Author: Luxury Estate Turkey
Viewed 389 times
23 July 2025
The Digital Nomad Visa in Turkey is a new immigration program that allows remote workers to legally live and work in the country for up to one year or more. The official launch of the program took place in October 2024. It was specifically created for freelancers, IT specialists, online entrepreneurs, and other remote professionals who want to relocate to Turkey without having to be employed by a local company or open a business.
Now, Turkey has become more accessible for freelancers: instead of the limitations of tourist status, digital nomads receive an official residence permit with the right of extension and all accompanying benefits. In this article, we’ll explain what this visa offers, who is eligible, and important details for remote workers.
The Digital Nomad Visa Turkey grants a foreign citizen the legal right to stay in the country for the specific purpose of remote work. The visa holder can live in Turkey for up to 12 months (with the possibility of extension) while continuing to work for a foreign company or their own overseas business.
The program is open to freelancers, independent consultants, self-employed individuals, online entrepreneurs, and employees of foreign companies who are able to work remotely. The main condition is that your professional activity must not be connected to a Turkish employer — only contracts with foreign clients are allowed.
The Digital Nomad Visa in Turkey is not available to citizens of all countries — the government has approved a list of 36 countries whose citizens may apply for the program. This list includes nearly all EU countries, the UK, EFTA countries, the USA and Canada, as well as post-Soviet states such as Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus.
Applicants must be between 21 and 55 years old — this is the age range set by the program. A higher education degree is also required: you must present at least a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent. Without a university diploma, your application will not be accepted.
One of the advantages of the Turkish program is the ability to relocate with your family. In your application for the digital visa, you may list your spouse and children under 18 as accompanying family members. If your application is approved, your spouse and minor children will also receive the legal right to reside in Turkey for the same period as the primary applicant — a residence permit is issued to them in parallel through family reunification.
Note: adult children over 18 cannot be included in the family application (except in specific cases, such as full-time students). They will need to provide their own legal basis for stay (e.g. a student visa, university admission, etc.). Parents of the applicant are also not considered family members under this visa.
The program’s requirements are regulated — the applicant must collect a package of documents confirming that they meet the criteria. Let’s review the required documents and conditions.
The first requirement is a valid international passport, with at least six months of validity from the planned date of entry into Turkey.
The second requirement is a recent biometric photo. You’ll need a standard passport-style photo sized 35×45 mm, with a light background, face forward, without head coverings. The photo must be submitted digitally for the online system, and several printed copies may also be needed for your consular visit.
To confirm your status as a qualified specialist, you must provide proof of education — a scan of your higher education diploma (at least a bachelor’s degree). If the diploma is not in English or Turkish, a notarized translation may be required (check consulate requirements).
Proof of remote work includes:
A work contract with your employer (a foreign company). The contract or accompanying letter must state that you work remotely and that the company is not registered in Turkey.
If you are a freelancer or entrepreneur, you must prove your employment through the nature of your projects — for example, by providing contracts with foreign clients or a letter from a client confirming cooperation. If you are a business owner in your country — submit a company or sole proprietorship registration certificate, a description of activities, and copies of contracts with foreign partners.
The purpose of these documents is to prove that you are genuinely a digital nomad and not attempting to obtain undeclared work inside Turkey.
Applicants must have a stable income of at least $3,000 per month. To prove income, you typically provide bank statements showing account activity over the past 6–12 months and a balance that exceeds the annual minimum. Pay slips, tax declarations, and employer income letters are also acceptable.
In addition to financial documents, the following are required:
Health insurance: a medical insurance policy valid in Turkey for the entire duration of your stay. This can be an international travel policy valid for one year or a Turkish insurance policy arranged after arrival — the key is to have active coverage at the time of application.
Certificate of no criminal record: in practice, the consulate may request this document. It’s advisable to obtain a criminal record certificate from your country’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and have it apostilled in advance.
Proof of address in Turkey: when submitting your visa application, you must specify your address in Turkey. If you have already rented accommodation — attach a copy of the rental agreement. If not — it is sufficient to list your intended city and the address of a hotel or Airbnb booking for the first few weeks. By law, after arrival you must register your place of residence, so make arrangements for housing in advance.
The application process consists of two stages: first, an online application for the Digital Nomad Identification Certificate; then, an in-person visit to the consulate to obtain the visa (or directly a residence permit).
