Foreign Work Permit in Turkey: Requirements, Application, Documents, and Rejection

As a rule, foreigners must hold a work permit or a work permit exemption in order to work dependently or independently in Turkey. A residence permit alone does not grant the right to work; establishing a company or becoming a partner in a company does not automatically confer the authority to work on a foreigner either.

Short answer: Work permit applications for foreigners are submitted from within or outside Turkey depending on the foreigner's status in Turkey. As a rule, applications from within Turkey require a residence permit with a validity of at least six months and valid as of the application date. If there is no residence permit, the foreigner applies for a work visa at the Turkish diplomatic mission in the country of which they are a citizen or where they legally reside, and the employer completes the procedures via the e-Permit system. The approval of the application depends not only on the employment contract, but also on the profession, wage, financial structure of the employer, employment criteria, qualifications of the foreigner, and international labor policy.

This guide explains the requirements for a foreign work permit, domestic and international applications, required documents, 2026 evaluation criteria, permit durations, the status of company partners, and legal remedies against refusal decisions.

What is a Foreign Work Permit?

A work permit is an official document issued by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security that grants a foreigner the right to work and reside in Turkey. The scope of the permit is determined based on the type of permit, the employer, the workplace, the profession, and special annotations contained in the document.

The primary regulation is the International Labor Law No. 6735 and the Implementing Regulation on the International Labor Law. Applications are evaluated and decided upon by jointly considering international labor policy, the situation in the labor market, employment and economic developments, the foreigner's education and professional experience, and the nature of the job.

The conditions set forth in the work permit card or electronic records must be examined separately. For the scope of the annotations in the document, work permit annotations guide may be examined.

Does a Residence Permit Grant the Right to Work?

No. Holding a short-term, family, student, or other residence permit does not automatically grant a foreigner the right to work. A residence permit regulates the status of stay in Turkey, whereas a work permit regulates the right to work. Except for special exceptions and exemptions stipulated in the law, a foreigner holding a residence permit must also obtain a work permit.

Conversely, a valid work permit may also substitute for a residence permit during its validity period. This outcome does not eliminate the limitations imposed by the work permit regarding the employer and duties. If the foreigner's employer or job changes, a new application is required in most cases.

What Are the Types of Work Permits in Turkey?

Time-limited work permit

A foreigner whose initial application is evaluated positively may be granted a work permit for a maximum duration of one year, tied to a specific employer and job, not exceeding the duration of the employment or service contract. In the first extension application made with the same employer, a permit can be issued for a maximum of two years, and in subsequent extensions, for a maximum of three years.

An application made to work with a different employer is evaluated based on initial application principles, despite the existence of a previous work permit.

For the one-, two-, and three-year periods applicable to initial and extension applications; the requirement of the same employer, transition to a different employer, and matters taken into account in determining the permit duration, definite work permit 2026 you may review our guide.

Indefinite Work Permit

Foreigners who hold a long-term residence permit in Turkey or have at least eight years of legal work permit can apply for an indefinite work permit. Meeting these conditions does not create an automatically acquired right. The indefinite work permit document is renewed at the end of every five years starting from the beginning of the permit; this procedure does not change the indefinite nature of the permit.

For application requirements, period calculation, granted rights, and document renewal procedures for long-term residence permit holders and foreigners holding a legal work permit for at least eight years indefinite work permit 2026 you may review our guide.

Independent work permit

An independent work permit grants the foreigner the right to work on their own behalf and account, independently of an employer, and is issued for a definite period. In the evaluation, the foreigner's education, professional experience, contribution to science and technology, impact of their activity on the economy and employment, as well as investment and capital structure, may be taken into consideration.

Turkuaz Kart

The Turquoise Card is a special status that can be granted to deemed suitable foreigners, taking into account qualifications such as education, professional experience, contribution to science and technology, and impact on investment and employment. A Turquoise Card holder enjoys the rights provided by an indefinite work permit. Foreigners provided with temporary protection are excluded from the scope of the Turquoise Card.

For detailed information regarding the conditions for highly qualified workforce, investors, scientists, researchers, artists, and athletes, as well as the three-year transition period Turquoise Card 2026 you may review our guide.

What is a Work Permit Exemption?

Work permit exemption is a special status that exempts foreigners determined by legislation from the general obligation to obtain a work permit. However, falling within the scope of exemption does not mean that one can work without any procedure in all cases; depending on the type of activity, it may be required to obtain a work permit exemption certificate by making an application or notification through the Ministry's system.

