İşbank (Türkiye İş Bankası)
A large Turkish bank with an Expat Banking service that opens accounts for foreigners at its branches, with the İşCep mobile app, internet banking and ATMs available in English for everyday payments, transfers and bills.
About İşbank
Türkiye İş Bankası, known as İşbank, runs an Expat Banking service for foreign nationals living in Turkey, with branches and ATMs offering English support across the country. Its published requirements for foreigners are a valid passport or residence permit, a Foreigner's Identification Number or Tax Identification Number, and proof of a Turkish address. Expat customers can hold deposits in Turkish lira, euro and US dollars, use mutual funds and gold accounts, and apply for credit cards, loans and mortgages. The İşCep app covers nearly 150 banking transactions with English support.
Key Features
- Expat Banking: A dedicated service and designated branches for foreign customers living in Turkey.
- İşCep in English: The mobile app handles transfers, payments, bill orders and spending reports in English.
- Multi-currency Accounts: Deposit accounts in Turkish lira, euro and US dollars, including daily term deposits.
- Transfers: Send money between your own accounts, to other banks in Turkey and abroad, and set future payment orders.
How to Get Started
- Get a Turkish tax number from a tax office, or use your Foreigner's Identification Number if you have a residence permit.
- Prepare your valid passport or residence permit and a recent utility or phone bill in your name as proof of address.
- Visit the nearest İşbank branch, or one of its Expat Banking branches, and open the account in person.
- Download İşCep, log in with your customer number and password, and switch the app to English.
The instant remote onboarding in İşCep is offered only to Turkish citizens, so foreigners need to open the account at a branch. Documents accepted for proof of address can vary, so check with the branch before you go. Account fees and card fees are set by the bank and can change, so ask for the current fee list when you open the account.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Does İşbank (Türkiye İş Bankası) work with a foreign bank card in Turkey? Not reliably — a foreign card may be declined. Check the notice above, or plan to use a local payment method.
Is İşbank (Türkiye İş Bankası) available in English? Yes, İşbank (Türkiye İş Bankası) has an English-language interface.
Do I need a local phone number to use İşbank (Türkiye İş Bankası)? Yes, İşbank (Türkiye İş Bankası) requires a local phone number to register.
Do I need local ID or residency for İşbank (Türkiye İş Bankası)? No, İşbank (Türkiye İş Bankası) doesn't require local ID or residency for visitors.