Foreigners can stay in Turkey under certain conditions. There are two main regulations on this issue: the Work Permit and the Residence Permit.
Is it possible to work in Turkey without a Work Permit?
Individuals holding a blue card and foreigners specified in other laws or international treaties or agreements to which Turkey is a party can work in our country without a work permit. Foreigners who do not fall under these categories must obtain a work permit to work or be employed in Turkey. Work permit applications can be made to the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, embassies, and consulates. Hence, it is possible to apply from abroad.
Types of Work Permits:
Definite Term Work Permit:
A definite term work permit is granted for up to one year for the first application, under the condition of working under a specified employer and in a predetermined business sector. This permit allows working only in designated workplaces or other workplaces in the same sector without exceeding the duration of the employment contract.
Article 10/1 of the International Labor Force Law: “In case of a positive evaluation of the application, the foreigner will be granted a work permit valid for up to one year, provided that they work in a specific job at a workplace belonging to a real or legal person or a public institution or organization, or other workplaces in the same business sector, without exceeding the duration of the job or service contract.”
After the initial period of the definite term work permit ends, it is possible to apply for an extension. If the extension application is accepted, the foreigner can be granted a work permit for up to two years for the first extension and up to three years for subsequent extensions, under the same employer.
Indefinite Term Work Permit:
Foreigners who have had a legal work permit in Turkey for at least eight years or hold a long-term residence permit are entitled to an indefinite term work permit. Foreigners with an indefinite term work permit can work within the country without job or employer dependency, benefiting from social security and other legal rights similarly to Turkish citizens, except for citizenship rights such as voting, being elected, and holding public office.
The indefinite term work permit includes documents that must be updated every five years from the date of issuance. Updating must be completed within six months before the end of the five-year period. However, even foreigners with indefinite term work permits cannot work in certain job fields restricted to Turkish citizens only.
Independent Work Permit:
An independent work permit allows foreigners to operate businesses on their own in Turkey. This permit is especially aimed at foreign professionals with certain qualifications and those who wish to establish a business in Turkey. Under this permit, foreigners can work without being bound to a specific employer.
Applications for independent work permits are evaluated based on the foreigner’s educational background, professional experience, the economic contribution of their activities in Turkey, and other criteria. This permit aims to facilitate the activities of foreign investors in Turkey.
If the application is positively evaluated, the foreigner is granted the right to work independently in Turkey. With this permit, foreigners can establish their own businesses in Turkey.
Professions Prohibited for Foreigners in Turkey:
– Dentistry
– Pharmacy
– Veterinary Medicine
– Responsible Manager in Private Hospitals
– Law
– Notary
– Private Security Officer
– Certain jobs under the Cabotage Law
– Customs Brokerage
– Tourist Guiding
Applications for Work Permits from Within Turkey:
To apply for a work permit from within Turkey, a foreigner must hold a residence permit valid for at least six months. For foreigners with a residence permit valid for at least six months, the authorized authority for applications within Turkey is the Ministry of Labor and Social Security. Work permit applications must first be made directly to the Ministry of Labor and Social Security through the “Online Work Permit Application System.” After the application is made, the application form and other documents must be submitted to the Ministry within six business days by hand or by mail, after the completion of the electronic registration.
Applications for Work Permits from Abroad:
Work permit applications made from abroad must be submitted to the Turkish consulate or embassy in the foreigner’s country of citizenship or legal residence. Work visa applications made by foreigners to Turkish embassies and consulates are forwarded to the Ministry of Labor and Social Security. Duly submitted work visa applications without information or document deficiencies are evaluated within thirty days. If the foreigner will work for an employer, the employer must upload and approve the required information and documents via the e-Government portal within thirty days from the application date. If the foreigner will not work for an employer, it is sufficient to apply to the Turkish consulate or embassy in their country of citizenship or legal residence.
A foreigner whose work visa is approved must come to Turkey within six months. Otherwise, the work permit visa is canceled.
Does a Foreigner with a Work Permit Need to Obtain a Residence Permit?
A work permit issued by the Republic of Turkey is also considered a residence permit. Therefore, a foreigner with a work permit does not need to obtain a separate residence permit. Similarly, if the work permit expires, the residence permit is also considered expired. In this case, the foreigner whose work permit has expired must obtain a residence permit within ten days from the date of expiration. Otherwise, a deportation decision is issued. If the foreigner continues to stay in the country despite this decision, an administrative detention decision is applied. To avoid these situations, a residence permit should be obtained within sixty days before the work permit expires.
Documents Required for Work Permit Application:
A foreigner applying for a work permit in Turkey must first prepare the necessary documents for the application accurately and completely. The foreigner can submit these documents to the relevant authority to make the work permit application. The documents required for the application are listed below:
Documents to be provided by the employer:
– Application petition
– Application form for work permit
– Balance sheet profit and loss statement from the previous year
– Trade registry gazette
– Activity certificate
– Power of attorney
– Copy of the employee’s diploma and passport
Documents to be provided by the employee:
– Diploma, temporary graduation certificate
– Equivalence certificate
– Certificate of competence if working in an educational institution
– Residence permit with at least 6 months validity
– Employment contract between employer and employee
– Copy of passport
– Copy of diploma
– Photograph
Both residence permit and work permit applications and appointment bookings are made online. Since these procedures are complex and require experience and knowledge, it is beneficial to seek professional assistance. In this regard, our solution partner Ömer Faruk BOZKURT has successfully handled work permits and residence permits (residence cards) for approximately 10,000 Chinese company employees in previous periods. Due to his excellent knowledge of bureaucracy and the tracking system, quick and positive results can be obtained instantly.