Turkey: An Unforgettable Country and an Effortless Passport

Today's topic is Turkey. To be honest, I wasn't sure whether to categorize this piece under our "Seeing the World" series or the "Immigration Talk" series, as I'll be touching on both. I'll leave the categorization to the marketing department; my only job is to submit the draft.

However, I need to set the agenda first: I plan to explain Turkey's immigration policies before diving into the country itself. Why? Because I genuinely love Turkey so much that I'm afraid once I start talking about it, I won't be able to stop, and I'll completely forget the "business" side of things. So, let's get the formal details out of the way first.

01. Clarifying the Policy: Turkey is About "Citizenship," Not Just "Immigration"

When it comes to Turkish immigration, there is a crucial distinction to establish right away: Turkey is not merely an immigration residency program; it is a direct naturalization program.

What we commonly refer to as "Turkish immigration" is actually a pathway to obtaining Turkish citizenship and a passport directly through investment. This makes it a Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program, which operates on a fundamentally different logic than most other immigration routes.

What makes it even more unique is that Turkey is a major global player. The legally recognized CBI programs on the market are typically offered by small island nations. Turkey is virtually the only country of its economic and geographical size offering such a program, making it truly one of a kind.

The policy itself is incredibly straightforward, offering just two main routes:

● Real Estate Investment: Purchase property worth at least $400,000.

● Capital Investment: Deposit $500,000 in a Turkish bank or purchase equivalent investment funds (how you allocate this is up to you).

Whether you choose to buy property or make a deposit, you only need to hold the asset for three years. After this three-year period, the property is fully yours to live in, rent out, or sell. Similarly, the initial deposit or fund investment, along with any accrued interest, can be fully withdrawn, and you are free to use those funds however you see fit.

In essence, the Turkish naturalization policy is an exceptionally simple process. If you are already planning to allocate assets globally or are looking to purchase overseas real estate, doing so in Turkey allows you to effortlessly pick up a Turkish passport along the way. It is a highly practical choice.

A few additional advantages of the Turkish passport are worth mentioning:

● E-2 Visa Treaty with the US: Turkey is an E-2 treaty country. This means that once you obtain Turkish citizenship, you are eligible to apply for a US E-2 visa, a long-term work visa that is unavailable to citizens of non-treaty nations. For those looking for a viable bridge to the United States, this is a solid option.

● Strong Visa-Free Travel: Compared to other CBI programs, Turkey's status as a major nation affords it respectable visa-free privileges. It offers visa-free access to many developed countries and regions in Asia, and a visa-on-arrival for Taiwan.

Overall, it represents a valuable investment. For individuals who already have an overseas asset portfolio, it makes perfect sense to take advantage of this program.

Alright, that's three minutes up. The policy section is done. Now, let me properly talk about Turkey.

02. Istanbul: A Place of Fascinating Contrasts

Truth be told, I wasn't entirely sure how to introduce Turkey because, frankly, when you ask me about Turkey, I can only really talk about Istanbul. It is the only city I have visited there, though I have been countless times. So, I will focus on sharing my experiences in Istanbul.

Two specific scenes left a lasting impression on me.

The First Scene (Circa 2022)

I was in Istanbul attending an international conference for immigration professionals. The event was held at a luxury hotel, and in the evening, we took a cruise along the Bosphorus Strait. I was likely the only Asian person at the event; the rest were European and American. At the time, my English wasn't quite as fluent, and I hadn't yet demystified the so-called "West."

That night felt like something out of a movie—yachts, cocktail parties, everyone dressed to the nines, holding wine glasses, and conversing in an incredibly sophisticated manner. Everyone was putting on a flawless high-society front. I remember thinking to myself: Is this really Turkey? This feels like it should be London, Switzerland, or New York. That was my first shock in Istanbul—it was completely different from what I had imagined.

