What Is Türkiye's Blue Card (Mavi Kart)? Who Can Get It and What Rights Does It Provide? Guide to Application, Work, Inheritance and Citizenship (2026)

What Is the Legal Nature of the Blue Card?

The basic legal basis of the Blue Card practice is Article 28 of the Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901 (TVK). In order to prevent the legal ties of certain persons who left Turkish citizenship with a renunciation permit from being severed entirely, the Law preserves a broad field of rights even though citizenship status has ended.

The Blue Card is the official document showing that these preserved rights can be enjoyed. The card itself does not create citizenship; the actual source of the right is Article 28 of the Law. For this reason, the loss or temporary non-presentation of the physical card does not mean that the legal status ends automatically, provided the conditions exist. Where the card cannot be presented, the Law allows a record extract taken from the Blue Card Holders Register (Mavi Kartlılar Kütüğü) to be used together with an identity document issued by the state of which the person is a citizen.

The Blue Card is not Turkish citizenship

With the delivery of the document of renunciation of Turkish citizenship, citizenship is lost and the person moves to foreign-national status. The Blue Card does not make this person a Turkish citizen again. This distinction is especially important for passports, voting, military service, public office and applications to regain citizenship.

A Blue Card holder may be treated like a Turkish citizen with respect to many rights in Türkiye; however, the holder cannot use a passport of the Republic of Türkiye and cannot enjoy political rights as a Turkish citizen. For international travel, a valid passport or travel document of the holder's existing foreign citizenship must be used.

The Blue Card in Türkiye is not the EU Blue Card

The Blue Card in Turkish law and the EU Blue Card of the European Union, aimed at highly qualified third-country nationals, are entirely different institutions. The EU Blue Card is a work and residence regime. The Blue Card in Türkiye, by contrast, is the document of a special status of rights granted to persons who were previously Turkish citizens by birth and left citizenship with permission, and to their descendants specified in the law.

Confusing these two concepts can lead to serious misjudgments, especially with respect to work permits, residence, family reunification and the consequences for citizenship.

Who Can Get a Blue Card?

In Blue Card practice the most important question is whether the person falls within the scope of Article 28 of Law No. 5901. Not every former Turkish citizen and not every foreign national of Turkish origin can obtain a Blue Card.

Those who were Turkish citizens by birth and lost their citizenship with a renunciation permit

The main group is persons who were Turkish citizens by birth and lost their Turkish citizenship by obtaining a renunciation permit from the Ministry of the Interior. If citizenship was lost in another way, the same result does not arise automatically.

For example, where citizenship has ended through deprivation, cancellation or a different historical statutory provision, the Blue Card right cannot be inferred merely from the fact of "having formerly been a Turkish citizen." The reason for the loss and the underlying decision must be examined.

Descendants up to the third degree

The Law also covers the descendants of these persons up to the third degree. In practice this scope brings into question descent relationships at the level of child, grandchild and great-grandchild. However, a claim of kinship alone is not sufficient; the Law requires the descendant to document the line of descent from the ascendant.

Even if the descendant has never been a Turkish citizen, if the conditions are met the descendant may be entered in the Blue Card Holders Register and may enjoy the rights in Article 28 of the Law. A descendant who previously had no Turkish Republic identity number in MERNİS may be assigned a foreign identity number.

Why is proof of the line of descent important?

Birth abroad, marriage, divorce, a change of surname or different spellings in population records may prevent the link between generations from being established directly in electronic records. In that case birth records, marriage certificates, population registry extracts and, where necessary, apostilled/certified Turkish translations are assessed as a chain.

A spouse cannot obtain the Blue Card automatically

A spouse is not a "descendant." For this reason, the foreign spouse of a Blue Card holder does not automatically become a Blue Card holder merely because of the marriage. By contrast, the Law No. 6458 on Foreigners and International Protection allows a family residence permit to be granted to the foreign spouse and certain children of a person within the scope of the Blue Card. This is a status different from the Blue Card and is subject to its own conditions.

The position of the child if one parent retains Turkish citizenship

If, at the moment the child is born, one of the parents is a Turkish citizen, the citizenship provisions on descent are assessed separately. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs' current explanation likewise states that, where one of the parents retains Turkish citizenship, the child must be registered in the Turkish citizens' register, not in the Blue Card Holders Register.

