Work permit exemption, is an exceptional arrangement that enables foreigners carrying out specific activities or possessing one of the special statuses specified in the legislation to work legally in Turkey without obtaining a work permit. However, being within the scope of the exemption does not mean that the foreigner can work without taking any action. As a rule, an exemption application must be made, and upon the conclusion of the application, a work permit exemption document or, depending on the relevant status, a work permit exemption information form must be issued.

In 2026, the work permit exemption can be utilized by foreigners who will engage in scientific, cultural, and artistic activities for certain periods, assembly and technical service personnel, cross-border service providers, certain company partners and executives, researchers, mandatory interns, exchange program participants, professional athletes, tour operator representatives, certain seasonal agricultural workers, and other foreigners enumerated in the legislation.

Special regulations exist regarding Syrians under temporary protection. In addition to work exemptions in seasonal agriculture and livestock breeding, foreigners under temporary protection notified through the system by the Ministry of Interior may also benefit from the exemption only within the scope and duration specified in the notification. This practice does not mean that all Syrians in Turkey are exempt from a work permit for every job and indefinitely.

What is a Work Permit Exemption?

The fundamental rule is that foreigners must obtain a work permit before commencing dependent or independent work in Turkey. A work permit exemption, on the other hand, is a special right to work granted to individuals who are excluded from this general rule due to the type of activity, duration of work, the legal status of the foreigner, or the purpose of their arrival in Turkey.

An exemption is not a type of work permit. However, as long as the exemption certificate is valid, it allows the foreigner to work in Turkey without obtaining a work permit. The scope of the exemption is limited to the activity, duration, and other conditions declared by the foreigner in the application.

A foreigner who holds a work permit exemption cannot work in another job that exceeds the scope of the exemption. For example, a foreigner who obtains a three-month assembly exemption cannot continuously work for a different employer in Turkey based on the same document.

To obtain information about the general work permit system in Turkey work permit for foreigners you may review our guide.

The Difference Between a Work Permit and a Work Permit Exemption

Comparison	Work permit	Work permit exemption
Legal nature	A permit granting the foreigner the right to work	The removal of the obligation to obtain a work permit within a specific scope
Who can benefit?	Foreigners who meet the application conditions	Foreigners explicitly enumerated in the legislation
Evaluation	Employment, financial adequacy, and wage criteria may apply	The exemption category and the conditions pertaining to that category are examined
Duration	Varies depending on the permit type	There is a separate maximum duration for each exemption category.
Employer tie	It is predominantly linked to a specific employer and transaction.	It is limited to the subject matter, duration, and activity of the exemption.
Document	Work permit document	Exemption document or exemption information form

Not every criterion applied for general work permits is strictly required in exemption applications. However, the foreigner must genuinely fall within the chosen exemption category, and their activity must overlap with this category. For general criteria work permit evaluation criteria you can review our article.

Who Can Benefit from Work Permit Exemption?

Exemption categories are regulated under Article 48 of the Implementing Regulation of the International Labour Law. The maximum duration of the exemption and the required documents vary depending on the activity to be performed by the foreigner.

Foreigners to work in scientific, cultural, and artistic activities

Foreigners who will work in Turkey within the scope of scientific, cultural, or artistic activities up to one month may be evaluated within the scope of work permit exemption. An invitation, contract, or assignment document demonstrating the nature and duration of the event, program, or activity must be submitted.

If the activity is to exceed one month, it may be necessary to obtain a work permit appropriate to the foreigner's status. The interpretation that every artist with international achievements is indefinitely exempt is incorrect.

Those arriving for assembly, maintenance, repair, and utilization training purposes

Foreigners arriving for the purpose of providing training on the use of goods and services exported from or imported into Turkey; carrying out the assembly, maintenance, or repair of imported machinery and equipment; providing training on the use of the equipment, taking delivery, or repairing vehicles that have broken down in Turkey up to three months may benefit from the exemption.

The application must include a sales or service contract, invoice, assignment letter, documents demonstrating the qualifications of the technical personnel, and the scope of the operation to be performed in Turkey. The exemption may only be used for the declared technical activity.