The Second Scene (The Four Seasons Hotel)

This involves a rather strange habit of mine: every time I visit Istanbul, I stay at the Four Seasons. There are essentially two top-tier hotels in the city: the Four Seasons and the Mandarin Oriental. For various reasons, I've never managed to stay at the Mandarin Oriental. I've only been there for coffee, and while I hear it's newer and arguably better, I am inexplicably drawn back to the classic Four Seasons every single time.

Why do I keep mentioning it? Because when you stay there, you completely forget you are in Istanbul. The service is, of course, impeccable, but the real highlight is its expansive open-air courtyard facing the sea. It features a wonderfully comfortable outdoor café, a glass house, and a locally inspired Turkish restaurant designed somewhat like a yurt. During my trips to Istanbul, I probably spend 70% of my time in this courtyard—meeting lawyers, developers, financial experts, our local colleagues, and partners.

The beauty of that courtyard, especially at dusk, is hard to overstate. With exceptional service, a stunning environment, elegantly dressed guests, and the Bosphorus Strait and its cross-sea bridge as the backdrop, it feels like an entirely unique setting. It reminds me of the grandeur of Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong.

Istanbul is a city of sharp, almost jarring contrasts. Whenever I step out to walk the streets, I inevitably find myself thinking: The traffic is terrible, there are so many people, and it feels a bit chaotic. Yet, turn a single corner, and you suddenly step into an upscale neighborhood that makes you wonder: Is this Europe? Is this that legendary European elegance?

It is indeed a blend of Asia and Europe, but the divide isn't as simple as "East of the bridge is Asia, West of the bridge is Europe." Throughout all of Istanbul, you will find high-end districts that rival any European capital situated just blocks away from more working-class, chaotic neighborhoods.

I actually love this dynamic—that captivating atmosphere woven into the chaos. I have many friends who absolutely adore Mexico City, which I never quite understood. But whenever they describe the vibe of Mexico City to me, it clicks: Ah, that's exactly what Istanbul feels like.

03. The People and Stories of Turkey

What I really want to share today, however, aren't just these personal observations, but real stories from our company in Istanbul. I believe this will offer a better glimpse into Turkish culture and its people.

We have a substantial corporate presence in Turkey. However, our operation differs from many of our industry peers. Typically, immigration firms set up a local reception office solely to help Chinese clients process their naturalization paperwork. We certainly provide that service—and we do it exceptionally well—but the primary function of our local Turkish office is actually to help Turkish citizens emigrate to the rest of the world. Because we run this kind of dual-purpose operation, I have gathered quite a few stories.

I want to highlight the story of our local General Manager, Mesut.

Mesut, General Manager of Globevisa Turkey.

I've known him for a long time. When we first met, he was the chief legal counsel for the largest local entertainment company. Because we started our Turkish operations many years ago, I would often consult him on legal matters, and we gradually became acquainted. One time, however, we got into a massive professional argument. Afterward, we gave each other the silent treatment, both thinking the other was impossible to work with.

Eventually, we realized that two grown men shouldn't hold grudges like that, so we scheduled a Zoom call. It felt like we both had a bottle of strong liquor in front of us. We metaphorically drank, laid everything out on the table, acknowledged that we both had our faults, and agreed to man up, forget the whole thing, and move on without any lingering bitterness. We cleared the air entirely.

Counterintuitively, that major conflict actually built a profound sense of mutual trust between us.

About four years ago, I approached Mesut and said: "I think the Turkish market has incredible potential, and many Turkish people are looking to emigrate. But as a traditional Chinese businessman, I can't run it properly on my own—I don't even speak the language or fully grasp the local culture. You, on the other hand, are Turkish, and highly accomplished. Would you be interested in joining this industry, partnering with me, and running the Turkish company together?"

He hesitated for two or three weeks before finally saying, "No problem." The moment he agreed, I was deeply grateful for that dramatic argument we had years prior. It was through that conflict that we forged a solid foundation of trust, instantly bridging any cultural gaps that might have existed.

