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Turkey Launches Digital Nomad Visa, Plans Tech Visa Next · IMI Podcasts

• 0:00
  SPEAKER_00: This episode first appeared as an article titled Turkey Launches Digital Nomad Visa, Plans Tech Visa Next, and authored by Ahmad Abbas on IMIDaily.com.
• 0:11
  SPEAKER_00: Subscribe to the newsletter and become an IMI Pro to get exclusive access to our data center, private briefings, the citizenship catalog, as well as your very own professional profile in IMI and many more pro members-only tools and resources.
• 0:27
  SPEAKER_00: On April 23, 2024, the Turkish government released an official statement announcing the digital nomad visa and its requirements.
• 0:36
  SPEAKER_00: Turkey has been working on the DNV for some time, but since people could easily obtain tourist residency permits, the need for a DNV has not been pressing, as the government revamps its immigration framework and restricts tourist residencies.
• 0:51
  SPEAKER_00: However, the DNV has finally made its official appearance.
• 1:16
  SPEAKER_00: When tourist residency approval rates were unreasonably high, almost anyone could come and settle in Turkey, remarked Temel.
• 1:23
  SPEAKER_00: She explains that the government's decision to finally establish a dedicated visa for digital nomads may be part of a wider plan to attract an audience that differs from those who typically apply for tourist residency permits.
• 1:36
  SPEAKER_00: Digital nomadism, she points out, is not exactly a form of relocation migration.
• 1:42
  SPEAKER_00: I have been working with European digital nomad programs for some time now, so I am familiar with the criteria of the clients.
• 1:50
  SPEAKER_00: They need a safe, friendly, pleasant environment with strong internet infrastructure, reasonable rent, and living costs.
• 2:00
  SPEAKER_00: She believes that a dedicated program with an easier application and renewal process will attract and reassure true digital nomads.
• 2:08
  SPEAKER_00: Turkey has been rapidly reshaping its immigration framework in the past few years.
• 2:13
  SPEAKER_00: Tamel points out that approval rates for tourist residency have dropped drastically, and nationality-specific restrictions have been introduced from time to time.
• 2:23
  SPEAKER_00: Amet Schener, managing partner at Smart Citizenship, wasn't surprised by the government's decision to introduce the new visa route.
• 2:31
  SPEAKER_00: Schener told IMI that he was expecting some kind of formula after the government revoked hundreds of thousands of touristic residencies.
• 2:41
  SPEAKER_00: According to the statement, the DNV is open to applicants aged 21 to 55 who are citizens of 32 countries: United States, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, 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, and Ukraine.
• 3:16
  SPEAKER_00: Tamel clarified that nationality-based restrictions aren't something new in Turkey, especially amidst rapid immigration restructuring.
• 3:24
  SPEAKER_00: During the last three years, she comments, approval rates for tourist residency have dropped drastically, and the government has introduced nationality-specific restrictions occasionally.
• 3:36
  SPEAKER_00: She thinks the government has intentionally excluded all continents to the south and east to avoid the risk of migrants who are not digital nomads, to avoid further controversy over immigration issues, since the country has hosted more than 3 million refugees throughout the last 10 years.
• 3:53
  SPEAKER_00: She pointed out that the inclusion of Ukrainians and Russians is still a matter of discussion.
• 3:59
  SPEAKER_00: The Turkish government also announced that applicants must meet the minimum income threshold of$3,000 a month, or$36,000 annually, to qualify for the DNV.
• 4:11
  SPEAKER_00: The process for obtaining a Turkish DNV starts on the government's digital nomad pre-application platform called Digital Nomad Go Turkey.
• 4:20
  SPEAKER_00: Applicants must upload the following documents to the portal: a travel document or passport valid for at least six months from the date of arrival in Turkey, higher education diploma or diploma substitute document, document showing that the applicant works as a digital nomad, which could be a contract if working for a company, except companies in Turkey, or employment contract between the applicant and the company if self-employed, biometric photo, and a document proving that the applicant has a monthly income of$3,000, or an annual income of$36,000.