Cross-border service providers

Business visitors, contractual service suppliers, and independent professionals providing temporary services in Turkey may, provided they meet the conditions, up to three months obtain a work permit exemption.

It is not sufficient for the exemption that the foreigner receives their salary solely from abroad. The activity to be performed must genuinely possess the character of a temporary cross-border service and must not establish a permanent employment relationship in Turkey.

Company partners, board members, and senior representatives

The following foreigners up to three months may benefit from the work permit exemption:

Foreign board members of joint-stock companies who do not reside in Turkey,
Foreign partners of companies other than joint-stock companies who do not hold an executive title,
Foreigners who will work in Turkey with the authority to represent and bind the company at the highest level, even if they are not partners in the company.

Important: These individuals are not exempt indefinitely throughout the entire duration of their partnership or term of office. According to the current Regulation and the Ministry's schedule, the maximum exemption period for this category is three months. If the foreigner is to act as a company manager or executive in Turkey on a continuous and actual basis, a work permit becomes necessary.

We have explained the effect of a change of employer or assignment on the work permit in our employer change in work permit article.

Foreigners of Turkish descent residing abroad

Foreigners residing abroad who are notified by the Ministry of Interior or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as being of Turkish descent may be evaluated within the scope of up to three months work permit exemption regarding their employment in Turkey.

The foreigner's own declaration or claim of lineage is not sufficient. The status of Turkish descent must be officially reported by the relevant Ministry. For employment lasting longer than three months, Law No. 2527 and the relevant work permit procedures must be evaluated separately.

Foreigners arriving for sporting activities

Foreigners to work within the scope of tournaments, Olympics, winter games, and similar sporting activities up to four months may benefit from the exemption. This category covers temporary sporting organizations.

Professional athletes, trainers, and sports personnel

Provided that they obtain the favorable opinion of the Ministry of Youth and Sports or the Turkish Football Federation and come to Turkey with a sports-annotated visa, professional foreign athletes, trainers, sports physicians, sports physiotherapists, sports mechanics, masseurs, and similar sports personnel may be evaluated within the scope of the exemption for the duration of their contracts.

Signing a contract with a sports club may not be sufficient on its own. The favorable opinion of the relevant federation or public institution and the visa status appropriate for the foreigner's purpose of visit must be verified.

Foreigners to intern within the scope of student exchange programs

Foreigners to intern within the scope of student exchange programs concluded between universities in Turkey and foreign countries and approved by the Council of Higher Education up to four months obtain a work permit exemption.

Being in Turkey within the scope of an exchange program and performing an internship within the scope of this program are distinct matters. The exemption is limited to the internship activity within the scope of the program and approval.

International intern and youth exchange programs

Foreigners who will intern within the scope of international intern student exchange, new graduate intern exchange, or youth exchange programs deemed appropriate by the General Directorate up to twelve months may be exempt. Eligible programs under IAESTE, AIESEC, and Erasmus+ may fall into this group.

Mandatory interns studying in Turkey

Foreign students who are enrolled in a formal education program in Turkey and are required to intern with an employer within the scope of their vocational training may benefit from the work permit exemption, limited to the mandatory internship period.

Not every student work is covered under the internship exemption. The work must be of the nature of a mandatory internship included in the curriculum. If the student works under a standard employment contract, the work permit regulations regarding students shall apply.

Those coming for research, training, and experience enhancement purposes

Foreigners coming to universities and public institutions and organizations to conduct research or to enhance their knowledge and experience, provided that it does not exceed the duration of education up to two years work permit exemption regarding their employment in Turkey.

This category does not allow every foreign academic to work on a permanent staff basis at the university. The actual duties to be performed by the foreigner for the purpose of research, training, or knowledge enhancement must align with each other.

Foreigners who will provide significant contributions in economic, technological, and educational fields

Foreigners whose ability to provide significant service and contribution to Turkey in economic, socio-cultural, technological, or educational fields has been reported by the relevant public institutions and organizations up to six months may obtain an exemption.

It is not sufficient for the applicant to consider themselves important or qualified. The relevant public institution must report the service or contribution to be provided by the foreigner.

Tour operator representatives

Foreigners who will work in Turkey as tour operator representatives up to eight months may be evaluated within the scope of work permit exemption. The foreigner's duties, relationship with the tour operator, and duration of work must be documented.

