“Dear Berk Bey, my daughter has dual nationality. A New Zealand passport (foreign mother) and Turkish Kimlik card (Turkish father). She was born in Turkey but is currently completing her final high school year studies overseas in Australia. She wants to come back to Turkey to commence university; however, I have spent months researching and have been told by the OSYM [Student Selection and Placement Center] and YÖK [Higher Education Board] and the various Turkish universities that they will not recognize her high school diploma from Australia and the following rules apply to her. As her father and I live here and therefore are not classified as foreign Turkish workers she can only start university here in Turkey if she does the ÖSS [Turkish Student Selection Examination] (she can't do this as she hasn't studied in the Turkish system) or she renounces her Turkish citizenship and comes back to Turkey as an international student.
They have all told me that these are the only two options available to her! I have tried so many times to contact YÖK to get more clarification in writing but they also told me on the phone that she will have to sit for the ÖSS or renounce her Turkish citizenship! This seems really drastic to me for an 18 year old who is proud to be Turkish. Could you please tell me: 1) What are the implications for her if she renounces her Turkish citizenship? 2) Will she be able to get her citizenship back once she completes her studies as she intends to live and work and spend her future in Turkey? I would very much appreciate your advice and recommendations for my daughter, as this seems a very drastic approach to getting an education in the country where you were born. Thank you in advance.”
The reader also sent me some information related to this matter. I find it useful to publish this information generalized and simplified here so that others can benefit from it. For Turkish nationals: Candidates desiring to enroll in the undergraduate programs of Turkish universities need to take the ÖSS, conducted by the ÖSYM. The ÖSYM places candidates according to their scores in the ÖSS, their high school background, university quotas and their list of choices. Those placed at their target university obtain the right to enroll there.
For foreign nationals: International candidates carrying high school diplomas equivalent to those issued in Turkey may apply for admission to the undergraduate programs of a Turkish university. However, the university accepts a limited number of students, placed through YÖK in accordance with openings in each department and as outlined in the manual of the Examination for Foreign Students (YÖS). Those holding dual citizenship with the Republic of Turkey cannot apply to a Turkish university as an international candidate.
What are the implications of renouncing Turkish citizenship?
In case your daughter renounces her citizenship she will not be a Turkish citizen and therefore she will not be able to enjoy and benefit from the rights strictly granted to Turkish citizens. It would be difficult to state all of them here, but a major one is that she will not be able to work in a government office.
However, under the new changes to the Turkish Citizenship Law, persons who renounce their citizenship shall be able to benefit from all rights provided to Turkish citizens except the ones cited in the law. I will be writing about this matter later on in detail. I can say that the rights granted to those who renounced their Turkish citizenship are now more extensive and better than compared to the past.
Will she be able to get her citizenship back once she completes her studies as she intends to live and work and spend her future in Turkey?
It is a difficult question since renouncing Turkish citizenship is in this case based on the acquisition of a benefit that would not be granted if she had remained a Turkish citizen. I am not saying yes, but I am also not saying no to your question. This should be carefully examined by your lawyer considering the facts and circumstances.
NOTE: Berk Çektir is a licensed attorney at law and available to answer questions on the legal aspects of living in Turkey. Send enquiries to b.cektir@todayszaman.com. The names of the readers are disclosed only upon written approval of the sender.DISCLAIMER: The information provided here is intended to give basic legal information. You should get legal assistance from a licensed attorney at law while conducting legal transactions and not just rely on the information in this corner.
