A Turkish work permit is a type of permit that gives the right to work and reside to foreigners in Turkey.
A foreigner who is in the Republic of Turkey and wants to work should apply to the Ministry of Labor and Social Security for a Turkish work permit.
It is illegal for a foreigner to work in a workplace in any sector in Turkey without a Turkish residence permit.
It is possible to get a Turkish work permit within the country or abroad. However, the procedures for applying from Turkey or abroad differ.
First of all, a foreigner who wants to get a work permit from abroad should apply for a work visa at the Consulate or Embassy of the Republic of Turkey in the country where he/she currently resides.
For the work visa application, the passport of the foreign national, an application for the work permit, a photograph, and a sample of the contract for the job to be worked are required. The detailed required documents are as below.
If a Turkish work permit is to be applied from abroad, the foreigner must first apply for a work visa to the Turkish representation in their country.
Following this application, the employer in Turkey or the attorney to whom he/she gives power of attorney; Within 10 working days, the foreigner who applies for a work visa through the online system should apply for a work permit with the given reference number.
As a result of this application made by the employer via e-government, all requested documents are delivered to the Ministry in person or by mail within 6 working days.
As a result of the online application made by the employer in Turkey, the Ministry of Labor and Social Security evaluated the information and documents submitted by the employee and employer.
If there are missing documents as a result of these examinations, the employer is requested to provide missing documents.
Upon the collection of all documents, the Ministry conducts examinations, even takes the opinion of different authorities if it deems necessary, and gives a decision of approval or rejection for the application.
As a result of the approved Turkish work permit, the foreign worker must pay the work visa fee of the Foreign Representation and obtain the visa. However, the foreign worker must enter the Republic of Turkey within a maximum of 180 days.
To obtain a work permit, a foreign national must have a residence permit for at least 6 months. For detailed information about residence permit, you can read our article titled “Turkish Residence Permit”.
If the foreign worker in Turkey has a Turkish residence permit of at least 6 months; The employer must apply for a Turkish work permit for the foreigner through the online system. As a result of this application made by the employer through the online system, all requested documents are delivered to the Ministry in person or by mail within 6 working days.
The Turkish work permit application is made by the employer, and information and documents regarding the foreign citizens are submitted to the Ministry. The documents required for the employer and the foreign employee differ. Submitting correct and complete documents is important for a healthy application process. Once the application is approved, a work permit card will be sent to the foreign worker.
The Turkish work permit document is sent to the foreign worker by PTT Cargo and can be tracked via e-government or https://izinsorgula.csgb.gov.tr/app/giris. This permit card is an official document that the foreign national has gained legal foreign worker status.
1. Copy of diploma or temporary graduation certificate. If you are not graduated from a Turkish university, your certificate should be translated into Turkish and approved by official authorities.
2. Equivalency certificate. It is valid for foreign workers who have completed their higher education outside of Turkey.
3. Certificate of Competence for foreign workers who will operate in educational institutions. It should be obtained from the Ministry of National Education.
4. Residence permit valid for at least 6 months (unnecessary for international applications)
5. Passport copy.
Documents to be submitted by the employer:
1. Work permit application form.
2. Profit-loss statement and balance sheet for the last year approved by official authorities.
3. Turkish Trade Registry Gazette. It shows the capital and partnership status of the establishment.
4. Notarized power of attorney
5. The employment contract between the foreign worker and the employer
6. Wages of Turkish citizens employed in workplaces where foreign experts are to be employed.
After the first application of the Turkish work permit is completed online, the documents listed below must be submitted to the Ministry of Labor and Social Security.
Documents to be submitted by the foreign worker:
1. The employment contract between the employer and the employee.
2. Copy of residence permit valid for at least 6 months.
4. Diploma copy
5. Reference letter, if any.
Documents required by the employer:
1. Application petition
2. Work permit application form
3. Balance sheet, profit and loss statement for the previous year approved by SMMM (Certified Public Accountant) or tax office
4. Turkish Trade Registry Gazette
5. Operating certificate
6. Notarized power of attorney of the applicant
Documents to be submitted by the foreign worker:
1. In addition to the documents mentioned above, 1 photograph.
Documents required by the employer:
1. In addition to the documents mentioned above, the foreign worker's diploma and passport copy.
IMPORTANT NOTE!: Among the required documents for Turkish work permit applications, the employment contract has an additional importance. Appropriate preparation of the salary and job description specified in the employment contract is very important to prevent the rejection of the application. Salary amount should not be less than the amount determined by the ministry.
To obtain a work permit for foreigners in Turkey, certain procedures determined by the regulation are carried out. There are some fees and expenses during the execution of these procedures.
The value of the valuable paper to be collected from each work permit or permit exemption issued by the Ministry is 356 Turkish Liras.
Note: A fee of 3,090.20 Turkish Liras is charged for each year for work permits for more than one year.
The conditions sought for a work permit for foreigners in Turkey are as follow:
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