How to Apply for a Blue Card?
How to Apply for a Blue Card?
How to apply for a Blue Card? Who is eligible for a Blue Card, what documents are required, where to apply, and what are the rights of Blue Card holders?
What is a Blue Card?
The Blue Card is a special status document issued to individuals who were born Turkish citizens but later lost their citizenship by obtaining permission . This document indicates that the person can continue to enjoy certain rights in Turkey even though they are no longer a Turkish citizen.
The legal basis for the Blue Card program is Article 28 of the Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901. According to the General Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs, the Blue Card is issued, upon request, to individuals who were born Turkish citizens but lost their Turkish citizenship by obtaining a renunciation permit.
Who can apply for a Blue Card?
Generally, the following individuals are eligible to apply for a Blue Card:
- Those who are Turkish citizens by birth,
- Those who renounce their Turkish citizenship with permission from the competent authority,
- These are the descendants of these individuals as defined by law.
The important point here is this: Not every person who loses their Turkish citizenship can obtain a Blue Card. To be eligible for a Blue Card, the person must have lost their Turkish citizenship a permissioned renunciation . A different legal assessment is made for individuals who have been stripped of their Turkish citizenship or whose citizenship has been revoked.
Where to apply for a Blue Card?
Blue Card applications can be made to the population registration offices in Türkiye, or to Turkish diplomatic missions abroad. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also states that Blue Cards can be issued by the relevant authorities for reasons such as birth, new registration, renewal, change, or loss.
For those residing in Türkiye, applications are generally made through the provincial or district population registration offices. Those living abroad can process their applications through the Turkish embassy or consulate in their respective country.
Documents Required for Blue Card Application
While the required documents may vary depending on the application location and country, the following are generally required:
- Foreign passport or identity document,
- Permission document or records relating to renunciation of Turkish citizenship,
- Biometric photo,
- Information regarding payment of the Blue Card fee, or payment made during the application process
- If you have an old Blue Card,
- Application form or document to be issued by the relevant authority,
- Documents proving family ties in descendant applications.
In civil registry office procedures, an identity document or passport proving foreign citizenship, a photograph, and the Blue Card fee are considered essential documents for application.
Blue Card Application from Abroad
Individuals residing abroad can submit their applications through Turkish consulates. Consulates may request additional documents depending on the country. For example, some representations may require documents such as a foreign passport, birth certificate, residence permit, biometric photograph, and return envelope.
Therefore, it is important for applicants from abroad to check the current list of required documents with their local Turkish diplomatic mission.
How to Apply for a Blue Card?
The application process generally proceeds as follows:
First, the applicant must determine whether they are eligible for a Blue Card. This includes verifying whether the person was a Turkish citizen by birth and whether they renounced their Turkish citizenship with permission.
Next, the necessary documents are prepared. If applying in Türkiye, it is advisable to make an appointment at the population registration office. If applying abroad, the appointment system of the relevant consulate should be used.
During the application process, identity verification is carried out, documents are reviewed, and the Blue Card is issued. If there are any missing documents, the applicant may be asked to complete them.
Is there a fee for the Blue Card?
Yes. Since the Blue Card is considered a valuable document, a fee is charged during the application process. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that the valuable document fee, determined annually by the Ministry of Finance, is requested for the Blue Card.
This fee may vary from year to year, so the current amount should be checked at the time of application.
How long does it take to get a Blue Card?
The processing time for applications can vary depending on the location of the application, the completeness of the documents, and the time required to review the records. Applications submitted in Türkiye may be processed more quickly, while applications submitted abroad may take longer due to consulate workload and postal processes.
Missing documents, inconsistencies in the population registry, the absence of a record of renunciation of citizenship in the system, or insufficient documentation of kinship in applications concerning descendants can prolong the process.
What are the rights of Blue Card holders?
Blue Card holders can enjoy many rights granted to Turkish citizens, with the exception of those explicitly excluded by law. However, Blue Card holders are not Turkish citizens; therefore, some rights and obligations are excluded.
The following are rights that Blue Card holders generally do not benefit from:
- The right to vote and be elected,
- Obligation to perform military service,
- The right to import vehicles or household goods duty-free,
- The right to be employed as a civil servant in primary and permanent public service positions.
The General Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs also states that, with the exception of these points, Blue Card holders continue to benefit from the rights granted to Turkish citizens.
Do Blue Card holders need to obtain a residence permit in Türkiye?
Blue Card holders are not considered foreigners in the traditional sense. Therefore, they have a special status in Türkiye regarding residency, employment, property ownership, inheritance, and certain social rights.
However, in practice, some institutions may misinterpret the Blue Card status. Blue Card registration and identification number are important when conducting transactions with banks, land registries, notaries, social security institutions, or other public bodies.
Can Blue Card holders work in Türkiye?
The right to work is also important for Blue Card holders. Announcements from foreign missions state that Blue Card holders, or those who can document their registration in the Blue Card Registry, can work in Türkiye without obtaining a work permit.
However, legal limitations regarding primary and permanent civil service positions in public institutions remain in effect.
What can be done if a Blue Card application is rejected?
If a Blue Card application is rejected, the reason for the rejection should be ascertained first. The reason for rejection usually stems from the following:
- The person is not a Turkish citizen by birth
- Not having renounced Turkish citizenship with permission,
- The type of citizenship loss is not suitable for the Blue Card,
- Incomplete or incorrect documents,
- Failure to prove a lineage relationship,
- Discrepancies found in population records.
An administrative appeal can be filed against the rejection decision. If the decision is considered unlawful, administrative judicial review can also be considered.
What to do if the Blue Card is lost?
If the Blue Card is lost, a replacement can be requested. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Blue Card can be reissued for reasons such as birth, new registration, renewal, change, or loss.
In case of loss, the applicant must apply to the relevant authority with a document proving their identity.
Conclusion
The Blue Card application is a special right granted to individuals who were born Turkish citizens but renounced their Turkish citizenship with permission from the competent authorities. Applications can be made at the population registration offices in Türkiye and at Turkish diplomatic missions abroad.
To ensure a smooth application process, the applicant's eligibility for a Blue Card, the manner in which they renounced their citizenship, their civil registry records, and necessary documents must be carefully examined. A legal assessment is particularly important in matters such as descendant applications, issues with previous records, name and surname changes, and the type of loss of citizenship.
#BlueCard, #BlueCardApplication, #BlueCardRights, #TurkishCitizenship, #ForeignersLaw, #RenunciationofCitizenship, #BlueCardHolders, #PopulationRegistrationProcedures, #ConsularProcedures, #LawNo.5901
About Post Author
