Startup / Entrepreneur
Turkiye TechVisa (Startup)
⏱️ Duration
3-year work permit issued upon approval
👪 Dependants
Yes
Spouses and dependent children are eligible for simplified residence permit processing
The Turkiye TechVisa (Startup Track) is an entrepreneur immigration programme that provides foreign technology entrepreneurs with a 3-year work permit and comprehensive support to establish or expand startup operations in Turkey. Launched on 16 September 2024 by the Ministry of Industry and Technology in cooperation with the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, the programme operates under existing legislation including the International Labour Force Law (No. 6735) and the Technology Development Zones Law (No. 4691). It targets entrepreneurs with innovative, technology-based business models in sectors such as AI, software development, blockchain, cybersecurity, fintech, gaming, and digital transformation, and provides access to over 100 technoparks nationwide, startup financing, and consultancy support.
Requirements
- Strong background in technology-related fields (degree in computer science, engineering, or technology preferred; relevant professional experience may suffice)
- A viable business plan demonstrating an innovative, technology-based business model aligned with Turkey's technology priorities
- Eligible sectors include software development, artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, blockchain, cybersecurity, fintech, e-commerce, digital platforms, gaming, cloud computing, and digital transformation
- No minimum capital investment or proof of minimum income required
- Valid passport with at least 6 months remaining validity
- Traditional businesses such as restaurants, retail, food and beverage, or real estate do not qualify
Required Documents
- Valid passport
- Business plan demonstrating innovative technology-based business model
- Resume/CV with technology experience
- Educational certificates and technology qualifications
- Professional portfolio with references or certifications demonstrating expertise in technology domains
Duration & Renewal
The programme grants a 3-year work permit. The work permit substitutes for a residence permit under Turkish law, so holders do not need a separate residence permit. After 8 years of continuous legal residence, holders may apply for a long-term residence permit or permanent work permit.
Family Members
Spouses and dependent children are eligible for simplified residence permit processes under the TechVisa programme. Family members apply for residence permits separately through the Presidency of Migration Management. Streamlined processing for family members is specifically mentioned as a programme benefit.
Tax Implications
Companies established in technology development zones (technoparks) under Law No. 4691 are exempt from corporate income tax on earnings from software and R&D activities until 31 December 2028. Employee salaries from R&D activities in technoparks are exempt from income tax for the same period. VAT exemption applies to software development activities in technology development zones. Customs duty exemptions are available for imported R&D materials and equipment. Individuals present in Turkey for more than 183 days in a calendar year become full tax residents subject to worldwide income taxation. Startups that do not locate in a technopark would not benefit from these exemptions.
Application Process
- Register on the TechVisa portal -- Create an account at turkiyetechvisa.sanayi.gov.tr and submit your business plan, CV, and supporting documents.
- Ministry evaluation -- The Ministry of Industry and Technology reviews your qualifications, business plan, and alignment with Turkey's technology priorities. A virtual or in-person interview may be requested.
- Work visa application -- Upon approval, apply for a work visa at a Turkish embassy or consulate abroad and receive a reference number.
- Work permit issuance -- Submit a work permit application to the Ministry of Labour and Social Security using the reference number. Processing takes approximately 30 to 60 days.
- Company establishment -- Upon entering Turkey, establish a company (typically a limited liability company or joint stock company). The programme provides welcome consultancy to assist with setup.
Contact email: [email protected]
Business Environment
The programme provides access to Turkey's network of over 100 technoparks. The government covers half of the employer's share of social security premiums for each employee in technoparks for a period of 5 years. Foreign direct investment law permits 100% foreign ownership of Turkish companies. The standard Turkish-to-foreign employee ratio requirement is relaxed for companies in technology development zones.
