Turkey’s Citizenship by Investment program allows Canadian citizens to obtain Turkish citizenship in as little as 6–12 months by making a qualifying investment. Turkey CBI has no residency requirement, and both Canada and Turkey allow dual citizenship.
Turkey has become an increasingly attractive option for Canadians seeking a second passport. Plus, the real estate market is booming, offering fantastic investment potential.
Whether you’re a Canadian investor looking for your next investment opportunity or you want something more long-term for retirement or for your family, Turkey Citizenship by Investment for Canadians offers a world of opportunities.
Turkey Citizenship by Investment for Canadians: Key Insights
- Canadians can obtain Turkish citizenship in 6–12 months by making a qualifying investment under Turkey’s Citizenship by Investment program.
- Minimum investment starts at $400,000 USD for real estate, or $500,000 USD via bank deposits, bonds, or capital investment.
- Dual citizenship is permitted, and Canadians do not need to renounce their Canadian passport.
- No prior residency is required, but applicants must travel to Turkey for biometrics and a residence permit.
- Eligible family members include a spouse and dependent children under 18.
- The investment must be held for at least three years to maintain Turkish citizenship status
- Turkey offers a lower cost of living and a Mediterranean lifestyle, making it attractive for investors, families, and retirees.
Turkey Citizenship by Investment allows Canadian citizens to obtain Turkish citizenship by making a qualifying economic investment. The most popular option is to purchase real estate valued at at least $400,000 USD.
The Turkey CBI program is popular among Canadians. It has a relatively fast processing time of around 6-12 months, offers family inclusion, and no prior residency in Turkey is required.
For real estate investments, the property must be held for a minimum of three years, and the citizenship application can only be submitted after the purchase is completed and registered. Canadians may also qualify by investing $500,000 USD in fixed capital, Turkish government bonds, or a Turkish bank deposit, or by establishing a business that creates at least 50 full-time jobs.
As part of the application process, Canadians are required to obtain a Turkish residence permit and complete in-person biometric registration before citizenship approval.
There are a range of benefits for Canadians obtaining Turkish citizenship, including:
- Dual citizenship: Both Turkey and Canada permit dual citizenship. This means Canadian citizens can obtain Turkey citizenship without renouncing their Canadian nationality.
- Visa free travel: Once a Canadian obtains a Turkish passport, they are permitted to travel to over 120 countries visa free or with a visa on arrival, providing access to more travel and business destinations worldwide.
- Investment opportunities: The Turkish CBI program offers a range of investment opportunities, opening Canadians up to a range of investment potential, including real estate and businesses.
- Pathway to the US E-2 visa: Canadian citizens don’t directly have access to the US E-2 visa, but Turkish citizens do, meaning Canadians may be eligible for the Turkey E2 Visa once they become Turkish citizens.
- Family inclusion: Canadian citizens can include their family members on their Turkey CBI application, including spouses and dependents under 18.
- Access to affordable healthcare and education: Turkey has affordable healthcare and education systems available to Turkish citizens. This includes access to fantastic Turkey citizenship by investment healthcare benefits, and world-class education for a fraction of the cost.
- No residency requirements: Canadians are not required to live in Turkey before or after their application for Turkish citizenship.
- Enhanced tax planning: Turkish citizenship may provide tax planning opportunities for Canadians with global income, although professional guidance is recommended for personalized scenarios.
- Retirement potential: Turkey is increasingly popular among Canadian retirees for its lower cost of living, beautiful Mediterranean climate, and access to high-quality, affordable medical care.
Canadians can qualify for Turkish citizenship by making one of several investments. The main option is buying real estate worth at least $400,000. Other choices include a $500,000 fixed capital investment, creating at least 50 jobs, depositing $500,000 in a Turkish bank, buying government bonds, or investing $500,000 in real estate or venture capital funds. Any investment that requires a holding period must be kept for at least three years.
Top 3 Places to Buy Property in Turkey as a Canadian
For Canadians applying for Turkish Citizenship by Investment, choosing the right property location is about more than lifestyle. Potential buyers also need to consider compliance, resale potential, and long-term value.
- Istanbul: The largest city in Turkey, Istanbul is the cultural and economic hub of the country. Istanbul offers high rental yields, fantastic infrastructure, and is popular among foreign investors and locals. Many properties in Istanbul are purpose-built for citizenship by investment, making it easier for Canadians to meet valuation and title deed requirements.
- Bodrum: Known for its upscale living options, Bodrum is famous for its high-end investments with premium real estate options along the Aegean coastline. High-end developments in Bodrum often meet Turkey’s CBI valuation thresholds, appealing to Canadians seeking lifestyle-focused investments.