Being exempt from work permits is not the same as being exempt solely from employment, financial sufficiency, or wage criteria. For persons within the scope of exemption, periods, application procedures, and required documents work permit exemption 2026 you may review our guide.

Where to Apply for a Foreign Work Permit?

Work permit application from within Turkey

According to the official statement of the Directorate General of International Labor , domestic applications are made for foreigners who are in Turkey and hold a valid residence permit for a duration of at least six months. The foreigner must have a foreign identity number starting with 99.

The phrase "at least six months' residence permit" should not be evaluated solely as the remaining validity period of the card on the application date. The total issuance period of the permit, its validity on the application date, and the Ministry's system records must be checked together. Not every residence type may grant the right to apply domestically; the eligibility of the status must be verified prior to application.

Work permit application from abroad

If the foreigner does not hold a residence permit suitable for application from within Turkey, the process is initiated from abroad as a rule. The foreigner applies for a work visa at the Turkish embassy or consulate-general in the country of which they are a citizen or where they legally reside. The reference number provided by the foreign representation is transmitted to the employer, and the employer in Turkey completes the electronic application via the e-Permit system.

The foreign representation phase and the Ministry application are complementary procedures. The validity period of the reference number, the completion of the employer application, and the visa/entry procedures following the permit must be followed in accordance with the current guideline.

Work permit extension application

An extension application must be made starting 60 days before the expiration of the current work permit and, in any event, before the permit expires. An application made after the expiration of the permit is not evaluated as an extension, but according to initial application principles. If employment continues with the same employer, an extension is applicable; if the employer changes, a new/initial application framework comes into question.

With the cancellation or expiration of the work permit, the legal right of residence provided by the work permit may also terminate. A foreigner who will continue to reside in Turkey on another legal ground must, as a rule, apply for a residence permit appropriate to their status within ten days. For application types and the commencement of periods our residence permit transition application guide you may review.

For detailed information regarding the 60-day period during which the application can be made, the obligation to apply before the permit expires, the same employer condition, the required documents, and the right to work while the application is pending work permit extension application 2026 you may review our guide.

A foreigner working under a different employer does not constitute an extension procedure. The existing work permit cannot be transferred to the new employer; a separate permit application must be made by the new employer in accordance with initial application principles. Regarding the status of the current permit, the time of commencement of work, and the matters to be considered in the new application employer change in work permit you may review our guide.

How to Apply for a Work Permit?

1. The application route is determined: Depending on the residence status of the foreigner, the in-country or out-of-country route is selected.
2. The job and duties are defined: The occupation code, duties, salary, and the field of activity of the workplace must be compatible with each other.
3. It is checked whether a prior permit is required: In fields requiring professional qualifications such as healthcare and education, a prior permit may be obtained from the relevant institution.
4. The employment contract is prepared: Fees, duties, working hours, and party information must match the application records.
5. The electronic application is completed: The employer or the authorized user utilizes the Foreigners' Work Permit Application System via e-Government.
6. Documents are uploaded to the system: Documents belonging to the foreigner and the employer shall be submitted up-to-date, legible, and consistent with each other.
7. Missing documents and notifications are tracked: Electronic notifications from the Ministry must be responded to within the statutory period.
8. Obligations are fulfilled following a favorable decision: Procedures regarding fees and valuable paper costs, social security notifications, and actual commencement of employment are tracked.

Electronic applications are officially Foreigners' Work Permit Application System conducted through. Instead of intermediaries or other websites giving an official appearance, the Ministry and e-Government addresses must be used.

What Are the Required Documents for a Work Permit?

The document list varies depending on the application type, employer, sector, and the foreigner's profession. The following documents generally apply in standard applications:

Documents regarding the foreign national	Documents regarding the employer
Copy of the passport and, if applicable, its certified Turkish translation	Employment contract signed by the employer and the foreign national
Diploma or temporary graduation certificate and, if necessary, its certified translation	Trade Registry Gazette showing the current capital and partnership structure
Biometric photograph and foreign identity information	Balance sheet and profit/loss statement for the last year
Foreign representation reference number for applications from abroad	Sector-specific activity, license, or operation certificates
Profession-specific equivalency or pre-approval certificate	Records demonstrating employment and financial adequacy

The Ministry places special importance on passport validity periods. According to official document guidelines, work permits are issued so as not to exceed the date 60 days prior to the passport expiration date; applications made with a passport having less than 60 days of validity as of the application date will not be processed.

