Türkiye: Digital Nomad Visa Now Available

• Eligibility.
  • Only nationals of Canada, the United States or the following European countries are eligible: Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom.
  • Applicants must be university graduates between the ages of 21 and 55 at the time they file their application.
• Other criteria. Other criteria for eligibility include proof of valid medical insurance, proof of employment (if an employee) or a business contract (if working as a freelancer), and sufficient minimum income according to government regulations.
• Validity. The visa is valid for a stay of up to 90 days. However, there are still some details regarding authorized stay durations that are not clear, for example, the duration of stay under the related residence permit, and whether the visa can be renewed.
• Application details. Applications must be submitted online, followed by a visit to a Turkish consulate.
• Local work. Local work is likely not allowed under the visa.

This new category provides an immigration pathway for remote workers, which was previously not available.

• Continuing trend. Although digital nomad visas and permits are not being introduced as rapidly as when the trend first started, we still see such tailored digital nomad statuses being introduced over the past months, with more in the pipeline.

• Remote work visa warning. In countries where remote work is unregulated, workers and employers may unknowingly put themselves at risk of noncompliance with many aspects of the law, exposing them to possible fines or other penalties, depending on the country. Importantly, noncompliance with regulations could result in employers losing their rights to hire foreign labor. Additionally, this type of work arrangement may have employment or tax law impacts. It will become increasingly important as such policies are developed (and in many countries where remote work is unregulated) for employers to analyze strategies and assess risks associated with implementing and/or continuing remote work policies with a trusted immigration partner.

We will update this alert when the authorities clarify related authorized stay period rules.