Foreigners who wants to work in Turkey must apply to the Turkish Ministry of Labour and Social Security in order to get work permit.
Application at Turkish Embassy in Relevant Country
The applicant who does not have a residence permit in Turkey or who cannot apply for a residence permit in Turkey, has to apply work visa to Turkish Consulate in his/her own country. After submitting the application documents, the Turkish Consulate will give him/her the reference number. We will complete the application by using this reference number and required documents. After ministry finalizes the application possitively, applicant must go to Turkish Consulate again to have work visa stamp on passport.
Important note: The company must create a workplace registration on the Ministry of Labor page by using electronic signature and registrated e-mail (KEP)
We provide 24/7 support with our team on all processes, RL Imigration & Relocation office maintains an up-to-date knowledge of changes in the immigration laws and regulations
Required documents to be submited to Turkish Consulate of applicant’s country
- Application form (one copy of printed online application form signed by the employer and the employee) will be prepared by us
- Work agreement ( Between worker and company) will be prepared by us
- Copy of the passport ( If the passport is not printed in Latin Alphabet, its official translation must be attached. )
- The Trade Registry Gazette of the company ( detailing the current shareholding and capital structure of the entity)
- Notarized sworn translation of the diploma or provisional graduation certificate
- Company’s certificate of activity
- Criminal record of the applicant
- 2 photos of the applicant
- Company’s signature circulars
- Tax registration certificate
- Address registration documents ( may be requested )
Note: The list of documents is not fixed and it can be changed after the application file is examined
Application through residence permit:
If any applicant has a valid residence permit for 6 months in Turkey, The work permit application can be directly made to the Turkish Ministry of Labour and Social Security . Therefore there is no need to get work visa.
This period may take 2-3 months due to workload density of the ministry .
Note: Foreign employee will not be entitled to work legally in Turkey until the work permit application procedure has been completed.
Below Conditions to be fullfilled by the employer and foreign worker;
*The Employer has to employ at least Five (5) Turkish personnel in the workplace
Note: 5 Turkish personnel will be required for each foreign personnel
*The Company which will employ foreign personel must have at least TRY 100.000 paid capital. ( If it is not provided, the gross sales of the company are taken into consideration. Sales must be TRY 800.000 or the overseas sales must be at least USD 250.000
*If the applicant is a shareholder of a company ( he/she must have a capital of minimum TRY 40.000 and the share rate must be at least 20%.)
*The salary paid to the applicant must comply with his/her professional competence
- 6.5 times the minmum wage for the senior managers and pilots
- 4 times the minimum wage for the unit /branch directors, architects and engineers
- 3 times the minimum wage for the teachers ( if job requires speciality or mastership)
- 2 times the minimum wage for the foreigners who will be employed in tourism , animation or organization companies as acrobats or in similar positions and masseurs or SPA therapists.
- At least minimum wage for the foreigners who will be employed in household services
- 1.5 time the minimum wage for the foreigners who will work other than the above
Some work permit applications have been finalized without work permit evaluation criteria, Please get information about current procedures from our company.
Independent Work Permit
Foreigners who are professional in some jobs can be granted an independent work permit is issued for a limited period provided that the conditionals are met.
The Labor Ministry considers the foreigners’ professional experience, education level, the contribution to technology & science, or the impact of the activity in Turkey on the economy and employment.
The first application for work permit is given for a maximum of one year then it is extended for two years and for three years . The extension period starts two months before the valid work permit date
The fines for illegal foreign workers are as follows ( for in 2022)
A foreigner who works in a company without a work permit will be fined 6,423 TL
A foreigner who works independently without a work permit will be fined 12.854 TL
Employers who employ foreigners who do not have a work permit will be fined 16.066 TL for each foreign employee.
A foreigners, whether work for a company or independently and compnaies do not notify authorities in due time are also subject to fines is 1.067 TL ( This amount must be paid by the company for each foreign amployee)
In case of repetition of these acts , the administrative fines are doubled.
Turquoise Card:
This card can be given to the following foreigners
The foreigners, considered as highly qualified investor in terms of investment or export level, size of employment to be provided, contribution to scientific and technological development and similar features.
The foreigners considered as a highly qualified workforce in terms of education level, Professional knowledge and experience, contribution to science and technology and similar qualifications,
For the scientists or researchers who contribute to scientific and technological development or conduct study and research in the fields of science, industry, and technology that are considered strategic for the benefit of the country at the international level.
The foreigners who are successful at the international level in the terms of cultural, artistic, or sport activities.
The foreigners who contribute to the intenational recognition or promotion of Turkey of Turkish culture, acting at the international level in matters related to Turkey’s national interests.
Application Process:
Turquoise card application is made directly in the country through the system, and abroad through the Turkish embassy or Turkish foreign representative in the country where the foreigner is a citizen or legally residing.
** The information and documents regarding the application made from abroad are transmitted to the Ministry in electronic environment by the Turkish foreign representation.
** A foreigner legally residing in Turkey can apply directly through the system with his/her foreigner identification number.
** Turquoise card application can also be made by the authorized intermediary institution on behalf of the foreigner in Turkey or abroad.
**The application is completed by uploading the required documents in the system
Note: For the residence permit application to be made for the relatives of the Turquoise card holder, the documents showing the marriage bond for spouse of the foreigner, the custody relationship and the dependents for the child are attached to the application file.
Application Documents:
- Application petition,
- Copy of the foreigner’s passport or a document copy that replaces the passport
- Certificate of conformity document obtained from the relevant public institution. ( if any)
Note: The list of documents is not fixed and it can be changed after the application file is examined
RL Immigration & Relocation Office maintains up-to-date knowledge of changes in the laws and regulations
