The Minister of Labor and Social Security, Bilgin, delivered the first of the “Turquoise Cards”, prepared to attract qualified investors and workforce to Turkey, to businessman Steven Young.
According to the statement made by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, “Turquoise Card” has been prepared with the aim of providing a competitive advantage to the country in the global arena by making Turkey preferred by foreign scientists or researchers who are successful at the international level in cultural, artistic and sports activities and contribute to Turkey in terms of highly qualified workforce.
Minister Vedat Bilgin, whose evaluations were included in the statement, noted that the “Turquoise Card”, which was given with the transition period for the first three years, was re-evaluated at the end of this period and became indefinite.
Bilgin continued saying:
“The ‘Turquoise Card’, which is designed for a highly qualified workforce that contributes or is expected to contribute to Turkey, provides its owners with the right to work and reside in Turkey indefinitely, the right to work independently or affiliated with an employer in Turkey, the right to multiple entries and exits to Turkey, all the rights provided by a long-term residence permit, as well as the right of residence to the spouse and children of the person. The ‘Turquoise Card’ holder can also have the right to acquire Turkish citizenship, provided that the three-year transitional period registration is removed.”
Studies continue
The “Turquoise Card”, which started to work in line with the “10th Development Plan and the Center of Attraction Program Action Plan for Qualified Manpower” covering the years 2014-2018, was regulated with the 11th article of the “International Labor Law”. The “Turquoise Card Regulation”, which includes the procedures and principles regarding the issuance of “Turquoise Card”, entered into force on 14 March 2017.
The studies to determine the foreigners who will be given a “Turquoise Card” by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security are continuing. Evaluations continue for the candidates determined by different scoring systems specific to the qualifications of foreigners.
Steven Young’s resume
Businessman Steven Young, the first “Turquoise Card” holder, started his career in 1988 as a special project engineer in Mannesmann, Australia.
Starting to work in Mannesmann Rexroth’s headquarters in Germany in 1994, Young transferred to Turkey as the general manager of the same company in 1995.
After his 25-year career, Young, who has been the Chairman of the Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK) Turkey-Germany Business Council since November 2015, is also a Member of the Founding Board of the Turkish Industrialists’ and Businessmen’s Association (TUSIAD/TCCI).
Source: AA / Translated by Irem Yildiz