TÜRKİYE TECH VISA PROGRAM LAUNCHED TO ATTRACT HIGH-QUALITY STARTUPS TO OUR COUNTRY

Speaking at the "Türkiye Tech Visa" program launch ceremony held at Istanbul Airport, Işıkhan expressed the excitement and happiness they felt in implementing the program, which aims to attract foreigners with exceptional skills in technology and tech startups with innovative business models and technology-based work, in cooperation with the Ministry of Industry and Technology.

Explaining that migration is a phenomenon as old as human history, Işıkhan noted that labor migration has increased significantly, especially since the Industrial Revolution, and has become an essential factor in meeting the labor needs of countries.

Minister Işıkhan highlighted that the crises, conflicts, and pandemics recently experienced worldwide and in the region and the changes brought by the twin transformation referred to as "mega trends" have profoundly impacted working life and labor markets in every aspect.

He remarked that countries aim to both protect their national labor force and improve working standards while simultaneously attracting qualified labor and fulfilling the needs of sectors with labor shortages to grow their economies. He continued:

"As a nation, we are deeply aware of the value and sanctity of production, labor, and workers' rights. Both our culture and our values have shaped us within this understanding. As the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, we continue our work with the vision of 'A prosperous Türkiye that has achieved sustainable development with full employment in a secure work environment, completing the green and digital transformation with decent jobs.' Under the leadership of our President, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, we are determined to make the Century of Türkiye the century of labor and production, alongside all our stakeholders and with a social dialogue approach."

"WE GRANT WORK PERMITS TO FOREIGNERS WHILE PRIORITIZING AND PROTECTING OUR DOMESTIC LABOR FORCE"

Işıkhan stated that foreigners and international labor force can occasionally become a subject of debate, not only in Türkiye but also in different parts of the world. He emphasized that the important thing is to address and discuss this matter rationally and sensibly, keeping the national interest in mind.

Işıkhan pointed out that the rapid transformations occurring in working life have led to increasing labor demands in specific sectors and professions. He said:

“To meet this need, as the Ministry, we are preparing qualified foreign labor force to access the labor market in our country. Thus, we issue work permits to foreigners while prioritizing and protecting our domestic labor force and ensuring we remain competitive in the global race to secure qualified labor. I would like to emphasize that the primary goal of our international labor policy is to first provide employment opportunities for our citizens. In cases where our domestic labor supply is insufficient, we benefit from the complementary effect of international labor force."

"THERE IS ALREADY A RAPIDLY DEVELOPING START-UP ECOSYSTEM IN TÜRKİYE"

Işıkhan underlined that the information and communication sector is indispensable for today's major economies and highlighted how the largest companies in the world are operating based on emerging technologies within this sector. He noted that while these companies generate significant economic value, they also shape the present and future.

While the largest companies in the sector are generally associated with the world's biggest economies, Işıkhan emphasized that many developing countries are also competing in this field. He said, "In particular, companies founded and growing with the start-up model represent an important competitive space for developing economies. In Türkiye, there is already a rapidly developing start-up ecosystem. Our ecosystem, which has proven itself by launching 'Turcorn' and which we continue to support for new ones, must be nourished with new actors to avoid falling behind in global competition."

Minister of Labour and Social Security Işıkhan stated that they launched the Türkiye Tech Visa program today with the support of the Ministry of Industry and Technology and other relevant public institutions, continuing:

“As part of the program, we will offer accelerated and exceptional work permit procedures to foreigners who want to establish a start-up in our country and will grant work permits for up to three years on the first application. In this way, we will shorten the bureaucratic process and operate an administrative process that meets the needs of this fast-paced sector. Through the Türkiye Tech Visa program, while we attract new initiatives and talents to our country, we will also benefit from their knowledge and experience to enhance the capacity of our domestic labor force and add value to our innovation system. This diversity will enrich our entrepreneurial ecosystem by enabling different perspectives and new ideas, creating opportunities for valuable entrepreneurs, and contributing to great success stories."

"OUR GOAL IS TO PROVIDE A STRONGER, INNOVATIVE, AND COMPETITIVE INVESTMENT ENVIRONMENT"

Minister Işıkhan touched on how the rapid growth of the information and communication sector has increased the demand for qualified human resources in this sector. He explained that, based on this reality, since September 1, 2022, they have been evaluated and finalized work permit applications for foreigners working in 284 specified professions at companies operating in R&D and Technology Development Zones with an exceptional procedure and by giving priority as part of the "International Talent Transfer Program" run in cooperation with the Ministry of Industry and Technology.

Işıkhan shared that, to date, they have brought 2,544 talented individuals to the country through the program. "As a Ministry, our goal is to create a stronger, innovative, and competitive investment environment through programs like this, which we have developed to encourage technological entrepreneurship and remove barriers to it. The steps we take today will support both our 12th Development Plan, our Century of Türkiye vision, and our determination and effort to make our country one of the top 10 economies in the world, in line with the Medium-Term Program we announced together with our Vice President last week," he said.

Işıkhan thanked Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır and his team, the ministry’s employees, the Directorate General of International Labor Force, and other contributing institutions for their support in launching the Türkiye Tech Visa program and wished success for the program.

For more details about the program: 👉 https://www.turkiyetechvisa.gov.tr/tr/