Foreigners to work in fairs and circuses

Foreigners who will work in fairs and circuses operating outside the boundaries of certified tourism enterprises up to six months may benefit from the exemption.

Seasonal agricultural and livestock workers

Foreigners who will work in seasonal agricultural and livestock jobs determined by the General Directorate up to six months may benefit from the work permit exemption.

As of 2026, the Ministry has announced that foreigners to be employed in seasonal tea and hazelnut agriculture in the provinces of Artvin, Giresun, Ordu, Rize, Samsun, and Trabzon may be evaluated within the scope of the exemption for up to six months.

Foreigners under temporary protection and international protection status who are in Turkey are excluded from this general e-Exemption category. However, there is a separate seasonal agriculture and livestock exemption specific to their status, as explained below.

Seafarers on vessels registered in the Turkish International Ship Registry

Foreign seafarers serving on vessels registered in the Turkish International Ship Registry and operating outside the cabotage line, for which a conformity approval has been obtained from the relevant administration, may be evaluated within the scope of the exemption for the duration of their employment or service contract.

Foreigners assigned to European Union financial cooperation projects

Foreigners assigned to programs or projects carried out within the scope of Turkey–European Union financial cooperation programs may benefit from the work permit exemption for the duration of their assignment.

Those receiving specialty training in medicine and dentistry

Foreigners receiving specialty training within the scope of the Medical Specialty Examination or the Dentistry Specialty Education Entrance Examination may be evaluated within the scope of the exemption for the duration of their specialty training.

Those to be employed in military factories, shipyards, and within MKE

Foreigners to be employed in military factories and shipyards under the Ministry of National Defense and within the Machinery and Chemical Industry Corporation may fall within the scope of the exemption in connection with the durations of their employment or service contracts.

Those serving in institutions affiliated with foreign representations

Foreigners working in schools, cultural institutions, and religious institutions operating under the diplomatic and consular missions of foreign countries in Turkey may be evaluated within the scope of exemption for the duration of their assignment.

In addition, foreigners employed in the private service of persons working at diplomatic or consular missions and international organizations may also obtain an exemption linked to the duration of their employment or service contract.

Table of Work Permit Exemption Durations

Exemption category	Maximum duration
Scientific, cultural, and artistic activity	1 month
Assembly, maintenance, repair, and technical training	3 months
Cross-border service provider	3 months
Certain company partners and executives	3 months
Foreigner of Turkish descent residing abroad	3 months
Sporting activity	4 months
Inter-university exchange program internship	4 months
Seasonal agriculture and animal breeding	6 months
Fair and circus activity	6 months
Significant economic, technological, or educational contribution	6 months
Tour operator representative	8 months
International intern or youth exchange	12 months
Research, enhancement of knowledge and experience	Not to exceed the duration of education, up to 2 years
Mandatory internship	Duration of mandatory internship
Professional athlete and sports personnel	Contract term
Seafarer and special corporate duties	Duration of work, service, or duty

Work Permit Exemption for Syrian Nationals 2026

Regarding Syrian nationals, citizenship and legal status must be distinguished from one another. Not every Syrian citizen holds the same status. An individual may be under temporary protection, residing in Turkey with a residence permit, an international protection applicant, or under another legal status.

Therefore, the general statement that 'Syrians are exempt from work permits' is legally incomplete. Under the current system, the legal basis, specific jobs, provinces, and duration for which the exemption applies must be determined.

New exemption practice for Syrians under temporary protection

Pursuant to the regulation added to the Implementation Regulation on the International Labor Law on October 15, 2024, foreigners who are under temporary protection or humanitarian residence and reported through the system by the Ministry of Interior to the Ministry of Labor and Social Security may be evaluated within the scope of work permit exemption for the scope and duration specified in the notification.

This regulation has come to the agenda more broadly in 2026 regarding Syrians under temporary protection. However, the regulation must be understood correctly:

The exemption does not derive solely from being a Syrian citizen.
The foreigner's temporary protection status and identity registration must be valid.
The individual must be reported by the Ministry of Interior through the system.
The exemption is limited to the scope and duration specified in the notification.
A work permit exemption information form is issued for the foreigner.
When the exemption expires or is terminated, the foreigner's right to work may also terminate.
The employer's obligations under the SSI (Social Security Institution) and labor law remain in effect.