Required documents may vary depending on whether the application is made domestically or from abroad, whether the foreigner is an employee or a company shareholder, and the sector of activity. For documents to be prepared by the employer and the foreigner, sector-specific pre-approvals, translation requirements, and the pre-application checklist, documents required for foreign work permit you may review our guide.

2026 Work Permit Evaluation Criteria

There is no single list of requirements for a work permit. Alongside general employment, financial adequacy, and wage criteria, there are provisions specific to the sector, profession, foreigner's status, and company partnership. Current figures and exceptions as of the application date Ministry's work permit evaluation criteria page must be verified.

For detailed information regarding foreigners exempted from the criteria of number of employees, paid-in capital, net sales, exports, wage criteria, and special conditions and criteria applied to company shareholders work permit evaluation criteria 2026 you may review our guide.

Employment criterion

The general rule is that at least five Turkish citizens must be employed for every foreign national sought to be employed in workplaces subject to the balance sheet accounting system. This criterion does not apply up to the first five foreign nationals to be employed in workplaces with net sales of at least 50,000,000 TRY in the last year.

Financial adequacy criterion

For newly established workplaces subject to the balance sheet accounting system, the paid-in capital must be at least 500,000 TRY. For operating workplaces, at least one of the following requirements must be met: paid-in capital of at least 500,000 TRY, net sales of at least 8,000,000 TRY, or exports of at least 150,000 USD.

Wage criterion

The wage to be paid to the foreigner is evaluated based on the gross minimum wage at the application date and the nature of the duties:

Duty or profession	Minimum wage coefficient
Senior executives and pilots	At least 5 times
Engineers and architects	At least 4 times
Other managers	At least 3 times
Jobs requiring expertise and mastery	At least 2 times
Domestic services and other works	At least the minimum wage

There must be consistency between the remuneration stated in the application and the employment contract, payroll, and Social Security Institution declarations. Determining the title contrary to the facts solely to reach a lower or higher wage coefficient may cause problems after the application and approval.

Regarding the minimum wage coefficients to be applied according to job groups, 2026 gross wage amounts, gross-net wage distinction, SSI and payroll compliance, and the consequences of underreporting wages, wage criteria for foreign employees in 2026 you may review our article.

Was the Five Turkish Employees Requirement Abolished in 2026?

The five Turkish employees requirement has not been abolished for all applications. The exemption, which entered into force on August 3, 2026, applies to applications made on behalf of foreigners who have legally resided in Turkey for at least one year within the last three years as of the application date under a work permit, residence permit, or international protection, in-country applications,, and provides for the non-application of employment and financial adequacy criteria, limited to a maximum of three foreigners in the same workplace.

It is essential that the number of foreigners working with a work permit in the workplace within this scope does not exceed the number of Turkish citizen employees. In cases where more than three foreigners will be employed, the general employment and financial adequacy conditions apply again for the fourth and subsequent foreigners. For details of the regulation, 2026 work permit employment criteria our dedicated article on the subject can be reviewed.

Who May Be Exempt from the Evaluation Criteria?

According to the current Ministry criteria, employment, financial adequacy, and wage criteria shall not apply to applications made on behalf of the following persons:

• Foreign nationals whose mother, father, or child is a Turkish citizen,
• Holders of humanitarian residence permits,
• Persons with the status of human trafficking victims,
• Holders of Stateless Person Identity Documents,
• Long-term residence permit holders,
• Foreigners who have been married to a Turkish citizen for at least three years,
• Foreigners who have resided in Turkey for at least eight years under specified residence permit types,
• Foreigners of Turkish descent who meet the requirements,
• Citizens of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

The situation within the scope of the exemption must be proven with official documents. Being exempt from these criteria does not mean that a work permit will necessarily be granted; statutory grounds for refusal and the evaluation of international labor policy shall continue to apply. Regarding the humanitarian residence status in our humanitarian residence permit guide Detailed information is available.

Does Establishing a Company or Becoming a Company Partner Grant a Work Permit?

No. A foreigner establishing a company, becoming a shareholder, or acting as a company manager in Turkey does not grant the right to work on its own. Special criteria regarding capital, partnership share, and employment apply to applications by foreign company partners.

