The foreign entrepreneurs who want to open a company in Turkey and work in this country should know they need a work and residence permit. The work permit can be obtained even if the applicant is outside Turkey, but he prepares all the necessary documents and sends them to the Turkish authorities.

The foreign citizens who live in their country of residence or citizenship must go to a Turkish consulate or embassy in order to apply for a work permit. The foreigners who have already had a residence permit can send the necessary documents directly to the Ministry of Labor in Turkey.

Documents you need for work permit

If you want to send from your country of residence/citizenship the necessary documents for obtaining a work permit, you need the following:

passport
work visa application
one photo
one copy of the employment contract.

On the other hand, the employer must send an application for the employee to the Ministry of Labor in Turkey. The work permit procedure takes around one month, if all the required documents are sent. If the applicant for work permit needs a residence permit in Turkey too, he has to apply to the Foreign’s Branch of the Local Police no later than 30 days since his arrival in Turkey. The foreign citizens who have a residence permit in Turkey, with a validity for minimum six months can go directly to the Ministry of Labor and apply for work permit.

Foreigners with a residence permit in Turkey that is valid for minimum 6 months, except for residence permits for educational purposes, can apply directly to the Ministry of Labor and Social Security for obtaining a work permit. More about the formalities for residency in Turkey in 2023 can be offered by our specialists.

The Ministry of Labor in Turkey and the Consulates overseas can issue a single-entry visa for those interested in employment purposes in this country. In most cases, such a visa can be issued in approximately 30 days.

Documents for residence permit

The foreign citizens who want to work in Turkey or only live in this country must obtain a residence permit in Turkey before they start to work and in no more than 30 days after they come to Turkey.

The foreigners who intend to live for a long period in Turkey, must present, at the Police Office, the following acts:

four passport photos and the passport
copies of the pages of the passport
a bank statement proving that the applicant has minimum USD 300 for each month he intends to stay in Turkey.

The applicants who want to work in Turkey must send to the Turkish authorities also the original and a copy of the work permit. Many citizens who obtain the work and residence permit in Turkey plan to get married here (or in an exotic destination nearby like Dubai) and start a family in this country and they decide to live for a long period of time here.

In the case of refugees in Turkey, such persons do not need to apply for a work and residence permit. However, if they want to engage in specific jobs in Turkey, the authorities can issue a specific identity document that substitutes the work and residence permit.

Extending the Turkish work permit

Foreign citizens seeking to remain in Turkey based on their employment permits are allowed to apply for an extension of the current visa with the Ministry for Labor and Social Security. The application can be filed online and must be accompanied by the following supporting documents:

the current work permit;
information about the employer;
copy of the applicant’s passport;
proof of the residence visa.

Other documents could also be requested in case the foreign employee is a professional or is part of an association of professionals. Also, starting with 2015 foreign employees can prolong their Turkish work visas if they have passports with a minimum validity period of 6 months.

The salaries of employees in a company are calculated with payroll services in Turkey. The hours worked, benefits, medical and/or maternity leave as well as the taxes that must be paid by employees and employers will be taken into account. In this approach, dedicated programs are used for the calculation and distribution of salaries, but to find out all the details in this direction, we recommend that you contact our company with confidence.

When it comes to graduate students in Turkey, they can work in this country with a work permit without having to apply for a residence permit too. This condition is available during the work permit period in Turkey.

Hiring foreign employees in 2023

As mentioned above, Turkish companies hiring foreign workers are also required to file certain documents with the Trade Register, but also with the Ministry of Employment. They are also required to comply with certain conditions imposed by the government. Among these are:

- the company must have at least 5 Turkish employees at the moment where the application for a work permit for the foreign worker is filed;
- the paid-up capital of the company must be at least 100,000 TRY;
- a minimum salary must be secured for the foreign employee.

Foreign citizens who want to open a business in Turkey can choose a limited liability company, one of the most beneficial entities, with simple registration formalities. With regard to the employment of foreign workers, additional attention is needed to the documents and visas required by this directive. The entry visa to Turkey and the work permit are the main documents to be taken into account for hiring foreign workers, so it is recommended to call our specialists and see how you can be helped.

Regulations for branches and work permits in Turkey

According to the Foreign Investments Law 4875, international companies wanting to establish a branch in Turkey must hold a capital of about TRY 1.888.190 and a turnover of around TRY 142 million/year. Also, another important requirement refers to the staff hired in the foreign company, meaning that at least 250 employees need to be registered. Among these employees, a senior manager, auditors, and technical personal are needed for opening a branch in Turkey.

All the requirements for opening a branch in Turkey can be explained by one of our Turkish lawyers who can also handle the formalities with the entitled authorities.

Benefits of work permits in Turkey

The Residence and Work Permit in Turkey are the same thing with the Investor Residency Permit and foreigners living in this country have numerous advantages. Among these, foreigners can receive free treatments in all hospitals and clinics in Turkey, can obtain the Turkish citizenship after 5 years of living in the country, can benefit from the investment incentives offered by the Turkish government and can benefit from pension after the age of 60.

Are children included in the work permit in Turkey?

Yes, children of foreigners who apply for a work permit in Turkey in 2023 are added to the work permit if they are under 18 years of age. Otherwise, if they are older than this age, they must apply for a work permit. It is good to know that there are restrictions in the case of siblings like sisters and brothers who cannot be added to the work residency permit in Turkey. However, parents of more than 64 years of age are allowed to be present on the same Turkish work permit. Do not hesitate to talk to one of our Turkish attorneys and find out more about the legal aspects for obtaining a work permit in Turkey.

