Turkey Work Permit: Required Documents and Application Process

Work Permit in Turkey: Basic Information

For foreigners to work in Turkey, they must generally obtain a work permit or work permit exemption. Foreigners covered by Law No. 6735 on International Labor Force must obtain this permit before starting work. A work permit is an official document issued by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security of Turkey and grants foreigners the right to work and reside in Turkey within its validity period. In this respect, a work permit directly affects not only the employment relationship but also the foreigner's legal status in Turkey. For a broader view of the general process, you can get additional information about the work permit application process in Turkey.

Important: For current procedures and document evaluation in work permit applications, announcements from the Ministry of Labour and Social Security of Turkey should be taken into consideration.

Application Route: Domestic or Overseas?

Work permit applications begin with the foreigner applying for a work permit and visa to the diplomatic missions of the Republic of Turkey (Consulate or Embassy). When the application is approved, the foreigner must go to the diplomatic mission where they applied and pay the work and residence permit fees along with the visa fee.

A different route is possible for foreigners in Turkey: If the foreigner has a valid residence permit of at least 6 months duration, the work permit application can be made from within the country. The duration of the valid residence permit is a determining factor affecting the application route.

Electronic Application Process and Document Upload

Documents required for work permit applications are submitted online through the e-permit automation system. In addition to physically preparing documents, they need to be scanned appropriately for electronic application and uploaded to the system. It is important during the evaluation phase that documents in the application file are readable, complete, and consistent with application information.

Since work permit applications proceed based on employment relationships, they are not limited to the foreigner's information alone. The employer's corporate documents, employment contract, and in some cases professional qualification documents also become part of the file. Therefore, application preparation requires cooperation between the foreigner and employer.

Basic Documents Required from Foreigners

• Employment Contract: The employment contract signed by the employer and foreigner is scanned and submitted online during electronic application.
• Passport Copy: When the passport is not written in Latin letters, a sworn translator or officially certified translation must also be added to the application. Applications made with passports valid for less than sixty days as of the work permit application date will not be processed. Work permits are also issued not to exceed sixty days before the passport expiration date.
• Diploma or Temporary Graduation Certificate Copy: In some applications, this document and its Turkish translation certified by a sworn translator or official authorities are required. Diplomas are mandatory for foreigners who will work in professional services and in professions deemed necessary by the Ministry of Labour.

Documents Required from Employers

Employers who will employ foreigners must also prepare certain documents within the scope of the application:

• Turkey Trade Registry Gazette: Shows the organization's latest capital and partnership structure.
• Balance Sheet and Profit/Loss Statement: These documents for the last year, certified by the tax office or certified public accountant, show the employer's financial situation.
• Sector-Specific Documents (For Private Educational Institutions): Professional qualification certificate obtained from the Ministry of National Education for foreigners who will work in private educational institutions affiliated with the Ministry of National Education; for institutions, 'Institution Opening and Education Start Permit' and 'License' are required.

Special Restriction in Domestic Services

There is an important restriction regarding work permits in domestic services. Work permits are not granted to foreigners in domestic services except for elderly, patient, and child care. Therefore, the nature of the work becomes decisive in applications made within the scope of domestic services.

Effect of Residence Permit on Work Permit Application

For a foreigner in Turkey to apply for a work permit from within the country, they must have a valid residence permit of at least 6 months duration. When this condition is not met, it may not be possible to make the application from within the country, and the process may proceed through the overseas application route. If a work permit is granted, this permit also gives the foreigner the right to reside in Turkey within its validity period. Therefore, there is a direct connection between work permits and residence permits.

Importance of Document Compliance

Work permit application is a process where identity and education documents belonging to the foreigner are evaluated together with commercial and financial documents belonging to the employer. Information in the employment contract, passport information, employer records, and diploma or professional qualification documents if any, must be consistent with each other. Missing or inconsistent documents can make evaluation of the application difficult. Especially passport duration, translation requirements, and profession-specific documents should be checked before application.

Work permit application in Turkey is not a simple procedure completed with a single document. Whether the application will be made from within the country or from abroad, the foreigner's residence permit status, the employer's legal and financial documents, the nature of the work, and professional document requirements are evaluated together. Therefore, before starting the application, which application route will be used and which documents will be needed according to the specific situation should be clarified. In case of negative outcome of the application, the question what to do if work permit application is rejected should also be evaluated separately.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can work permit applications be made from within Turkey?

Yes, if a foreigner in Turkey has a valid residence permit of at least 6 months duration, a work permit application can be made from within the country. Being in Turkey alone is not sufficient; the duration of the residence permit affects the application route.

Why is passport duration important in work permit applications?

Applications made with passports or passport substitute documents valid for less than sixty days as of the work permit application date will not be processed. Additionally, work permits are issued not to exceed sixty days before the passport expiration date.

What documents are required from employers in work permit applications?

From employers, the Turkey Trade Registry Gazette showing the organization's latest capital and partnership structure, and balance sheet and profit/loss statement for the last year certified by the tax office or certified public accountant are required. Additional documents may also be required in some sectors.

Are work permits granted to foreigners in domestic services?

There is an important restriction in domestic services. Work permits are not granted to foreigners in domestic services except for elderly, patient, and child care. Therefore, the nature of the work subject to application is decisive.