First, you need to obtain the Digital Nomad Identification Certificate — this confirms that you meet the program’s criteria. The certificate is issued online via the official GoTürkiye platform for digital nomads.
Registration on the portal: Go to digitalnomads.goturkiye.com and create an account. The platform is available in English.
Filling out the form and uploading documents: In your account, complete the application form for the certificate. You’ll need to provide personal data (passport, contact details, education, occupation) and upload scans of the required documents: passport, diploma, work contract/contracts, photo, proof of income, and others.
Submitting the application and waiting: After checking the data, submit your application for review. The Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Turkey will review your documents within 1–2 weeks. Your application may be returned for revision — check your email and portal notifications.
Receiving the certificate: If approved, you’ll receive a digital certificate (PDF) with a unique ID via email and your account. This certificate confirms that you meet the Digital Nomad requirements and is your key to applying for the visa.
Note: Print the certificate and save a digital copy — it will be required for the next step. The certificate is valid for a limited time (usually 60 days) for visa application submission.
With the certificate in hand, proceed to the second stage — obtaining the visa itself.
Book an appointment online through the consulate’s system or the visa service provider’s website. On the appointed day, visit the consulate or visa center in person with your printed Digital Nomad Certificate, completed visa application form, international passport, and original versions of all documents uploaded to the portal (diploma, contracts, proof of income, etc.). You’ll also need copies of these documents and two to three photographs. The visa fee must be paid. You’ll receive a receipt and estimated processing time.
If you are already in Turkey, after receiving your certificate, you must make an appointment at the local immigration office in your city to apply for a short-term residence permit as a Digital Nomad. At the appointment, provide the same set of documents plus a copy of your passport entry stamp. You must have entered Turkey legally (e.g. visa-free or on a tourist visa) and submit your residence permit application within 30 days of arrival.
After consular submission, visa processing typically takes 1 to 4 weeks depending on workload and whether additional checks are needed. The Digital Nomad Certificate itself takes approximately 1–2 weeks to obtain in the first stage.
If approved, a multiple-entry visa is affixed to your passport (usually valid for an initial 90 days). You then enter Turkey and apply locally for a one-year residence permit.
Initially, digital nomads are granted the right to stay in Turkey for up to 1 year (combining visa and residence permit). The residence permit can be extended twice, allowing a total stay of up to 3 years. The main condition is that you must reside in Turkey for at least 183 days (6 months) during the first year.
If you intend to extend your stay, you’ll need to again prove that you meet all program requirements (income, valid passport, updated insurance, etc.).
The main benefit is that you obtain legal resident status in Turkey for an extended period. Without this visa, a foreigner is limited either to a tourist stay (up to 90 days in a 180-day period) or more complicated routes like a student visa or company registration. Digital nomads, on the other hand, can live in Turkey year-round without needing to leave every three months.
Legal status means stability: you can rent housing for a year in advance, sign long-term contracts for internet and mobile service, and not worry about visa violations. A multiple-entry visa allows you to travel freely in and out of Turkey while it’s valid.
You can also obtain a Turkish identification number (ikamet), required for many services — from car rental to purchasing electronics. Children of residents can officially attend schools and preschools. If you wish, you can obtain local medical insurance (SGK) and receive treatment in Turkish clinics on the same basis as citizens.
Turkey is a modern country with well-developed infrastructure, and the digital nomad visa gives you access to all of it. With a residence permit, you can open a Turkish bank account and get a debit card — in lira, dollars, or euros. Mobile banking apps are available in English, international transfers are easy, and you have full access to your funds.
With your residence card, you can register for the e-Devlet system — Turkey’s central portal for public services. Through it, you can apply for documents, get certificates, pay taxes, and book doctor appointments. Everything is done online, without queues or paperwork.
Additionally, Turkey has excellent 4G and 5G coverage, and many homes have fiber-optic internet at speeds of 100 Mbps and higher. As a resident, you can get a regular mobile phone plan and register your smartphone — otherwise, your device will be blocked after 120 days.
For many freelancers and entrepreneurs, a major advantage of Turkey’s program is that it does not require you to open a local business or receive a job offer from a Turkish company. Under the Digital Nomad Turkey program, you continue working remotely while legally residing in the country.
