Your Complete Guide to Turkey's Brand-New Digital Nomad Visa

If you have a wanderlust spirit, you most probably don’t love spending most of your time at the workplace. If yes, we have good news for you. The Ministry of Culture and Tourism recently announced that Turkey is establishing a Digital Nomad Visa program.

What is a Digital Nomad?

A person working remotely in a foreign country is a digital nomad. Digital Nomads agree that this lifestyle is the ultimate solution to “workplace burnout”. Plus, they all find the “work-life balance” concept attractive, which started to gain popularity during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Let’s explore all about Turkey’s digital nomad program and answer your questions!

Turkey’s Digital Nomad Visa Requirements: Who Can Apply?

The Ministry of Culture and Tourism has an official website with an application guide. According to the guide, both EU and non-EU citizens (from 36 countries) can apply for a Turkish digital nomad visa. Applicants must:

• Age between 21 and 55
• Hold a university graduation certificate
• Earn at least $3.000 monthly or $36.000 annually
• Prove working status as a digital nomad

How to Apply for Turkey’s Digital Nomad Visa?

The first thing you need to do is visit the official goturkiye website and create an account. After, you will scan and upload the documents below:

• Travel document/passport valid for at least 6 months (following your arrival date)
• University graduation diploma/certificate
• Your work contract if you work with a company, and your business contract If you are self-employed
• Biometric photo
• Income statement

Once your documentation gains approval, you receive a Digital Nomad Identification Certificate. Later, you bring this certificate to a visa center/consulate and apply for your Digital Nomad Visa.

Best Digital Nomad Destinations in Turkey

The official website says that the top Turkish cities for digital nomads are İstanbul, İzmir, Antalya, and Muğla. We wholeheartedly agree and would like to add Ankara and Trabzon to the list. Now, let’s explore these cities through the eyes of a digital nomad!

1. İstanbul

İstanbul has a 24/7 dynamic ambiance. It has historical landmarks, art galleries, concerts, operas, ballets, and fine dining options.

İstanbul is Turkey’s business hub. As a digital nomad, you can spend your working hours with Golden Horn and Bosphorus views. After clocking out, you can visit Prince Islands or Belgrad Forest.

With an amazing infrastructure, İstanbul is ready to welcome digital nomads. Here, you will have access to business opportunities and networks. İstanbul is home to exclusive co-working spaces with high internet connectivity. Plus, shared offices in İstanbul offer business courses to provide skills for digital nomad jobs.

2. Antalya

Antalya is an important holiday destination. It has a 640-kilometer-long Mediterranean coastline and 300 days of annual sunshine. It boasts palm trees, blue-flag beaches, Old Town, and the Marina. The famous Alanya, Kaş, Kemer, Belek, and Manavgat all belong to the Antalya city.

Antalya may be a tourist resort, but it holds more than a holiday-like lifestyle. It has cultural events and working opportunities. Plus, shared offices in Antalya rise one by one. So, it will bear even more opportunities in the upcoming couple of years.

3. Ankara

As the capital of Turkey, Ankara is home to the government headquarters. It boasts a wide range of cultural and social events. It attracts foreign investors, real estate buyers, business minds, and students.

Ankara has a thriving business culture, making it an ideal place for working at Turkey. The city offers opportunities for networking and establishing your own business. Its skyline features highrise plazas and business centers. Plus, you can find concept cafes and co-working spaces.

4. Muğla

Muğla bridges the Aegean Sea with the Mediterranean Sea. As Antalya’s neighbor, it is a charming holiday spot. Top places in Muğla are Dalaman, Marmaris, Bodrum, and Fethiye. They all have blue-flag sandy beaches, a rich history, a colorful environment, and plenty of sunshine.

If you have an adventurous spirit, then Muğla is your place! You can spend your weekdays being productive at a seafront cafe or shared office. When the weekend comes, you can challenge yourself to backpacking and camping on the Lycian Road and hiking at the Butterfly Valley. Later, award yourself with the delicious seafood.

5. Trabzon

Trabzon offers the perfect blend of green and blue, connecting the sandy coastline with green highlands. It has valleys, plateaus, arboretums, natural parks, lakes, and the Black Sea. What’s more, Trabzon is the most affordable city on this list.

The education, health, commerce, and logistics sectors are well-developed in Trabzon. The city boasts a promising young population, attracts thousands of annual visitors, and has investment opportunities. Plus, self-starters love the lucrative business opportunities in Trabzon. So, as the Turkish digital nomad visa gains popularity, Trabzon is likely to increase its value too.

6. İzmir

İzmir offers the perfect blend of big-city vibes and natural beauty. It has a Mediterranean climate and a 629-kilometer-long Aegean Sea coast. Its historical monuments, 5-star hotels, and blue-flag beaches attract thousands of visitors each year. Plus, İzmir hosts concerts, festivals, and fairs all year long.

As a digital nomad in İzmir, you can work at a seaside cafe or shared office. After work, you can take walks at the famous Kordon and try out the Aegean cuisine. You can spend your weekends in Çeşme, Foça, and Alaçatı. So, İzmir is the go-to destination for if you seek a holiday-like lifestyle.

Turkey’s Digital Nomad Visa Program: FAQ

Here are the answers to your questions about the Turkish digital nomad visa:

Q. Is Turkey a good place for digital nomads?
A. Yes! Living in Turkey brings everything a digital nomad would need. The country boasts 4 different seas, green landscapes, and important landmarks. Plus, the life quality is high, and the cost of living is low.

Q. Do I need health and travel insurance to apply for a Turkish digital nomad visa?
A. Yes. Medical insurance and travel insurance are necessary to live and work in Turkey.

Q. How long is the Turkish digital nomad visa valid?
A. The digital nomad visa in Turkey is valid for 1 year. Afterward, you can extend it for 1 year for up to 2 times.

Q. Do I need a residence permit if I have a digital nomad visa in Turkey?
A. If you will stay in Turkey for less than 1 year, the answer is no. Short-term residence in Turkey (6-12 months) does not require a permit. However, you will need a long-term residence permit if you want to extend your stay.

Q. Do I need a visa to work in Turkey if I have a digital nomad visa?
A. Not unless you get a job in Turkey. Your digital nomad visa allows you to enjoy the country while remote working. If you want to work with a company here, you need to apply for Turkey’s work visa.

Q. How to get a work permit in Turkey?
A. Before anything, you need a +6 month residency permit and a job ready to apply for a work permit. Secondly, you will need to make an online application at the official E-Devlet website. At this stage, your employer will carry out a similar process on the same website. After approval, your employer must provide you with an employment report.

The work permit processing time usually takes up to 30 days. As for the work permit requirements, you need a work contract, biometric photo, passport, and diploma.

Q. How can I open a bank account in Turkey as a foreigner?
A. First, you need to collect the required documents. These are your passport, tax ID number, and contact information. Later, you can apply to the bank you want, and follow their instructions. Before the end of the day, you will have your bank account in Turkey.

Q. Is it worth buying property in Turkey as a digital nomad?
A. It certainly is! Buying a property for sale in Turkey brings various advantages. Before anything, you will have a home during your stay. Plus, Turkish house prices are below EU averages and offer fruitful returns on investment.

What's more, real estate purchases worth at least $ 200.000 are eligible for residencies. Similarly, purchases over $ 400.000 bring Turkish citizenship. This way, you can become a permanent resident and enjoy the digital nomad lifestyle for the rest of your life!

Are you seeking a brand-new destination anywhere in the world to work remotely? Turkey could be your place. If you have any questions about the Digital Nomad Visa systems, in Turkey or Spain, reach out to us!

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