Therefore, this regulation does not mean that all Syrians under temporary protection can work in any sector, with any employer, and without any time limitation. The employer must check the foreigner's current registration and the scope of the exemption information form issued in their name.

Exemption for Syrians in seasonal agriculture and animal husbandry

There is a separate exemption regulation for foreigners under temporary protection who will work in seasonal agricultural or livestock activities. The application is made to the Provincial Directorate of Employment and Labor Agency (İŞKUR) in the province where the foreigner is granted the right to reside under temporary protection.

If seasonal work is to be performed in another province, a travel permit document and special practices regarding the province where the work will be carried out may apply. The Ministry may impose provincial or quota restrictions regarding this exemption.

According to the latest Ministry announcement, foreigners under temporary protection who go from their province of registration to Adana, Antalya, Bursa, Hatay, Isparta, Konya, or Mersin for seasonal agricultural work and who hold a three-month exemption information form may apply to the Provincial Directorate of Employment and Labor Agency (İŞKUR) of the province where they are located for an additional three months before the expiration of the current term. Thus, under appropriate circumstances, the period may be applied as 3+3 months.

The difference between the new exemption and the seasonal agriculture exemption

Comparison	Exemption via system notification	Seasonal agriculture and animal husbandry exemption
Legal basis	Notification within the scope of Article 48/1-ş of the Regulation	Special exemption under temporary protection legislation
Scope	Work and duration specified in the Ministry of Interior notification	Seasonal agricultural or livestock work
Application/procedure	Inter-institutional system notification and information form	Provincial Directorate of Çalışma ve İş Kurumu
Document	Work permit exemption information form	Seasonal work exemption information form
Is it automatic?	No; it depends on the scope of the notification	No; application and registration procedures are required

Exemption for Foreigners Under International Protection

Foreigners who are international protection applicants and conditional refugee status holders who will work in seasonal agricultural or livestock activities may be evaluated within the scope of work permit exemption. Applications are made to the Provincial Directorate of the Turkish Employment Agency (İŞKUR) in the province where the foreigner is granted the right to reside within the scope of international protection.

Unlike the general work permit exemption document, the exemption information form issued to these persons does not replace a residence permit. The foreigner's international protection identity document and right to stay must also remain valid.

Having a stateless person identity document, a victim of human trafficking residence permit, or international protection status does not mean that an automatic work permit exemption is granted in every case. While certain statuses provide exceptional facilitation in work permit evaluations, "exceptional work permit" and "work permit exemption" are not the same concept.

How to Apply for a Work Permit Exemption?

General exemption applications are processed via the e-Exemption system of the Ministry of Labor and Social Security. In special categories, such as seasonal agricultural applications under temporary protection and international protection, transactions may be conducted through the Provincial Directorate of the Turkish Employment Agency (İŞKUR).

Application from within Turkey

A foreigner legally residing in Turkey can log in to the e-Exemption system via e-Government if they have a foreign identity number starting with 99, or with their passport information if they do not have a foreign identity number.

For in-country applications, the foreigner's visa, visa exemption, or other legal stay period must be ongoing. Having the right to legal stay in Turkey does not mean that the person is automatically eligible for their chosen exemption category.

Application from abroad

The foreigner obtains a reference number by applying to the Turkish diplomatic mission in the country of which they are a citizen or where they are legally located. Afterwards, the application is completed by logging into the electronic system using this reference number.

Timely submission of the application

As a rule, the exemption application must be made within thirty days from the foreigner's entry into Turkey and, in any case, before the expiration of the legal stay period. Missing the application deadline may lead to the assessment that the foreigner is carrying out the activity within the scope of the exemption without authorization.

Merely filing an application may not grant the foreigner the right to start working. Actually starting to work before the exemption process is concluded positively creates the risk of administrative sanctions.

