TUKEY VISA TYPES

This is a comprehensive guide to Turkish visa types, updated for 2025.

Before reviewing the types, it is critical to understand the difference between entering and staying.

Entry Visa (e-Visa or Sticker): Grants you the right to enter Turkey. It usually allows a stay of 30, 60, or 90 days.
Residence Permit (İkamet): If you plan to stay longer than 90 days, you must apply for this after you arrive in Turkey. An entry visa alone is not enough for long-term stays.

For visits up to 90 days (vacation, meetings, conferences, or shopping).

Visa-Free Entry: Citizens of many countries (e.g., UK, EU members, Georgia, Ukraine) can enter without a visa for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
e-Visa (Electronic Visa):
- Who it's for: Citizens of eligible countries (e.g., USA, Canada, Australia) who need a visa but don't need to visit a consulate.
- Process: Applied for entirely online at the official government website. You receive it as a PDF.
- Validity: Typically valid for 180 days, allowing a stay of up to 90 days (multiple or single entry depending on nationality).
Sticker Visa (Tourist/Business):
- Who it's for: Citizens of countries not eligible for e-Visas (e.g., many African or South Asian nations) or for those who want a longer validity than the standard e-Visa offers.
- Process: Must be applied for in person at a Turkish Consulate or Embassy. Requires flight bookings, hotel reservations, and bank statements.

These are highly relevant for modern professionals, remote workers, and tech entrepreneurs.

Designed for remote workers who want to live in Turkey while working for a foreign employer.

Eligibility:
- Age: 21–55 years.
- Income: Must prove a monthly income of $3,000 USD (or $36,000/year).
- Employment: Must work remotely for a company outside Turkey or be self-employed with contracts outside Turkey.
- Education: University degree required.
Process:
1. Apply for a "Digital Nomad Identification Certificate" on the official Digital Nomads GoTürkiye platform.
2. Once certified, apply for the visa at a Turkish Consulate.
3. After arrival, convert this into a Residence Permit.

A special accelerated program for technology professionals and start-up founders.

Who it's for: High-level talent in AI, software, data science, or entrepreneurs building tech start-ups in Turkey.
Benefits:
- 3-Year Work Permit: Much longer than the standard 1-year permit.
- Tax Exemptions: Income and corporate tax exemptions in Technology Development Zones (Technoparks).
- Family: Simplified residence process for your spouse and children.
- Healthcare: Comprehensive state healthcare coverage.

These require a specific sponsor or institution in Turkey. You enter with these visas and then immediately apply for a residence permit.

Work Visa (Standard):
- Requirement: You cannot apply for this yourself; a Turkish employer must sponsor you.
- Process: The employer submits documents to the Ministry of Labor in Turkey while you submit your passport to the consulate in your home country.
- Note: Working on a tourist visa is strictly illegal and enforced.
Student Visa:
- Requirement: An official acceptance letter from a Turkish university or language school.
- Types: Internship Visa, Course Visa, and Degree (Bachelor/Master/PhD) Visa.
- Process: Apply at the consulate. After arrival, you get a "Student Residence Permit" which is often cheaper than a tourist permit.
Medical Treatment Visa: For patients seeking medical care in Turkey. Requires an official invitation from a Turkish hospital.

If you stay longer than your visa allows (usually >90 days), you need one of these cards:

Short-Term Residence Permit: The most common type. Usually valid for 1 year (renewable).
- Touristic: For extended tourism (requires a rental contract and proof of funds). Note: As of late 2024/2025, this has become harder to get for first-time applicants in major cities like Istanbul.
- Immovable Property: For those who own real estate in Turkey (property value rules apply, often >$75k or >$200k depending on the date of purchase).
Family Residence Permit: For the foreign spouse and children of a Turkish citizen or a valid resident. Valid for up to 3 years.
Student Residence Permit: For those enrolled in university.
Long-Term Residence Permit: Effectively "Permanent Residency." Available only after you have lived in Turkey legally and continuously for 8 years.

If you wish to bypass visas entirely and obtain a passport:

Real Estate Route: Purchase property worth at least $400,000 USD. You must hold the property for 3 years.
Bank Deposit Route: Deposit $500,000 USD in a Turkish bank for 3 years.