The Blue Card Holders Register and the Identity Number

The records of persons within the scope of the Blue Card are kept electronically in the Blue Card Holders Register. The register is not merely a technical record relating to card printing; it is the basic data source for verifying a person's identity, family ties and population events in official transactions in Türkiye.

For a person who was a Turkish citizen by birth and later left citizenship with a renunciation permit, the existing Turkish Republic identity number may be transferred to the Blue Card Holders Register unchanged. A foreign identity number may be assigned to a descendant within the scope who was not previously a Turkish citizen. Under the Law, in transactions that require a Turkish Republic identity number, the identity number assigned to the person within the scope of the Blue Card may be used.

Population events must be reported

Persons entered in the register must report births, marriages, divorces, deaths, addresses and similar population events to population directorates within the country and to diplomatic missions abroad. A mismatch of name, surname, date of birth or marital status between foreign-country records and the Blue Card Holders Register may complicate land registry, bank, inheritance, power of attorney and return-to-citizenship transactions.

Disputes that have come before the Council of State (Danıştay) and the Constitutional Court (Anayasa Mahkemesi) also show that matching of identity and name is not a merely technical detail. For this reason, the currency of the register data should be checked, especially before regaining citizenship, or before an inheritance or immovable property transaction.

What Rights Does the Blue Card Provide?

Instead of "listing rights one by one," the system of Law No. 5901 is based on identifying the exceptions and enjoying the remaining rights. For this reason, persons within the scope of the Blue Card, subject to the provisions on national security and public order, enjoy the rights granted to Turkish citizens other than the rights expressly set aside in the Law.

Residence in Türkiye and Entry into Türkiye

Blue Card holders are exempt from a residence permit

Article 20 of the Law No. 6458 on Foreigners and International Protection exempts those within the scope of Article 28 of Law No. 5901 from a residence permit. For this reason, a Blue Card holder does not need to obtain a separate short-term or long-term residence permit merely on the basis of this status in order to stay in Türkiye for a long period.

This exemption does not pass automatically to a foreign spouse of a Blue Card holder. A foreign spouse and family members outside the scope may need a family residence permit or another type of residence according to their own status.

Visa exemption on entry into Türkiye

Article 12 of Law No. 6458 exempts from the visa requirement persons who are understood to be within the scope of Article 28 of Law No. 5901. However, the Blue Card is not a passport or an international travel document. To enter Türkiye and to travel to other countries, the person must carry a valid passport or travel document issued by a foreign country.

The Right to Work in Türkiye

No work permit needs to be obtained

Article 6/4 of Law No. 6735 on International Labor Force reserves the right to work of persons within the scope of Article 28 of Law No. 5901. The Ministry of Labor and Social Security likewise expressly states that Blue Card holders, or persons who document that they are registered in the Blue Card Holders Register, may work without obtaining a work permit.

An ordinary work permit document is not issued for these persons. According to the Ministry's current explanation, on request a document, free of fees, stating that they may work in Türkiye can be issued.

The Blue Card does not automatically give the right to practice every profession

The work permit exemption does not remove the profession's own legal conditions. Depending on the profession, recognition of a diploma, specialization, registration with a chamber or union, a license, a certificate of competence, a security investigation or other special conditions may be required.

For this reason, the approach "I have a Blue Card, so I can do any job in Türkiye without any other formality" is not correct. It must first be separated whether the job depends on a work permit, or on professional qualification and special-law conditions.

An important example for the legal profession

In the Ministry of Justice's current frequently asked questions, it is stated that law faculty graduates within the scope of Article 28 of Law No. 5901, provided that they meet the other conditions apart from the requirement of being a citizen of the Republic of Türkiye in Article 3 of the Attorneyship Law (Avukatlık Kanunu), may undertake a legal traineeship and practice as attorneys in Türkiye. This example shows that Blue Card status must be assessed together with special professional legislation.

The same result cannot be reached automatically for other regulated professions; the relevant special law must be examined separately.

