What is Turquoise Card?

In line with the international labour force policy, a Turquoise Card shall be issued to foreigners whose applications are deemed appropriate based on their level of education, professional experience, contribution to science and technology, the impact of their activities or investments in Turkey on the national economy and employment, and the recommendations of the International Labour Force Policy Advisory Board and the procedures and principles determined by the Ministry. The provisions of this Article shall not apply to foreigners under temporary protection.

Turquoise Card is issued with a transition period for the first three years. The Ministry may request information and documents from the employer or foreigner regarding the activities carried out during the transition period. The transition period record on the Turquoise Card, which is not cancelled in accordance with Article 15 of the Turquoise Card Regulation within the transition period, shall be removed upon the application of the foreigner and an indefinite Turquoise Card shall be issued. This application shall be submitted within 180 days before the expiry of the transition period, in any case before the expiry of the transition period. After the expiry of this period, the application for removal of the transitional period registration shall be rejected and the Turquoise Card shall become invalid.

The spouse and dependent children of the Turquoise Card holder foreigner, according to the provisions of the legislation, are given a document showing that they are relatives of the Turquoise Card holder and replacing the residence permit. In addition, the Turquoise Card holder foreigner shall benefit from the rights provided by an indefinite work permit.

In the Turquoise Card application; those who have internationally recognised studies in the academic field, those who have come to the forefront in a field that is considered strategic for our country in science, industry and technology, or those who make or are expected to make a significant contribution to the national economy in terms of export, employment or investment capacity are considered as qualified foreigners.

What are the Rights Provided by Turquoise Card?

Turquoise Card gives you the right to work and reside in our country indefinitely. This card also gives your spouse and children the right to reside in our country indefinitely. With the Turquoise Card issued in your name, you can work in our country as an employer or you have the right to work independently. In today’s world where international travelling is an integral requirement of business life, the Turquoise Card also offers you the right to multiple entry and exit to Turkey. Your residence, travelling, investment, commercial activity, inheritance, acquisition and transfer of movable and immovable property in Turkey are carried out in accordance with the legislation applicable to Turkish citizens.

Within the scope of subparagraph (b) of the first paragraph of Article 12 of the Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901, the Turquoise Card holder and his/her relatives can acquire Turkish citizenship if offered by our Ministry, provided that there is no obstacle in terms of national security and public order and the transition period record is removed.

Turkey is now providing facilities for you, offering you the privileged Turquoise Card to make you feel like you are in your own country to carry out your investments and activities.

What are the Obligations of the Turquoise Card Holder?

The obligations of Turquoise Card holders in Turkey are set out below.

1. Turquoise Card holders
   • They are exempt from military service in Turkey,
   • They cannot benefit from the rights to elect and be elected and to hold public office,
   • Their vested rights regarding social security are reserved and they are subject to the provisions of the relevant legislation in the use of these rights,
2. If the condition of being a Turkish citizen is required in special laws for the exercise of these rights and obligations, Turquoise Card holders cannot benefit from these rights.
3. During the transition period, the information and documents requested by the Ministry must be submitted in due time

Considerations to be taken into account

We recommend that you take the following points into consideration in order not to fall into a defective situation before the laws of the Republic of Turkey, and we wish you success in your working life in our country.

Transition Period

Turquoise Card is issued with a transition period of the first three years.

During the transition period, an expert is assigned by the Ministry to monitor and examine the activities and commitments of Turquoise Card holders.

Removal of Transition Period Registration

The request for removal of the transition period registration shall be made 180 days before the expiry of the transition period, in any case before the expiry of the transition period. If no application is made within this period, the Turquoise Card becomes invalid. Applications made after the expiry of the period shall be rejected.

Turquoise Card Becomes Indefinite

If the foreigner is not cancelled within the transition period and his/her request for the removal of the transition period registration is approved, the transition period registration in the Turquoise Card is removed and the Turquoise Card becomes indefinite.

Turquoise Card Holder Relative Card Upon request, a Turquoise Card Holder Relative Card is issued to the spouse and minor children of the Turquoise Card holder. This card issued replaces the residence permit within the validity period of the Turquoise Card. If the Turquoise Card becomes invalid, this card issued for the relative shall also be cancelled by the Ministry.

Cancellation of Turquoise Card

Turquoise Card, against the owner’s request;

1. Failure to return to Turkey within six months from the validity date of the Turquoise Card or staying abroad for more than two years without force majeure,
2. Failure to extend the validity period of his/her passport or passport substitute document except with the appropriate opinion of the Ministry of Interior or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and being found to be working in violation of the provisions of the Law or working unregistered,
3. Determination that the foreigner has not worked for at least one year without interruption,
4. Subsequent determination that the Turquoise Card application was made with false or misleading information and documents,
5. Failure to submit the requested information and documents within the transition period or it is understood that the foreigner has lost the qualification of Turquoise Card holder according to the monitoring report,
6. Turquoise Card holder, according to Law No. 6458,
7. Notification by the Ministry of Interior that he/she is one of the foreigners who will not be allowed to enter Turkey, will not be granted a visa or will be subject to a deportation order,
8. It is cancelled in cases where the relevant public institutions and organisations notify that it is inconvenient for him/her to work in Turkey in terms of public order, public security or public health.

Cancelled Turquoise Card loses its validity

Why Us?

Güneş & Güneş Law Office can offer comprehensive support to clients regarding the Turquoise Card. Since the Turquoise Card application process requires complex documentation, fulfillment of certain criteria and a detailed assessment, our office is with you at every stage of the process.

Support we can offer:

1. Preparation of Application Documents: We help you prepare all the documents required for the Turquoise Card application in a complete and accurate manner. In particular, we provide guidance for the organization and proper submission of professional qualification documents.
2. Management of the Application Process: For applications to the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, we carry out the necessary procedures on digital platforms and follow the process on your behalf.
3. Ensuring that the necessary criteria are met: We ensure that the academic and professional qualifications of the applicants are presented in a way that is acceptable in Turkey, and we identify the missing points in terms of eligibility for the Turquoise Card and find solutions.
4. Appeal and Re-Application Processes: If your application is rejected, we will make the necessary appeals and help you update and resubmit your documents.
5. Life and Work Counseling in Turkey: We provide clients who are planning to establish a new settlement in Turkey with comprehensive information on working and social life in Turkey, helping them to easily adapt to Turkey.

Güneş & Güneş Law Office, With 25 years of experience, an international team of experts and a detail-oriented service approach, we are by your side at every stage of the process, ensuring that you complete the process safely and quickly. Thanks to our extensive legal knowledge and close cooperation with our clients, we carefully evaluate each application and offer customized solutions. This professional approach makes us an ideal choice for those looking for reliable support with their Turquoise Card application.

Frequently Asked Questions