Turkey Turquoise Card

The Turquoise Card is Turkey's highly skilled and talent residence programme, designed to attract exceptional individuals who contribute to the country's economic, scientific, cultural, or sporting development. It is broadly equivalent to a permanent residence permit and grants the holder and their immediate family the right to live and work in Turkey indefinitely, without the need to renew a standard short-term or long-term residence permit on a recurring basis. Eligible categories include investors who meet certain capital thresholds, researchers and academics affiliated with Turkish universities or recognised international institutions, sportspeople competing at a professional level, artists whose work is of cultural significance, and scientists or engineers in strategically important fields. Applications are assessed by an evaluation committee drawn from relevant ministries, and the programme is administered under the authority of the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Industry and Technology. Successful applicants receive the card provisionally for an initial three-year period, during which their ongoing contribution to the qualifying field is monitored. At the end of this review, holders who continue to meet the programme criteria are granted indefinite status. Spouses and dependent children are included in the grant and receive equivalent residence and work rights. The Turquoise Card does not by itself confer Turkish citizenship, but holders may apply for naturalisation after five years of lawful residence under the standard route.