Türkiye on Monday presented a new visa program aimed at simplifying work permits for foreign professionals and entrepreneurs with specialized expertise, in an effort to attract high-value tech startups. The program, developed by the Industry and Technology Ministry in cooperation with the Labor and Social Security Ministry, grants three-year work permits to entrepreneurs and expert employees involved in high-value sectors who establish companies in Türkiye. The program offers significant incentives, including exemptions from corporate tax for companies established in tech parks or incubators and income tax waivers for employees.
It also aims to streamline bureaucratic procedures to make Türkiye’s entrepreneurial ecosystem more appealing for early-stage and scaling companies. Industry and Technology Minister Mehmet Fatih Kacır emphasized the program’s goal of enabling professionals and entrepreneurs “to feel at home and make long-term plans in Türkiye.” He described it as a comprehensive initiative designed to build a strong future for tech professionals and innovative entrepreneurs in Türkiye. Kacır underlined the importance of entrepreneurship and innovation in the current global landscape.
He explained that high-value, innovative tech startups are leading the way in generating economic and societal value through their potential for rapid growth and global market expansion. The program will also offer six months of legal, financial, and technical consultancy to entrepreneurs establishing companies in Türkiye. The government aims to help foreign entrepreneurs navigate Türkiye’s comprehensive public incentive programs and expedite their integration into the country’s growing tech ecosystem.
Labor and Social Security Minister Vedat Işıkhan highlighted the program’s accelerated work permit procedures. The permits are designed to meet the needs of the fast-moving sector by shortening bureaucratic processes.
New visa for tech professionals
He emphasized the program’s role in attracting highly skilled foreign professionals and tech-driven entrepreneurs, while also prioritizing and protecting Türkiye’s domestic workforce. This initiative underscores Türkiye’s commitment to bolstering its position as a global tech hub, seeking to attract top talent and innovative entrepreneurs to its growing technological ecosystem. The country boasts a strong defense, aviation, and space industry, along with strengths in 5G, cybersecurity, and fintech.
Türkiye ranks 10th in Europe and 2nd in the Middle East and North Africa region in terms of startup investments. The country has seen a dramatic rise in startup investments, attracting more than $1.5 billion in 2021 compared to just $50-100 million annually from 2010-2020. In the last two years, Türkiye has birthed two “decacorns” and four “unicorns.”
Türkiye’s technology landscape is fueled by over 8,000 companies operating across 101 technoparks, more than 1,500 R&D centers, and 200 universities.
These institutions offer valuable space for startups, researchers, and global corporations to collaborate and develop cutting-edge technologies. Securing local talent in Türkiye looks promising, as it is the largest and youngest country in Europe, with a population of 85 million and a median age of 32. There are more than 8 million university students, placing Türkiye in the top 10 globally for higher education.
More than 1.2 million young people graduate from universities in Türkiye each year. Türkiye’s tech boom presents a compelling opportunity for startup founders and skilled professionals, backed by a strong innovation ecosystem, significant investment, and a young, educated population ready to shape the future.