Required Documents for Work Permit Exemption

The documents to be submitted vary depending on the chosen category. In general, the following information and documents are requested:

A copy of a valid passport or a document substituting for a passport,
Biometric photograph taken within the last six months,
Information regarding the foreigner's entry and legal stay in Turkey,
Assignment or invitation letter,
Employment, service, project, or internship agreement,
Document indicating the scope and duration of the activity,
Trade registry records for company partners,
Sales, import, maintenance, or assembly contracts for technical personnel,
Student certificate and mandatory internship letter for students,
Invitation from a university or public institution for academic activities,
Federation approval and sports contract for athletes,
Application form and, if applicable, service contract for seasonal agricultural workers,
Sectoral documents such as the Farmer Registration System certificate belonging to the employer.

Passport validity is important. The exemption shall be issued with a validity period sixty days shorter than the validity period of the foreigner's passport or substitute travel document.

For general documents used in work permit files documents required for foreign work permit you may review our article.

Does the Exemption Certificate Replace a Residence Permit?

A duly issued work permit exemption certificate may, as a rule, replace a residence permit during its validity period. However, the exemption certificate replacing a residence permit does not grant the foreigner a right of residence independent of or longer than the exemption period.

issued within the scope of temporary protection, international protection, or humanitarian residence work permit exemption information forms special rules must be taken into consideration. These documents are generally valid together with the foreigner's existing identity or residence document and do not constitute an independent residence status on their own.

Therefore, a categorical assessment such as "every exemption certificate replaces a residence permit" should not be made. The type and legal basis of the document issued on behalf of the foreigner must be examined.

Can Entries and Exits Be Made to Turkey During the Exemption Period?

The work permit exemption certificate may provide the foreigner with multiple entry and exit privileges to and from Turkey, provided that it is within its validity period and the time limits of the exemption category are not exceeded. However, the validity of the document, passport duration, and visa requirements, if any, must be checked together.

Can a Reapplication Be Made for the Same Exemption?

Exemption periods cannot be converted into a continuous right to work through consecutive applications. According to the Ministry's current announcements, under the categories of assembly, maintenance and repair, and cross-border service providers, a new application under the same scope cannot be made unless six months have passed from the date the exemption was issued.

In other exemption categories, as a rule, a re-application under the same exemption scope cannot be made unless a twelve-month period has elapsed. Categories and special practices that permit fractional use under the legislation must be evaluated separately.

Work Permit Exemption Fee and Card Cost

Fees and valuable paper costs vary depending on the exemption period. No fee is charged for exemptions with a duration of less than three months. If the foreigner does not request a physical document, the valuable paper cost may also not accrue.

If the exemption period is three months or more, the work permit exemption fee and the valuable paper cost must be paid. The payment notice is sent to the registered e-mail address of the foreigner. If the payment is not made within thirty days from the date of notification, the application may be rejected.

Different fee practices may apply to special documents, such as seasonal agricultural exemption information forms within the scope of temporary protection or international protection. Therefore, the accrual generated in the system and the type of document must be taken as the basis.

Is SGK Registration Made for a Foreigner with an Exemption?

A work permit exemption does not eliminate the employer's social security and labor law obligations. If the foreign national is employed by a foreign employer, SGK notifications, wage payments, and other employer obligations must be fulfilled in accordance with the relevant legislation.

The exemption relates solely to the obligation to obtain a work permit. It does not allow the employer to employ the foreign national informally, underreport wages, or fail to fulfill occupational health and safety obligations.

For notification periods and employer responsibilities SSI (Social Security Institution) registration and notification periods for foreign employees you can benefit from our article.

What Happens If the Scope of the Exemption Is Exceeded?

The continuation of employment by the foreign national after the expiration of the exemption period, the performance of an activity not specified in the exemption document, or working without obtaining the required exemption document may be deemed unauthorized employment.

In such cases, administrative fines may be imposed on the foreign national and the employer. Depending on the legal status of the foreign national, deportation proceedings and holding the employer liable for certain expenses of the foreign national may also come into question.

For current sanctions penalty for employing unauthorized foreigners 2026 you may review our article.

Rejection and Revocation of the Exemption Application

An application may be rejected if the foreign national does not fall within the selected exemption category, the documents are insufficient, the application is not filed within the prescribed period, or the activity possesses the character of continuous employment requiring a permit.

