If you want to immigrate to Turkey, you must make sure that you complete all the formalities. Our Turkish lawyer can help you obtain the necessary visa, as well as a residence permit in Turkey, depending on your stay. In this article, we will review some steps to take into account if you want to move to Turkey.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Entry visa requirement (from EU) (YES/NO) | YES, but exceptions apply |
|
Entry visa requirement (outside EU) (YES/NO) |
YES, except citizens from specific countries |
|
Types of visas available |
For: – tourism, – work, – study – business purposes |
| Time frame for obtaining work visa (approx.) |
Around 48 hours if the application is made online. |
| Validity of temporary residence permit |
1 year with the possibility of extension |
| Temporary residence permit renewal requirements |
Documents can be submitted online and then an appointment to the Turkish General Directorate for Migration is required. |
| Documents for obtaining a residence permit |
– translated and notarized passport copy, – 4 passport-size photos, – health insurace, – proof of domicile, – tax payment |
| Time frame for obtaining permanent residence (approx.) |
After living in Turkey for at least 8 years |
| Investor Visa availability (YES/NO) |
Yes |
| Start-up Visa Scheme availability |
The Entrepreneur Visa is issued for 3 months to register a business in Turkey |
| Sponsorship requirement (YES/NO) |
Yes |
| Time frame for obtaining citizenship |
The application is accepted in about 4 months. Citizenship is gained after living in Turkey for at least 5 years. |
| Citizenship/Residency by investment scheme availability (YES/NO) |
Yes |
| Taxation of foreign citizens |
Taxation is made on Turkish-source income, as there is no special regime for expats. |
| Tax benefits for expats |
Tax incentives for business owners with companies subject to development in specific areas or sectors. |
Table of Contents
Getting the proper visa for Turkey
There are 78 countries whose citizens do not need to apply for a Turkish visa. They can live in this country for 90 days, but things change if the visit is prolonged.
In the case of citizens of other countries, the visa application can be made using the platform implemented by the Turkish immigration office for purposes like tourism, study, medical treatments, and business. But in order to be sure that you will not face a language barrier or other restrictions related to documents, we remind you that our immigration lawyers in Turkey can offer you specialized advice if you want to immigrate to Turkey. Let’s review some visa formalities:
- E-visa is the travel authorization that you must obtain to enter Turkey.
- The passport must have a validity of at least 150 days on the date of entry into Turkey. The national identity document can also be used, respecting the agreement on the movement of citizens from the European Union.
- You must provide an email address to receive notifications about the status of the visa issuance process.
- Payment for issuing the visa can be made online.
The Turkish authorities have made available to those who want to travel to Turkey the option of issuing a visa online. You can find out legal information from our team of immigration lawyers in Turkey. Talk to us if you are interested in moving to Istanbul and also explore this infographic made by our specialists in immigration matters:
Family visas for foreigners relocating to Turkey
Foreign citizens who want to immigrate to Turkey and reunite with their families must apply for a visa. The next step in relocation is the application for a residence permit in Turkey, not before registration with the local authorities. This document is also called a family residence permit, which is valid for 2 years. Minor children of Turkish citizens, as well as their spouses, can apply for a family visa and residence permit in Turkey. This is also valid for dependent children over 18 years of age with a Turkish parent. In this case, we specify that you can opt for our legal services if you want to obtain a family visa in Turkey.
How can I obtain a residence and work permit for Turkey?
If you want to relocate to Turkey and have already accepted a job in this country, you must consider the formalities for obtaining a residence and work permit. Both documents can be issued at the same time, but there are cases in which the residence permit is obtained immediately after issuing the one required to work legally in Turkey. Among the formalities we mention:
- The employment contract is presented if you move to Turkey for a job offer. Our lawyers can collaborate with the employing company for a simple and fast process.
- You must have health insurance issued in Turkey.
- As with the visa, you need to pay a certain fee.
More about how to relocate to Turkey can be discussed with our local advisors. We are here to help you immigrate to Turkey. You might also be interested in the following video presentation:
What work permit exemptions exist in Turkey, and who is eligible?