Employment in Public Institutions and Public Office

Article 28/3 of Law No. 5901 provides that those within the scope of the Blue Card cannot hold principal and permanent public service posts that are based on a civil-service position and subject to the public law regime. This does not mean exclusion from every kind of public institution activity.

In the same paragraph the Law expressly provides that these persons may be employed in public institutions and organizations as:

• workers,
• temporary personnel or
• contracted personnel.

In addition, some special regulations may expressly accept Blue Card holders. For example, current announcements concerning the lists of interpreters in the judicial courts state that, besides citizens of the Republic of Türkiye, Blue Card holders within the scope of Article 28 of Law No. 5901 may also apply.

For this reason, for every public post one must look not merely at whether the institution is a public institution, but at the legal status of the post and its special legislation.

Immovable Property, Investment, Companies and Commercial Activities

Persons within the scope of the Blue Card continue to enjoy the private-law and property rights that Article 28 of the Law does not list as exceptions. Within this framework, acquiring immovable property in Türkiye, establishing or becoming a partner in a company, opening a bank account, entering into contracts and carrying on investment activity are possible.

In immovable property transactions, unlike the status of an ordinary foreign national, the person relies on the special rights regime in TVK Art. 28. Even so, the provisions on national security and public order, the land registry/zoning status of the immovable itself, special statutory restrictions and conditions tied to the nature of the transaction also apply separately.

Identity verification in banking and financial transactions

In MASAK's current explanations it is stated that the Blue Card can be used to confirm identity information through verification via the Identity Sharing System (Kimlik Paylaşımı Sistemi, KPS). A bank or financial institution requesting further information because of customer due diligence, tax residence, source of funds or foreign-country legislation does not conflict with Blue Card status.

The Blue Card does not give the person a tax exemption. Tax residence, the source of income, the type of transaction and the relevant tax laws are assessed separately.

Inheritance Rights and the Foreign Element

Persons within the scope of the Blue Card may benefit from inheritance rights. There is no exception in TVK Art. 28 that removes the right of inheritance. However, if there is a foreign element in the inheritance relationship, "being a Blue Card holder" alone does not determine which country's law applies.

Under Article 20 of the Law No. 5718 on Private International and Procedural Law (MÖHUK), inheritance is as a rule subject to the national law of the deceased; Turkish law applies to immovable property located in Türkiye. In the Court of Cassation (Yargıtay) decision of 12.01.2026, too, it was emphasized that the law applicable to movable property and to immovable property in Türkiye must be assessed separately.

For this reason, especially where assets abroad of a Blue Card holder or a deceased person holding foreign citizenship are involved, the following must be examined separately:

• citizenship on the date of death,
• whether the asset is movable or immovable,
• the country where the immovable is located,
• the foreign certificate of inheritance,
• whether a certificate of inheritance is needed in Türkiye,
• inheritance and transfer tax transactions.

Social Security, SGK and Retirement

Article 28 of Law No. 5901 provides that acquired rights of persons within the scope of the Blue Card relating to social security are reserved and that, in using these rights, they are subject to the provisions of the relevant laws.

The decision of the 10th Chamber of the Council of State, E.2020/4515, K.2024/5661, 28.11.2024, is important because it addresses in detail the nature of TVK Art. 28 as a special and later regulation in the social security status of Blue Card holders. The decision shows that Blue Card holders cannot be mechanically placed in the ordinary foreign-national category with respect to social security.

The citizenship period matters in the purchase of service periods abroad

Under Law No. 3201, the purchase of service periods abroad (yurt dışı borçlanması) by Blue Card holders is subject to separate rules. According to the Social Security Institution (SGK)'s current 2026 information, Blue Card holders who were Turkish citizens by birth and lost their citizenship with a renunciation permit may benefit from the right to purchase service periods abroad; however, the nature of the periods to be purchased and the period in which the person was a Turkish citizen are important.

In current official information, it is stated that the periods spent abroad that can be purchased are, as a rule, appropriate periods spent as a Turkish citizen after the age of 18. Therefore, it should not be assumed that every period spent abroad as a Blue Card holder can automatically be purchased.

For countries with which there is a social security agreement, the provisions of the bilateral agreement must also be examined separately.

