Turkey — Work (Turkuaz Kart (highly qualified worker, researcher or investor))

Main requirements

The Turkuaz Kart (Turquoise Card) is for people the Ministry of Labour classes as highly qualified workers, highly qualified investors, scientists or researchers contributing to science and technology, internationally successful people in culture, arts or sport, or people promoting Türkiye and its culture. Assessment uses a ministry points system; the regulation (unchanged since 2017) lets the ministry publish the point system, but no points table or pass mark is published on ÇSGB pages as of October 2026; for qualified workers the criteria are education level, university prestige, salary level, senior/specialist or R&D experience, fit between degree and job, and foreign languages. Outstanding final-year bachelor's or graduate students can also be assessed.

Documents

Application form; passport copy; for qualified workers: diploma, employment contract, CV, appointment letter, work experience and internationally recognised language certificates; for investors: evidence of investment size, jobs, exports and financial capacity (the regulation sets no fixed investment amount); for researchers: diploma, academic title, publications or patents. For some groups an eligibility certificate from a public body can count toward points.

Language

Turkish is not a formal requirement; foreign languages other than your mother tongue are a scoring criterion.

Costs and proof of funds

No separate proof of funds for qualified workers, but salary level is a key criterion. Under the regulation no work-permit or residence-permit fee (harç) is charged for the Turkuaz Kart; the card itself is a valuable-paper document whose 2026 cost isn't published, so check with the mission before applying.

Steps and timeline

From abroad you apply through the Turkish mission in your country, which forwards the file electronically; anyone legally in Türkiye (even without a valid residence permit) can apply directly online with a foreigner ID number; authorised intermediaries may also apply. Spouse and children apply at the same time. There is no official overall decision deadline (other agencies must give their opinion within 15 days). The first three years are a transition period during which the ministry monitors your activity; you must apply to remove the transition record from 180 days before it ends, otherwise the card becomes invalid.

Notes for Iranian applicants

Iranians are not excluded (only people under temporary protection are). The card is cancelled if you do not enter Türkiye within 6 months, stay abroad over two years without force majeure, do not work for at least one uninterrupted year, or fail to renew your passport, so it suits people who will genuinely work in Türkiye.

After arrival (work while studying, post-study stay, path to permanent residence)

The Turkuaz Kart gives indefinite work and residence rights, employed or self-employed, plus multiple entry. Spouse and minor children receive a holder's-relative card that replaces a residence permit. After the transition record is removed, the ministry brochure says holders and relatives may be offered Turkish citizenship if there is no security obstacle.