Visa-free countries with a Turkish passport

Turkish citizens can travel to some countries visa-free. In others, they get a visa on arrival or obtain an electronic visa (eTA) before a trip.

Visa-free entry allows visiting a country without getting a visa in advance. Turkey has visa waiver agreements with 66 countries in Europe, the Americas, Asia and Africa.

The visa on arrival means that an investor doesn’t apply for a visa beforehand but obtains it when he reaches the country. The visa on arrival only applies when a person travels as a tourist. A traveller provides hotel reservations, proof of funds and a return flight ticket to get it.

The eTA, or the Electronic Travel Authorization, is the electronic visa that an investor obtains online 3—5 days before the trip. Usually, a person pays a fee for the eTA submission.

Turkish citizens freely enter 126 countries:

• 66 are visa-free;

• 37 issue visas on arrival;

• 23 countries require getting electronic ones in advance.

The list of visa-free countries and entry conditions can change — check the information on the country’s consulate website before the trip.

List of countries which are visa-free for Turkish citizens

Investors obtain Turkish citizenship by investing $400,000+ in Turkey’s economy:

1. Real estate purchase — $400,000 and more.

2. Business investments — $500,000 and more.

3. Opening a bank deposit — $500,000 and more.

4. Purchase of units in an investment fund — $500,000 and more.

5. Purchase of government bonds — $500,000 and more.

Turkish citizenship by investment: who is eligible and how to get it

Purchase of real estate. Investors buy apartments, commercial properties or plots of land. After three years of owning, an investor can sell the object and return his money. Most program participants choose this option: after several years, the cost of property may grow up to 25% or even double.

Make business investments in the capital stock of a Turkish company. An investor can do so or establish his own company. In case of opening the company, at least 50 jobs must be created. After three years, an investor can sell the business.

When an investor opens a deposit, he can save money in any currency accepted by Turkish banks. The average rate on deposits in 2022 is 12,5% on lira and 2—3% on euro and dollar deposits. As in previous options, an investor can withdraw money after three years.

Buying units in an investment fund allows an investor to earn passive income. After three years of owing, an investor can return his money.

After buying government bonds, an investor preserves assets for three years and then can sell them.

Besides visa-free entry to 126 countries, a Turkish passport allows investors with a C‑2 visa to stay in the Schengen area for up to 90 days, relocate to the US or provide a “safe haven” for themselves and their families.

1. Travelling to the Schengen Area. Turkish passport holders can obtain a C‑2 Schengen visa for up to 5 years. This visa is nonimmigrant — an investor can’t live or work with it in the Schengen area, but they can use it for travelling and business trips.

2. Open a business in the USA and relocate there with the whole family. Turkish passport holders can obtain an E‑2 business visa: an investor opens or buys a company in the USA. The minimum investment threshold isn’t defined by law, but investors usually contribute $100,000 or more to their US business.

With an E‑2 visa, an investor can’t obtain a Green Card or American citizenship. E‑2 is valid for five years with a right for renewal. To get a Green Card, an investor can change their visa to an immigrant type one: for example, if they invest $800,000 and become eligible for an EB‑2 visa application. Unlike E‑2, EB‑2 provides opportunities for obtaining a Green Card and US citizenship.

Turkish citizens obtain B‑1/B‑2 visas for ten years — these visas allow travelling and business trips to the US. They apply for it and pass the interview in Istanbul or Ankara.

3. “Safe haven”. Investors with a Turkish passport can visit Turkey whenever they want — it’s precious in case of a political crisis, epidemic or threat to the safety of family members.