According to Turkish law, if a foreigner spends more than 183 days in the country per year, they are considered a tax resident and must declare income earned worldwide. This rule applies to digital nomads as well: if you stay long enough to renew your visa, you are formally subject to Turkey’s tax regulations.
Turkey uses a progressive income tax system ranging from 15% to 40% depending on annual earnings. The first ~$9,000 is taxed at the lowest rate; as your income increases, the rate rises and can reach 40% for high earners.
Double taxation is a risk commonly faced by digital nomads. It arises when two countries simultaneously consider you a tax resident and both demand taxes on the same income. This is especially likely if you split your time between Turkey and your home country.
To prevent this, Turkey has signed agreements to avoid double taxation with dozens of countries, including Russia, Ukraine, most EU countries, the USA, and Canada. These treaties work in different ways: in some cases, income is only taxed in one country; in others, tax paid in one jurisdiction can be credited in the other. If you become a tax resident in Turkey and pay taxes there on your freelance income, you may be exempt from or receive credit for those taxes in your home country.
Under the digital nomad visa, you are not allowed to work in the Turkish labor market. The official terms state clearly — only contracts with foreign companies are accepted. This visa is strictly for remote work with international clients, meaning you are not competing with the local labor market.
However, many people eventually wish to establish themselves more firmly in Turkey — open a business, start offering services locally, or invest in real estate for rental income. In this case, your legal status must be changed. If you plan to be employed by a Turkish company, take on local projects, or officially work in the Turkish market, you must apply for a work permit (çalışma izni), which the digital nomad visa does not replace.
Turkey is a large and diverse country. The city you choose greatly affects your experience — some prefer the energy of a metropolis, while others are drawn to the calm and affordability of the coast.
Alanya is a resort city on the Mediterranean coast. Digital nomads appreciate Alanya primarily for its affordability: rental and food costs are noticeably lower than in large cities.
The city has excellent internet infrastructure: many complexes are connected to fiber-optic internet, and mobile networks work well even on the beaches. Remote work isn’t hindered — speeds are sufficient for video calls and large file uploads.
The international community in Alanya is another plus — the city has many expats from CIS countries and Europe, with interest clubs and international schools.
Despite its size, coworking spaces are beginning to appear in Alanya where you can rent a desk and work alongside like-minded people. The city is also well suited for families — peaceful atmosphere, parks, and a beautiful waterfront.
Antalya is the capital of the Turkish Riviera and a larger city (population ~1.3 million). The tourism infrastructure is top-notch: hundreds of cafes and restaurants, shopping malls, and year-round entertainment. For digital nomads, Antalya offers more services and amenities than smaller cities.
Healthcare in Antalya is excellent, which is important for long-term stay (there are private clinics and state hospitals). International schools are open for children and teens, offering education in English, Russian, and other languages.
Coworking spaces are opening in the city center and in districts like Konyaaltı and Lara, where IT specialists, marketers, and designers gather — a good place to network. Expat meetups and conferences are also held regularly.
Istanbul is ideal for those seeking the maximum opportunities for professional and personal development. The city is full of life: a large expat community from all over the world, thousands of companies, startups, and events.
Above all, Istanbul is the business and tech capital of Turkey. Many international corporations have offices here, top Turkish IT companies are based in the city, and startup ecosystems are emerging. You’ll find coworking networks and dozens of independent coworking spaces across districts — from historic Beyoğlu to business-centered Levent. Conferences and seminars are held regularly. For entrepreneurs, Istanbul offers access to investors and partners — it’s easier to find funding or a team if you're growing a project.
The international community is another advantage. Istanbul has large expat communities from Europe, the US, the CIS, and the Gulf region. Foreign interest clubs and meetup groups are common.
Relocating to a new country always comes with many questions — from visa formalities to finding housing and helping your family settle. That’s why the licensed real estate agency Luxury Estate Turkey offers digital nomads full support: we take care of all the logistics so you can focus on work and life in your new home.
We’ll help you find a home that fits your lifestyle and preferences and will stay by your side after your move, helping you get settled locally. For clients with families, we recommend neighborhoods with good infrastructure, schools, and kindergartens, and help you apply for residence permits for all family members. You work and enjoy life in Turkey — we take care of everything else.
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