This Mediterranean Nation Is the Latest to Introduce a Digital Nomad Visa

If your vision of a healthy work-life balance includes visiting iconic ruins and landmarks during Zoom meetings, along with weekends spent exploring diverse landscapes from olive orchards to volcanic mountains shaped by the wind, you’re in for a treat: Türkiye has just unveiled a new digital nomad visa program.

The program welcomes citizens from 36 selected countries, such as the United States, Canada, and most European nations, who engage in remote work and are aged between 21 and 55, as stated by the Turkish Culture and Tourism Ministry.

To be eligible, you must demonstrate a monthly income of at least $3,000, translating to an annual income of $36,000. This income should come from a company outside Türkiye or from freelance work. Additionally, you will need a university degree and a passport that remains valid for at least six months upon your arrival in Türkiye.

Once you have submitted all required information through the online portal, qualified applicants will receive a digital nomad identification certificate. This certificate, along with supporting documents and a photo for the visa, must be presented at a Turkish visa center or consulate, where the visa will be issued by the staff.

Upon approval, remote workers can reside and work in Türkiye for a duration of up to one year, with the option to renew. Türkiye’s digital nomad landing page offers various resources for remote workers on how to begin in several major cities, including Istanbul, the country’s largest city that uniquely straddles two continents, as well as Izmir and Bodrum, two coastal havens favored by expats.

Remote-work visa programs have gained traction in recent years, with Türkiye being the latest to join this trend. Croatia, Greece, Mauritius, Barbados, Iceland, and Dominica also offer similar programs for skilled noncitizens looking to live there, provided they work abroad and fulfill other requirements. Canada has revealed plans for a digital nomad visa program, while in April, Italy introduced a remote-worker visa for those with an annual income of at least $30,000, proof of accommodation for the visa duration, and health insurance documentation. Japan has also recently launched its own digital nomad visa program.

For these nations, attracting remote workers is often viewed as an economic advantage; these workers do not occupy jobs meant for locals but contribute to the local economy by spending their income. For digital nomads, these visas offer enhanced flexibility, permitting them to remain in a country longer than a typical tourist visa would allow.

This initiative marks Türkiye’s latest effort to simplify the process for foreigners to visit—and reside in—the country. Earlier this year, Türkiye eliminated its visa requirement for U.S. travelers, allowing Americans to spend up to 90 days in the country without a visa. Perhaps it is this welcoming approach to international visitors that has made Istanbul the most visited city in the world. No matter how long you plan to stay in Türkiye, whether for a brief escape or a longer relocation, these are the must-see attractions in the country, as recommended by a writer based in Istanbul.