Important Considerations
- The programme is technology-sector specific; general commercial ventures do not qualify
- Technopark tax exemptions are legislated until 31 December 2028
- The programme does not have standalone legislation and operates under existing frameworks, meaning specific provisions could be modified without legislative action
- Applications have been received from entrepreneurs in over 43 countries since the programme's launch
Other Visa Programs in Asia
Country↑ | Program↕ | Income↕ | Investment↕ | Funds Required↕ | Capital Required↕ | Duration↕ | Dependants↕ | Citizenship↕ | Compare | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
🇦🇿 Azerbaijan | Highly Skilled Migrant Programme | — | — | — | — | 3 years — 5 years | Yes | — | ||
🇦🇿 Azerbaijan | Investor Temporary Residence Permit | — | AZN 100,000 one-time | — | — | 1 year — 3 years | Yes | Yes (5yr) | ||
🇧🇭 Bahrain | Golden Residency Visa for Property Owners | — | BHD 130,000 one-time | — | — | 10 years | Yes | No | ||
🇧🇭 Bahrain | Golden Residency Visa for Talented Individuals | — | — | — | — | 10 years | Yes | No | ||
🇧🇭 Bahrain | Self-Sponsorship Residence Permit (Investor) | — | BHD 100,000 one-time | — | — | 2 years — 10 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇧🇭 Bahrain | Self-Sponsorship Residence Permit (Property Owner) | — | BHD 50,000 one-time | — | — | 2 years — 10 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇧🇭 Bahrain | Self-Sponsorship Residence Permit (Retired Foreigner) | BHD 500 / month | — | — | — | 2 years — 10 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇧🇩 Bangladesh | Investor Visa | — | $75,000 one-time | — | — | 1 year — 5 years | Yes | Yes (5yr) | ||
🇧🇹 Bhutan | Digital Nomad Residence Programme | No minimum income thresho... | — | — | — | 1 year — 2 years | No | — | ||
🇧🇹 Bhutan | Investor Card | — | BTN 15,000,000 one-time | — | — | 3 years | Yes | Yes (20yr) | ||
🇰🇭 Cambodia | Cambodia My 2nd Home (CM2H) | — | $100,000 one-time | — | — | 10 years | Yes | Yes (5yr) | ||
🇰🇭 Cambodia | Retirement Visa (ER Extension of Stay) | $1,500 / month | — | — | — | 1 month — 1 year | No | Yes | ||
🇨🇳 China | Permanent Residence Permit (Investment Category) | — | $500,000 one-time | — | — | Permanent | Yes | Yes | ||
🇨🇳 China | Private Affairs Residence Permit (Entrepreneurship) | — | — | — | CN¥50,000 one-time | 1 year — 5 years | Yes | — | ||
🇬🇪 Georgia | Investment Residence Permit | — | $300,000 one-time | — | — | 5 years | Yes | Yes (10yr) | ||
🇬🇪 Georgia | IT Residence Permit | $25,000 / year | — | — | — | 3 years | Yes | Yes (10yr) | ||
🇬🇪 Georgia | Remotely from Georgia | $2,000 / month | — | — | — | 6 months — 1 year | Yes | — | ||
🇬🇪 Georgia | Short-Term Residence Permit (Property Ownership) | — | $150,000 one-time | — | — | 1 year | Yes | Yes | ||
🇭🇰 Hong Kong | Entry for Investment as Entrepreneurs | — | — | — | No fixed minimum; must de... | 3 years | Yes | — | ||
🇭🇰 Hong Kong | New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme | — | HK$30,000,000 one-time | — | — | 2 years — Permanent | Yes | — | ||
🇭🇰 Hong Kong | Quality Migrant Admission Scheme | — | — | — | — | 3 years — 8 years | Yes | — | ||
🇭🇰 Hong Kong | Top Talent Pass Scheme | HK$2,500,000 / year | — | — | — | 2 years — 3 years | Yes | — | ||
🇮🇳 India | Permanent Residency Status for Foreign Investors | — | ₹100,000,000 one-time | — | — | 10 years — 20 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇮🇩 Indonesia | Golden Visa (Global Talent) | $2,000 / month | — | — | — | 5 years — 10 years | Yes | No | ||
🇮🇩 Indonesia | Golden Visa (Investor) | — | $350,000 one-time | — | — | 5 years — 10 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇮🇩 Indonesia | Remote Worker KITAS | $60,000 / year | — | — | — | 1 year — 2 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇮🇩 Indonesia | Retirement KITAS | $1,500 / month | — | — | — | 1 year — 5 years | Yes | Yes (5yr) | ||
