Turkish authorities have announced to introduce a so-called ‘tech visa’. The tech visa allows entrepreneurs from the tech sector to migrate to Turkey more easily. This way, the Turkish government hopes to attract more highly educated employees and entrepreneurs to stimulate the local economy.
Highly educated people leave Turkey
The Turkish economy has suffered from a high inflation and various economic crises recently. Highly educated Turks find that there are much better employment opportunities outside of Turkey, and are therefore deciding to emigrate. Also, many Turks experience increasing repression and are therefore looking for opportunities abroad. This includes many educated people from the tech sector and medical experts, but Turkish people in other sectors are also moving abroad in increasing numbers.
Turkish authorities are trying their best to reverse this trend, and to attract highly educated people from abroad. Part of this strategy was the introduction of a 'Digital Nomad Visa' in April 2024. Foreign digital nomads may use this visa to stay in Turkey to work for an employer that is situated outside of Turkey.
The new tech visa for Turkey
The new tech visa is supposed to attract more highly educated migrants from abroad to increase the growth of the economy. The visa offers attractive conditions for foreign entrepreneurs from the tech sector. These entrepreneurs are stimulated to found start-ups in Turkey. The start-ups are supposed to develop Turkey into an internationally renowned tech hub. Turkish authorities are hoping that the visa will lead to the founding of 100,000 start-ups by 2030. At least 100 of these start-ups should be worth more than USD 1 billion by that time.
Advantages of the tech visa
Foreign entrepreneurs and employers who travel to Turkey on a tech visa, can profit from many advantages. First, they may stay and work in Turkey for up to 3 years. This is far longer than the validity term of most other visas, making the tech visa especially attractive to people who intend to settle in Turkey long-term. Other visa types generally have shorter validity terms, which means that they have to be extended regularly, costing a lot of additional time and effort.
Entrepreneurs and employees with a tech visa are eligible for a range of advantages, offered by the Turkish government. Tech visa holders profit from tax advantages in the areas of the income tax and corporate tax. Additionally, the tech visa includes a free health insurance. Also, migrants holding a tech visa can easily bring family members to Turkey. All of this should make a long stay in Turkey as attractive as possible.
E-visa for Turkey
Most European travellers do not need a visa if they stay in Turkey for less than 90 days. This applies to nationals of countries within the European Union, as well as countries, such as the United Kingdom, Switzerland or Norway. A visa-free stay of 90 days is allowed both for tourist and business purposes.
Travellers who are not eligible for a visa waiver may often use the Turkey e-visa. You can apply for the e-visa easily online. On average, applications are processed in 3 days.