Turkiye Launches New Tech Visa Program for Skilled Workers

Türkiye recently launched a new Tech Visa program designed to attract foreign entrepreneurs and boost its technology sector. The initiative aims to bring in individuals with expertise in technology and innovative business models, providing them with a fast-tracked work permit for up to three years. The program is part of a broader economic strategy to address challenges such as brain drain, where many skilled workers have left Türkiye for better opportunities abroad, and to stimulate the local innovation ecosystem.

The government has set ambitious goals for the program, including fostering 100,000 tech-focused startups by 2030, with at least 100 of them reaching valuations of over $1 billion. To support foreign entrepreneurs, the program offers not only work permits but also tax incentives, healthcare coverage, and mentoring services. Additionally, participants will receive consultancy for the first six months covering legal, financial, and technical aspects to help establish their businesses.

The Tech Visa program is also part of Türkiye's effort to position itself as a global tech hub. With ongoing plans to develop one of the world’s largest technoparks at Istanbul Airport, the country aims to attract talent from various regions, especially given its strategic geographical location bridging Europe and Asia. This move is intended to make Türkiye a center for technological entrepreneurship and innovation.

This initiative complements existing measures like the Digital Nomad Visa introduced earlier in 2024, which allows remote workers to legally reside in Türkiye. By enhancing the local workforce and encouraging collaboration between foreign entrepreneurs and domestic talent, Türkiye hopes to strengthen its economic landscape and better integrate into the global tech economy.