Visa & Residency

Citizens of most Western countries enter Turkey visa-free for 90 days in a 180-day period. Staying longer requires a short-term residence permit (ikamet) — the standard route for expats, retirees, and digital nomads without the dedicated visa.

Turkey launched a dedicated Digital Nomad Visa managed via the GoTurkiye platform. It grants a legal 1-year residence for remote workers employed by non-Turkish companies — with no Turkish income tax on offshore-deposited salaries.

Foreigners working for Turkish employers need a work permit issued by the Ministry of Labour. The employer initiates the application. The 5:1 staffing ratio (5 Turkish employees per 1 foreigner) applies to most small companies.

Turkey's Citizenship by Investment program is popular among Middle Eastern, Central Asian, and increasingly European investors. The real estate route at $400,000 is most common. Long-term residency requires 8 consecutive years of legal residence.