Turkey · Skilled Worker Visa

Turquoise Card

By António Mira, Founder · Member, Arab-Portuguese Chamber of Commerce & Industry (CCIAP) & Portuguese-Saudi Business Council (PSBC)

✓ Verified against the official government source · Last verified 2026-06-24 · Our methodology

5.5/10 diff

Challenging

Requirements verified against the official government source.

Min income

—

Processing

—

Path to PR

Yes

Job offer

Required

Not legal advice. This content is for educational and decision-support purposes only. It is not legal or immigration advice. Always verify requirements with the relevant official authority before making decisions.

At a Glance

Visa Duration

36 months

Processing Time

—

Min Income

—

Path to PR

Yes

Difficulty

5/10 — Challenging

Eligibility Requirements

Requirement	Details
Job Offer Required	Yes
Sponsorship Required	Yes
Health Insurance Required	No

Application Timeline

Eligibility Assessment & Documentation

30–60 days

Comprehensive document gathering, qualification verification, points calculation preparation

Blocker: Complex documentation requirements, professional credential verification

Application Submission

7–14 days

Online application through Ministry system or Turkish consulate abroad

Blocker: Application system availability, document certification requirements

Points-Based Evaluation

90–180 days

Ministry evaluates using points system, background checks, qualification verification

Blocker: High selectivity, extensive background checks, qualification verification delays

Provisional Card & Entry

14–30 days

3-year provisional Turquoise Card issued, entry to Turkey, specialist assignment

Blocker: Administrative processing times

Monitoring Period & Permanent Status

1080–1095 days

3-year monitoring period with specialist oversight, application for permanent status in final 180 days

Can overlap previousBlocker: Compliance with commitments, specialist reporting requirements

Family & Rights

Right	Details
Path to Permanent Residency	Yes

Related Pathways

Cost of Living

Istanbul

Single (monthly)€950

Family (monthly)€1,750

Rent 1BR (center)€500

Groceries€238

Transport pass€57

Ankara

Single (monthly)€700

Family (monthly)€1,300

Rent 1BR (center)€350

Groceries€175

Transport pass€42

Izmir

Single (monthly)€750

Family (monthly)€1,400

Rent 1BR (center)€375

Groceries€188

Transport pass€45

Antalya

Single (monthly)€680

Family (monthly)€1,261

Rent 1BR (center)€258

Groceries€170

Transport pass€41

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Turquoise Card?

The Turquoise Card is an immigration pathway offered by Turkey. It falls under the Skilled Worker Visa category.

Can the Turquoise Card lead to permanent residency?

Yes — this pathway can lead to permanent residence, subject to meeting the residence and other conditions. We do not publish a qualifying timeline for this route because we have no official source stating one; check with the relevant authority for the current residence requirement.

Are there alternative pathways to Turkey?

Yes. Turkey offers 4 other immigration pathways. Compare all options on our Turkey country page.

What is the cost of living in Turkey?

Monthly costs for a single person in city center: Istanbul: €950/mo; Ankara: €700/mo; Izmir: €750/mo. These include rent, groceries, transport, and utilities.

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Official source

Requirements on this page are based on this official/primary source:

www.csgb.gov.tr

Data last verified: 2026-06-24 · See our methodology

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