Foreign companies entering Turkey (Türkiye) often want to send a general manager, a technical specialist or a small team from abroad, or to hire foreign nationals who already live in Turkey. In almost every case, those individuals need a work permit before they start work. The permit is applied for by the employer, assessed by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, and also serves as the individual's residence permit while it is valid.
This guide explains who needs a permit, how the application works, the criteria the Ministry applies to employers and applicants, how long permits last and the obligations that continue after a permit is granted. It complements our guides on hiring employees and onboarding.
Key points
- Work permits are governed by the International Labour Force Law (No. 6735) and its implementing regulation, and are applied for online by the employer through the e-İzin system.
- A foreign national who works in Turkey, as an employee or by actively managing the business, generally needs a permit before starting work. Working without one exposes both the employer and the individual to fines and, for the individual, deportation.
- The Ministry applies assessment criteria to the employer and the role, including, in general, a ratio of Turkish to foreign employees and minimum salary levels. These criteria were revised from 1 October 2024 and further exceptions took effect on 3 August 2026.
- A first permit is usually granted for up to one year, with longer extensions available later.
- Employers must keep the permit current and notify the authorities when employment ends.
Who needs a work permit in Turkey?
As a general rule, any foreign national who will work in Turkey, whether as an employee, as an independent professional or by actively running a business, needs a work permit unless an exemption applies. In the corporate context, this usually means:
- Foreign employees of a Turkish company, branch or liaison office, including those seconded from the parent company. See setting up a company and branches and liaison offices.
- Foreign directors, managers and shareholders who will live in Turkey and actively manage or work in the business.
- Foreign nationals already living in Turkey under another type of residence permit (for example a family or short-term residence permit), who still need a work permit before taking up employment.
By contrast, a foreign shareholder or board member who does not live or work in Turkey, and who only attends board or general meetings, generally does not need a work permit. Short business visits for meetings, negotiations or trade fairs are usually possible on a business visa or visa exemption, but performing productive work during such a visit can cross the line into unlawful employment. Where the employing entity has not yet been set up, our guide to choosing a business structure explains the options.
Some activities are exempt from the work permit requirement or covered by a simplified exemption confirmation, for example certain short-term assignments to install or repair imported machinery, some scientific and cultural activities, and specific categories defined in the regulation. Exemptions are narrow and usually time-limited, so they should be checked against the current regulation before being relied on.
Types of work permit
| Type | Who it is for | Key features |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed-term (temporary) work permit | Most employees and managers | Tied to a specific employer and role; first permit generally up to one year, extendable |
| Long-term (indefinite) work permit | Foreigners with a long-term residence permit or at least eight years of lawful work in Turkey | Not tied to one employer; most rights of Turkish citizens in working life, with some exceptions |
| Independent work permit | Qualified professionals working for their own account | Subject to education, experience and economic contribution criteria; not available for every profession |
| Turquoise Card | Highly qualified individuals, investors and others meeting the Turquoise Card criteria | Initially granted for a transition period, after which it can become indefinite; extends to spouse and dependent children |
| Work permit exemption | Specific activities defined in the regulation | Confirms that a permit is not required for a defined, usually short, activity |
The work permit (and the exemption confirmation) also counts as a residence permit for the period it covers, so the holder does not usually need a separate residence permit.
How does the application process work?
Applying from abroad
Where the foreign national is outside Turkey, the usual route is:
- The individual applies to the Turkish embassy or consulate in their country of citizenship or legal residence for a work visa, submitting the required documents.
- The employer in Turkey completes the online application in the e-İzin system and uploads the employer documents, generally within ten working days of the consulate application.
- The Ministry of Labour and Social Security reviews the file, may request further information and decides.
- If the permit is approved, the individual collects the work visa and enters Turkey. The permit card is issued and the individual can start work.
Applying from within Turkey
A foreign national who is lawfully resident in Turkey under a qualifying residence permit with sufficient remaining validity can generally apply from within the country, with the employer filing the application through e-İzin. Some residence permits, such as student residence permits, are subject to special rules. Whether an in-country application is available should be confirmed for each individual.
Documents commonly required
Requirements vary with the type of permit and the applicant, but commonly include:
- From the employer: an employment contract or offer signed by both parties, the latest balance sheet and profit and loss statement or a statement of financial position for new companies, trade registry gazette and other company documents, and information on the current workforce.
- From the foreign national: passport, photograph, diploma (with an equivalence certificate or translation where required for the profession) and CV, together with any professional licences needed for regulated professions such as engineering, healthcare or teaching.
