Tech Visa for Innovative Startup Founders in Türkiye in 2026

Research note: Official government and programme material checked 2026-09-23. Individual eligibility, the issued immigration document and currently applicable law govern; this is not personalized legal advice.

The official Türkiye TechVisa startup programme supports approved innovative technology founders and advertises a three-year work permit. This is a screened innovation programme, not a visa automatically issued to anyone who incorporates a company or describes themselves as a freelancer.

Evidence and selection

Check the programme's current application form and requirements for the innovative product, founder's role, business plan and team. Acceptance, the actual work-permit grant and family permissions are separate administrative decisions. Keep programme-specific benefits distinct from the generally shorter ordinary first-time employer or company-partner work permit.

Operating the venture

A founder should determine whether the Tech Visa programme arranges the required work-permit process or the applicant must follow the ordinary Labour Ministry rules. Staff members need their own qualifying employment permissions; being named in the startup team is not sufficient. The Labour Ministry's work categories apply where programme-specific rules do not.

If the venture is not an innovative TechVisa candidate, assess the company-owner work permit, independent permit or business-connections residence according to the actual activity.

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