Moving to Türkiye from Saudi Arabia — 2026 Guide

What do Saudis need to know before moving to Türkiye?

• Apply for the e-Visa pre-arrival via evisa.gov.tr — usually issued within minutes for eligible applicants.
• Most long-term Saudi arrivals base in Istanbul (Beşiktaş, Şişli, Bahçeşehir, Başakşehir). Trabzon and Bursa are common second-home cities.
• Bring apostilled originals of birth certificate, marriage certificate, and education credentials. Saudi documents are commonly authenticated through the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• Documents in Arabic require sworn-translator translation into Turkish. Plan ~2 weeks of paperwork lead time.
• Schooling: Arabic-medium and bilingual international schools are available in Istanbul; Saudi-curriculum schooling is limited and most families use international or Turkish private options.

Do Saudis need a visa for Türkiye?

e-Visa for 90 days per stay (apply at evisa.gov.tr). Longer stays require a Turkish residence permit applied for in-country.

How are Saudis taxed when moving to Türkiye?

Türkiye and Saudi Arabia have a double tax treaty — consult a Turkish tax advisor familiar with cross-border income from the Gulf before settling on a long-term plan.

How big is the Saudi community in Türkiye?

Saudi long-term residents in Türkiye number in the tens of thousands, concentrated in Istanbul; seasonal Saudi traffic (summer) is materially larger across Trabzon, Bursa and the Black Sea coast.