The Turkish government follows a strict rule to distinguish its visas and differentiate between the people visiting Turkey for work purposes and the people visiting Turkey for business purposes. This is because Turkey acts as a huge business advantage because of its geographical placement between Asia and Europe. People from all around the globe visit Istanbul and Ankara which are considered the heart of business in Turkey and take part in all sorts of business-related activities. In order to clearly differentiate between work and business, the Turkish government requires specific documentation from its business visitors as well as expects them to follow the basic requirements and rules for doing business in Turkey.

Business Visits and Business Visitors:

The Turkish government allows both business visitors as well as work visitors in Turkey from around the globe. There are a few major restrictions between the two and a difference in documentation when applying for a Turkish visa.

A work visa means that the individual is planning to work in Turkey as a full-time employee, the visitor will stay in the country, take a salary and pursue an everyday life. These visitors are not allowed to apply for a Turkish e-visa and need to go to a Turkish embassy and apply for a sticker visa. They are also needed to get a work permit before they can get a work visa for Turkey.

A business visitor on the other hand is someone who will be visiting Turkey in order to attend a business meeting, take part in a business negotiation, take part in viewing new sites, or attend a business-related training program. These individuals will not work, take a salary, be a resident in Turkey, or get involved with the nation’s work labor. Business visitors can apply for a Turkish visa via the online e-visa application form and do not require a work permit.

Tasks Related to Business Visitor in Turkey:

Business visitors are permitted to attend several different activities in Turkey along with their business partners. These activities can range between:

• Taking part in a business meeting, business conference, or business negotiation.
• Attending a Turkish arranged business conference, a convention, a business fair, etc.
• Improving their skills by being invited to take part in a business-related course.
• Overviewing and judging sights that they might invest in or are planning to buy in order to expand their business into Turkey.
• Being part of a business trade or a business deal with business partners or with a Turkey-based business.

Requirements to Enter Turkey as a Business Visitor:

Visitors can apply for a Turkish business visa by simply going onto the official Turkish e-visa website or by visiting a Turkish embassy if the country has been restricted from applying for an e-visa. The e-visa can be applied for, processed, and received without having to visit an embassy. The Turkish e-visa for business purposes requires your personal information, a picture taken at a maximum of 6 months before the visit, a scanned copy of the passport which has an expiration date of more than the entry period for the e-visa, a visiting invitation provided by the Turkish business or business partner, a valid bank account, and a valid email address to receive the e-visa after it has been processed.

Business and Turkey:

Business in Turkey is affected largely by its culture and customs. This is due to the shared boundaries of both Asia and Europe which cause the love and concentration of culture from Asia and priority of business from Europe to overlap over one another and become its own unique thing.

Turkish Customs and Culture for Business:

The Turkish public prioritizes courteousness and respect over everything else even in business. Once you sit down for business, the talk is not just limited to the business itself but involves getting to know each other, acting in a friendly manner, and exchanging their business cards before getting to the real matter. The public also avoids forcing harsh business deadlines, applying pressure on the business partner, or touching any sensitive topics regarding the present nationalities’ politics, history, etc. The visitor should also be aware of the Turkish taboos and keep in mind what not to say in front of your business fellow.