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A rejection or a cancellation is not always the end of the file. The first hours matter: the notification date, the stated grounds and the deadline decide what can be done.
Short answer: A rejection, the cancellation of an investment certificate or the cancellation of a citizenship decision can generally be challenged through an annulment action before the competent administrative court within 60 days of notification (Law No. 2577, art. 7), unless a special rule applies. The Ministry rejects the requests of persons who pose an obstacle in terms of national security and public order (Law No. 5901, art. 12/2), and a citizenship decision is cancelled if it rests on a false statement or on concealed material facts (art. 31). Which court is competent depends on the act that is challenged.
Last updated: 28 October 2026 · Written by Av. Osman Turhan
Key facts
- Legal basis: Law No. 5901, art. 12(1)(b); Implementing Regulation, art. 20(2)
- Lowest threshold: USD 400,000 in real estate, with a three-year no-sale annotation on the title deed
- Other routes: USD 500,000 (fixed capital, bank deposit, government debt instruments, fund units, private pension) or 50 jobs
- Holding period: Three years for real estate, deposits, government debt instruments, fund units and pension contributions
- Decision: Presidential decision after a national security and public order review; meeting a threshold is not a guarantee
- Last verified: 28 October 2026, against the legal texts listed below
Change log
- 29 October 2026 – Added key facts, breadcrumbs, author and review information; clarified the fee wording.
- 28 October 2026 – First publication, checked against Law No. 5901, the Implementing Regulation and the authorities’ published procedures.
Types of decisions
- Rejection of the request on national security or public order grounds (Law No. 5901, art. 12/2), or for a deficiency in the file.
- Cancellation of the investment certificate by the authority that issued it, for example when the investment is found not to meet the requirements.
- Cancellation of the citizenship decision by the authority that issued it, for false statements or concealment of material facts (art. 31).
First steps
- Get the full decision and the proof of notification, and note the date you received it.
- Do not sign statements you do not understand, and keep copies of everything you submit.
- Send us the decision, the notification date and your file documents. We check the grounds, the deadline and the competent court.
- Collect the evidence that answers the stated grounds: payment and conversion records, valuation and title documents, translations and certificates.
Deadlines
The general period for an annulment action is 60 days from written notification (Law No. 2577, art. 7). Special rules or the wording of the decision can change this, and an administrative objection affects the period only in the cases and under the conditions the law provides (Law No. 2577, arts. 10–11). Do not assume that an objection stops the time limit, and do not wait for a reply before taking legal advice.
2026 reviews of past files
In 2026 the Ministry of Interior announced that the citizenship of 6,134 people, including family members, had been cancelled or withdrawn in reviews of past investment-based files. According to published reports, 5,391 of them were linked to cancelled investment eligibility certificates and 743 were withdrawn on public order or security grounds. The reports also state that these figures do not all concern false property valuations and that the programme itself remains open. We read these figures as reported, not as official statistics, and we assess each client’s file on its own facts.
What a lawsuit can and cannot do
The court examines whether the decision is lawful and whether it rests on concrete, documented grounds. A lawsuit cannot cure a missing investment or a false statement, and we cannot guarantee the result. Where a deficiency can be cured, a new application may be an option; the right path depends on the reason for the decision.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to challenge a rejection?
Generally 60 days from the written notification (Law No. 2577, art. 7), unless a special rule applies. Tell us the notification date immediately.
Can I apply again after a rejection?
Sometimes. If the ground can be cured, for example missing documents, a new application can be considered. If the ground concerns national security or public order, the position is different. The answer depends on the reason in the decision.
Will my family be affected if my decision is cancelled?
The decision may also extend to the spouse and children who acquired citizenship through the same application, as reported in 2026 cases. Each file is assessed on its facts.
Can you act for me from abroad?
Yes, under a power of attorney that meets the formal requirements, for the steps where representation is allowed. We tell you at the start which steps need your presence.
Legal basis and sources
- Law No. 5901 on Turkish Citizenship – art. 12, art. 31
- Law No. 2577 on Administrative Procedure – art. 7, arts. 10–11
- IFC Review: report on the 6,134 cancelled or withdrawn decisions – secondary source
- SimplyTR: breakdown of the September 2026 figures – secondary source
More in this guide
- Turkish Citizenship by Investment: overview
- Real estate route
- Other investment routes
- Process and documents
- Spouse and children
- Costs, tax and 2026 updates
- Turkish citizenship lawyer in Ankara
This page is general information, not legal advice for your case. Results depend on the facts of each file and on the decisions of the authorities.
Talk to us about your file
Send your messages and book your appointment in English or Turkish. Office hours: Monday–Friday 09:00–18:00, Saturday 09:00–15:00.
Av. Osman Turhan
Turhan Hukuk & Danışmanlık, Ankara — foreigners and citizenship law first, followed by real estate, corporate and tax, administrative, family, labour, enforcement, criminal, inheritance, traffic accident, health and consumer law.