Rights a Blue Card Holder Cannot Enjoy

The main areas expressly set aside in Article 28 of the Law are as follows:

There is no right to vote or stand for election

Since a Blue Card holder is not a Turkish citizen, the holder cannot vote or stand for election, as a Turkish citizen, in elections for members of parliament, mayors or other elections.

There is no military service obligation

A person in Blue Card status, during the period in which the person is not a Turkish citizen, is not subject to the military service obligation particular to Turkish citizens. However, if the person regains Turkish citizenship, the military service position must be reassessed according to the legislation at that date and the person's individual military history.

There is no right to import a vehicle or household goods duty-free

Under TVK Art. 28, the "right to import a vehicle or household goods duty-free" is not preserved. However, this provision does not mean that a Blue Card holder cannot benefit from any customs regime. For example, different regimes may come into question for Blue Card holders who meet the conditions of other legislation on temporary vehicle entry. These are not rights directly provided by the Blue Card, but separate customs regulations.

There is no principal and permanent civil-service public post

As explained above, the prohibition is not on every kind of work in a public institution; it concerns principal and permanent public service that is based on a civil-service position and subject to the public law regime.

How Is an Application for the Blue Card Made?

Application authority

According to the current explanation of the General Directorate of Civil Registration and Citizenship (Nüfus ve Vatandaşlık İşleri Genel Müdürlüğü, NVI), the Blue Card is issued:

• within the country by district population directorates,
• abroad by diplomatic missions.

For applications abroad, an appointment must be made through the Consular Services portal (Konsolosluk İşlemleri) and the relevant diplomatic mission's current document list must be checked.

Basic documents

In the main information published by NVI, the basic application documents are stated to be:

• a petition stating the request,
• two photographs,
• an identity document or passport showing that the person is a citizen of a foreign state.

However, in situations such as a new registration, a descendant's registration, birth, marriage, divorce, a name change or card renewal, the diplomatic mission or population directorate may request additional official documents depending on the nature of the event. In particular, for documents issued by foreign authorities, the apostille/certification and Turkish translation requirement may vary according to the country in which the document was issued and international conventions.

The 2026 Blue Card fee

The 2026 Communiqué on Valuable Papers (Değerli Kağıtlar Tebliği) of the Ministry of Treasury and Finance (Hazine ve Maliye Bakanlığı) sets the Blue Card fee at 220 TL. At diplomatic missions abroad, collection may appear different because it is made in foreign currency and because of local processing/postal charges; the diplomatic mission's tariff on the day of application must be checked separately.

Is the application made in person?

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Consular Services portal provides for an in-person application after an appointment for the Blue Card application. As to delivery of the card, the card may be delivered to a person over 18 years of age or to that person's authorized representative (attorney-in-fact); for minors, according to the legal representation arrangement.

Validity Period, Renewal and Loss of the Blue Card

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' current Blue Card explanation, the Blue Card has no specific validity period. For this reason, periodic renewal is not required merely because a period has expired, as with a residence card or passport.

Nevertheless, the card may be renewed if:

• it has been lost,
• it has become physically unusable,
• identity verification by photograph has become difficult, or
• a situation requiring its replacement under legislation/practice has arisen.

If the information on the card differs from the information on the foreign country's identity document, instead of merely requesting a new card, it should first be examined on the basis of which document the entry in the Blue Card Holders Register will be updated.

Can Rights Be Exercised Without the Blue Card?

The physical card provides important ease of proof and of transactions; however, Article 28/7 of the Law provides an alternative system of proof where the card cannot be presented. Transactions may be carried out by using a record extract taken from the Blue Card Holders Register together with an identity document issued by the foreign state's authority.

For this reason, the conclusion "I lost my card, so I have lost my Blue Card rights" is not correct. Nevertheless, to prevent delay in transactions, it is appropriate to apply for a new card in case of loss and to keep the records up to date.

e-Devlet and Official Transactions

According to the e-Devlet Gateway's current explanation, Blue Card holders who have reached the age of 15 can obtain an e-Devlet password. Correct linkage of the identity number to the Blue Card Holders Register is important for many digital transactions.

In some institutions, a problem with a transaction may arise because of an old closed population record or because information systems have been configured incompatibly with the Blue Card Holders Register. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that, in this case, the institutions' Identity Sharing System configuration should be checked.