- Antalya: Offering a more laid-back lifestyle, Antalya is popular among retirees and holiday home seekers. It offers affordable coastal properties, natural beauty, and a thriving expat community. Antalya offers a wide selection of CBI-eligible properties at lower entry points, making it popular with Canadian retirees and first-time investors.
The GCS team is with you every step of the way, ensuring your real estate investment meets Turkish Citizenship by Investment requirements.
As of 2026 Turkey Citizenship by Investment requirements for Canadians include:
- Birth certificates of all the applicants
- Passports of each applicant
- Residence proof via a recent utility statement
- Biometric, colored passport photos of each applicant
- Marriage certificate (optional)
- Death or divorce certificate of the spouse (optional)
- Proof that all the applicants hold a clean criminal record
- Proof of healthcare coverage valid in Turkey
- Proof of investment of at least $400,000 into a Turkish bank account or a lawyer’s client account
- Turkish Tax ID Number (necessary)
Property investments have additional document requirements, specifically:
- Valuation report, which needs to be accepted by the Capital Market Board
- Land Registry Certificate showing the complete ownership of the property or properties
- A valid private purchase contract from the developer
Turkey Citizenship by Investment for Canadian citizens is streamlined and typically takes 6 to 12 months. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help Canadians navigate the application:
Step 01: Choose your investment route
Select an eligible investment that meets Turkey’s Citizenship by Investment requirements. Popular options for Canadians include purchasing real estate worth at least $400,000 USD or depositing $500,000 USD in a Turkish bank.
At this stage, Global Citizen Solutions helps Canadians assess eligibility, compare investment routes, and structure the application correctly.
Step 02: Prepare and verify required documents
Gather the required documents, including valid passports, birth certificates, marital status records, proof of funds, and criminal record certificates.
All documents must be notarized and officially translated into Turkish.
How GCS helps: We guide you through all the document requirements, ensuring everything remains compliant, and coordinate with licensed local professionals.
Step 03: Travel to Turkey and complete the investment
The main applicant and spouse are required to travel to Turkey to finalize their investment and complete in-person procedures. This typically includes:
- Signing official investment documents
- Completing biometric registration
- Applying for a Turkish residence permit
How GCS helps: We coordinate the timing of your travel. All appointments will be scheduled efficiently, so your stay in Turkey is as short and organized as possible.
Step 04: Apply for a Turkish Residence Permit
Once the investment is completed, applicants must obtain a Turkish residence permit, which is a mandatory step before citizenship submission.
How GCS helps: We oversee the residence permit application process. We ensure all supporting documents meet current Turkish immigration requirements.
Step 05: Submit your citizenship application
After securing the residence permit and confirming that the investment complies with program rules, the citizenship application is submitted to the relevant Turkish authorities.
How GCS helps: We manage the application process. We liaise with local legal partners and monitor progress.
Step 06: Receive Turkish citizenship and passport
Once approved, you and your eligible family members receive full Turkish citizenship. You can then apply for a Turkish passport and begin enjoying the benefits available to Canadian citizens.
Important to note: Canadians must maintain their qualifying investment for at least three years to retain Turkish citizenship status.
Canadians can expect to obtain citizenship through investment in 6-12 months, making the program one of the fastest citizenship programs available.
Taxes in Turkey are based on residency. This means that Canadians are only considered Turkish tax residents if they spend more than 183 days in the country.
One of the main Turkish citizenship tax benefits for Canadians is that Turkey has a double taxation treaty with Canada, meaning Canadian citizens are only taxed once on the same income.
Canadians can find out more about the investment program in Turkey from the Turkish embassy in Ottawa or consulates in Toronto and Vancouver.
Canadians will need to travel to Turkey in person to obtain citizenship from the Presidency of Migration Management. However, this can be a quick trip over a few days where they can apply for residency and citizenship at the same time.
Speaking with a Turkey citizenship lawyer is highly recommended to ensure your application meets the legal requirements for Canadians to invest in Turkey for citizenship. This can also help to avoid any unwanted Turkey citizenship by investment delays.
How Can Global Citizen Solutions Help You?
Global Citizen Solutions is a boutique migration consultancy firm with years of experience delivering bespoke residence and citizenship by investment solutions for international families. With offices worldwide and an experienced, hands-on team, we have helped hundreds of clients worldwide acquire citizenship, residence visas, or homes while diversifying their portfolios with robust investments.
We guide you from start to finish, taking you beyond your citizenship or residency by investment application.