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Republic of Türkiye · skilled migration · Leads to settlement

Turkey Turquoise Card

By · Last reviewed:

Source check: all 3 official citations reconfirmed 13 September 2026

Special status conferring the rights of an indefinite work permit on highly qualified professionals, investors, researchers, and cultural figures, after a three-year transition period.

No sponsorship requiredLeads to permanent residencyProvisional three-year transition period, then indefinite on successful conversion.
Processing time
Indicative: applications are assessed by the Ministry against qualification criteria; confirm current processing expectations on the official page.
Government fees
Indicative: card and document fees are set by the Ministry; confirm current amounts on the official page.
Typical duration
Provisional three-year transition period, then indefinite on successful conversion.
Sponsorship required
No
Leads to permanent residency
Yes
Reviewed Directorate General of International Labour Force ↗

In short

As of 9 July 2026, the Turkey Turquoise Card for Republic of Türkiye is an unsponsored Turkey immigration route. Sources: official Republic of Türkiye government pages, reviewed 9 July 2026.

Cite this: https://visaatlas.org/visas/turkey/turquoise-card#answer

What is the Turkey Turquoise Card in Republic of Türkiye?

Turkey Turquoise Card is an unsponsored Turkey route. Indicative government fees are Indicative: card and document fees are set by the Ministry; confirm current amounts on the official page; indicative processing time is Indicative: applications are assessed by the Ministry against qualification criteria; confirm current processing expectations on the official page; typical duration is Provisional three-year transition period, then indefinite on successful conversion. This route can lead to permanent residence.

Verified against Directorate General of International Labour Force on 1 June 2026.

Overview

The Turquoise Card (Turkuaz Kart) is granted by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security to foreigners judged outstanding by education, professional experience, contribution to science and technology, or the economic and employment impact of their activities or investments in Türkiye. It is initially issued with a provisional three-year transition period; the holder applies within the final 180 days of that period to have the provisional status removed and an indefinite Turquoise Card issued. The card confers the rights of an indefinite work permit, and the holder spouse and dependent children receive a document serving as a residence permit.

Eligibility

Typical criteria

Common blockers

Typical evidence

Application pathway

  1. Confirm qualifying category

    Establish eligibility under the professional, investor, researcher, or cultural/sports grounds.

  2. Apply to the Ministry

    Lodge the Turquoise Card application with the Directorate General of International Labour Force.

  3. Hold provisional card

    On approval, a provisional card with a three-year transition period is issued; the Ministry may request activity documentation.

  4. Convert to indefinite

    Apply within the final 180 days of the transition period to have provisional status removed and the indefinite card issued.

After approval: prepare for your next step

For Turkey Turquoise Card, use the actual decision and the issuing authority’s instructions to establish what has been granted. A successful application, permission to enter, permission to work and a residence document are not interchangeable.

  1. 1. Check the decision. Confirm the name, passport, status granted, start date and any next action. Resolve an error with the authority before relying on the document for travel or employment.
  2. 2. Establish the travel step. Read any entry window, activation, collection or in-country registration instruction. For an extension or change of status, do not assume leaving the country is required or safe while a further step remains pending.
  3. 3. Confirm what you may do. Check whether employment, self-employment, remote work or study is permitted under the status granted. Do not infer unrestricted work rights from the absence of an employer sponsor.
  4. 4. Organise the household. Check each accompanying person’s permission separately, then arrange healthcare, accommodation, access to money and the relevant local registrations. A tax number or bank account does not by itself prove a right to work.
  5. 5. Keep the ongoing conditions visible. Record the actual expiry, renewal process, permitted absences and any duty to report changes. An initial grant does not automatically establish permanent residence or citizenship.
Official Turkey Turquoise Card instructionsBuild my moving plan for this routeMoving to Turkey

Plan the practical side of your stay

Once you have checked the official route, you can prepare for day-to-day life in Turkey. These optional services are separate from the application and do not establish visa eligibility.

Official application links

Where to actually go next

Government links only

These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.

  1. Official guidanceApplicant
    Use official Turkey Turquoise Card route page ↗

    Use this official page to confirm requirements and follow the government filing route for Turkey Turquoise Card.

    Directorate General of International Labour Force · verified

Matches these professions

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Frequently asked questions

Is the Turquoise Card permanent from day one?+

No. It is issued with a provisional three-year transition period. You must apply within the final 180 days of that period to remove the provisional status and obtain the indefinite Turquoise Card; missing the deadline invalidates the card.

Can my family join me on a Turquoise Card?+

Yes. The spouse and dependent children of a Turquoise Card holder are issued a document proving their relationship to the holder, which also serves as a residence permit.

Do I need a job offer or employer sponsor to get a Turquoise Card?+

No. The Turquoise Card does not require sponsorship; it is granted to foreigners judged outstanding by education, professional experience, contribution to science and technology, or significant investment impact, and the card confers the rights of an indefinite work permit. A profile that does not meet the high qualification, investment, or recognition thresholds is a listed blocker.

Can I qualify for a Turquoise Card as an investor rather than a professional?+

Yes. Alongside the professional and research grounds, the Turquoise Card can be granted for significant investment activity with measurable impact on Türkiye's economy and employment, supported by investment and employment-impact documentation. The Directorate General of International Labour Force assesses each application against the criteria.

Does the Turquoise Card let me work in Turkey without a separate work permit?+

Yes. The Turquoise Card confers the rights of an indefinite work permit, so it functions as work authorisation. It is issued with a provisional three-year transition period before conversion to indefinite status.

Need tailored advice?

We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.

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How we verified this

We check every figure on this page against the primary government source, record the date it was last checked, and re-check it on a regular schedule. Rules change, so always confirm time-sensitive details with the official source before you rely on them. Visa Atlas is an information-only publication and does not give legal advice.

Primary source: Directorate General of International Labour Force

Last checked: 1 June 2026

See the full evidence trail and methodology

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