An issued exemption may be terminated or revoked in the event of submitting forged or misleading documents, the subsequent loss of exemption conditions, the misuse of the document, or the emergence of an obstacle in terms of public order and security.

Rejection is the negative outcome of an application before an exemption is granted. Revocation, on the other hand, is the subsequent termination of an already granted and valid exemption. This distinction is important regarding the legal remedy to be pursued and the consequences of the procedure.

For general grounds for rejection rejection of the work permit application; for the termination of the granted right to work revocation of work permit you may review our articles.

Common Mistakes in Work Permit Exemption Applications

Commencing work without making an application under the assumption that it falls within the scope of the exemption,
Believing that company partners are exempt without limitation during their term of office,
Utilizing assembly and maintenance exemptions for continuous employment,
Presenting a normal employment relationship as a cross-border service,
Reporting a student's regular work as a mandatory internship,
Failure to submit the application within the period following entry into Turkey,
The passport validity period being insufficient for the requested exemption,
Continuing to work even though the exemption period has expired,
Assuming that there are no SSI obligations,
Interpreting the regulations concerning Syrians as an unlimited and automatic exemption.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a foreigner who has a work permit exemption start working immediately?

As a rule, a foreigner within the scope of an exemption must make the necessary application and the exemption process must be concluded positively. Commencing work solely based on the assumption of falling into an exemption category carries risks.

Is the exemption certificate a work permit?

No. An exemption is a distinct legal status that removes the obligation to obtain a work permit for a specific activity and duration.

Is a foreign company partner indefinitely exempt from a work permit?

No. For certain company partners who do not hold a managerial title and managers specified in the legislation, the current exemption period is a maximum of three months.

How many months of exemption can assembly personnel receive?

An exemption of up to three months may be applied for activities such as the installation, maintenance, repair, and operational training of imported or exported machinery and equipment.

Does the exemption certificate replace a residence permit?

A general work permit exemption certificate may replace a residence permit during its validity period. However, special provisions apply regarding exemption information forms associated with protection statuses, and the existing identity or residence document must also remain valid.

Are all Syrian nationals exempt from work permits?

No. Exemption is not solely based on a person's nationality. Temporary protection status, system notification, the scope and duration of the exemption, and the issued information form must be verified together.

Can Syrian nationals work in seasonal agriculture?

Foreigners under temporary protection may work in seasonal agriculture or livestock breeding, provided they meet the conditions and complete the exemption procedures through the relevant Provincial Directorate of the Labor and Employment Agency.

Is SGK registration required for a foreigner with an exemption?

If there is employment under an employer, social security and labor law obligations continue. An exemption does not permit unregistered employment.

Is an exemption of less than three months subject to a fee?

As a rule, exemption fees are not collected for exemptions of less than three months. If a physical document is requested, the valuable paper fee may apply.

Can the exemption period be extended?

The maximum period determined for each category may not be exceeded. If the activity is to continue for longer than this period, it is generally required to apply for a suitable work permit.

Conclusion

A work permit exemption is not a general freedom granted to all foreigners who will work in Turkey. The exemption applies only in terms of the persons, activities, and periods enumerated in the legislation. The foreigner must apply under the correct category, submit the required documents, and not exceed the scope of the exemption.

Particularly with respect to company partners, assembly personnel, interns, and cross-border service providers, it must be carefully examined whether the activity has turned into continuous employment. A work permit must be obtained for work exceeding the exemption period.

The 2026 practice regarding Syrians under temporary protection should also not be interpreted as an automatic and unlimited exemption. The foreigner's temporary protection registration, Ministry of Interior notification, field of work, duration, province, and the exemption information form issued in their name must be evaluated together.

Author Information

Attorney Batın YILMAZ

Istanbul Bar Association Bar Registry No: 77008

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This content is for informational purposes only. It does not aim to advertise, secure business, acquire clients, solicit, claim professional superiority, or guarantee results for any person or institution.

While preparing the content the Professional Rules of the Union of Turkish Bar Associations and the provisions regarding the prohibition of advertising for the legal profession have been observed. The information in this article does not constitute legal counsel or a definitive legal opinion with respect to any specific case.

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