🇮🇩 Indonesia | Silver Hair Visa | $3,000 / month | — | — | — | 5 years — 10 years | Yes | — | ||
🇮🇷 Iran | Investor Residence Permit | — | €100,000 one-time | — | — | 2 years — 5 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇮🇷 Iran | Special Residence Permit for Non-Iranian Elites | — | — | — | — | 1 year — 5 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇮🇶 Iraq | Investment Residency | — | No fixed minimum investme... | — | — | 1 year | No | Yes | ||
🇮🇱 Israel | B/5 Investor Visa | — | $220,000 one-time | — | — | 2 years | Yes | — | ||
🇮🇱 Israel | Innovation Visa for Foreign Entrepreneurs | — | — | — | No minimum capital requir... | 1 year — 2 years | Yes | — | ||
🇯🇵 Japan | Business Manager Visa | — | — | — | ¥30,000,000 one-time | 6 months — 5 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇯🇵 Japan | Designated Activities (Long Stay for Sightseeing and Recreation) | ¥30,000,000 one-time | — | — | — | 6 months — 1 year | Yes | No | ||
🇯🇵 Japan | Digital Nomad Visa | ¥10,000,000 / year | — | — | — | 6 months | Yes | No | ||
🇯🇵 Japan | Future Creation Individual Visa (J-Find) | — | — | — | — | 6 months — 2 years | Yes | — | ||
🇯🇵 Japan | Startup Visa | — | — | — | No fixed minimum capital ... | 1 year — 2 years | No | — | ||
🇯🇴 Jordan | Annual Residence Permit Based on Bank Deposit | JOD 10,000 one-time | — | — | — | 1 year — 5 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇯🇴 Jordan | Citizenship by Investment | — | JOD 500,000 one-time | — | — | 3 years — Permanent | Yes | Yes (3yr) | ||
🇯🇴 Jordan | Residency by Investment | — | JOD 200,000 one-time | — | — | 5 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇰🇿 Kazakhstan | A6 Investor Visa (Golden Visa) | — | $300,000 one-time | — | — | 10 years | Yes | Yes (5yr) | ||
🇰🇿 Kazakhstan | C5 Business Immigrant Visa | — | — | — | No minimum capital for sm... | 90 days — 2 years | Yes | Yes (5yr) | ||
🇰🇿 Kazakhstan | Digital Nomad Residency | No minimum income require... | — | — | — | 1 year — 10 years | No | — | ||
🇰🇿 Kazakhstan | Neo Nomad Visa | $3,000 / month | — | — | — | 1 year — 2 years | Yes | — | ||
🇰🇿 Kazakhstan | Permanent Residence Visa for In-Demand Professions | — | — | — | — | 90 days — 10 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇰🇼 Kuwait | Investor Residency Permit | — | No fixed minimum — KDIPA ... | — | — | 5 years — 15 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇰🇬 Kyrgyzstan | Digital Nomad Status | No fixed minimum income t... | — | — | — | 60 days — 10 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇰🇬 Kyrgyzstan | Investment Visa | — | KGS 10,000,000 one-time | — | — | 5 years — 10 years | Yes | — | ||
🇱🇦 Laos | Investor Visa (NI-B2) | — | No universal fixed minimu... | — | — | 3 months — 5 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇱🇧 Lebanon | Annual Residence Permit (Cash Bond Deposit) | Cash bond of 1,500,000,00... | — | — | — | 1 year | Yes | Yes (5yr) | ||
🇱🇧 Lebanon | Permanent Residence Permit (Financial Independence) | Cash guarantee of 4,500,0... | — | — | — | 3 years | Yes | Yes (5yr) | ||
🇲🇴 Macau | Major Investment Temporary Residency | — | No fixed statutory minimu... | — | — | 18 months — 3 years | Yes | — | ||
🇲🇴 Macau | Talent Recruitment Residence Permit | — | — | — | — | 3 years — 5 years | Yes | — | ||
🇲🇾 Malaysia | DE Rantau Nomad Pass | $2,000 / month | — | — | — | 3 months — 2 years | Yes | No | ||
🇲🇾 Malaysia | Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) | — | MYR 675,000 one-time | — | — | 5 years — 20 years | Yes | No | ||
🇲🇾 Malaysia | Malaysia Tech Entrepreneur Programme (MTEP) | — | — | — | MYR 50,000 one-time | 1 year — 5 years | Yes | — | ||
🇲🇾 Malaysia | Premium Visa Programme (PVIP) | — | MYR 1,000,000 one-time | — | — | 20 years | Yes | — | ||
🇲🇾 Malaysia | Residence Pass-Talent (RP-T) | MYR 15,000 / month | — | — | — | 10 years | Yes | — | ||
🇲🇻 Maldives | Corporate Resident Visa | — | $250,000 one-time | — | — | 5 years | Yes | No | ||