Following his onboarding, we officially established our Turkey office and hired a large team of local colleagues. I can't say for absolute certain that we are the number one firm locally, but it is highly likely. Turkey has a population of over 90 million and is a major source country for emigrants. We have successfully assisted a massive number of Turkish clients in relocating abroad.

Do you know the top destination for Turkish emigrants? It's Greece. Reading geopolitical news, I always assumed Turkey and Greece were at odds. Textbooks tell us they are adversaries, particularly regarding the situation in Northern Cyprus. But in reality, on a citizen-to-citizen level, there are no issues. The Turkish people I have met actually love traveling to Greece. Thus, Greece is the number one destination for our Turkish clients, followed by Portugal, France, the US, and Dubai. These are the primary locations we help them move to.

A couple of other things have left a deep impression on me:

● Our Local Team: It is no exaggeration to say that our local Turkish colleagues are a remarkably attractive group. Perhaps due to a diverse genetic heritage, the men are incredibly handsome, and the women look like models. Moreover, while local salaries in Turkey are not particularly high relative to global standards, everyone works incredibly hard. Many of our local staff are licensed lawyers with excellent academic backgrounds and fluent English, yet they maintain a relentless work ethic. I always thought few people in the world hustled as hard as the Chinese, but I genuinely found a group of similarly driven people in Turkey.

● The Yacht Experience: I usually have a very rushed schedule in Istanbul, packing a day or two with intense work before flying out immediately. On one occasion, I unexpectedly had half a day free. I said to Mesut, "Can you arrange something for us to do together?" He replied, "Henry, stop working all the time. Let me show you how we live in Turkey."

That half-day completely reshaped my perspective. First, he took me to his home. I was already familiar with his wife, Denis, so it was wonderful to see their children and experience their family life. He lives in a beautiful villa in an upscale neighborhood on the Asian side of Istanbul. He has a wife, two kids, and lives a very "European" lifestyle, despite geographically being on the Asian continent. I remember thinking, Ah, so this is what life here can look like.

Then, my preconceived notions were entirely shattered. Mesut invited me out on the water; he owns a yacht. Coming from Hong Kong, my concept of a yacht is that it's an exorbitantly expensive luxury, with mooring fees alone that are astronomically high. I nosily asked him, "This must be really expensive, right?"

He told me it was actually very affordable. When I pressed for a number, he casually mentioned that you could buy a solid yacht for the equivalent of a few hundred thousand RMB—hardly what one would consider an unapproachable luxury.

What shocked me even more was the mooring fee. We arrived at a small canal off the Bosphorus where his yacht was docked. The monthly mooring fee was around $100. For someone from Hong Kong, where mooring fees are essentially astronomical figures, the idea of paying $100 a month was unfathomable.

We navigated out of that small canal, the engine puttering along, until we reached the open waters of the Bosphorus. We cruised in circles, drank beer, and listened to music. He proudly shared his various fishing tales while his wife joined in the conversation; the three of us had an incredibly joyful time.

Istanbul cityscape along the Bosphorus Strait.

Sitting on their small yacht that day, I was left with one overwhelming thought: I never would have imagined that in Istanbul—a place I had somewhat misunderstood—you could buy a great yacht for a modest sum, maintain it for $100 a month, and take it out to cruise between Europe and Asia whenever the mood struck. It may not have the towering skyline of Victoria Harbour, but it possesses its own profound beauty, flanked by ancient monuments, modern architecture, and luxury hotels. Navigating among the massive superyachts, our little boat offered its own unique kind of joy.

After that day, I truly experienced the vibrant, multifaceted nature of Turkey.

I will wrap up my sharing here for today. I genuinely hope you find these insights enjoyable, because whenever I think of Turkey, a flood of beautiful memories comes rushing back—a specific meeting with a colleague, a small local incident, fascinating conversations—and almost all of them took place in Istanbul.