How Can You Operate in the Istanbul Specialized Free Zone?

Company Formation and Operating Options at ISBI

The Istanbul Specialized Free Zone (ISBI) has a flexible investment structure that allows domestic and international investors to start operating quickly and easily.

You can operate at ISBI in one of the following ways:

• You can establish a new company.

• You can open a branch in the free zone for your existing company operating in Turkiye.

• You can operate by opening a free zone branch in Turkiye on behalf of your company established abroad.

The ISBI expert team provides consultancy to investors at every stage of the application process, helping to ensure that procedures are completed quickly and correctly.

The ISBI Application Process in 7 Steps

1. Preliminary Meeting and Space Selection

The application process begins with a preliminary assessment held with ISBI specialists.

At this stage;

• your field of activity is assessed,

• the office, production area or warehouse best suited to your needs is identified,

• a preliminary protocol is prepared,

• the Operating Licence Application Form is completed.

2. Payment of the Application Fee

As part of the application, the one-off operating licence application fee set out in the relevant legislation is paid into the account of the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkiye.

If the application is not approved, the application fee is refunded in accordance with the provisions of the legislation in force.

3. Submission of the Official Application

The application file is reviewed through;

the Directorate General of Free Zones of the Republic of Turkiye Ministry of Trade or the relevant Free Zone Directorate.

4. Company Formation or Branch Opening

Following a positive outcome to the application, the investor;

• can complete the formation of a new company, or

• carries out the branch opening procedures in the free zone on behalf of the existing company.

These procedures are conducted before the relevant Trade Registry Directorate.

5. Signing of the Lease Agreement

A lease agreement is signed with ISBI for the office, production area or warehouse in which you will operate.

6. Approval of the Lease Agreement

The signed lease agreement and the required documents are approved by the relevant Free Zone Directorate and forwarded to the Directorate General of Free Zones of the Republic of Turkiye Ministry of Trade.

7. Issue of the Operating Licence

Once the application is complete, an Operating Licence is issued in the name of the company.

With the operating licence in hand, the company can officially begin operating in the Istanbul Specialized Free Zone and benefit from the free zone incentives and advantages offered under the relevant legislation.

ISBI Is at Your Side Throughout the Application Process

ISBI does not merely provide investors with office and production space; it offers professional support at every stage of the application process.

The main forms of support offered:

• Assessment of the field of activity

• Selection of office, production area and warehouse

• Operating licence application consultancy

• Guidance on company formation and branch opening

• Follow-up of official application processes

• Operational start-up support

Thanks to this comprehensive consultancy approach, investors can complete the process of entering the free zone quickly, securely and effectively.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can establish a company at ISBI?

Domestic investors, foreign investors, companies operating in Turkiye and companies established abroad can set up a company or open a branch at ISBI within the scope of the relevant legislation.

Can you operate in the free zone without an operating licence?

No. An Operating Licence is required before commercial activities can begin in the Istanbul Specialized Free Zone.

Is consultancy support provided during the application process?

Yes. The ISBI expert team provides investors with consultancy and guidance throughout the entire process, from before the application until operations begin.

Note: Application fees, operating licence conditions and the required documents may be updated over time. We recommend contacting ISBI for the most up-to-date information.