Since April 2024, Turkey offers a digital nomad visa. This visa is meant for people who can do their work mostly online and are therefore not bound to a certain location. This way, the Turkish government tries to attract qualified foreigners who can boost the local economy.

The visa requirements for Turkey

Turkey has been issuing e-visas since 2013. Since then, travellers can apply for an e-visa swiftly and easily online. Additionally, visa requirements were eased for citizens of many countries in 2020. Citizens of EU-countries, Switzerland, Norway and the United Kingdom usually do not need a visa any more, as long as the stay does not exceed a period of 90 days. Visa-free travel to Turkey is only allowed for the purposes of tourism or business. Tourism means that you may travel to Turkey for a holiday or to visit friends and family. You may travel to Turkey visa-free for your work, as long as you are not employed by a Turkish company. Do you want to work for a Turkish employer? In that case, you need a work visa, which you can apply for at the Turkish authorities. If you want to study in Turkey, you need a student visa.

Why should you apply for a digital nomad visa?

The Turkish government introduced the digital nomad visa in April 2024. The visa is designated to so-called digital nomads, who often work free-lance in the IT sector. Holders of this visa may settle in Turkey and work for foreign employers or clients. Many people are attracted by this idea. Turkey has a number of popular cities, such as Istanbul, Izmir and Antalya, where expats can enjoy an international, dynamic and attractive lifestyle.

Also, Turkey’s Mediterranean climate is another attractive characteristic of the country. Most places in the country have very mild winters, and the temperatures in spring and autumn are often considered as very comfortable. However, summers can get very hot. Finally, the cost of living in Turkey is relatively low compared to most European countries. If you work for a foreign employer or client while holding a digital nomad visa, you usually earn a higher income, allowing you to enjoy life in Turkey to the fullest.

Requirements of the digital nomad visa

To be eligible for the digital nomad visa, you need to meet a number of requirements. You must:

• be between 21 and 55 years old;
• hold a university degree;
• be able to provide an employment contract from a foreign employer or a business contract;
• earn at least 2,800 EUR per month (around 2,400 GBP per month or 28,800 GBP per year);
• be a citizen of one of the countries in the following table:

Applying for a digital nomad visa

If you want to apply for a digital nomad visa, you need to follow a number of steps. First, you have to apply for a so-called ‘digital nomad identification certificate’. You can do this on the website of the Turkish immigration services, where you can find the applicable online form. Next, you need to upload a few documents, among which:

• a scan of the passport (upon arrival in Turkey, this passport should be valid for at least 6 more months);
• a high-quality photograph;
• your university diploma;
• your employment or business contract;
• A salary slip or a bank statement which proves that you earn at least 2800 EUR or 2400 GBP per month.

After your digital nomad identification certificate is issued, you will be invited for an interview at the Turkish consulate or embassy. Sometimes, the Turkish authorities will ask for additional documents, depending on your individual situation. Once your visa application is approved, you can start planning your stay in Turkey.