Quick facts about Turkey
Turkey is a famous destination for many tourists and has now become an iconic place for ex-pats and digital nomads thanks to the options of a digital nomad visa for Turkey.
Turkey is a paradise of stunning landscapes. It has crystal clear waters, tall mountains, and ruins of ancient cities. But it also has many cosmopolitan cities. The food culture is amazing, the culture is beautiful, and the locals are friendly.
There are a lot of things to love and admire in Turkey. So if you’re looking for a new digital nomad destination, Turkey should definitely be on your list!
Capital
Ankara
Form of Government
Unitary presidential republic
Population
84.34 million (2020)
Climate
Mediterranean Climate
Language
Turkish
Currency
Turkish Lira (TL) - Need Help Converting?
Living in Turkey as a digital nomad
Living in Turkey is a dream for digital nomads. There are many unique things to enjoy while living in the country that you won’t find anywhere else. Turkey is known for having affordable prices, amazing food, and hospitable locals. There are various cities that offer different lifestyles. You can enjoy a nice sandy beach, a bustling metropolis, and even cities close to the mountains! That’s why so many have been eagerly awaiting a digital nomad visa for Turkey.
As a multicultural country, no two areas of Turkey are quite the same. Because of this variety it’s surprisingly easy to feel at home when visiting Turkey, which is why it’s the perfect place for digital nomads and other remote workers.
When visiting Turkey, don’t miss out on their delicious local cuisine. You’ve probably already tried many kebabs, but nothing could ever compare to the real thing. Turkey has a unique kitchen culture, and kebabs are just the beginning. Make sure to visit local restaurants and explore all the delicious recipes they have to offer.
Attractions and best places to visit
If you want to enjoy the best of the Mediterranean weather, head towards the beautiful beaches of Bodrum, Antalya, Izmir or Fethiye. These cities have some of the most iconic beaches in all of the country. In these towns you’ll find secluded coves or fun beach parties. You can also take a Blue Cruise, which will take you on a voyage along the Turkish Riviera.
If you’re looking to learn about the history of the country, make sure to head toward the many archeological sites. You can visit palaces and mosques in Istanbul, or you can go to the ruins of Ephesus.
Cappadocia is another stunning place worth visiting and probably the most insta-famous spot in all of Turkey. It’s made of cliff ridges and hill crests, with many wave-like rocks and wacky-shaped pinnacles that have been formed by millennia of wind and water action. You can hike through the views, or take a hot-aired balloon to enjoy the stunning sight from above. It’s every photographer’s dream!
The city of Antalya has something for everyone. There are two main beaches close by, and an old town area that is picturesque and charming. The cobblestone pathways are surrounded by Ottoman-era mansions. The city also has an impressive collection of Hellenistic and Roman marble statues.
Digital Nomad Hotspots
Istanbul is the main stop for many digital nomads visiting the country on a digital nomad visa for Turkey. In fact, Istanbul is probably the most popular city in all of Turkey. It’s the largest city in the country, situated right between the continents of Europe and Asia, which makes it the perfect gateway for East and West cultures. Istanbul is a fusion of colors, food, and culture.
Istanbul is home to the largest port in all of Turkey, making it a key piece for the export of textiles, tobacco, and glass. In the past, it was a powerful city for merchants, and it still maintains a lot of influence.
Istanbul is a great location for digital nomads because it’s affordable and there’s always something to do. The city is bustling with energy and you’ll never get bored while living there.
As the capital of the country, Ankara is another a good option for digital nomads. This city is perfect for those looking a more formal lifestyle since all the ministers are located in there. The city is right in the middle of Turkey, and you can easily visit other cities from there. Ankara is also the cheapest city in the country to live.
Cost of Living
The main currency in Turkey is the Turkish Lira (TL). 1 TL = 0.06 USD.
Turkey is great for digital nomads because of how affordable it is. You can rent a studio apartment in Istanbul for $386/month (5,636TL). In Ankara, you can rent a studio apartment for $132/month (1,925TL).
A basic lunchtime meal costs around $6 in Istanbul (89TL). In Ankara, a basic lunchtime meal costs $5 (75TL).
Istanbul is a big city and it has an effective public transportation system. There are tramways, subways, buses and even a public ferry! You can get the Istanbulkart, which is a rechargeable card that can be used for all forms of public transport. It costs $0.8 (13TL) for the card and you recharge it as you go. Keeping at least $1.3 (20TL) of credit is advised.
Ankara also has a great public transportation system. It has a metro subway line, buses, and more. To use the metro, you need a multi-use magnetic card. The costs vary depending on the number of units you want on your card, a 1-unit card costs around $0.66 (1.65TL) while a 20-unit card costs $2.25 (33TL).
