The Mavi Kart (Blue Card) is a document provided under the Valuable Papers Law, which is granted to individuals who were born Turkish citizens but lost their Turkish citizenship by obtaining an exit permit from the administration, as well as to their descendants up to the third degree. Apart from certain rights specifically granted to Turkish citizens, Mavi Kart holders continue to enjoy all other rights just like Turkish citizens. Additionally, some facilitations have been provided for them regarding the reacquisition of Turkish citizenship. If a person who holds a Mavi Kart and meets the requirements wishes to return to Turkish citizenship but their application is rejected, they have the right to file an administrative lawsuit against the decision-making authority.
If a person who is a Turkish citizen intends to obtain citizenship of another country while maintaining Turkish citizenship, they will be subject to dual citizenship regulations. If the person intends to acquire the citizenship of another country by obtaining an exit permit, the concept of Mavi Kart becomes significant. For more detailed information on this matter, you can refer to our article titled “What is Dual Citizenship?”
And for expert guidance, visit our Turkish Citizen Application Service.
Rights of Mavi Kart Holders and Their Descendants
Mavi Kart holders are individuals who lost their Turkish citizenship by obtaining an exit permit. With the aim of preserving the loyalty connection between these individuals and the state, except for the rights listed below, they are allowed to benefit from all other rights granted to Turkish citizens. These rights, along with the exceptions, are outlined in Article 28 of the Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901.
According to the aforementioned provision, Mavi Kart holders can enjoy all other rights granted to Turkish citizens, except for the following rights:
The right to vote and be elected.
The right to perform military service.
The right to import motor vehicles or household goods duty-free.
The right to work in permanent public service positions.
Furthermore, the descendants of Mavi Kart holders up to the third degree can also benefit from these rights. However, it is necessary for these descendants to document their family relationship with the Mavi Kart holder.
For more detailed information on the requirements and application process for Mavi Kart, you can refer to our article titled “What is the Mavi Kart Application?”
Reacquisition of Turkish Citizenship for Mavi Kart Holders
The general requirements for acquiring Turkish citizenship are listed in Article 11 of the Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901. Accordingly, foreigners who wish to acquire Turkish citizenship without relying on any special reason must meet the following conditions:
Be of legal age and have discernment according to their own national law or, if stateless, according to Turkish laws.
Reside continuously in Turkey for at least five years prior to the application date.
Demonstrate the intention to settle in Turkey through their actions.
Not have any diseases that pose a public health risk.
Have good moral character.
Have sufficient command of the Turkish language.
Have a sufficient income or profession to support themselves and their dependents in Turkey.
Not have any circumstances that would constitute an obstacle in terms of national security and public order.
In Article 13 of the same law, it is stipulated that Mavi Kart holders who obtained an exit permit are exempt from the requirement of residing in Turkey for a certain period of time in order to reacquire Turkish citizenship. Therefore, for individuals who hold a Mavi Kart and wish to return to Turkish citizenship, the requirement of continuous residence in Turkey for five years prior to the application date will not be taken into account. However, it is still necessary for these individuals to fulfill the other specified requirements.
Reacquisition of Turkish Citizenship for Children of Mavi Kart Holders
Children of Mavi Kart holders who lost their citizenship in relation to their parents, if the conditions stipulated in the legislation are met, can regain Turkish citizenship together with their parents. In other words, for these children who cannot demonstrate any intention regarding the loss of citizenship, a separate regulation has been introduced to enable them to regain Turkish citizenship.
Accordingly, children who lost Turkish citizenship depending on their parents can regain Turkish citizenship after reaching the age of majority by exercising their right to vote within three years. It should be noted that in this case, it is not necessary to fulfill the other requirements for acquiring citizenship or obtain approval from the Ministry.
Those who fail to exercise their right to vote within three years after reaching the age of majority can still acquire Turkish citizenship through the method of acquiring citizenship without the requirement of residence, similar to Mavi Kart holders. Therefore, these children will be subject to the same rules as Mavi Kart holders after three years have passed since reaching the age of majority.
Legal Remedies Against the Rejection Decision of Reacquisition of Turkish Citizenship for Mavi Kart Holders
Citizenship is the result of the connection between an individual and the state through citizenship ties. Therefore, it is up to the state to determine whether this connection will be established and under which conditions. Although the administration has a discretionary power in making decisions, it also has various obligations that it must comply with.
For more detailed information on objections to administrative procedures and filing an annulment lawsuit, you can refer to our article titled “Objection to Administrative Procedures and Annulment Lawsuit.”
In summary, the decision of acceptance or rejection of a citizenship application made by the Ministry, in the case of individuals who hold a Mavi Kart and wish to return to Turkish citizenship, will be considered an administrative act. If the application of these individuals is rejected, they have the right and opportunity to file an annulment lawsuit against the Ministry that made the decision.
Ready to regain your Turkish citizenship or need assistance with Mavi Kart? Our team of experienced attorneys at Bayraktar Attorneys is here to help. Whether you’re navigating the legal complexities of reacquiring citizenship or need guidance on your Mavi Kart application, we’ve got you covered. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and let us provide you with expert legal solutions tailored to your needs. Your rights matter, and we’re committed to protecting them every step of the way. Don’t wait; take action now and let Bayraktar Attorneys be your trusted legal partner.
