TURKEY WORK PERMIT

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Revised November, 2024 – Resource, Turkish Ministry of Labor and Social Security
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The previous Law 4817 on Work Permit in Turkey for Foreigners has been abolished and the new International Labor Law 6735 (UIK) has entered into force on the date of publication in the Official Gazette No. 29800 dated 13 August 2016. The replacement law in effect, brings important changes to the work permit policy and system quality, while offering faster foreigner work permit application process in the government online system.
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The new law main legislation regulates the non-Turkish citizens entry into Turkish labor market.
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The new law is not as procedural as its predecessor. Rather it regulates foreigners’ entry into the Turkish labor market in a more extensive and disciplined way. One of the most important innovations of the new law is the introduction of a new international labor force policy for Turkey -a selective policy toward managing which immigrants will enter the Turkish labor market.
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The methods and principles concerning work permits issued to foreigners to be employed in Turkey vary by the relevant sector such as education, housekeeping, health sector, aviation, entertainment, and others, as well as with respect to foreign direct investments, special foreign direct investment, professional service, and liaison office.
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WHAT TYPE OF TURKISH WORK PERMIT IN TURKEY DO I HAVE A RIGHT TO OBTAIN?


Turkey Work Permit Foreigner Domestic Application	Turkish Work Permit Foreigner Abroad Application	Turkish Work Permit Under International Protection Law	Turkish Work Permit Under Temporary Protection

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WORK PERMIT APPLICATION IN TURKEY FOR SYRIANS UNDER TEMPORARY PROTECTION
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The access to employment is fully granted in January 2016 by the Government of Turkey, to 3.6 million Syrian refugees under Temporary Protection currently in Turkey. IMPR Humanitarian in partnership with Ministry of Labor and Social Security and UNHCR, has been conducting a project to increase awareness on work permit for Syrians under Temporary Protection since January 2016.
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The following YouTube video explains basics on How to apply for work permit in Turkey under Temporary Protection.

FOREIGNER according to the Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901 any person not in the bond of citizenship with the Republic of Turkey is deemed to be a foreigner.
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DEPENDENT EMPLOYEE means the foreigner that works for wage, salary, commission, etc. at the disposal of one or more employer that has a natural or legal person.
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INDEPENDENT EMPLOYEE means the foreigner that works for and on the account of himself/herself, whether he/she employs other persons or not.
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OBLIGATION OF GETTING WORK PERMIT unless otherwise provided in the bilateral or multi-lateral agreements to which Turkey is a party, the foreigners are obliged to get permission before they start to work dependently or independently in Turkey.
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INDEPENDENT WORK PERMIT may be given to the foreigners, who will work independently, on condition that they have resided in Turkey legally and uninterruptedly for at least five years.
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WORK PERMIT FOR A DEFINITE PERIOD OF TIME is granted to be valid for a maximum period of one year, taking into consideration the situation in the business market, developments in the labor life, sectorial and economic conjuncture changes regarding employment, according to the duration of residence permit of the foreigner and the duration of the service contract or the work, to work in a certain Workplace or enterprise and in a certain job.
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WORK PERMIT EXTENSION after the legal working duration of one year, duration of the work permit may be extended up to three years, on condition of working in the same workplace or enterprise and in the same job. At the end of legal working duration of three years, duration of the working permit may be extended up to six years, on condition of working in the same profession and at the disposal of a desired employer.
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WORK PERMITS FOR INDEFINITE TIME PERIOD unless otherwise provided in the bilateral or multi-lateral agreements to which Turkey is a party, work permit for an indefinite period of time may be given to the foreigners that have resided in Turkey legally and uninterruptedly for at least eight years or that have legally worked for a total of six years, without taking into consideration the conditions in the labor market and the developments in the working life and without restricting to certain enterprise, profession, civil or geographical area.
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1. HOW TO LODGE TURKISH WORK PERMIT APPLICATION IN TURKEY?
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Foreigner may first enter Turkey by electronic e-Visa or sticker Visa. Next to lodge online application for Tourist residence permit ID Card in Turkey. In the case of Work permit application filed in Turkey, foreigners are required to hold valid Residence permit ID Card with remaining term of at least six months thereof Turkish employer may file Work permit applications to the Ministry of Labor and Social Security in Turkey and not to consulates of the Republic of Turkey in the foreigner’s country of citizenship for legal stay. Residence permit with rental property in Turkey is permission to live in Turkey and Work permit is permission to work.
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2. HOW TO LODGE TURKISH WORK PERMIT AND VISA APPLICATION ABROAD?
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In case of Work permit and visa applications filed abroad, foreigners are required to apply at the Turkish Embassy or Consulate missions abroad in the country of which they are a citizen or permanent resident. The application should be accompanied by Labor contract and Company Invitation letter or assignment letter, or document stating your company partnership.
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The employer in Turkey is required to continue application, and submit the required information and documents to the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, either in person or via mail, within ten business days following the date of the candidate’s application to a consulate.
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Consulates of the Republic of Turkey will execute online the procedures for the work permit applications filed abroad. Work permit application is concluded by Ministry of Labor and Social Security and not by Turkish Embassies or Consulates abroad.
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Foreigners who live abroad may, require sponsorship and full support to travel to Turkey on Tourist, Student, Business, or Work visa under the employment procedure in Turkey. With the revised legislation in effect Foreigners who work 5 years in Turkey continuously may earn rights to apply for citizenship in Turkey.
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Foreigners who have signed Turkish employment contract will require work Visa to enter and to start work in Turkey, and who are found fit to meet the conditions set forth in International Labor Law No. 6735 may lodge for Turkish work permit and Visa application from abroad, to live and work, or to retire in Turkey.

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Turkey iResidence is proud to be reference of Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada.

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Turkey iResidence is proud to be reference of DOJ United States Department of Justice.

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Turkey iResidence is proud to be reference of UNDP United Nations Development Agency.