Foreigners who want to work in Turkey must first obtain a work and residence permit. However, there are also exemptions in this case, and we mention them below:
- People who come from countries with which Turkey has an agreement do not have to apply for a work permit.
- There are special cases where foreign workers who deal with the maintenance/repairs of important equipment in Turkey do not have to apply for a work permit. The condition is that they do not spend more than 3 months a year in this country.
- Foreigners who visit Turkey for scientific studies and do not stay more than one month in this country or for cultural/sports activities, are not required to apply for a work permit. The latter must not exceed the maximum period of 4 months, having a work permit exemption.
Business relocation in Turkey
Immigration to Turkey can also mean the relocation of a foreign company. If moving to Istanbul for business purposes is your decision, it is important to close the activities in the country of origin, including the contracts with the providers you collaborated with.
One can proceed with the company formation with the help of our law firm in Turkey. Therefore, those interested in moving to Istanbul can call on our immigration lawyers in Turkey in the case of company relocation. We are here to help you move to Turkey in a quick and trustworthy manner.
Is it hard to get a job in Turkey as a foreigner?
Turkey offers multiple job opportunities for both its residents and foreign citizens. In addition, young people with special skills/talents/qualifications who can fill the gaps in the Turkish labor market are in great demand. Here are some examples of business sectors in Turkey where you can find work, with the mention that it would be a good idea to find a job before relocating:
- The IT sector is booming in Turkey and is open to foreign workers and talent.
- Tourism is another sector of interest and generates huge annual profits. You can easily find a good job in the tourism sector as a foreigner.
- The construction sector is also a booming one and is always looking for labor. Foreigners are welcome in the construction field as well as in engineering.
- Foreigners can also opt for the real estate sector, and if you have the necessary experience, you can find a well-paid job. You can opt for real estate agent jobs in Turkey and benefit from the opportunities offered by this constantly developing sector.
- Agriculture is another sector of interest in Turkey and one of those that supports Turkey’s economic growth year after year. Job offers are interesting, so if you are passionate about this field and want to immigrate to Turkey, you have various opportunities at your fingertips.
Getting the Turkish citizenship
If you have relocated to Turkey and are interested in the idea of obtaining citizenship in this country, you should know that you have several investment options at your fingertips. Here are the most sought-after ones and what conditions they entail:
- With investments of at least USD 400,000 in the real estate sector, you can access the Turkish citizenship by investment program.
- A bank deposit of at least USD 500,000 is another path to citizenship in Turkey.
- With fixed capital investments of at least USD 500,000 in an existing company/business in Turkey, you can acquire citizenship.
- Creating a business with at least 50 jobs is another option to obtain citizenship in Turkey.
- Foreigners who invest at least USD 500,000 in government bonds can also obtain citizenship in Turkey.
We recommend that you work with our immigration specialists and seek legal services if you want to move to Turkey. We can help you obtain Turkish citizenship by investment, depending on your plans.
About Turkey in a few lines
There are many reasons why Turkey is the optimal destination for those who want to relocate. Here is what you need to know about Turkey in this case:
- Turkey stretches over two continents, Europe and Asia, which makes the country a strong point of connection with Western and Eastern cultures, among others. Turkey’s borders are with Georgia, Greece, Bulgaria, Syria, and has access to the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea.
- The capital of Turkey is Ankara, and the population is approximately 85 million.
- The Turkish Lira is the main currency, and the country is predominantly Muslim.
- The largest and most popular cities of Turkey are Ankara, Istanbul, Izmir, Trabzon, and Gaziantep.
- The number of immigrants in Turkey exceeds 5 million, according to the latest data.
Besides assistance in immigration to Turkey, we can assist in other aspects too. For instance, we can help foreigners apply for citizenship by investment in Turkey. Feel free to contact our Turkish lawyers. We can offer specialized help for those who want to relocate to Turkey and benefit from a smooth and fast process. Our lawyers can also help you start a business in Turkey in approx. 2-3 weeks.