🇲🇳 Mongolia | Investor Visa | — | $100,000 one-time | — | — | 1 year — 3 years | Yes | Yes (5yr) | ||
🇳🇵 Nepal | Residential Visa for Investors | — | $100,000 one-time | — | — | 1 year | Yes | Yes | ||
🇳🇵 Nepal | Residential Visa for Persons of Exceptional Merit | — | — | — | — | 1 year | Yes | No | ||
🇳🇵 Nepal | Residential Visa for Retirees | $20,000 / year | — | — | — | 1 year | Yes | No | ||
🇴🇲 Oman | Golden Residency Program | — | OMR 250,000 one-time | — | — | 5 years — 10 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇴🇲 Oman | Retiree Residence Card | OMR 4,000 / month | — | — | — | 5 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇵🇰 Pakistan | Business-Investor Visa | — | $50,000 one-time | — | — | 1 year — 5 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇵🇰 Pakistan | Long-Term Residency (LTR) | — | $50,000 one-time | — | — | 5 years — 10 years | Yes | No | ||
🇵🇭 Philippines | Digital Nomad Visa | $2,000 / month | — | — | — | 1 year — 2 years | No | — | ||
🇵🇭 Philippines | Special Investor's Resident Visa (SIRV) | — | $75,000 one-time | — | — | Permanent | Yes | Yes (10yr) | ||
🇵🇭 Philippines | Special Resident Retiree's Visa (SRRV) | $800 / month | — | — | — | Permanent | Yes | Yes | ||
🇶🇦 Qatar | Mustaqel Visa (Entrepreneur) | — | — | — | QAR 250,000 one-time | 5 years | Yes | — | ||
🇶🇦 Qatar | Mustaqel Visa (Talent) | — | — | — | — | 5 years | Yes | — | ||
🇶🇦 Qatar | Real Estate Investment Residency | — | QAR 730,000 one-time | — | — | 1 year — 5 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia | Entrepreneur Residency | — | — | — | SAR 400,000 one-time | 5 years — Permanent | Yes | No | ||
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia | Gifted Premium Residency | — | — | — | — | 5 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia | Investor Residency | — | SAR 7,000,000 one-time | — | — | Permanent | Yes | Yes | ||
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia | Real Estate Owner Residency | — | SAR 4,000,000 one-time | — | — | 1 year | Yes | Yes | ||
🇸🇬 Singapore | EntrePass (Entrepreneur Pass) | — | — | — | SGD 100,000 one-time | 1 year — 2 years | Yes | — | ||
🇸🇬 Singapore | Global Investor Programme (GIP) | — | SGD 10,000,000 one-time | — | — | Permanent | Yes | Yes (2yr) | ||
🇸🇬 Singapore | Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass (ONE Pass) | SGD 30,000 / month | — | — | — | 5 years | Yes | — | ||
🇸🇬 Singapore | Tech.Pass | SGD 22,500 / month | — | — | — | 2 years — 4 years | Yes | — | ||
🇰🇷 South Korea | D-10 Job Seeker Visa | — | — | Must demonstrate sufficie... | — | 6 months — 1 year | No | — | ||
🇰🇷 South Korea | Immigrant Investor Scheme for Public Business | — | ₩1,500,000,000 one-time | — | — | 2 years — Permanent | Yes | — | ||
🇰🇷 South Korea | Permanent Residence for Overseas Pension Beneficiaries | $6,083 / month | — | — | — | Permanent | Yes | Yes | ||
🇰🇷 South Korea | Technology Startup Visa | — | — | — | No fixed minimum capital ... | 1 year — 2 years | Yes | — | ||
🇰🇷 South Korea | Tourism and Leisure Facility Investment Immigration | — | ₩1,000,000,000 one-time | — | — | 2 years — Permanent | Yes | — | ||
🇰🇷 South Korea | Workation (Digital Nomad) Visa | $6,083 / month | — | — | — | 1 year — 2 years | Yes | No | ||
🇱🇰 Sri Lanka | Colombo Port City Investor Visa | — | $100,000 one-time | — | — | 5 years — 10 years | Yes | No | ||
🇱🇰 Sri Lanka | Condominium Investment Visa | — | $75,000 one-time | — | — | 5 years — 10 years | Yes | No | ||
🇱🇰 Sri Lanka | Digital Nomad Visa | $2,000 / month | — | — | — | 1 year | Yes | No | ||
🇱🇰 Sri Lanka | Golden Paradise Residence Visa | — | $100,000 one-time | — | — | 5 years — 10 years | Yes | No | ||
🇱🇰 Sri Lanka | Individual Investor Residence Visa | — | $100,000 one-time | — | — | 5 years — 10 years | Yes | No | ||
🇸🇾 Syria | Investment Residency Permit | — | No fixed minimum threshol... | — | — | 1 year — Permanent | Yes | Yes | ||
🇹🇼 Taiwan | Digital Nomad Visitor Visa | $40,000 / year | — | — | — | 6 months — 2 years | No | Yes | ||
