Compare jurisdictions, side by side.

Türkiye residency routes:

• Short-term residence permit (1-2 years, renewable)
• Family permit
• Work permit - employer-sponsored
• Student permit
• Citizenship-by-investment via real estate or qualifying deposits / investments

Cyprus residency routes:

• Permanent residency by investment (Cat F / Cat 6.2)
• Digital Nomad Visa
• Employment routes (including the international headquartering route)
• Family reunification

The investor citizenship programme is closed.

Barbadian residency routes:

• Welcome Stamp - 12-month remote-worker route, renewable
• Special Entry Permit - qualifying HNW relocators
• Standard work permits - employer-sponsored
• Family routes

UK residency routes:

• Skilled Worker visa - employer-sponsored
• Innovator Founder visa - for endorsed founders
• Global Talent visa - for endorsed experts
• Self-Sponsorship via own company (with substance)
• Family routes - spouse / partner / dependents
• Ancestry visa for eligible Commonwealth nationals

Limited Şirket (LLC) and AŞ (Joint Stock) are common structures. Notary registration, tax registration, and a tax representative are typically required.

Cyprus Limited companies are widely used by international groups for IP, holding, and trading structures. Substance, local director, and accounting requirements have tightened in recent years and must be planned at setup.

Corporate entities for international business (formerly IBC) are well established. Substance and reporting requirements apply.

UK Limited companies are widely used internationally. HMRC corporation tax, VAT thresholds, and PSC (people with significant control) reporting apply. Substance expectations have tightened.

Personal banking for residents is broadly accessible; non-resident corporate banking has tightened. Source-of-funds and ownership clarity are central.

Cypriot banks have strict KYC and source-of-funds processes following past compliance episodes. EMIs are widely used as supplements. Personal and corporate banking introductions go through vetted partners.

Banking is mature but selective. Source-of-funds documentation is central. Bordercase coordinates introductions through current partners.

Resident banking is mature but onboarding is slow for non-residents. Many international founders use UK EMIs (Revolut, Monzo Business, etc.) alongside high-street accounts. Bordercase coordinates introductions for cross-border cases.

Family reunification is supported on most routes. International schools (English, German, French, Italian) are available in Istanbul and Ankara.

Family reunification is available on most routes. English-language schools (public and private) and healthcare options are widely accessible to legal residents.

Family inclusion is supported. International schools are limited but present.

Family reunification is supported. Schools (state, private, international) are widely available; competition for top schools is real.

Risks Bordercase watches for in Türkiye:

• Restricted residency zones (some districts no longer issue short-term residency to foreigners)
• Currency volatility on investment routes
• Shifting policy on the citizenship-by-investment programme
• Banking documentation requirements tighten regularly

Common pitfalls in Cyprus cases:

• Post-reform substance requirements underestimated
• Banking timelines longer than expected
• Permanent residency confused with citizenship (different programmes)
• Some sectors face additional KYC scrutiny

Risks Bordercase watches for in Barbados:

• Tax residency triggers
• Substance and reporting under the post-BEPS framework
• Welcome Stamp renewal conditions

Risks Bordercase watches for in the UK:

• Tax residency triggers (Statutory Residence Test)
• Sole-rep / Innovator endorsement standards have tightened
• Brexit-era operational variation between UK and EU services
• Sponsorship Compliance for licensed sponsors

Typical Türkiye documents:

• Passport
• Biometric photos
• Proof of address
• Proof of income or savings
• Health insurance
• Criminal record certificate
• Marriage / birth certificates for family

Documents apostilled and translated to Turkish.

Typical document pack for Cyprus residency:

• Passport
• Criminal record certificate (apostilled)
• Proof of income / investment
• Health insurance valid in Cyprus
• Accommodation evidence
• Education certificates (for relevant routes)
• Marriage / birth certificates for family routes

For company formation: business plan, ownership-chain documents, and KYC for all ultimate beneficial owners.

Typical Barbadian documents:

• Passport
• Proof of income or employment
• Health insurance valid in Barbados
• Police clearance for longer-stay routes
• Apostilled foreign documents for family

Typical UK documents:

• Passport
• Certificate of Sponsorship (for sponsored routes)
• TB test (for certain nationalities)
• Maintenance funds evidence
• Apostilled / certified documents for family routes