The duration of a work permit in Turkey

A work permit in Turkey is valid for one year but it can be renewed for two and then three years. We remind that the application for the Turkish citizenship can be made after 5 years of living in Turkey. Instead of dealing with the formalities for obtaining a work permit or the Turkish citizenship as a foreigner in this country, it is best to ask for the support of a team of lawyers in Turkey who is specialized in this field. This is where you can talk to our Turkish attorneys and ask for immediate legal advice.

Health insurance for foreigners in Turkey

Foreigners who obtain the work and the residence permit in Turkey must have a health insurance that needs to cover the entire stay in Turkey. This is a mandatory condition that foreigners must respect at the time they make an application for obtaining a work permit.

Citizenship by investment in Turkey

Since 2017, Turkey has been offering an attractive investment program for citizens who will receive citizenship. Such a program involves a minimum investment such as the purchase of a property worth EUR 250,000 but provided that the property is not sold for at least 3 years. Here are other details related to Turkish citizenship for foreign investors:

Investments of over EUR 500,000 in companies, equipment, production, or land guarantee the citizenship of the applicant, but also of his family.
An important benefit of this investment program for guaranteeing citizenship is that this status can be obtained in approximately 3 months from the date of application.
Applicants applying for this program must provide proof of source of income. The Turkish authorities have the power to carry out the necessary checks and can request additional information from foreigners who want to acquire citizenship.
It is important to know that there are no restrictions on the type of property that a foreign national wants to acquire. Investments in residential properties, land, etc. are accepted.
It is not accepted to register a property in the name of the company owned by a foreign citizen, or members of his family.

Our specialists in immigration and related aspects can provide the necessary guidance and advice for foreigners interested in Turkish citizenship. We can manage the entire process in a fast and reliable manner, as we want to achieve the best possible outcome for our customers.

Update for African citizens - Work and residence permits

The Turkish work visas applications of citizens from countries like Somalia, Cameroon, Nigeria, and Ghana can be overseen by one of our experts in immigration even if commenced outside Turkey. The rest of the countries remain subject to the same work and visa applications implicating the Turkish Consulates or Embassies. In terms of documents, the Turkish authorities solicit the work contract from employers, a clear criminal record, a biometric passport, a company invitation letter, plus a polio certificate. You can solicit complete assistance from our local specialists who closely work with the Turkish Ministry of Labor and Social Security, regardless of the country you come from.

Long-term residence in Turkey – Extra details for foreigners

It is important to know that long-term residence in Turkey is offered to foreigners who have lived in this country for at least 8 years. There are a number of documents that must be prepared in order to apply for long-term residence in Turkey, and among these, we mention the following:

• Copy of the previous residence permit.
• Proof that you have not received social assistance from the Turkish state in the last three years.
• Financial details to show that you have sufficient funds to live in Turkey.
• Valid medical insurance or proof of payment of health contributions. Private medical insurance is also accepted.

We remind you that long-term residence permit in Turkey is valid for an indefinite period, and therefore, there will be no need to extend it. Our immigration specialists are at your disposal with the necessary support to obtain a long-term residence in Turkey.

FAQ about work permits in Turkey

1. Can I apply for a work permit in Turkey from my country of residence?

Yes, you can apply for a work permit in Turkey from the consulate or embassy in the home country. In addition, you can talk to one of our Turkish lawyers and receive legal advice for your application.

2. How much does it cost a work permit in Turkey?

Approximately USD 1000 is the cost for a work permit in Turkey (fees, taxes, etc.).

3. Can children be included in the work residency permit?

Yes, children under the age of 18 can be included on the application for a work visa for Turkey.

4. Do I need medical insurance for obtaining a work permit in Turkey?

The health insurance is needed at the time a foreign citizen obtained a work permit for Turkey.

5. How long does it take to apply for the Turkish citizenship?

Foreigners must live at least 5 years in Turkey until they can apply for the Turkish citizenship.

Investments in Turkey

Turkey remains appealing to international investors who want to generate money in this highly developed market that has solid ties with numerous economic destinations. The geographic location is definitely a huge advantage for international investors looking for business in Turkey. The tourism sector is among the thriving fields in Turkey that registers millions of dollars in profits each year. Below are facts and statistics about investments in Turkey:

Approximately USD 165 billion represented the total FDI stock for Turkey in 2019;
Turkey is the second largest FDI recipient in the western part of Asia, after Israel;
15.8% rate of the total foreign investments in Turkey was implemented by the Netherlands, one of the major investors in the country;
Turkey ranked 33rd out of 190 international economies, according to the “World Bank 2020 Doing Business” report.

Working with our agents in Turkey

Quality services make the difference for customers who work with us. The support needed to open a business in Turkey is provided from the very beginning, and where appropriate, our clients will receive assistance with work and residence permits in Turkey in 2023. Our specialists have experience in various fields and can help foreigners who want to relocate to Turkey, in a fast and reliable manner. You can rely on professionalism, transparency, and efficiency when collaborating with our specialists, so do not hesitate to ask for a free case evaluation.

If you need more information about the work/residence permits or you need to set up a company in Turkey, you can contact our local company formation agents.

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Call us now at +90 532 351 66 77 to set up an appointment with Cagatay Altunsoy, one of our specialists in company formation in Istanbul, Turkey. Alternatively you can incorporate your company without traveling to Turkey.

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Work and Residence Permit in Turkey