Want to live and work in Turkey?

Turkey has a very attractive cost of living in dollars, but local hyperinflation (60 to 80% per year in 2022 to 2024) makes lira prices volatile. In Istanbul, a one-bedroom apartment in central zones (Sisli, Besiktas, Kadikoy) costs between USD 600 and USD 1,500 per month; premium neighbourhoods (Nisantasi, Bebek, Etiler) reach USD 2,000 to USD 4,000. Antalya and Bodrum have tourist-market rents ranging from USD 500 to USD 1,800. Ankara and Izmir are 30 to 40% cheaper than Istanbul.

Supermarket shopping is reasonable: basic Turkish products (vegetables, fruit, white cheese, olives, bread) are cheap; imports are expensive. Street food is among the best and cheapest in the world: simit, doner, lahmacun, kebab for USD 2 to USD 5; mid-range restaurants run USD 10 to USD 25 per person. Public transport in Istanbul (metro, tram, ferry, bus) is efficient and cheap (around USD 0.80 per trip with Istanbulkart).

Basic bills (electricity, natural gas for heating, water, internet) total around USD 100 to USD 250 per month, with high seasonal variation in winter. Internet is stable at USD 20 to USD 40 per month for fibre. Public healthcare (SGK) is good and cheap for legal residents; expatriates often use private hospitals (Acibadem, Memorial, Anadolu) with private insurance (USD 50 to USD 150 per month). A comfortable total monthly cost in Istanbul runs around USD 1,500 to USD 2,800 in a quality zone.

Education is compulsory for 12 years (4 + 4 + 4), from primary through high school. Public schools are free and follow the national curriculum. There are also private and religious schools (imam hatip). The standardized high-school-exit exam (YKS) determines university admissions.

Turkish higher education has institutions with high regional reputations. Bogazici University (in Istanbul, taught in English), Middle East Technical University (METU, in Ankara, taught in English), Koc University, Sabanci University, and Bilkent University offer fully English-taught courses and attract international students.

There are also recognized universities in medicine, engineering, and social sciences. Turkiye Burslari, one of the largest scholarship programs for foreign students, accepts students from around the world, including from Brazil and other Portuguese-speaking countries. International schools exist in Istanbul and Ankara for foreign families.

Turkey's main cities (Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Antalya, Bursa) are considered reasonably safe for residents and visitors. Violent crime against foreigners is uncommon. The most frequent problems are petty theft in crowded tourist areas (Sultanahmet, Taksim, the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul) and scams involving taxi drivers and money changers.

Foreign women often report more verbal harassment compared to European cities, especially in conservative neighborhoods. In tourist regions and the modern areas of major cities, this is less of an issue. Political demonstrations can occasionally close central areas.

Areas near the Syrian and Iraqi borders (southeastern provinces such as Hakkari, Sirnak) carry higher risk due to cross-border conflicts and military operations. Foreigners living in the country are advised to avoid these areas unless there is a clear professional reason and they monitor travel advisories.

Turkish culture is the result of centuries of history, with strong Ottoman, Byzantine, and Anatolian heritage. Hospitality is a core value; offering tea (cay) is part of almost any encounter, at home, in the office, or in a shop. Mosques with their minarets define the urban landscape, especially in Istanbul.

Turkish cuisine is one of the richest in the world. Famous dishes include kebab in various forms, mezze (small portions), simit (ring-shaped bread), baklava, lokum (Turkish delight), dolma (stuffed vine leaves), pide, and lahmacun (Turkish-style flatbread pizza). Turkish coffee and tea are daily institutions. Each region has its specialties.

Turkish cinema has international recognition, with Nuri Bilge Ceylan winning the Palme d'Or at Cannes. Turkish TV series (dizi) are exported worldwide, especially to Latin America, the Middle East, and the Balkans. Festivals such as the Mevlana festival in Konya, the arrival of spring in Cappadocia, and traditional hammams mark cultural life.

Turkey covers around 783,000 square kilometres, the only country in the world significantly divided between two continents. Turkish Thrace (Avrupa), in Europe, holds part of Istanbul and around 3% of the territory. Anatolia (Anadolu), in Asia, occupies 97% and has varied geography: coasts on the Black Sea to the north, Aegean to the west, Mediterranean to the south; central plateaus and mountain ranges to the east.

Mount Ararat (5,137 m), at the far east, is the highest point and national symbol. The Pontic (north) and Taurus (south) mountain ranges run parallel to the coasts, creating green microclimates different from the arid interior. Cappadocia in the centre has a unique volcanic landscape with fairy chimneys. Pamukkale has white travertine terraces. The Aegean coast (Bodrum, Cesme, Kusadasi) and the Mediterranean coast (Antalya, Fethiye, Kas) have beaches and ancient ruins (Ephesus, Pergamon, Troy).

Istanbul, divided by the Bosphorus Strait between Europe and Asia, has more than 16 million inhabitants and is the country's largest city and one of the world's largest. Ankara, in the centre, is the capital. Izmir, Bursa, Antalya, Adana, and Gaziantep are other major cities. Average population density is 110 inhabitants per square kilometre, concentrated in the west and the coastal strip. Climate varies: Mediterranean on the south and west coasts, continental in the interior, oceanic on the Black Sea.

For Turkish nationals who want to immigrate to the United States, the E-2 is one of the most widely used routes: the bilateral treaty allows Turkish nationals to invest in a substantial US business (generally from USD 100,000) and receive an indefinitely renewable visa, including work authorisation for the spouse. Turkey is not in the Visa Waiver Program, so the B-1/B-2 is the standard visa for tourism, short business trips, and family visits.

For work, the H-1B serves qualified professionals in technology, engineering, medicine, and finance with a university degree, subject to an annual lottery and employer sponsorship. The L-1 covers intra-company transfers within multinationals, practical for executives from Koc, Sabanci, Turkish Airlines, and Turkish banks with US subsidiaries. For permanent immigration, EB-1 (extraordinary talent, executives, professors) and EB-2 NIW (national interest) serve qualified professionals without a mandatory sponsor.

The EB-5, investor visa from USD 800,000 in target areas (TEA), grants direct permanent residence for the entire family, a relevant option for high-income Turkish investors. The O-1 serves artists, athletes, scientists, and business leaders with international recognition. The F-1 covers students at American universities, with OPT for 12 to 36 months to work after graduation. The J-1 serves exchange programmes, research, medical training, and au pair positions.