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In April 2024, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism announced the launch of the Digital Nomads GoTürkiye project. The authorities borrowed the idea of attracting IT specialists, freelancers, entrepreneurs, business consultants, and startups to the country to work remotely from neighboring countries. The program is aimed at stimulating economic activity, the implementation of techno-startups and digitalization initiatives.
Residents of 35 countries with monthly earnings of $3,000 are eligible to apply for a nomad visa. Relocants can issue certificates at home and in Turkey for 3 years. In November of this year, the authorities promised to present the final version of the program. It is possible that the tendency of the authorities to quickly change laws will lead to another revision and new rules of legalization.
Features of Digital Nomad Visa for Turkey
The law "On Foreigners and International Protection", approved by the National Assembly, has been in force in the country since 2013. It regulates migration policy, the status of foreigners, rights, obligations, conditions of integration and deportation. Over the years, for various reasons, individual paragraphs have been repeatedly supplemented and edited.
In 2023, the visa policy in the country has changed significantly. Many expats were refused to obtain and extend a residence permit (ikametov). According to statistics from the Department of Migration (Göç Idaresi), the number of immigrants decreased from 150,000 to 100,000 in a year.
In October of this year, the authorities presented a revised version of the migration program. Foreigners are going to be issued tourist residence permits for 6 months at once and extended to a year or more if there are grounds. It is expected that the democratic amendments will attract expats and increase the demand for real estate. Innovations in issuing a residence permit also affected the owners of apartments and villas purchased for $200,000 before mid-October 2023.
There is a lot of speculation on the Internet about obtaining a Digital Nomad visa. Judging by information from local telegram chats, the participants of the program who submitted the dossier to the Migration Department received certificates without problems.
What is the difference from a regular residence permit
The difference is in rights and limitations. Expats are issued a residence permit for studies, work, investments and 10 other reasons. Depending on the purpose of the trip, they are required to provide the consulate with invitations from relatives, legal entities, universities or employers' contracts. They are granted long-term visas for 90 days. Upon arrival, the relocants apply for residences, then extend their study/work periods. This type is suitable for those who plan to stay in the country for a long time and get permanent residence.
A Digital Nomad visa is a special type of residence for employees in the field of digital technologies, conducting online business, and launching a startup. This is the choice of those who want to combine work with studying culture and relaxing on the coast, not depend on office schedules, and earn income from abroad. Holders cannot find jobs in local companies or obtain Turkish licenses for commercial activities.
Info! Unlike a regular residence permit, a nomad visa is nonimmigrant and does not count towards the length of naturalization. Those wishing to become permanent residents are forced to change their grounds.
Taxes
Foreigners become tax residents after 182 days of permanent residence in the territory. Depending on the profit, the law obliges to pay interest on global income at a progressive rate of 15-40 % after deductions. Passive income from royalties and investments is taxed at 10 %.
Business owners pay 20 % to the state, with the exception of companies registered in one of the 18 economic zones. However, the fiscal law does not apply to participants of the Turkiye Tech Visa program. Developers of software, design and other specializations are exempt from personal income tax, social benefits and other financial encumbrances.
Conditions for obtaining a freelancer visa
Residences are issued to foreign citizens aged 21-55 years. The authorities have drawn up a set of rules for applicants. They are required to:
- work contracts with foreign legal entities registered in the Unified State Register of Legal Entities;
- certificates of monthly income in the amount of $3,000 or annual profit of $36,000;
- proof of residence;
- minimum work experience in the specialty of 3 months;
- no problems with the law;
- client contracts/ portfolios for the self-employed and freelancers;
- accompanying notes describing the specifics of the work, information about the company/ clients, job responsibilities.
The new law, adopted in October, affected the interests of entrepreneurs who expect to conduct commercial activities. The Turkish Ministry of Labor has made it easier to obtain work permits. Companies with annual turnover of 5 million liras are allowed to attract up to 5 expats on an unconditional basis. The salary is calculated based on the current gross amount at the time of admission to the position. To organize partnerships, you need a capital of 500,000 liras or a business plan with an annual turnover of 8 million, or the export of goods worth $ 150,000.