Digital Nomad Essentials
One of the best things about Turkey is how easy it is to find a good internet connection. Free Wi-Fi is common all over Turkey. Many cafes, restaurants, bars, and offices offer free Wi-Fi. You can even find Wi-Fi on some buses, trains, and airports for a small fee.
We advice purchasing a SIM card from Traveltomtom which is the best one for traveling in Turkey. They offer a 4G network, and you can get 20GB of data for $13.
Turkey has many co-working spaces, especially in Istanbul. We recommend you check these ones out:
Istanbul also has many coffee shops that are perfect for remote workers. Here are some worth visiting:
Visa Overview
Most digital nomads can enter Turkey without a visa and stay for 90 days. There is no visa required for Europeans, and there’s an e-visa for Canadians or Americans.
Sadly, there is no specific digital nomad visa for Turkey. They do, however, have a residence permit that is accessible to digital nomads.
The Turkish Residence Permit allows you to remain in Turkey for longer than three months in half a year, under purposes such as settlement, working, or studying. Having a residence permit allows you to live in Turkey, study, get married, get a tax number, open bank accounts, purchase properties, and much more!
There are different types of residence permits available for Turkey. Here is a breakdown of each of them.
Short-term residence permit
This is one of the most sought-after residence permits and a great digital nomad visa for Turkey. You can opt for this permit for any of the following reasons:
For scientific research
To establish commercial connections or a business
To participate in an in-service training program
For education or student exchange programs
For tourism
To receive medical treatments
To attend Turkish learning courses
If you’re a citizen of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
This permit can be issued for a maximum of two years at a time.
Family Residence Permit
This permit is granted to the foreign spouse of a Turkish national, their minor children, and their dependent foreign children. The sponsor, however, must have enough income to support those applying for the residence permit.
This permit may be issued for a period not exceeding three years at a time.
Student Residence Permit
A student residence permit is another option of a digital nomad visa for Turkey. You can only apply if you’re in Turkey in order to enroll in primary or secondary education. You can also apply for this residence if you’re planning to study at the levels of an associate degree, bachelor’s, master’s, doctorate, specialty training in medicine (TUS), and specialty training in dentistry (DUS).
The validity of this permit depends on the length of the studies.
Long-term Residence Permit
If you’ve resided in Turkey for at least eight years uninterruptedly (under a residence permit or digital nomad visa for Turkey), then you can opt for the Turkish Long-term Permit which has an indefinite validity.
Stay up to date with the current COVID-19 travel restrictions in Turkey by visiting this website!
Who Can Apply for the Digital Nomad Visa for Turkey
Anyone that moves to Turkey with the intention of remaining in the country for more than three months, needs to get a Turkey Residence Permit upon arrival. There are no restrictions regarding your nationality, so this permit is available to everyone.
In order to apply for a digital nomad visa for Turkey, you must have a valid passport or travel document. You must fill out a residence permit application form, and show proof of sufficient income for the duration of the stay. You must prove you have in your bank at least $550 for each month you spend in Turkey.
How to Apply for a Digital Nomad Visa for Turkey
In order to apply for the digital nomad visa for Turkey (Turkish Residence Permit), you must follow a number of procedures.
First of all, you must apply for the residence permit within a month of arrival in Turkey. You must decide what type of permit you want to apply for and fill out an online application. You can find the form on this website. They will ask you for personal information such as name and surname, date of birth, parents’ names, nationality, and contact information.
Afterward, go to the “Central Appointment System” website and make an appointment at the closes office of the Directorate General of Migration Management. Then, you will be given an address to the nearest DGMM office and the list of required documents, the available dates and times for the appointment, and the application fee you have to pay.
Documents required to apply for the digital nomad visa in Turkey
Residence permit application form
Four biometric photographs
Original passport
Notarized copy of the passport or travel document
Proof of sufficient income for the duration of your entire digital nomad visa for Turkey ($550 for each month you’ll spend in Turkey).
Evidence of Health Insurance
How much does the digital nomad visa for Turkey cost?
Once you’ve filled out the online form, the system will automatically calculate your residence permit fee. It’s charged according to nationality and is based on the US dollar, so the prices will vary depending on the person and the currency exchange rate.
On average, the Turkish Residence Permit costs $8.75 for the first month and $2.60 for each additional month of residence. You must also pay $11 for printing the residence permit card.
Anyone who enters the country without a digital nomad visa for Turkey must also pay a single entry fee of around $70.50
Timeline for Applying for a Digital Nomad Visa for Turkey
The timeline for the whole process to be completed and for you to have your Turkish Residence Permit varies based on the digital nomad visa for Turkey that you’re applying for, and where you’re applying from.
Taking into account appointment wait, process-time, and the delivery of the card takes around 3 to 4 months in Istanbul. In Ankara, it’ll take approximately 2 to 3 months. In Antalya or other smaller towns, it takes around 1 month or less.
Curious about what digital nomad visas you qualify for? Enter your details in our Visa Wizard to find out!