When a transaction cannot be carried out, it is important not to be satisfied with a mere verbal refusal; to obtain, if possible in writing, the legal or technical ground on which the transaction could not be completed; to verify the card/register record; and, where necessary, to file a correction application with the relevant institution.

The Blue Card and Education Rights

The position of Blue Card holders in the field of education cannot be assessed in every transaction simply as "entirely the same as a Turkish citizen." In particular, special rules may be introduced by YÖK (Council of Higher Education) on matters such as admission to higher education, the quota for international students, quota limits in certain programs and application dates.

The Council of State's decisions on higher education disputes show that, while Blue Card holders on the one hand have the broad rights regime under Article 28 of Law No. 5901, on the other hand they may be subject to special and current application rules in the higher education admission system.

For this reason, especially for programs such as medicine, dentistry, law and teaching, the YÖK and university admission rules for the year of application must be checked separately.

How Can a Blue Card Holder Regain Turkish Citizenship?

Being a Blue Card holder does not by itself make a person a Turkish citizen again. However, there is a special route to regain citizenship for persons who lost Turkish citizenship by obtaining a renunciation permit.

Under Article 13 of Law No. 5901, provided that they have no circumstance that would constitute an obstacle in terms of national security, persons who lost their citizenship with a renunciation permit can regain Turkish citizenship by Ministry decision, irrespective of the period of residence in Türkiye.

The five-year residence requirement is not sought

This route differs from acquiring citizenship through the general route. Article 13 of the Law expressly removes the residence requirement. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs' current information also explains that knowledge of Turkish is not mandatory for an application to regain citizenship.

Applications can be made to the relevant Provincial Directorate of Civil Registration and Citizenship (İl Nüfus ve Vatandaşlık Müdürlüğü) within the country and to diplomatic missions abroad. The application process can be followed via e-Devlet; the Blue Card itself does not replace a citizenship decision.

The same rule does not automatically apply to descendants

The transition of a Blue Card descendant back to Turkish citizenship varies according to whether the person was previously a Turkish citizen and in what way citizenship was lost.

For children who lost Turkish citizenship in connection with their mother or father, the exercise of the right of option within a certain period after coming of age or, if that period has been missed, the conditions of the special route under TVK Art. 13 may come into question. By contrast, a descendant who has never been a Turkish citizen cannot "regain" citizenship under Article 13 merely because he or she holds a Blue Card; that person's route to acquiring citizenship is determined separately according to his or her own legal situation.

When citizenship is regained, Blue Card status ends

When the process of regaining Turkish citizenship is completed, the person becomes a citizen again and the Blue Card ceases to be the status document to be used. The new Turkish Republic identity card and other citizenship records are issued accordingly.

What Is the Difference between the Blue Card and the Turquoise Card?

Although the names Blue Card and Turquoise Card (Turkuaz Kart) are similar, their legal purposes are entirely different.

The Blue Card is also different from the EU Blue Card.

Practical Checklist for a Blue Card Holder or Descendant

Before a transaction, the following points should be checked:

1. Was Turkish citizenship acquired by birth?
2. Was citizenship lost with a renunciation permit?
3. If there is a descendant's application, can the line of descent from the ascendant be documented without a break?
4. Are the name, surname, birth and marital status details in the Blue Card Holders Register up to date?
5. Is there a difference between the foreign passport/identity document and the Türkiye records?
6. Is the physical Blue Card sufficient for the transaction, or are a record extract and an additional identity document needed?
7. Does the profession to be practiced have special license/recognition/competence requirements?
8. What is the civil-service position and public-law status of the post in the public institution?
9. In an inheritance file, have the foreign element and the applicable law been researched?
10. Have the citizenship periods been correctly calculated for social security or the purchase of service periods under Law No. 3201?
11. Is the Blue Card right being confused with the family residence right for a spouse or child?
12. If regaining Turkish citizenship is being considered, has it been determined whether the person falls under Article 13, the right of option or another route?

Common Mistakes

"Anyone who was formerly a Turkish citizen can get a Blue Card"

This is wrong. The basic criteria are that citizenship was acquired by birth and that the loss occurred through a renunciation permit; for a descendant, proof of the line of descent is additionally required.