Please note that the Digital Nomad visa is not the only visa program in Turkey. The government offers various options that can not only be legalized in the country, but also gain new opportunities for professional and entrepreneurial activities. We have prepared a comprehensive guide on the types of Turkish visas and are ready to help you make the right choice.
Moving with your family
Turkey is not only interested in human resources and the development of new business areas, but also strives to become part of the digital ecosystem of the world. To do this, the country needs specialists with expert knowledge and commercial talent, and comfortable conditions are created for them. Financially secure nomads can move with their families. Spouses and children cannot be entered in applications. Visas are opened for them under the reunification program.
For everyone, you need to collect a dossier with questionnaires and visa papers. These are copies of passports, marriage certificates, child metrics with translation and apostille. When moving one parent with a child, the permission of the second adult is required in Turkish with a notary's seal and a consular seal. After arrival, the relocators register at the migration office on the basis of a lease agreement and a copy of the residence permit of the main applicant, submit documents and receive certificates.
Required documents
The package requirements are the same as in European countries hosting digital nomads. The basic list is published on the website. The dossier:
- a passport with a 3-year reserve;
- a copy of the reversal of the internal passport;
- biometric photos – 2;
- a certificate from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism;
- a certificate from the bank on the availability of the declared income and the movement of funds;
- copies of the diploma pages with confirmation of the visa department employee on reconciliation with the original;
- a document indicating the position, salary, work experience;
- consent a supervisor to perform official duties remotely with a guarantee of retaining his position;
- medical insurance for at least 1 year;
- a lease agreement in an open area with a tapu number for a period of stay with a notary seal.
The self-employed attach contracts with clients for the implementation of projects for 3 years, statements of deposit amounts for $36,000.
Step-by-step action plan
Applicants for a visa can apply to the consulate through an accredited visa application center. Fingerprinting procedures are also performed there by appointment or on a first-come, first-served basis. After receiving the dossier, meetings are scheduled to check the data, discuss the purpose of the trip, and work prospects. The decision to issue a Digital Nomad Visa is made according to the eligibility criteria and the results of the interview. The process takes a month in time.
Another option is to register in Turkey via an online platform.
Step-by-step scheme:
Applicants are required to specify passport numbers, expiration date, and income. Samples along with scanned documents are uploaded to your personal account on the websites digitalnomads.goturkiye.com, downloading the questionnaire on e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr.
If the decision is positive, a second message arrives asking you to make an appointment for a rendezvous in 3 weeks at your place of residence.
If the requirements of the authorities are met, the applications are quickly approved. According to reports in the telegram, many received visas in 6-14 days. Turkish chat rooms are silent about refusals. According to official information, the folder is allowed to be submitted again. If the application is rejected, it is once again allowed to file an appeal according to the established protocol.
The costs consist of payments for transfers, notary services: 1,300-2,500 liras per document, payment of state duty – 2,400 TRY, purchase of medical insurance – from 3,000 TRY, the cost of icamet – 600 TRY. Payments are accepted at Ziraat Bank, VakifBank, Halkbank and on the migration website.
What should I do after getting a visa?
After making a positive decision, the relocators print certificates with individual numbers. Then they turn to licensed specialists for translation, notarize, apostille, and pay the state fee. With ready-made folders, they come to the migration office for a rendezvous and submit requests for a residence permit. There they are accepted according to the protocol and sent to the regional department. It takes more than a week to prepare the papers.
Within 20 days, applicants are pasted stickers into their passports. Copies serve as the basis for obtaining an icon on the site e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr. After registration, newly minted residents are sent SMS with barcodes, cards are sent by mail with address delivery.
Advantages and disadvantages of the program
The status gives the right to legalize and work remotely, integrate into the environment. It also allows you to receive medical care on insurance, teach children in public schools for free, not pay taxes, and meet with colleagues from different countries. Local business accelerators help startups find offices in technoparks, coworking centers, and provide financial advice.
