Can Foreigners Work in Turkey?

Yes. There is no provision regarding the citizenship of the worker in the Labor Law in Turkey. Foreigners can work in Turkey. The ability of foreign persons to work in Turkey depends on obtaining a work permit. However, in some special cases, they can work without a work permit.

What is a Work Permit?

Foreigners who want to work in Turkey can work in jobs not prohibited by law, provided that they get a work permit. The work permit must be obtained before starting to work.

Employers of foreigners who have a residence permit for at least six (6) months from the Ministry of Interior in Turkey can apply for an online work permit to the Ministry of Labor and Social Security.

How to Obtain a Work Permit?

In cases where the foreigner does not have a residence permit or is abroad, he/she must go to the foreign representative office of the Republic of Turkey in the country of citizenship and apply for a work visa. They must notify their employer in Turkey of the 16-digit reference number to be given to them by the foreign representative office. The employer of the foreigner must apply for a work permit, online, to the Ministry of Labor and Social Security using this reference number.

The workplace SSI (Social Security Instıtution) e-declaration user, who will create the workplace record in the Ministry system, must have an electronic signature on his behalf. All transactions regarding the applications are made with an electronic signature over the e-devlet system.

Work permit applications can also be made by the authorized intermediary institution.

Work permits to be issued to foreigners are subject to fees. Valuable paper fee is also collected from these issued documents

​Type of Permit	​Fees for 2022 (TL)
Fixed Term (1 year)	​1386,20
Indefinite Term	13867,40
Independant	13867,40
Temporary Protection (1 year)	515,70
Valuable paper fee	160,00

For work permits with a duration of more than one year, a fee of 1,386.20 TL is charged for each year, based on 2022 values.

How to Apply for an Extension of Work Permit?

The request for the extension of the work permit is made electronically via e-devlet as it was in the first application.

The application for extension of the work permit is made starting from sixty days before the expiry of the current work permit and in any case before the expiry of the work permit. Applications for extension made after the expiry of the work permit are evaluated subject to the procedures and principles of the first application.

Applications made to work with a different employer are evaluated subject to the procedures and principles of the first application.

What Are the Required Documents for Work Permit?

The required documents for work permit are as follows;

1. Employment agreement signed by the foreigner and employer. (For applications made when abroad, this agreement must be signed in advance and submitted to the Foreign Representation while the work visa is requested.)

2. Passport copy (In cases where the passport is not written in Latin letters, its translation approved by a certified translator or official authorities should also be attached to the application.)

3. A copy of Diploma or Temporary Graduation Certificate, the Turkish translation of which is certified by a certified translator or official authorities, this document will be scanned during the electronic application and sent online. A diploma is not required for home services, a statement on the subject is sufficient.

4. Turkish Trade Registry Gazette showing the latest capital and partnership structure of the workplace where the foreigner will work.

5. The balance sheet and profit/loss statement of the workplace for the last year where the foreigner will work, approved by the tax office or certified public accountant.

In addition, in cases where a prior authorization is required, the documents regarding the prior authorization  must also be submitted during the work permit application.

Review Official Documentation

What are the Prohibited Occupations in Turkey?

Foreigners cannot work in jobs reserved for Turkish citizens. Professions and duties for which foreigners are prohibited to work are as follows;

1. Attorneyship (However, they can do legal consultancy.)

2. Notary public

3. Dentistry, nursing.

4. Pharmacy

5. Veterinary medicine

6. Managing director in private hospitals

7. Customs brokerage

8. Tourist guide

9. Private security officer

10. Exporting fish, oysters, mussels, sponges, pearls, coral, diving, foraging, piloting, captaining, engineering, clerk, crew, etc. within the territorial waters.

Foreigners of Turkish origin and turquoise card holders can do the jobs that only Turks can do.

Can Foreigners of Turkish Origin Work in Turkey?

The right to work for foreigners of Turkish origin is regulated separately. Provided that they have the qualifications sought in special laws and fulfil their obligations, foreigners of Turkish origin, who are allowed by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, can work and be employed in the professions, arts and jobs specified in the law that only Turkish citizens can do. The opinions of the Ministries of Interior and Foreign Affairs and other relevant ministries and organizations are sought when permission is granted by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security.

Foreigners of Turkish origin are required to register in the special register kept by NVIGM. Foreigners of Turkish origin who are registered in this register are given an "identity document for foreigners". Foreigners who are given this document by the Ministry of Interior are considered foreigners of Turkish origin.