Turkey has taken an ambitious step to attract professionals specializing in technology and innovative startups to the country by introducing the “Türkiye Tech Visa Program.” The program was announced during an event attended by the Minister of Industry and Technology, Mehmet Fatih Kacır, and the Minister of Labor and Social Security, Vedat Işıkhan.
Welcoming Entrepreneurs with the Türkiye Tech Visa!
Shiftdelete.netAt the launch event held at Istanbul Airport, Ministers Kacır and Işıkhan shared details of the program with the public. The Türkiye Tech Visa will offer a special three-year work permit, comprehensive consulting services, and an extensive support package.
Program Benefits:
- Three-year special work permit:
Participants will receive a special three-year work permit, speeding up their process of living and working in Turkey. - Consulting services:
Entrepreneurs accepted into the program will receive six months of legal, financial, and technical consultancy for the companies they establish in Turkey. - Access to public incentives and support programs:
International entrepreneurs will have access to a wide range of public incentives and support programs. - Integration into the tech ecosystem:
The program will support participants’ integration into Turkey’s rapidly growing tech ecosystem.
Under the Turkey Tech Visa Program, professionals with expertise in technology and innovative startups will be granted a three-year special work permit. This will allow participants to make long-term plans and establish a settled life in Turkey.
Additionally, participants will receive six months of legal, financial, and technical consultancy for the companies they establish in Turkey. Minister Kacır emphasized that Turkey’s tech ecosystem is growing rapidly, and this program will help entrepreneurs quickly integrate into it.
Minister Kacır stated that the Turkey Tech Visa Program is a critical step in Turkey’s journey to becoming a global technology hub, highlighting the following:
“The Turkey Tech Visa Program is a cornerstone in our journey to make Turkey a global technology hub. Through this program, we are offering a comprehensive support package that will enable professionals with expertise in technology and innovative startups to continue their success journeys in Turkey with greater momentum.
Driven by our vision of the ‘National Technology Initiative,’ we are advancing our activities in tech entrepreneurship and moving closer to our goals step by step. The recent successful performances of national tech initiatives showcase the potential Turkey possesses. In the second century of our Republic, the ‘Century of Turkey,’ we aim to further accelerate the growth of tech entrepreneurship and strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Today, we are taking an important step that enhances the value proposition of our country for investors, entrepreneurs, and technology leaders. With the decisions made by the Entrepreneurship Council and the cooperation of our institutions, we are implementing the Turkey Tech Visa Program.
Through various programs, including the Technology and Innovation Fund, Regional Development Fund, Regional Venture Capital Fund Calls, IT Valley Venture Capital Investment Fund, and the Tech-InvesTR program, we are ensuring that public resources create a multiplier effect for our entrepreneurs. We are investing 900,000 Turkish Lira into BiGG startups in exchange for a 3% stake. Startups participating in TÜBİTAK’s BiGG program enter their entrepreneurial journey with a valuation of 30 million Turkish Lira.”
Minister of Labor and Social Security Vedat Işıkhan added that the Turkey Tech Visa Program provides a significant opportunity to enhance Turkey’s workforce capacity, stating:
“The program offers accelerated and exceptional work permit processes for foreigners who wish to establish a startup in Turkey, granting work permits for up to three years upon the first application. By shortening bureaucratic processes, we will establish an administrative procedure that meets the fast-moving needs of this sector. While attracting new talent and ventures to our country, we will also benefit from their knowledge and experience to enhance the capacity of our local workforce.”