🇹🇼 Taiwan | Employment Gold Card | — | — | — | — | 1 year — 3 years | Yes | Yes (3yr) | ||
🇹🇼 Taiwan | Entrepreneur Visa | — | — | — | NT$2,000,000 one-time | 2 years | Yes | — | ||
🇹🇼 Taiwan | Investor Resident Visa | — | $200,000 one-time | — | — | 1 year — 5 years | Yes | — | ||
🇹🇼 Taiwan | Plum Blossom Card (Investment APRC) | — | NT$15,000,000 one-time | — | — | Permanent | Yes | Yes | ||
🇹🇯 Tajikistan | Investor Visa (Category C) | — | $500,000 one-time | — | — | 2 years — 5 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇹🇭 Thailand | Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) | THB 500,000 / funds | — | — | — | 180 days — 5 years | Yes | No | ||
🇹🇭 Thailand | Long-Term Resident Visa (Work-from-Thailand Professionals) | $80,000 / year | — | — | — | 5 years — 10 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇹🇭 Thailand | LTR Visa (Wealthy Global Citizens) | — | $500,000 one-time | — | — | 5 years — 10 years | Yes | — | ||
🇹🇭 Thailand | LTR Visa (Wealthy Pensioners) | $80,000 / year | — | — | — | 5 years — 10 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇹🇭 Thailand | Non-Immigrant Visa (Investment) | — | THB 10,000,000 one-time | — | — | 1 year | Yes | Yes | ||
🇹🇭 Thailand | Non-Immigrant Visa O-A (Long Stay) | THB 65,000 / month | — | — | — | 1 year | Yes | — | ||
🇹🇭 Thailand | Non-Immigrant Visa O-X (Long Stay 10 Years) | THB 3,000,000 one-time | — | — | — | 5 years — 10 years | Yes | — | ||
🇹🇭 Thailand | SMART Visa S (Startup) | — | — | — | THB 600,000 one-time | 6 months — 2 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇹🇱 Timor-Leste | Business Visa Class II | — | — | — | No minimum capital thresh... | 6 months — 2 years | Yes | — | ||
🇹🇱 Timor-Leste | Investor Residence Authorization | — | $1,500,000 one-time | — | — | 2 years — Permanent | Yes | — | ||
🇹🇷 Turkey | Citizenship by Investment | — | $400,000 one-time | — | — | 5 years — Permanent | Yes | Yes | ||
🇹🇷 Turkey | Digital Nomad Visa | $3,000 / month | — | — | — | 1 year | Yes | — | ||
🇹🇷 Turkey | Short-Term Residence Permit (Tourism Purpose) | $1,200 / month | — | — | — | 6 months — 2 years | Yes | — | ||
🇹🇷 Turkey | Turkiye TechVisa (Startup) | — | — | — | — | 3 years | Yes | — | ||
🇹🇷 Turkey | Turquoise Card | — | — | — | — | 3 years — Permanent | Yes | Yes | ||
🇹🇲 Turkmenistan | Investor Residence Permit | — | $500,000 one-time | — | — | 5 years | Yes | Yes (7yr) | ||
🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates | Golden Visa (Entrepreneur) | — | — | — | AED 500,000 one-time | 5 years — 10 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates | Golden Visa (Investor) | — | AED 2,000,000 one-time | — | — | 5 years — 10 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates | Golden Visa (Talented Individuals) | — | — | — | — | 10 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates | Green Visa (Freelancer / Self-Employed) | AED 360,000 / year | — | — | — | 5 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates | Green Visa (Investor/Partner) | — | AED 1,000,000 one-time | — | — | 5 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates | Job Exploration Visa | — | — | Must prove sufficient fun... | — | 60 days | No | — | ||
🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates | Retirement Visa | AED 20,000 / month | — | — | — | 5 years | Yes | No | ||
🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates | Virtual Work Residence Permit | $3,500 / month | — | — | — | 1 year | Yes | No | ||
🇺🇿 Uzbekistan | Golden Visa | — | $250,000 one-time | — | — | 5 years | Yes | No | ||
🇺🇿 Uzbekistan | Investment Visa | — | $280,500 one-time | — | — | 3 years — Permanent | Yes | Yes (5yr) | ||
🇺🇿 Uzbekistan | IT Visa | $2,500 / month | — | — | — | 1 year — 3 years | Yes | — | ||
🇻🇳 Vietnam | Investor Visa (DT1-DT4) | — | ₫3,000,000,000 one-time | — | — | 1 year — 10 years | Yes | — | ||
🇻🇳 Vietnam | Special Visa Exemption Card | — | — | — | — | 5 years | No | Yes |