- For specific sectors: additional approvals from the relevant ministry or professional body.
Foreign documents usually need an apostille or consular legalisation and a sworn Turkish translation. The applicant will also need a Turkish tax number for payroll and banking: see Tax Number for Foreigners in Turkey. Inconsistencies between documents, such as different spellings of names or job titles, are a common cause of delay.
What criteria does the Ministry apply?
The Ministry has broad discretion and applies published assessment criteria to employers and roles. In general terms, the criteria have included:
- A ratio of Turkish employees. Employers have generally been expected to employ at least five Turkish citizens at the workplace for each foreign national for whom a permit is sought. Certain groups have been exempt from the ratio, such as company shareholders meeting specified conditions and certain key personnel.
- Financial criteria for the employer. Minimum paid-in capital, net sales or export figures, assessed with some flexibility for newly established companies.
- Minimum salary levels by role. The salary offered to the foreign national must generally be at least a set multiple of the minimum wage, with higher multiples for senior managers and specialists than for other roles.
- Fit between the role and the applicant. The applicant's qualifications and experience should match the job, and the job should match the employer's activity.
The criteria were substantially revised with effect from 1 October 2024, as discussed in our article on new work permit assessment criteria. Further amendments took effect on 3 August 2026, introducing additional exceptions, including for certain foreign nationals with long or recent periods of lawful stay in Turkey. Depending on the exception, some or all of the employment, financial and salary criteria may not apply, subject to conditions and, in some cases, a limit on the number of foreign nationals per workplace.
Because the thresholds, salary multiples and exceptions are adjusted periodically, every application should be checked against the criteria in force when it is filed. Meeting the published criteria does not guarantee approval; the Ministry also considers the labour market and the overall file.
How long does a work permit last?
| Stage | Usual maximum period |
|---|---|
| First application | Up to one year |
| First extension | Up to two years |
| Subsequent extensions | Up to three years |
| Long-term (indefinite) permit | No end date, subject to the statutory conditions |
Extension applications must be filed before the current permit expires, generally within the 60 days before expiry, and in any event before the expiry date. Filing late can mean the individual must stop working until a new permit is granted, so renewals should be diarised well in advance.
The permit is tied to the employer and the role for which it was granted. If the employee moves to another employer, including another company in the same group, a new permit is generally required.
Indicative timeline
Timings vary with the time of year, the completeness of the file and the Ministry's workload. The figures below are indicative only.
| Step | Often takes |
|---|---|
| Preparing, apostilling and translating documents | 1–4 weeks |
| Consulate appointment and application (if applying from abroad) | Depends on the consulate |
| Employer's online application in e-İzin | Within days of the consulate application |
| Ministry review | Often 30 days or longer from a complete file |
| Collecting the work visa and entering Turkey | Days to a few weeks |
The Ministry generally aims to decide within 30 days of receiving a complete file, but requests for further documents restart or extend the process.
Family members of permit holders
Spouses and dependent children of foreign employees can generally apply for family residence permits based on the employee's work permit. A family residence permit does not by itself allow the holder to work. A spouse who wishes to work needs their own work permit, although holding a family residence permit can make an in-country application possible. School enrolment, health insurance and address registration for family members are separate steps to plan for.
Employer obligations after the permit is granted
Holding a valid permit is only the start. Employers of foreign nationals should:
- Register the employee with SGK promptly, ideally before work begins; special notification deadlines apply to work permit holders. The foreign national is also generally expected to start work within a set period after the permit starts or after entering Turkey, and a permit can lapse if the person does not enter Turkey within six months. See onboarding employees.
- Pay the salary declared in the application, through the bank, and keep payroll consistent with the declared terms. A lower salary in practice can affect renewals.
- Employ the person in the role and at the employer for which the permit was issued.
- Notify the authorities when employment ends. Where the employment ends before the permit expires, the employer must generally notify the Ministry within 15 days. See termination and offboarding.
- Track expiry dates of permits and passports and file extensions on time.
- Keep records of the foreign workforce for labour and social security inspections.
What are the risks of employing foreign nationals without a permit?
Employing a foreign national without a valid work permit, or allowing work outside the scope of a permit, can lead to administrative fines for the employer for each foreign national concerned, and separate fines for the individual. The individual may be deported and may receive an entry ban, as explained in our articles on entry bans and restriction codes in Turkey and restriction codes, deportation and legal remedies. Since 2025, employers of foreign nationals working without permits can also be required to bear the costs of deportation, as discussed in New Regulation Targets Employers of Undocumented Foreign Workers in Turkey. Fine amounts are updated each year.
