Türkiye is the latest country to open its arms to digital nomads, with the launch of a marketing campaign and an express visa route intended to attract international remote workers to the crossroads of Europe and Asia.
Created by the Turkish Culture and Tourism Ministry and the Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency, the campaign highlights the many attractions digital nomads will find awaiting them if they up sticks to Türkiye, including “thousand-year-old ancient cities, unique bays hidden between forests, turquoise seas, dynamic people, and big cities. Türkiye has it all.”
Economic weight and beautiful surroundings
In addition to the country’s heft in terms of economy, business, and infrastructure services, attention is drawn in particular to the benefits of being based in the “historic nexus” that is the capital, Istanbul, or the southwestern coastal area around Dalaman, as well as the Aegean gem of Izmir. The script asks: “How about working in Istanbul, exploring the intersection of empires? Relaxing while working on golden sands and turquoise seas in Dalaman? Enjoying the vibrant nightlife with dynamic people while working in İzmir?”
How do I apply?
To be eligible to apply for the necessary visa, candidates must be aged between 21 and 55 years old, hold a university degree, and be able to prove a threshold income of $3,000 monthly (€2,800), or $36,000 per year (€33,800). The initial application platform can be found through the “GoTürkiye” website.
When their status is approved, incoming workers will be provided with a “Digital Nomad Identification Certificate,” to present at Turkish visa centers and consulates when collecting their visa.
Why work in Türkiye?
In 2022, Time Out chose Istanbul in its top 50 of world cities, noting that it had bounced back post-Covid and returned “to its energetic self as always.” The magazine praised the city’s cultural life, which 97% of locals said is never boring, with 82% lauding the city’s food and drink scene.
“As always, the city’s culinary scene is brimming with surprises, notably thanks to a recent influx of refugees from Syria and Iran. The launch of the city’s first Michelin guide also generated a wave of excitement within the industry,” the ranking noted.
What’s more, recently and for the first time, Istanbul entered the top ten European cities in a ranking and report by Resonance Consultancy that analyses a range of data on education and employment, as well as social media and online reviews to benchmark over “more than 250 cities around the world based on a wide variety of measures in order to identify the top 100 places to live, visit and invest,” according to Resonance President & CEO, Chris Fair.
