Turquoise Card

The Turquoise Card (Turkuaz Kart) is Turkey's flagship talent immigration programme, granting highly qualified foreign nationals the right to live and work indefinitely in the country. Established under Article 11 of the International Labour Force Law (No. 6735), with implementing rules set out in the Turquoise Card Regulation of 14 March 2017, the programme is administered by the Directorate General of International Labour Force within the Ministry of Labour and Social Security. It uses a points-based evaluation system and does not require employer sponsorship -- individuals may self-apply. After a 3-year transitional period, the card becomes indefinite, and holders may become eligible for exceptional Turkish citizenship by presidential decree.

The programme targets five categories of high-value foreigners:

• Highly qualified workers -- Evaluated on education level, wage, professional knowledge and experience, senior management or R&D background, education-profession alignment, and foreign language proficiency
• Qualified investors -- Evaluated on investment volume, export level, employment creation, and technological contribution
• Scientists and researchers -- Internationally recognized in fields of strategic importance to Turkey, assessed on academic rank, institutional prominence, patents, trademarks, and publications
• Cultural, artistic, or sports professionals -- Assessed on competitive achievements, awards, organizational status, and international recognition
• Promoters of Turkey -- Persons contributing to the international recognition or promotion of Turkey or Turkish culture

• Must fall within one of the five eligible categories
• Sufficient points on the category-specific scoring system
• No fixed minimum income or savings threshold
• No employer sponsorship required (self-petition allowed)
• Must not pose an obstacle in terms of public order, public security, or public health

• Application petition
• Passport copy or equivalent travel document
• Certificate of conformity from relevant public institution (if applicable)
• Category-specific documentation:
  • Workers: Foreign diploma, employment contract or CV, professional experience records, language proficiency certificates
  • Investors: Investment volume documentation, export/employment records, financial statements
  • Scientists: Diplomas, academic career documentation, publications, patents, trademarks, or licenses
  • Artists/Athletes: Competition records, awards, international recognition documentation
• The document list is not fixed and may be adjusted after initial examination

The Turquoise Card is initially issued with a 3-year transitional period. An assigned specialist monitors the cardholder's activities and prepares compliance reports every 12 months. Within the final 180 days before expiry, the holder must apply for removal of the transitional notation to convert to an indefinite Turquoise Card. Failure to apply before the card expires renders it invalid -- there is no late application option.

Spouses and dependent children under 18 are eligible for the "Turquoise Card holder relative" document, which functions as a residence permit. Family member applications should ideally be submitted simultaneously with the main application. If submitted from abroad and documentation is incomplete, relatives have 90 days from entry into Turkey to complete their applications. Family members do not receive work authorization through this document and would need separate work permits to be employed. After the transitional period, family members may also become eligible for exceptional Turkish citizenship.

Foreigners residing in Turkey for 183 or more days in a calendar year are considered tax residents subject to income tax on worldwide income. Non-residents are taxed only on Turkey-sourced income. Turquoise Card holders and their employers must fulfil social security obligations under the Social Insurance and General Health Insurance Law (No. 5510), which includes health insurance coverage.

From within Turkey: Submit electronically through the Foreigners' Work Permits Automation System via the e-Government portal (turkiye.gov.tr), using a foreign identity number.

From abroad: Submit through a Turkish embassy or consulate in the country of citizenship or legal residence. Documents are transmitted electronically. Authorized intermediary organizations may also submit applications.

The Directorate General evaluates applications using a points-based scoring system calibrated to the applicant's category. Scoring criteria and thresholds are reviewed every six months by geographic region, province, sector, or profession. Processing takes approximately 60 days. Rejected applicants may file an administrative appeal within 30 days, followed by a court challenge within 60 days.

• Holders must enter Turkey within 6 months of card issuance
• Continuous absence from Turkey exceeding 2 years without justification results in automatic card cancellation
• Ceasing employment for 12 consecutive months may trigger cancellation
• If the monitoring specialist identifies deficiencies during the transitional period, a 3-month correction period is given; failure to remedy leads to cancellation
• The card does not grant the right to vote, stand for public office, or enter public service
• Turquoise Card holders are exempt from work permit and residence permit fees
• Foreigners under temporary protection in Turkey are not eligible