Turkey rolls out “biometrics on submission day” for CBI applicants: residence permit decision and citizenship filing in one appointment

The Istanbul Provincial Directorate of Migration Management has introduced a revised priority workflow for collecting biometric information under citizenship by investment (CBI). Eligible investors can now complete the process in a single visit, obtaining a residence permit (VP) decision and preparing a citizenship application during the same appointment. The update becomes effective on February 9, 2026.

Until now, applicants typically had to take a longer, two-stage route. First, they visited the Cevizlibağ Population Directorate in Istanbul to submit biometrics for the residence permit, then waited 5–10 business days for the outcome. Only after receiving that decision could they schedule a second visit to submit the documentation required for citizenship. This often meant close to two weeks of time in Turkey, or the need to plan two separate trips.

For entrepreneurs and families with tight schedules, the earlier format was frequently difficult to manage—requiring coordination of multiple appointments and alignment with each agency’s working hours.

Faster pathway: biometrics and next steps handled the same day

With the new procedure, applicants send documents by email in advance and are then offered priority appointment scheduling for their in-person visit. In most cases, the appointment confirmation arrives within 1–2 days.

On the appointment day, processing is carried out without waiting in the standard queue. Applicants provide fingerprints in the fast-track (accelerated) section. If the file is fully prepared, residence permit approval may be issued on the same day. Following that, the citizenship submission can be finalized later that evening or the next morning, depending on available slots and the readiness of the documentation.

The service cost is 44,000 TRY (plus VAT) for the principal applicant and 22,000 TRY (plus VAT) for each dependent. Investment amounts, minimum holding periods, and other CBI program conditions remain the same—this update focuses on administrative acceleration, not on changes to the underlying rules.

From investment to passport: a timeline aimed at under three months

The most sought-after option continues to be real estate acquisition with prices from USD 400,000. At the same time, unlike several Caribbean schemes that often steer investors toward pre-arranged developments, Turkey’s approach is based on the open market.

A practical example of the updated workflow could look like this: arrive in Istanbul, complete biometrics in the morning, choose and arrange the property through CIP Turkey, and then return home the same day.

In real life, this streamlined “single-day cycle” further supports Turkey’s reputation as one of the quickest options in the CBI segment.

CIP Turkey, a long-standing player in Turkey’s investment citizenship market, reports that many clients complete the full journey—from application submission to passport issuance—in less than three months.

A Turkish passport provides visa-free access or visa-on-arrival entry to over 110 destinations. It also allows U.S. investors to take part in the E-1 and E-2 categories without language or residency prerequisites.

Turkey also recognizes dual citizenship and does not require applicants to notify their country of origin about acquiring the new citizenship.

Turkey sharpens its competitive position

Since 2018, authorities have gradually reduced minimum thresholds, and in that period more than 13,000 investors and their family members have obtained Turkish citizenship. In terms of application volume, the program has become the most popular direct citizenship scheme worldwide.

Introducing expedited biometrics signals that Ankara is not planning to slow the pace. In the CBI arena, competition is intense: Caribbean jurisdictions often market faster processing times, while Gulf countries continue expanding investor-focused services. Turkey’s response is to improve both workflow and timing.

Demand is also supported by geopolitical uncertainty and ongoing tensions in certain regions. When a second citizenship is needed urgently, it becomes harder to find a pathway where “on-the-ground” processing can be completed in one day and the full route to citizenship can be finished within only a few months.

An open real-estate acquisition model, a strong passport, and now—the fastest in-person processing among direct CBI programs. Turkey is positioning its offer to remain as transparent as possible and competitive on timelines.

If you are considering citizenship/residence in Turkey through investment (CBI), it’s important to understand not only the program requirements, but also how smoothly and quickly you can complete the formalities. The new approach—biometrics on the day of submission, with the option to start the residence permit process and prepare the citizenship application within one visit—can meaningfully reduce both travel and waiting periods. At Digital Nomad, we help you assemble the correct documentation, meet applicant criteria, and coordinate the process to reduce delays and make the most of your schedule.

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