• 4:59
  SPEAKER_00: After the application is completed on this platform, the government will issue applicants a digital nomad identification certificate.
• 5:08
  SPEAKER_00: Upon receiving the certificate from the platform, applicants must proceed with the next steps of their application at Turkish consulates or visa centers.
• 5:17
  SPEAKER_00: Shanner has a mixed view of the DNV.
• 5:20
  SPEAKER_00: He understands why the government launched this type of visa with a simplified process, saying that it is an easy sell to the public since it checks all the boxes.
• 5:30
  SPEAKER_00: The people who come through this route won't take your jobs, Shanner explained.
• 5:34
  SPEAKER_00: They will spend their hard-earned cash in Turkey, giving a much-needed boost to the economy.
• 5:39
  SPEAKER_00: Shanner did, however, express some skepticism regarding the government's processing abilities.
• 5:45
  SPEAKER_00: The only downside is that the ministry responsible for the program will never be able to get it off the ground as they don't have the necessary personnel or the know-how to receive and approve applications, he told IMI.
• 5:58
  SPEAKER_00: Tamell explains that the authorities continue to work on the necessary legislation and integration between consulates and immigration.
• 6:07
  SPEAKER_00: For now, a user-friendly online system is ready for the first stage of the application.
• 6:13
  SPEAKER_00: Turkey is also planning to launch a new tech visa.
• 6:17
  SPEAKER_00: IMI understands the government is still discussing the new immigration route internally, and although the government has already launched a dedicated website, the tech visa remains non-functional at the moment.
• 6:30
  SPEAKER_00: Tamel said that while the tech visa still has no official launch date, the government has established the tax advantages, governmental incentives, health and social security benefits under the visa.
• 6:42
  SPEAKER_00: She also notes that there is no nationality distinction in the tech visa, and that if all goes according to plan, the program looks promising to support the innovation and technology industry.
• 6:55
  SPEAKER_00: The tech visa will be open to startups and talent.
• 6:59
  SPEAKER_00: The duration of the visa for either category is three years, and applicants can add their family members, spouse, and minor children to their application.
• 7:09
  SPEAKER_00: According to the government, each route has a different set of benefits.
• 7:13
  SPEAKER_00: For talents, the benefits include an income tax exemption.
• 7:17
  SPEAKER_00: Tech visa holders working in Turkish companies carrying out RD activities in Turkey do not pay income tax.
• 7:25
  SPEAKER_00: Visa holders also receive Social Security coverage and individual consultancy services, of which details are scant.
• 7:34
  SPEAKER_00: The tech visa's benefits for startups apply to either partners or employees of the company as follows.
• 7:40
  SPEAKER_00: Three-year work permit.
• 7:42
  SPEAKER_00: Turkey's tech visa allows applicants to bring their staff or recruit talents from other countries easily and applies exceptions for permits to employ foreign personnel, covering both partners.
• 7:54
  SPEAKER_00: Welcome Consultancy Service.
• 7:57
  SPEAKER_00: The consultancy provides free assistance with company establishment, tax and legislation, finding suitable office space, connecting with mentors for guidance and support, accessing government support programs in areas like RD and marketing, access to Turkey's Tech Visa Fund.
• 8:15
  SPEAKER_00: Applicants may gain access to the fund, which provides financial support to startups in the Turkey Tech Visa program, access to government grants.
• 8:24
  SPEAKER_00: Startups may qualify for government grants or funds, tax exemptions, participating in a technopark under tech visa grants applicants access to various incentives such as exemptions on value-added tax, corporate tax, customs tax, and staff premiums.
• 8:44
  SPEAKER_00: Free access to the health system.
• 8:47
  SPEAKER_00: The government will cover insurance premiums of the startup's staff.
• 8:51
  SPEAKER_00: The government may still announce further changes to the tech visa.
• 8:55
  SPEAKER_00: Tamel hopes that the government will publish the sub-legislation of the DNV and tech visa in a way that will not cause any problems in practice and leave no question marks in the minds of those concerned on fundamental issues.
• 9:11
  SPEAKER_00: Thanks for joining us today on IMI Podcasts.
• 9:14
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