The Turkish Citizenship by Investment (TCBI) program is one of the fastest and most efficient pathways to obtain a second nationality. However, a single legal mistake during the process can result in a rejection — wasting both time and money.
In this guide, we break down the 10 most common legal errors foreign investors make, why they lead to rejection, and how to avoid them with expert guidance.
This is the #1 reason for rejection.
A property must meet these conditions:
- Not previously used by another investor for citizenship
- The official appraisal must match the market value
- The title deed must not have restrictions, debts, or legal issues
Many investors lose eligibility because they purchased through unlicensed agents.
Even if you paid $400,000+,
if the official SPK appraisal value is lower, your application is rejected.
Solution:
Always do appraisal BEFORE signing the contract.
Cash payments are strictly illegal in the citizenship process.
You must pay:
- Through Turkish banks
- With documented SWIFT receipts
- From your account to the seller’s account
Missing receipts = automatic rejection.
Your payment must clearly show:
- Buyer’s name
- Seller’s name
- Property details
- Transfer reason
Any mismatch → rejection.
If a loan, lien, or court block exists on the property,
citizenship cannot be approved.
Always check the Tapu Registry before purchase.
Some properties require military clearance for foreign ownership.
If this step is skipped → title deed cannot be issued → application refused.
🟥 7. Signing a Contract That Is Not Legally ValiCommon mistakes:
- No notary approval
- Missing signatures
- Unclear payment schedule
- Wrong block / apartment number
This leads to Tapu issues and rejection.d
If you sell ANY of the units before 3 years:
→ Citizenship becomes invalid
→ Turkish authorities may cancel the process retroactively
Frequent errors:
- Invalid birth certificates
- Missing apostille
- Different spellings between documents
- Missing marriage certificate translations
Always have a lawyer check your file.
Most rejected files come from:
- Unlicensed brokers
- WhatsApp freelance sellers
- Non-lawyer application handlers
Citizenship is a legal process — not just a real estate purchase.
Your file must be prepared by:
✔ Licensed developers
✔ Licensed real estate companies
✔ Immigration lawyers
