Turkey — Residency: Digital Nomad Visa

Why this matters

For digital nomads, Turkey offers a unique blend of culture, history, and natural beauty, with relatively affordable living costs and a growing expat community.

Key facts

• Only nationals of listed countries can apply, including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, most EU states, Switzerland, Norway and Iceland, and a digital nomad must enter Turkiye on this visa to work.
• The process starts with a pre-application on digitalnomads.goturkiye.com, then an online application on visa.gov.tr, then an in-person consulate interview booked within 30 days of the pre-application.
• Documents include a work contract or, for freelancers, a letter on the project, a certificate of good conduct, proof of lodging, a flight reservation, and the last 3 months of bank statements.
• Travel health insurance must cover at least EUR 30,000 (or the USD equivalent) and include transfer to a healthcare facility and repatriation.
• The Houston fee is USD 60 single entry (USD 185 for US citizens) or USD 180 multiple entry (USD 265 for US citizens), non-refundable.
• Applicants are advised to apply at least one month ahead, three months in summer, and the consulate cannot expedite applications.

Steps

1. Step 1: Meet the Eligibility Criteria — Applicants must have a remote job, meet the minimum income requirement, and have health insurance that covers them in Turkey.
2. Step 2: Gather Required Documents — This includes a valid passport, proof of income, health insurance documents, and a letter from the employer confirming the remote work arrangement.
3. Step 3: Apply for the Visa — The application process is reportedly online, but details on how to submit the application and what supporting documents are required are unclear.
4. Step 4: Receive the Visa — If the application is approved, the visa will reportedly be issued within a few weeks.