Types of Work Permits in Turkey

Overview: Work Permits in Turkey

Foreign nationals who wish to work in Turkey as employees, independent professionals, or company representatives must obtain a valid work permit (çalışma izni) issued by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security (Çalışma ve Sosyal Güvenlik Bakanlığı).

Turkey’s work permit system is governed by International Workforce Law No. 6735, which came into effect in August 2016 and modernized the prior regime. The law distinguishes several types of work permits based on duration and circumstances.

Processing time: Applications typically take 4–8 weeks from submission to permit issuance.

Who Does NOT Need a Work Permit?

The following categories are generally exempt from work permit requirements:

• Turkish citizens (no permit needed)
• Persons with Turkish citizenship through parentage or naturalization
• Students at Turkish universities (for part-time work up to defined hours per semester)
• Diplomatic and consular personnel (with diplomatic accreditation)
• Persons whose home country has bilateral agreements with Turkey exempting them

Type 1: Regular Work Permit (Süreli Çalışma İzni)

The regular work permit is the standard permit for foreign employees working for a Turkish employer.

Duration

• Initial permit: 1 year
• First renewal: Up to 3 years
• Second renewal: Up to 6 years
• After 8 years of legal uninterrupted work in Turkey: eligible for indefinite work permit

Application Process

Applications for regular work permits are filed by the employer on behalf of the employee through the Ministry’s e-Permit system (epermit.gov.tr):

1. The employee must have a valid Turkish visa (residence permit application can be concurrent in some cases)
2. The employer creates an account on the e-Permit portal
3. The employer submits the online application with required documents
4. The Ministry processes the application (4–8 weeks)
5. If approved, the employee’s entry visa is stamped or the permit is directly issued to Turkish-resident applicants

Employer Eligibility Requirements

For a company to sponsor a work permit, it must meet:

• Minimum paid-up capital of 100,000 TRY or annual turnover of 800,000 TRY
• At least 5 Turkish employees for every foreign employee requested (the 1:5 ratio rule)
• Valid Trade Registry registration and tax compliance

Exception: The 1:5 ratio can be relaxed for the first foreign employee hired by a new company. Sector-specific exemptions also apply (e.g., companies in free zones, technoparks, or with Investment Incentive Certificates may have more flexibility).

Employee Documents Required

• Valid passport (at least 6 months beyond permit expiry)
• Diploma or professional qualifications (apostilled or consularly legalized + Turkish translation)
• Photograph
• Passport-sized photo taken within last 6 months

Type 2: Independent Work Permit (Bağımsız Çalışma İzni)

The independent work permit is for self-employed foreign nationals — individuals who want to operate their own business in Turkey without being employed by a Turkish company.

Eligibility Criteria

Independent work permits are granted based on:

• Professional qualifications and expertise
• Economic contribution to Turkey
• Employment creation potential
• Financial capacity
• Language skills (Turkish, or the language needed for the activity)

Applications are evaluated qualitatively — there are no fixed numerical criteria, and the Ministry exercises significant discretion.

Common Applicants

• Foreign freelancers and consultants setting up their own businesses
• Foreign professionals establishing sole proprietorships
• Independent artists, writers, and performers

Type 3: Turquoise Card (Türkiye Mavi Kart)

The Turquoise Card is Turkey’s equivalent of the US Green Card or UK Indefinite Leave to Remain for workers — it grants a permanent work permit and is the highest status available for foreign workers.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the Turquoise Card, a foreign national must demonstrate exceptional qualification in one of these categories:

• Academic: Outstanding academic contributions recognized internationally
• Scientific/Technological: Significant contributions to science and technology; involvement in key R&D projects in Turkey
• Cultural/Artistic: Exceptional contributions to Turkish culture, arts, or sports
• Economic: Significant investment in or economic contribution to Turkey (job creation, capital investment)
• Exceptional qualifications: Any internationally recognized expertise that would contribute to Turkey’s development

The Turquoise Card is granted for indefinite duration but includes an initial 3-year transition period during which the holder must demonstrate continued eligibility.

Application

Applications are submitted directly to the Ministry of Labor through the e-Permit system, with supporting documentation of the applicant’s qualifications and achievements. The process is more evaluative than standard permit applications and typically takes 3–6 months.

Benefits

Turquoise Card holders:

• Are not subject to the 1:5 employee ratio rule
• Can work for any employer or independently
• Do not need to renew their work permit
• Have access to residence permits valid for the duration of the work permit

Type 4: Short-Term Work Permit Exceptions

Certain short-term work activities are permitted without a full work permit:

• Training/seminar: Up to 30 days per year for attending or delivering professional training
• Business meetings: Short-term attendance at meetings, negotiations, or contract signings
• Service technicians: Technicians providing installation, maintenance, or repair of equipment sold abroad (up to 30 days per visit)

Note: These exceptions are narrow — any ongoing work engagement requires a full work permit.

Seasonal Work Permits

For agriculture and tourism sectors, seasonal work permits are available for foreign workers needed during peak seasons. These permits are time-limited to the season and are not renewable as long-term permits.

Work Permit Renewal

Permits must be renewed before expiry. The renewal application should be submitted at least 60 days before the current permit’s expiration date, also through the e-Permit system. All employer eligibility criteria are re-checked at renewal.

Work Permit and Residence Permit Interaction

A work permit grants the right to reside in Turkey for the duration of the permit — a separate residence permit (ikamet izni) is not required for work permit holders. However, the work permit must be obtained before or simultaneously with the employee’s long-term residence in Turkey.

For founders/owners who want to reside in Turkey through their company but without an employment relationship, a residence permit based on company ownership is available. See our Residence Permits guide.

Summary Table

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if an employee works without a work permit? Working without a permit is illegal. Both the employee and employer face fines. The employee may be deported, and the employer faces penalties and reputational risk.

Can the work permit application be initiated from abroad? Yes. For applicants outside Turkey, the employer submits the e-Permit application; the employee then applies for a work visa at a Turkish consulate abroad using the permit approval. For applicants already in Turkey with a residence permit, the permit is typically issued without leaving Turkey.

Is the 1:5 ratio (five Turkish employees per foreign employee) strictly enforced? In practice, the first work permit application for a company is often assessed more flexibly. However, as the company hires more foreign employees, the 5:1 ratio becomes more strictly applied. Special investment or sector designations can provide exemptions.

Can a foreign company director get a work permit? Yes. Company directors (müdür) who are foreign nationals and will be working in Turkey need a regular work permit. The company applies on behalf of the director. Note: a director who is a foreigner working in Turkey without an employment contract may need to be hired as an employee or self-employed to obtain a valid work permit.