"The Blue Card is Turkish citizenship"

This is wrong. The card provides broad rights, but the person continues to hold foreign citizenship and does not have the political rights of Turkish citizenship.

"The Blue Card passes to a spouse as well"

This is wrong. A spouse is not a descendant. For a foreign spouse, separate routes such as a family residence permit may be considered.

"Since no work permit is needed, there are no conditions for a profession"

This is wrong. The work permit exemption and the professional license, diploma recognition and special-law conditions are different matters.

"I can purchase all the periods I spent as a Blue Card holder as service periods abroad"

This is wrong. Under Law No. 3201, the citizenship period and nature of the periods that can be purchased are examined separately.

"I lost my card, so my rights are over"

This is wrong. The legal basis of the rights is TVK Art. 28; if the card cannot be presented, there is the possibility of proof through the record extract provided for in the law and the foreign identity document.

Conclusion

The Blue Card is a special status that substantially preserves the legal tie with Türkiye for persons who left Turkish citizenship with a renunciation permit and for their descendants specified in the law. The most critical point is to distinguish correctly that the Blue Card is not Turkish citizenship, but is also different from ordinary foreign-national status.

That the card holder can live in Türkiye without obtaining a residence or work permit, and can benefit from property rights such as immovable property and inheritance, are significant advantages. By contrast, political rights, military service, principal and permanent civil-service public posts and duty-free import are clear exceptions. In areas such as work, social security, higher education, inheritance and regaining citizenship, the relevant special legislation must always be assessed together with the general rule of the Blue Card.

Especially where a descendant, a dispute over identity details, foreign-country documents, social security or regaining citizenship is involved, determining the correct status and the documents to be used before the transaction significantly reduces loss of rights and delay in transactions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is issued a Blue Card?

Persons who were Turkish citizens by birth and lost Turkish citizenship with a renunciation permit, and their descendants covered by the law, as a rule up to the third degree, may be entitled to a Blue Card. The descendant must document the line of descent.

Is a Blue Card holder still a Turkish citizen?

No. The Blue Card is not Turkish citizenship; it is a document showing the status of enjoying the rights protected under TVK Art. 28.

Does the Blue Card have a validity period?

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' current explanation, the Blue Card has no specific validity period. Renewal or a register transaction may be needed in case of loss, becoming unusable, or a need relating to identity/records.

Does a Blue Card holder need to obtain a residence permit in Türkiye?

No. Under Article 20 of Law No. 6458, persons within the scope of TVK Art. 28 are exempt from a residence permit.

Can a Blue Card holder enter Türkiye without a visa?

Article 12 of Law No. 6458 exempts from the visa requirement persons who are understood to be within the scope of TVK Art. 28. However, the Blue Card is not a passport; a valid foreign passport or travel document must be used for travel.

Does a Blue Card holder have to obtain a work permit?

No. Persons within the scope of TVK Art. 28 may work without obtaining a work permit. The license, recognition and similar conditions in the profession's special legislation are reserved.

Can a Blue Card holder become an attorney?

According to the Ministry of Justice's current explanation, law faculty graduates within the scope of TVK Art. 28 who meet the other conditions apart from the requirement of Turkish citizenship in the Attorneyship Law may undertake a legal traineeship and practice as attorneys.

Can a Blue Card holder become a civil servant?

The holder cannot hold a principal and permanent public service post that is based on a civil-service position and subject to the public law regime. However, the holder may be employed in public institutions as a worker, temporary or contracted personnel; the special legislation on the post is examined separately.

Can a Blue Card holder buy a house or land in Türkiye?

The holder benefits from the protected property rights within the scope of TVK Art. 28. The land registry, zoning, security and special statutory restrictions relating to the specific immovable also apply separately.

Can a Blue Card holder be an heir?

Yes. The right of inheritance is not among the exceptions in TVK Art. 28. However, in an international inheritance, connecting rules such as the national law of the deceased under MÖHUK Art. 20 and Turkish law for immovable property in Türkiye apply separately.

Can Blue Card holders be covered by SGK?

