Pehlivan & Güven Law FirmPublished:
Although the rejection of a Turkish citizenship application is disheartening for applicants, it is often not the end of the road. Depending on the grounds for the rejection, you can either reapply or turn to the administrative courts.
In this article, we will discuss the grounds on which your application may be rejected, the steps you can take against that decision and the requirements for filing an action. For an overview of all application routes, see our article How to Get Turkish Citizenship: An Up-to-Date Guide.
Short answer
A rejection is not always final. If the ground is missing documents or a procedural error, you can reapply after remedying the deficiencies; if legal requirements such as the residence period have not yet been met, you can reapply once that period is completed. For serious grounds such as national security or a sham marriage, however, legal action should generally be considered. An action for annulment before the Administrative Court must be filed within 60 days of notification of the rejection decision.
Although the grounds for rejection vary according to the type of application, they generally fall under the following headings:
A rejection is not always final. If the ground for rejection is:
If an objection is unsuccessful, or if you wish to go directly to court, you can file an action for annulment with the Administrative Court. The time limit for filing the action is 60 days from the date of notification of the rejection decision. If this time limit is missed, the right to file the action is lost.
The statement of claim should set out:
The court reviews the administrative act in terms of lawfulness, not expediency. In other words, it examines whether the administration has used its discretion correctly. If you win the case, the court annuls the rejection decision and the administration has to decide again.
It depends on the grounds. If it was due to missing documents, you can correct them and apply again. However, if security or a sham marriage is involved, reapplying is unlikely to help.
An objection is an administrative remedy, while an action is a judicial remedy. Usually an objection is made first and, if it is unsuccessful, an action is filed. However, you can also file an action directly.
No. The court annuls the decision; when deciding again, the administration exercises its discretion. However, the action ensures that the process is conducted lawfully.
The main grounds for rejection are failure to meet legal requirements such as the residence period, knowledge of Turkish, income or health; missing or unsuitable documents; false statements or forged documents; and grounds relating to national security and public order. There are also grounds for rejection specific to types of application, such as the investment route and the exceptional route.
An action for annulment must be filed with the Administrative Court within 60 days of the date of notification of the rejection decision. If this time limit is missed, the right to file the action is lost.
The court reviews the administrative act in terms of lawfulness, not expediency; in other words, it examines whether the administration has used its discretion correctly.
The rejection of a Turkish citizenship application is no reason to give up. Read the rejection decision carefully, understand its grounds and use the legal remedies correctly. Whether through an objection or an action, it is possible to pursue your rights. However, as these processes require technical knowledge, obtaining support from a lawyer is the best approach. For details of the application routes, you can also read our articles Applying for Turkish Citizenship by the General Route and Turkish Citizenship by Marriage 2026.