Unlawful employment can also undermine later permit applications for the same employer and the same individual, so it is better to delay a start date than to start before the permit is granted. Our regulatory and compliance page gives an overview of the regulatory landscape, and Employment Law in Turkey: A Practical Legal Q&A Guide covers the wider employment framework. For the full market-entry sequence, see Doing Business in Turkey.
Work permit checklist for employers
| Before applying | During the application | After approval |
|---|---|---|
| Confirm the permit is needed and which type applies | File the e-İzin application promptly after the consulate application | SGK notification before the first day of work |
| Check the employer criteria (Turkish employee ratio, financial thresholds, salary level) | Respond quickly to Ministry requests for information | Pay the declared salary through the bank |
| Agree the role, salary and start date | Keep the applicant informed of visa collection steps | Diary expiry and extension dates |
| Collect, apostille and translate documents | Do not let the individual start work before approval | Notify the Ministry within 15 days if employment ends |
| Check professional licensing rules for regulated roles | Plan family residence permits where relevant |
Frequently asked questions
Does a foreign director of a Turkish company need a work permit?
A foreign director or manager who lives in Turkey and actively manages the business generally needs a work permit. A foreign board member or shareholder who lives abroad and only attends meetings in Turkey generally does not. The answer depends on the person's actual role and presence in Turkey, so it should be checked case by case.
Can a foreign national start work while the application is pending?
No. A foreign national should not start work in Turkey until the work permit has been granted. Working while an application is pending can be treated as unlawful employment, with fines for the employer and the individual and possible deportation.
Who applies for a work permit in Turkey, the employer or the employee?
The employer files the application online through the Ministry of Labour and Social Security's e-İzin system. Where the foreign national is abroad, the individual also applies to the Turkish consulate for a work visa, and the employer must complete its part of the application within the set period afterwards.
How long does it take to get a work permit in Turkey?
The Ministry generally aims to decide within 30 days of receiving a complete application, but the overall process, including document preparation and consulate steps, often takes one to three months. These timings are indicative and depend on the file and the Ministry's workload.
Is it still necessary to employ five Turkish citizens for each foreign employee?
The ratio of five Turkish employees per foreign employee has been a general assessment criterion for many years, with exceptions for certain shareholders, key personnel and specific sectors. Amendments effective from 3 August 2026 added further exceptions, including for certain foreign nationals with long periods of lawful residence, subject to conditions and limits. The current criteria should be checked when an application is prepared.
How long is a Turkish work permit valid for?
A first work permit is generally granted for up to one year. Extensions can be granted for up to two years and then up to three years. Foreign nationals who meet the conditions, such as eight years of lawful work in Turkey, may qualify for a long-term (indefinite) work permit.
Does a work permit also act as a residence permit?
Yes. A valid work permit, and a work permit exemption confirmation, count as a residence permit for the period they cover. The holder does not usually need to apply for a separate residence permit. Payroll for permit holders follows the normal rules explained in the tax guide.
Can a foreign employee move to another company in the same group?
Generally a new work permit is needed, because the permit is issued for a specific employer and role. Moving the employee before the new permit is granted can be treated as working without a valid permit.
Can the spouse of a work permit holder work in Turkey?
The spouse can usually obtain a family residence permit based on the main permit, but that residence permit does not allow them to work. To work, the spouse needs their own work permit. Holding a family residence permit may allow the application to be made from within Turkey.
What happens to the work permit when the employee leaves?
The permit is linked to the employment. When employment ends before the permit expires, the employer must generally notify the Ministry within 15 days, and the individual's right to stay in Turkey on that basis ends. The individual will need a new basis for residence if they wish to remain.
What are the penalties for employing a foreign national without a permit?
Both the employer and the foreign national face administrative fines, which are updated annually and applied per person. The individual may be deported and given an entry ban, and employers can be required to cover deportation costs. Our article on the 2025 regulation for employers of undocumented foreign workers explains this change.
What is the Turquoise Card?
The Turquoise Card is a special permit for highly qualified foreign nationals, investors, scientists and others who meet the published criteria. It is first granted for a transition period and can then be made indefinite, and it allows the holder's spouse and dependent children to obtain residence permits. It is assessed under separate criteria from ordinary work permits.
This guide is general information about Turkish law and practice at the date shown above. It is not legal, tax or customs advice and should not be relied on as such. Rules, thresholds and procedures in Türkiye change frequently and their application depends on the facts, so take advice on your own circumstances before acting. Advice on Turkish law is provided through lawyers qualified in Türkiye.