For a foreigner who opens a new workplace or becomes a partner in a workplace subject to the balance sheet method, it is required that the paid-in capital of the workplace is at least 500,000 TRY, the foreigner's capital amount is at least 500,000 TRY, and their partnership share is at least 20 percent. Starting from the seventh month of the initial permit, the employment of at least five Turkish citizens at the workplace every month is essential. If the foreigner's capital share is 100,000 USD or more, the relevant capital, share, and employment conditions in the Ministry's criteria shall not apply.

For the process that varies according to joint-stock, limited liability, sole proprietorships, and other commercial structures, work permit through company establishment you may refer to our article.

Special Conditions by Sector and Profession

General criteria do not meet all the characteristics of every sector. The Ministry may apply special provisions for sectors such as information technology, education, domestic services, healthcare, tourism, aviation, livestock farming, manufacturing, recycling, and others.

• Education: Prior approval from the Ministry of National Education or the Council of Higher Education may be required for positions requiring professional qualifications.
• Healthcare: For healthcare professionals, prior approval from the Provincial Directorate of Health and the activity certificate of the institution may be requested.
• Domestic services: As a rule, childcare, assistance for individuals with disabilities or the elderly, and patient companionship services are taken as the basis.
• Information technology: There may be exceptions to employment and financial adequacy criteria for certain specialized duties.
• Tourism and other sectors: Business licenses, operating permits, and sector-specific employment provisions may apply.

Right to Work for Students and Foreigners Under Protection Status

The right to work for foreign students studying in Turkey is subject to special conditions such as the level of education, completion of the first year of study, part-time work rules, and the continuation of the student residence permit. For detailed information right to work for foreign students in Turkey 2026 you may review our guide.

The employment procedures for foreigners under temporary protection, international protection applicants, conditional refugees, refugees, and subsidiary protection statuses differ from one another. For waiting periods, registered provinces, quotas, and exemption conditions right to work for holders of temporary protection and international protection you may review our article.

Are There Professions That Foreigners Cannot Practice?

Yes. Certain professions and duties are reserved for Turkish citizens by special laws. Attorneyship, notary public, private security guard, pharmacy, and other jobs included in the Ministry's current list cannot be performed by foreigners. The prohibition of a profession constitutes an obstacle to granting a work permit even if the employer and the foreigner meet all other conditions.

Prior to the application Current official list of professions reserved for Turkish citizens must be verified.

How Long Does It Take to Conclude a Work Permit Application?

The statutory evaluation period for duly filed and complete applications is, as a rule, 30 days. The calculation of the period may change if incomplete information or documents are requested, opinions are obtained from relevant institutions, or the application requires special examination. Therefore, a guarantee of results stating that 'a permit will definitely be issued in 30 days' cannot be given.

The application status must be tracked through the Ministry's official system; electronic notifications and missing document notices must be checked regularly.

Why is a Work Permit Denied?

The rejection of an application is not based on a single reason. In practice, the following issues may lead to a rejection result:

• Non-compliance with international labor policy or evaluation criteria,
• Failure of the employer to meet employment or financial qualification requirements,
• The wage being below the level stipulated for the position,
• Incompatibility of the foreigner's educational or professional qualifications with the position,
• Lack of required preliminary permits or professional authorization certificates,
• The work falling within professions reserved for Turkish citizens,
• Submission of incomplete, contradictory, or misleading information and documents,
• Existence of a legal impediment regarding the foreigner concerning entry into Turkey, public order, or security,
• The passport lacking the required validity period.

In a rejection decision, not only the conclusion but also the factual and legal grounds upon which the administrative act is based must be examined. Which option—reapplying after rectifying deficiencies, filing an administrative appeal, or initiating a lawsuit—is appropriate is determined based on the specific decision.

For how the grounds for rejection will be examined, the difference between reapplying after rectifying deficiencies and filing an administrative appeal, the impact of the rejection decision on the foreigner's residence status, and legal application options, rejection of the work permit application you can review our detailed guide on.

How to Appeal a Work Permit Denial?

Pursuant to Law No. 6735, an objection may be lodged with the Ministry within 30 days from the date of notification against the decisions of the Ministry rejecting a work permit or work permit exemption application. In the event that the objection is rejected, judicial review may be sought through administrative jurisdiction.

The petition of appeal must not consist of generic statements. The grounds for refusal, the criteria in effect as of the application date, employer records, the foreign national's professional qualifications, and the documents submitted to the system must be compared. Submitting missing documents subsequently and objecting to the application of unlawful criteria do not constitute the same legal defense.