For foreigners, the main disadvantages are bureaucratic procedures and ignorance of the law, the language barrier. University graduates and residents of tourist towns speak English, but you need to know Turkish when applying for documents. However, migration lawyers are successfully coping with this problem.
Turkey is undoubtedly a beautiful country. For 2 years, it was considered one of the most popular locations among relocators. All conditions for a comfortable and comfortable life were created here. Due to the uncontrolled increase in food prices, fines, lawyers' services, and restrictions in the laws, many are forced to choose other countries. Expats with incomes of 3,000 € can get White Cards in Hungary for 2 years or move to budget Montenegro. With an income of 1,350 €, the country issues nomad visas for 4 years with a six-month break.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are many banks in Turkey that offer various financial services to both locals and foreigners. Here are some of the most popular ones with a good reputation, including among foreign citizens.
- Ziraat Bankası is a state-owned bank.
- VakıfBank is a state-owned bank.
- Türkiye Iş Bankası – private.
- Akbank is private.
- QNB Finansbank is a private bank.
- Yapı Kredi Bankası – private.
- Denizbank is private.
To form a pension in Turkey, it is necessary to make contributions to the social security system or participate in a private pension program. The state pension system assumes payment of 11% of wages by employers and 9% by employees. A minimum work experience of 5 years is required for retirement. Retirement age requirements: 58 years for women and 60 years for men.
The private pension system requires voluntary contributions from 125 Turkish lira per month. The selected pension fund charges interest on the invested funds. The accumulated funds can be received upon reaching retirement age or after a certain time after the start of savings (usually after 10 years).
The cost of medical care in Turkey depends on the type of treatment, institution and specific services. In general, medical services in Turkey are much cheaper than in Europe and the United States, while the quality of service remains at a high level. In private institutions, the rates may be as follows:
- Consultation of a specialized specialist: from $150
- Blood test for cancer markers: $300
- Magnetic Resonance imaging: $600
In public clinics, prices are fixed and the same for all patients, including foreigners. Private clinics are more expensive, but offer a higher level of service.
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Hi! Is there anyone who applied for such a visa himself? How long does it really take to get a nomad to Turkey?
Alaya Qadir, Hello! The processing time of the application depends on the method of its submission. A visa can be obtained through the embassy or at the local Goç migration department in Turkey. According to official information, the permit must be granted within 1 to 4 weeks after the submission of all necessary documents. In practice, there were cases when the application review time was only 6 days. Contact our consultants and we will help you eliminate additional checks and complete the process as quickly as possible.
Both Russia and Turkey have high inflation. Share your experience, where is it really cheaper to live?
Lev Slutsky, In practice this is a difficult question and everything depends on the usual standard of living. Both countries have their own peculiarities and economic realities. But we can draw such a conclusion.
The cost of living in Turkey is about 3,317 Turkish lira (≈ 11,000 rubles) per adult, excluding rental housing. For a comfortable life for two in Turkey, you will need about 1,000 euros per month (≈ 100,000 rubles), depending on the city. The cost of living in Russia varies by region (on average, almost 18,000 rubles), but for a comfortable life in large cities it may take from 50,000 to 100,000 rubles per month.
Given high inflation and income differences, it may be cheaper to live in Turkey, especially if you earn income in foreign currency. At the same time, in Russia, especially in large cities, the standard of living may be higher.
Hello. I plan to apply for a Turkish nomad visa and live in Istanbul and I am interested in this question. I love working in a coworking space. What can you recommend in the city?
Marcell Fazekas, Good evening! If you plan to work in coworking spaces in Istanbul, you will have many excellent options that will provide a comfortable environment for remote work. Here are some of the most popular options.
- Kolektif House. It has several locations in the city. It works 24/7. Monthly subscription – from 3,900 liras.
- Workinton. In different parts of the city. The opening hours depend on the branch. Cost: from 80 liras per day.
- DAİRE Coworking. Besiktas. Opening hours: from 10:00 to 16:00 on weekdays. Cost: from 240 liras for a virtual office, 75 liras per hour for a shared workspace.
We hope the information will be useful. If you need help with obtaining a visa, please contact us via the feedback form.