Turquoise Card

The Turquoise Card (Turkuaz Kart) is Turkey's premium long-term residence and work status, created to attract highly qualified professionals, investors, scientists, prominent figures in culture, art and sport, and others whose presence is judged to benefit the country. It is sometimes described as Turkey's answer to a permanent-residence or "talent" card.

What makes the Turquoise Card distinctive is its indefinite nature. It is granted initially with a three-year transition period, during which the holder's activity and contribution are monitored; once that period is successfully completed, the card converts to an indefinite-term status. The card both authorises work and grants residence rights, and the holder's foreign spouse and dependent children can receive a document granting them residence as well.

The Turquoise Card is not a routine work permit. It is reserved for those with strong qualifications, significant investment, scientific or technological merit, or strategic value to Turkey. For high-calibre professionals and investors planning a long horizon in the country, it offers stability that ordinary, employer-tied permits cannot.

Eligibility for the Turquoise Card is selective and based on the value the applicant brings to Turkey. Recognised categories include highly qualified professionals with strong education and experience, investors making a significant contribution to the Turkish economy or creating employment, scientists and researchers, and individuals of recognised standing in science, technology, culture, art or sport.

The authorities assess factors such as your level of education, professional achievements, the scale and impact of any investment, your contribution to employment, and your strategic importance to national priorities. You need a valid passport and a clean record. There is no single salary or investment figure that guarantees approval; the Ministry of Labour and Social Security exercises judgment, often guided by scoring criteria and the recommendations of relevant bodies.

Step one: assess which Turquoise Card category fits you - highly qualified professional, investor, scientist, or person of recognised standing - and gather strong supporting evidence for that category. Step two: assemble your dossier: detailed CV, diplomas and certificates, evidence of professional achievements or investment, financial records, references, and a clear account of your intended contribution to Turkey.

Step three: submit the Turquoise Card application to the Ministry of Labour and Social Security through its electronic system, uploading the documents and paying the applicable fees. Step four: the Ministry, drawing on scoring criteria and consultation with relevant institutions, evaluates the merit and contribution of your application.

Step five: if approved, the Turquoise Card is issued with an initial three-year transition period. Step six: during that period, your activity and contribution in Turkey are monitored; you may need to demonstrate that you continue to meet the basis on which the card was granted. Step seven: on successful completion of the transition period, apply to have the card converted to its indefinite-term status, securing your long-term position in Turkey.

Turquoise Card official charges include a card fee and document fee set by the Ministry and revised annually, payable in Turkish lira - together typically equivalent to a few hundred euros. The far larger figures are situational: investor-category applicants must commit substantial capital or create employment to qualify, and that investment itself is the principal cost. Budget also for notarised translations of diplomas, certificates and supporting documents, and for legal or consultancy fees, which are common given the discretionary, evidence-heavy nature of the application.

Turquoise Card processing is more involved than a standard work permit because the Ministry of Labour and Social Security evaluates merit, contribution and strategic value, often consulting other institutions and applying scoring criteria. There is no fixed short turnaround; assessment can take several weeks to a few months depending on the category and the completeness and strength of the file. The subsequent three-year transition period is itself a built-in evaluation phase before indefinite status is confirmed.

With the Turquoise Card, you may live and work in Turkey, and your foreign spouse and dependent children can obtain a document granting them residence. Ensure your professional activity, employment or investment continues in line with the basis on which the card was granted, because this is reviewed during the three-year transition period.

Register for tax purposes and meet Turkish tax obligations on your relevant income, and maintain valid health coverage through the social-security system or private insurance. Keep thorough records of your activity, investment and contribution, as you will need them to demonstrate ongoing eligibility and to support the conversion to indefinite status. Once the transition period is successfully completed and the card becomes indefinite, you gain a stable, long-term footing in Turkey without the renewal cycle of ordinary permits.