Yes; the employment and social security relationship is carried out in accordance with the relevant legislation. The Law protects acquired rights relating to social security. On special matters such as the purchase of service periods abroad, the conditions of Law No. 3201 are examined separately.

Can all periods spent abroad as a Blue Card holder be purchased?

No. According to current SGK explanations, the citizenship status and nature of the periods that can be purchased are determined separately; not every period spent as a Blue Card holder is automatically a purchasable period.

Is the Blue Card automatically given to a spouse?

No. A spouse is not a descendant. However, a foreign spouse, if the conditions are met, may benefit from the family residence permit provisions that accept the Blue Card holder as the sponsor.

Can a child and a grandchild obtain a Blue Card?

The rule of the Law covers descendants up to the third degree. The line of descent must be documented. If one of the parents was a Turkish citizen when the child was born, the provisions on acquisition of Turkish citizenship by birth must also be examined separately.

If the Blue Card is lost, are the rights lost?

No. Loss of the physical card does not mean that the status ends automatically. Proof of the right is possible with the record extract and the foreign identity document; even so, obtaining a new card makes transactions easier.

Can e-Devlet be used with a Blue Card?

Yes. According to the e-Devlet Gateway's current explanation, Blue Card holders who have reached the age of 15 can obtain a password.

Can a Blue Card holder vote?

No. The right to vote and stand for election is expressly set aside in TVK Art. 28.

Does a Blue Card holder have to do military service?

No. During the Blue Card period there is no military service obligation. If Turkish citizenship is regained, the military service position must be examined separately in the new status.

Can a Blue Card holder become a Turkish citizen again?

A person who lost Turkish citizenship with a renunciation permit, provided there is no obstacle in terms of national security, may apply to regain citizenship under TVK Art. 13 irrespective of the period of residence. For a descendant, this right is assessed separately according to the person's previous citizenship situation.

Is it necessary to live in Türkiye for five years to regain citizenship?

For a person who lost citizenship with a renunciation permit, the five-year residence requirement is not sought in an application to regain citizenship under TVK Art. 13.

Is the Blue Card cancelled immediately when an application to regain citizenship is made?

Making an application and acquiring citizenship are not the same thing. When citizenship is regained, Blue Card status ends and the person returns to the Turkish Republic identity card system. During the application process, the current NVI records should be taken as the basis.

Sources and legal bases

1. Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901, in particular Art. 13 and Arts. 25-28 - Ministry of Justice UYAP Legislation and Case-Law Program.
2. General Directorate of Civil Registration and Citizenship - Blue Card.
3. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye - Blue Card (Former Pink Card) Practice and Consular Services.
4. Law No. 6458 on Foreigners and International Protection, in particular Art. 12, Art. 20 and Arts. 34-35.
5. Law No. 6735 on International Labor Force, Art. 6/4 and Ministry of Labor and Social Security - Blue Card Holders and Those Entitled to a Blue Card.
6. Ministry of Treasury and Finance, General Communiqué of the General Directorate of Public Accounts (Series No: 97) - 2026 Valuable Papers.
7. Ministry of Justice General Directorate of Legal Affairs - Frequently Asked Questions, explanation on the Blue Card and the legal profession.
8. Law No. 5718 on Private International and Procedural Law, Art. 20 and Art. 43; the relevant connecting rules for inheritance with a foreign element.
9. Court of Cassation (Yargıtay), decision of 12.01.2026 on inheritance with a foreign element - distinction between movable and immovable property.
10. Council of State, 10th Chamber, E.2020/4515, K.2024/5661, 28.11.2024 - general health insurance of Blue Card holders and the effect of TVK Art. 28 on social security.
11. Council of State, 10th Chamber, E.2021/207, K.2025/2040, 15.04.2025 - Blue Card Holders Register and the name/surname correction regime.
12. Social Security Institution - 2026 Procedures for the Purchase of Service Periods Abroad.
13. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye - Regaining Citizenship and Social Security FAQ/Booklet.
14. MASAK - Frequently Asked Questions, explanation on the use of the Blue Card in identity verification and the residence permit exemption.
15. e-Devlet Gateway - Frequently Asked Questions, Blue Card holders' ability to obtain a password.