The Turquoise Card program is a work and residency permit program in Turkey that aims to attract highly skilled and qualified foreign workers to the country. The program was introduced in 2016 and is run by the Department of Family, Labor and Social Services.
To be eligible for the Carte Turquoise program, individuals must meet certain requirements. These requirements vary depending on the specific Turquoise Card category, but generally include:
A bachelor’s degree or higher
At least three years of work experience in a related field
A minimum wage of 50,000 Turkish liras per year (about $6,000)
A clean criminal record
There are four categories of Turquoise Card:
General Turquoise Card: This category is open to highly skilled and skilled individuals in all fields.
Research and Development Turquoise Card: This category is specifically for people working in research and development in a field related to science, technology, engineering or mathematics.
Turquoise start-up card: this category is intended for people who are starting a new business in Turkey.
Turquoise Investment Card: This category is for people making a significant investment in Turkey, such as setting up a new business or investing in real estate.
The Turquoise Card program offers a range of benefits to foreign workers in Turkey, including the ability to work and legally reside in the country, the ability to bring family members to Turkey, and the ability to apply for Turkish citizenship after eight years of continuous residence in the country.
The general process for obtaining a Turquoise Card includes the following steps:
Submit an online application: Interested persons should submit an online application for the Carte Turquoise program through the official website of the Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Services.
Wait for Approval: After the application is submitted, it will be reviewed by the ministry. If the application is approved, the person will be invited to participate in an interview at the nearest Turkish consulate.
Participate in the interview: During the interview, people must provide additional documents and answer questions about their qualifications and work experience.
Obtaining the Turquoise Card: If the interview is successful, the person will receive the Turquoise Card, which allows him to work and reside legally in Turkey.
In conclusion, the Turquoise Card program is a work and residence permit program in Turkey that aims to attract highly skilled and qualified foreign workers to the country.
Overall, the Turquoise Card program offers an attractive opportunity for highly skilled foreign workers who wish to work and legally reside in Turkey. With four different categories, the program appeals to a wide range of candidates, including those working in research and development, start-ups and investments.
To apply, candidates must meet established criteria such as a bachelor’s degree or above, at least three years of work experience in a related field, a minimum salary of 50,000 Turkish Lira per year, and a clean criminal record.
The application process to obtain the Turquoise Card involves submitting an online application, waiting for approval, interviewing Turkish authorities to provide additional documents and answering questions, and finally obtaining the Turquoise Card.
In sum, the Turquoise Card program offers an attractive alternative for skilled foreign workers wishing to work in Turkey, with benefits such as legal residency and work, the ability to bring family members to Turkey and even to apply for Turkish citizenship after eight years of continuous residence in the country.