The statutory filing period and the competent court must not be finalized without reviewing the served administrative action and the appeal process. If an administrative lawsuit is contemplated, the refusal decision, electronic service records, application form, uploaded documents, and appeal records must be preserved together. Regarding applications and lawsuits within the scope of immigration and foreigners law our immigration law service page contains general information.

Are the Revocation of a Work Permit and the Denial of an Application the Same Thing?

No. In a refusal decision, a valid work permit has not yet been issued on behalf of the foreign national. In a revocation, however, a previously granted work permit is rendered invalid prior to its expiration due to a legal ground. For grounds of revocation, resignation, the 15-day notification period, its effect on the right of residence, and remedies of appeal, revocation of work permit 2026 you may review our guide.

Consequences of Working Without a Work Permit

Administrative fines may be imposed on a foreign national working without a work permit and the employer employing such foreign national. Unauthorized work by a foreign national may also entail consequences regarding their immigration law status and may be subject to deportation evaluation in the specific case. Since the amounts of administrative fines vary according to revaluation rates, the official schedule as of the application date must be verified.

The mere submission of a work permit application does not mean that work may commence before a permit decision is rendered. Unless a statutory exception applies, a foreign national must not be actually employed before the permit becomes effective.

For detailed information regarding the 2026 administrative fines that may be imposed on the employer and the foreign national in case of unauthorized employment of foreigners, the distinction between dependent and independent employment, increased sanctions in case of recidivism, deportation assessments, and the foreign national's repatriation expenses, penalty for employing unauthorized foreigners 2026 you may review our guide.

Most Common Mistakes Made in Applications

• Assuming that a residence permit grants the right to work,
• Misevaluating the residence permit requirements for inland applications,
• Creating discrepancies among job duties, occupational codes, diplomas, and remuneration,
• Assuming that the requirement of employing five Turkish nationals has been lifted for all applications,
• Attempting to obtain sector-specific pre-approvals after application,
• Assuming company partnership grants an automatic right to work,
• Failing to check passport validity and extension application deadlines,
• Failing to monitor electronic requests for missing documents and official notifications,
• Disregarding obligations set forth in work permit annotations.

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Foreign Work Permits

How to obtain a work permit in Turkey?

The domestic or international application route is determined according to the status of the foreigner. The employer completes the application through the e-Permit system using the employment contract and required documents. The Ministry examines the legal conditions and evaluation criteria regarding both the foreigner and the employer.

How many months of residence are required to apply for a work permit from within the country?

As a rule, a residence permit with a validity of at least six months and valid as of the application date is required. However, the type of residence permit and the special status of the foreigner must also be checked.

Has the requirement of employing five Turkish employees for the work permit been lifted?

No, the general rule has not been completely abolished. An exception, limited to a maximum of three foreigners at the same workplace, applies to certain domestic applications made on behalf of foreigners who meet the legal stay requirement of at least one year within the last three years.

Does a foreign national who establishes a company automatically obtain a work permit?

No. Establishing a company or becoming a partner in a company does not grant the right to work. Capital, share, and employment criteria regarding the foreign company partner are evaluated separately.

For how many years is the initial work permit granted?

A temporary work permit can be issued for a maximum of one year upon initial application, provided that it does not exceed the duration of the employment or service contract.

Can the existing work permit be used when the employer changes?

A work permit tied to a specific employer cannot be used directly under another employer. An application made for a different employer is evaluated based on initial application principles.

Within how many days must an appeal be filed against a work permit rejection?

An objection may be filed with the Ministry within 30 days from the notification of the rejection decision. If the objection is rejected, judicial review in the administrative courts may be considered.

Can one start working upon filing the work permit application?

As a rule, no. The submission of an application does not substitute for a permit; working de facto without a work permit or legal exemption may result in sanctions.

Conclusion

The foreign work permit process is not limited to merely filling out an electronic form. The selection of the correct application route, the alignment of the foreigner's profession with their duties and remuneration, the employer's employment and financial structure, sector regulations, passport validity, and the consistency of the documents must be evaluated together. Although exemptions introduced in 2026 facilitate certain applications, the criteria regarding five Turkish employees and financial adequacy have not been completely abolished.

Last updated: September 8, 2026. Since work permit criteria and monetary thresholds are subject to change, current announcements by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security must be checked as of the application date.

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