Company formation (FDI Law 4875) & residence / work pathways
Türkiye’s Foreign Direct Investment Law No. 4875 allows foreign investors to establish companies with up to 100% foreign ownership on equal terms with local investors in most sectors (subject to sectoral restrictions). Forming a limited liability (Ltd. Şti.) or joint-stock (A.Ş.) company through the trade registry is a commercial step — it does not by itself create a residence right. In practice, foreign managers and key staff typically need a work permit; a valid work permit commonly also functions as a residence permit for the permit holder for its validity period (confirm current Ministry of Labour / immigration practice). Separately, short-term residence permits — including applications linked to business or commercial connections — are handled through the Presidency of Migration Management’s e-ikamet system. A Turkish company can support an application with documents, but incorporation alone does not auto-grant e-ikamet approval. Always verify procedures on invest.gov.tr and e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr before relocating family or remitting operating capital.
Min. capital
No universal FDI capital floor for ordinary company setup (sector/practical banking may differ)
Best for: Founders who need a genuine Turkish operating entity and will separately secure work permission and/or short-term residence — not those expecting a company certificate to equal a visa.
FDI Law 4875 focuses on equal treatment and ownership freedom rather than a single published “invest X for a company visa” cheque. Banks, notaries, and sector regulators may still expect paid-in capital appropriate to the activity. Citizenship-by-investment thresholds (USD 400k / 500k bands) are a separate exceptional track — do not confuse them with ordinary company formation.
Investment options
- Establish Ltd. Şti. or A.Ş. with up to 100% foreign ownership (FDI Law 4875)
- Obtain work permit for managers / key personnel (often doubles as residence — verify)
- Apply for short-term residence via e-ikamet where eligible (business connection supports, does not auto-grant)
- Optional later assessment of exceptional citizenship routes (separate regulation)
Eligibility
- Complete company formation / trade registry steps and tax registration as required
- For work permits: role, employer, and Ministry of Labour criteria as published
- For e-ikamet: passport, address, health insurance, and category-specific documents on the portal
- Maintain lawful stay; overstaying company “setup trips” on tourist entry is a common compliance risk
Process timeline
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1
Plan entity & sector checks
Confirm activity is open to 100% FDI; engage local counsel/accountant for trade registry and tax ID.
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2
Incorporate & bank
Complete notarisation, registry, potential capital deposit, and corporate banking KYC.
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3
Work permit and/or e-ikamet
Lodge work permit for managerial roles and/or short-term residence on e-ikamet — company docs support but do not guarantee approval.
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4
Operate & renew
Keep social security, tax, and permit renewals current; revisit citizenship options only if intentionally pursuing Art.20 exceptional routes.
Family
Family residence depends on the primary permit type (work vs short-term) and e-ikamet dependent rules. Do not assume spouses/children are covered automatically by company ownership — verify on e-ikamet.
Work rights
Work rights generally require a work permit (or another status that expressly authorises employment). A short-term residence permit alone may not authorise employment — confirm before working.
Route to PR
Long-term residence and citizenship are separate from ordinary company setup. Continuous lawful residence and other statutory conditions apply; exceptional citizenship by investment is a distinct Regulation Art.20 path.
Route to citizenship
Ordinary naturalisation and exceptional citizenship by investment are different tracks. See the exceptional citizenship visa entry and invest.gov.tr. Dual nationality implications for Pakistan need personal legal advice.
Pros
- 100% foreign ownership widely available under FDI Law 4875
- Strategic bridge between Europe, Middle East, and Central Asia
- Clear official investment guidance via Invest in Türkiye
- e-ikamet provides a digital residence application channel
Watch-outs
- Company registration ≠ residence or work rights
- Work permit and e-ikamet decisions are discretionary and document-heavy
- Currency, banking KYC, and title processes can delay capital deployment
- Agent packages that “guarantee” residence with a shelf company are high-risk