When Belarusian IT professionals relocated to Turkey, they highlighted a favorable climate and affordable living as major attractions, while also raising concerns about the difficulty of obtaining permanent residence and limited opportunities for long-term career growth within the country. These perspectives emerged from discussions with an exclusive online publication, dev.by, offering a snapshot of their experiences.
Product Analyst Ivan lives in Istanbul and is employed by a Ukrainian game development company. He described the climate as exceptional, with strawberries in bloom from February and watermelons and melons arriving from March. He noted that although prices have risen, they remain lower than in many other places, and the level of service in the city is high. In his view, a monthly income of about 1.5 thousand dollars suffices for a comfortable life for two, including apartment rent, though he observed that the Belarusian community in Istanbul is relatively small.
Ivan also pointed to a significant downside: Belarusians often face obstacles in obtaining residence permits. He and his wife have faced rejection and are currently pursuing a legal process with the foreigners’ office in hopes of resolving their status.
Artem Rusov, who completed a test move, chose a tourism-focused city in the Aydın province and noted potential connectivity issues. He described internet as expensive and not always fast, often limited, with typical costs around 15 to 20 dollars for the best available options.
Rusov added that food prices in shops and cafes are steadily climbing, but he also praised the availability of inexpensive fruits and vegetables year-round. He emphasized that social life in Turkey requires some Turkish language proficiency to interact and integrate effectively.
Java Backend developer Georgiy relocated to Ankara primarily to reduce rental costs. He observed that, unlike resort areas, many residents there do not speak English, suggesting the need for an interpreter in regular interactions.
Georgiy indicated plans to move again soon, aiming to obtain a passport with a visa for another country. He remarked that while non-tourist Turkey has its appeal, it may not suit everyone, and his own decision reflects a nuanced, personal assessment of long-term relocation options.
Another Belarusian IT professional described an experience of working with a German IT company and candidly shared that certain challenges appeared that were not present in their home environment. The overall narrative reflects a mix of practical advantages and bureaucratic hurdles for Belarusians pursuing a longer stay in Turkey, underscoring how immigration status can color career and daily life decisions in a foreign country (Source: dev.by).