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Renunciation of Turkish Citizenship and the Processes of Obtaining Blue Card
Turkish citizens by birth who lost their citizenship by obtaining a renunciation permit as well as their lineal descendants up to third-degree shall continue to benefit from the same rights accorded to Turkish citizens, apart from specified exceptions. However, the provisions concerning national security and public order are reserved. These persons do not have the right to vote and be elected, the right to import exempted vehicles and household goods and the duty of performing military service. Their acquired rights of social insurance are reserved and they shall be subject to the provisions of the relevant legislation applied in terms of those rights. Blue Card which is issued to these persons upon their demand, shows that they may benefit from the above-mentioned rights. This brief will address the conditions and procedures to be followed for renunciation of citizenship and blue card processes.
I. Renunciation of Citizenship
Applications regarding renunciation of Turkish citizenship should be filed to relevant department of the governorate of the province where the applicant resides or to the foreign missions abroad. Applications shall be made in person or via a special power of attorney. (TCL art.37). Application by post is not acceptable.
Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901 ("TCL") makes it possible to renunciate Turkish citizenship upon the fulfilment of four conditions. (TCL art.25):
“Persons, who request permission to leave Turkish citizenship, may be given re certificate of renunciation or certificate of renunciation permit by the Ministry, provided that they fulfill the following conditions;
a. shall be at the age of maturity and possessing the mental competence
b. must have acquired the citizenship of another State or have convincing evidence which are showing that the person is likely to acquire the citizenship of another State
c. shall not be wanted for any crime or military service
d. shall not have any financial or penal limitation”
Renunciation Turkish citizenship with permission is possible with two different documents. These are "certificate of renunciation" and "certificate of renunciation permit" and citizenship.
Among the persons who request permission for renunciation of Turkish citizenship in order to acquire the citizenship of another State, those whose claims are deemed appropriate may be issued renunciation of Turkish citizenship permit by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The leaving permit certificate is issued by the General Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs for those whose requests are approved by the Ministry.
If the person applied to renunciation of the citizenship is also a citizen of another state, the “certificate of renunciation” is issued to his/her immediately, when it is documented that he/she has previously acquired the citizenship of a foreign state (TCL art.26/1). The certificate of renunciation is issued by the General Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs, to be given to those whose request is deemed appropriate by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Turkish citizenship is lost when the renunciation document is delivered to the relevant person in return of signature.
The requests of those who do not meet the required conditions are rejected by the Ministry.
II. Processes of Obtaining Blue Card
An application should be made to obtain the Blue Card After the renunciation is completed. According to article 53 of the Regulation On The Implementation Of The Turkish Citizenship Law (“Regulation”), It is stated that a 'Blue Card' will be issued for persons whose Turkish citizenship is ceased by renunciation upon permission to benefit from the rights provided to them.
The principles regarding the Blue Card are regulated by article 28 of the TCL and article 54 of the Regulation.
Article 54 of the Regulation;
1. The Blue Card is issued based on the birth records closed to the person who is a Turkish citizen by birth but leave Turkish citizenship by obtaining the permit to renunciate, and to his/her child who is being processed with him/her.
2 .Changes in the identity information after the renunciation of Turkish citizenship are not taken into account during the issuance of Blue Card.
3. If requested, a photograph can be attached to the Blue Card issued in the name of the child.
4. The principles specified in article 131 of the Regulation On The Implementation Of The Turkish Citizenship Law are taken into account in the photographs to be affixed to the Blue Card.
5. After the Blue Card is issued and delivered to the person concerned, card information is kept electronically or on paper.
6. In case the Blue Card is lost or unusable, the card is renewed by the competent authorities.
7. In case of hesitation in the issuance of the Blue Card, the opinion of the Ministry is sought.
The basic principles to be applied in the issuance of the Blue Card are as follows:
• Blue Card is issued by foreign representatives abroad and provincial directorates of population and citizenship affairs in Turkey. If deemed necessary, a Blue Card may be issued by the General Directorate.
• To get a Blue Card; Application authorities are applied with a petition stating the request and the necessary documents.
• Blue Card cannot be used as an identity card, passport or identity document. It is submitted together with the foreign identity document only when receiving services from institutions.
As can be seen, the Blue Card obtained as a result of the renunciation of Turkish citizenship with permission shows that the person provides the necessary status to use the rights specified in article 28 of the TCL. Therefore, obtaining a Blue Card is not a condition for exercising these rights, but has the function of proving the status.