In Turkey, foreign nationals are required to obtain a work permit or a work permit exemption in order to legally work in the country. Each year approximately one-hundred-and-fifty thousand work permits are being granted in the country.

The process for obtaining a work permit involves several steps, including obtaining a job offer from a Turkish employer, the employer applying for the work permit on your behalf and obtaining a “Work Permit” from the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.

  • In the first step you are required to find a Turkish employer who is willing to employ you and offers you a job.
  • In the second step, the employer has to submit an application to the Ministry of Labour and Social Security to request permission to hire a foreign national.
  • The application of the employer must include information about the position being offered, the qualifications of the foreign national, and the reasons why the position cannot be filled by a Turkish citizen. In addition, the employer must provide documents proving expertise and education of the foreigner such as training documents, certificates, graduation documents, diplomas, reference letters.
  • The employer must submit an application to the Ministry of Labor and Social Security to request permission to hire a foreign national. The application must include information about the position being offered, the qualifications of the foreign national, and the reasons why the position cannot be filled by a Turkish citizen.
  • The Ministry of Labour and Social Security will review the application and conduct an investigation to verify the information provided.
  • If the application is approved, the Ministry of Labour and Social Security will issue a “Work Permit Quota” which will allow the employer to hire the foreign national.
  • Once the “Work Permit Quota” is granted the employer must pay the required fees to the Ministry of Labour and Social Security. If the fees are not paid within the statutory period, the permit is being cancelled.
  • Once the “Work Permit” is granted, the foreign national can legally work in Turkey. The work permit must be renewed annually, or within sixty days prior the validity period expiration date.

While in the past, after the Ministry of Labour and Social Security approving the application the foreign national should apply for a “Residence Permit for Work Purposes” from the Ministry of Interior, this system has changed. The work permit, in the current system, is considered as a residence permit without any requirement for further application to a residence permit separately.

In addition to these steps, the foreign national may also be required to obtain a Turkish visa before entering the country, if he or she is not exempt from visa to enter Turkey according to the international visa rules.

It’s worth noting that the process and requirements for obtaining a work permit may vary depending on the type of job, the qualifications of the foreign national, and the specific laws and regulations in place at the time of application. It’s recommended to check the experts regarding the work permit for the most up-to-date information.

by Bünyamin ESEN, Senior Investment Consultant & Founding Partner