card holders also apply to descendants up to the third degree. However, it is necessary to document the ties of the descendants to the person.

HOW LONG CAN BLUE CARD HOLDERS STAY IN TURKEY?

There is no restriction on the length of stay in Turkey for those with a blue card. This card, which remains legally valid if the necessary conditions are met, gives its holder the right to reside in Turkey as they wish. However, if the card is lost or if there is a change on it due to erasure, scratching or tearing, a new application must be made to the relevant institutions. Thus, with the blue card, you can continue to carry out your official transactions without any problems during your stay in Turkey.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS AND PROCESS: HOW TO GET A BLUE CARD?

Turkish citizens can benefit from this legal opportunity if they fulfill the conditions for a blue card. The first condition is to be born in Turkey or to have a parent with Turkish citizenship. The second condition is to renounce Turkish citizenship with permission. There are also conditions such as not being wanted for any crime or compulsory military service, not being subject to financial or criminal restrictions, puberty and capacity to distinguish.

The blue card is issued by foreign representations abroad and by district population directorates in Turkey. In order to obtain this card, an application is made to the application authorities together with the documents requested by the relevant institutions. If the application complies with the law, the blue card is issued and delivered to the person. Then, both the person and his/her descendants with proven ties are registered in the blue card registry.

WHAT ARE THE DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR A BLUE CARD?

The application for a blue card requires a written petition. The petition must state that the card is requested and include two photographs of the applicant. In addition, official documents showing that the applicant is a citizen of a foreign state must also be submitted. These include an identity card or passport.

FEES AND CHARGES REQUIRED FOR BLUE CARD APPLICATION

To apply for a blue card in Turkey, you need to pay some fees and charges. This is because this card is covered by the Law No. 210 on Valuable Papers. In accordance with this law, those who want to obtain the document in question are charged a valuable paper fee in varying amounts every year. For 2023, the blue card fee was determined as 83 TL.

BLUE CARD APPLICATION RESULTS AND APPEAL PROCESS

It is possible to say that your blue card application will be approved if the necessary conditions are met and the documents are submitted in full. On the other hand, those who renounced Turkish citizenship with permission and received a blue card may apply to re-establish this legal link. It is common for applications to renounce Turkish citizenship and re-establish this legal link to be rejected for various reasons. The rejection decision is an administrative act and is subject to judicial review. In other words, you have the right to appeal against this situation in various ways.

WHAT TO DO IF THE EXIT PERMIT APPLICATION IS REJECTED?

Those who receive a negative response to their application for a blue card or return to Turkish citizenship can seek their rights by filing an annulment lawsuit or by appealing to the administration. The appeal petition is filed with the Directorate of Population and Citizenship under the Ministry of Interior. This institution is obliged to respond to the appeal petition within 30 days from the date of receipt. For applications that are not responded to within the aforementioned period or that are rejected, an annulment lawsuit can be filed within 60 days. You can apply to the Administrative Court to file an annulment action either directly or after the appeal process.