Right to Work for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection and International Protection 2026

Not all foreigners under temporary protection and international protection are subject to the same employment regime. As a rule, a temporary protection identification document does not substitute for a work permit on its own. Conversely, identification documents of holders of refugee and subsidiary protection statuses do substitute for a work permit. Conditional refugees and international protection applicants may apply for a work permit six months after the application date.

In June 2026, regarding Syrians under temporary protection, instead of a work permit, work permit exemption A new era regarding the implementation of the policy was announced to the public. However, a work permit exemption does not mean that a foreigner can work without any registration, notification, or documentation. The scope of the exemption, field of work, duration, and administrative procedures to be carried out must be independently verified against current regulations.

In this guide, the employment rights of foreigners provided with temporary protection, international protection applicants, conditional refugees, refugees, and holders of subsidiary protection statuses are examined separately. The six-month period, registered province, employment quota, work permit exemption, application process, SSI, wages, change of employer, and consequences of unauthorized employment are explained.

What is the Difference Between Temporary Protection and International Protection?

Temporary protection and international protection are not legally the same status. Temporary protection is a collective protection regime applied to foreigners arriving in Turkey in mass influx situations for whom individual status determination procedures cannot be conducted. A significant portion of Syrians in Turkey fall under this scope.

International protection, on the other hand, is an individual status determination process conducted by examining the foreigner's personal situation and the risks they would face if they were to return to their country of origin. Within the international protection system, applicant, refugee, conditional refugee, and subsidiary protection statuses are distinguished from one another.

Legal Status	General Rule Regarding Employment	Six-month period	Does the identification document serve as a work permit?
Temporary protection	A work permit or a work permit exemption under the 2026 practice is required	As a rule, six months from the date of the identification document	No
International protection applicant	Can apply for a work permit	Six months from the application date	No
Conditional refugee	Can apply for a work permit	Six months from the date of the international protection application	No
Refugee	May work as an employed or self-employed person	There is no waiting period	Yes
Subsidiary protection	May work as an employed or self-employed person	There is no waiting period	Yes

This distinction not only determines through which system and by whom the application will be made, but is also significant in terms of work permit quotas, provincial limitations, and employer obligations.

Legal Basis of the Right to Work

The employment rights of foreigners under temporary and international protection are primarily governed under Law No. 6458 on Foreigners and International Protection with International Workforce Law No. 6735 .

The Regulation on Temporary Protection and the Regulation on Work Permits of Foreigners Provided with Temporary Protection apply with respect to temporary protection beneficiaries, whereas the Regulation on the Work of International Protection Applicants and International Protection Status Holders applies with respect to those under international protection.

When determining the scope of the right to work, one must look not only at the nationality of the foreigner, but also at their current identification document and legal status. For instance, not every foreigner who is a Syrian citizen is under temporary protection. Similarly, the terms "refugee," "asylum seeker," and "international protection applicant" cannot be used interchangeably in legal terms.

Right to Work for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection

Temporary protection is a form of protection applied to foreigners who have been forced to leave their country, cannot return, and for whom individual international protection status determination procedures cannot be carried out due to a mass influx. The general framework of this status is detailed on the Presidency of Migration Management's temporary protection information page .

The temporary protection identification document provides the foreigner with the opportunity of legal stay in Türkiye. However, this identification document does not constitute a work permit on its own. In order for the foreigner to work legally, they must hold a work permit or a work permit exemption certificate in accordance with the current system to be applied.

Six-Month Period for Temporary Protection Identification

Foreigners provided with temporary protection within the scope of Law No. 6735 may apply for a work permit or a work permit exemption six months after the issuance date of the temporary protection identification document.

In the calculation of the six-month period, the date of issuance and registration of the temporary protection identification document is taken as the basis, rather than the foreigner's initial date of entry into Türkiye. In the event that the identification document has been canceled, deactivated, or lost its validity, the mere expiration of the six-month period shall not be sufficient for the application.

Principle of Working in the Registered Province

One of the fundamental rules regarding the work permits of foreigners under temporary protection is that the foreigner must work in the province where they are authorized to reside under temporary protection. The province registered on the identity document must match the province where the workplace is located.

A travel permit may allow a foreigner to travel to another province for a specific period; however, it does not mean in itself that the temporary protection registration has been transferred to another province. If continuous employment is planned in another province, the registration province, workplace address, and necessary transfer procedures must be evaluated separately.

Commencing actual work outside the registration province may pose risks regarding the validity of the work document, temporary protection registration, and administrative sanctions.

2026 Work Permit Exemption for Syrians

With official announcements made in June 2026, in order to facilitate access to registered employment for Syrians under temporary protection, work permit exemption it has been announced that a transition to the model has taken place. This amendment creates a significant difference in terms of the administrative certification of the foreigner's right to work.

However, a "work permit exemption" and "not needing a work permit or any registration" are not the same thing. A foreigner subject to the exemption application within the scope of Law No. 6735 must be determined to be within the scope of the exemption, and the necessary exemption document or system registration must be established.

Therefore, it is not appropriate for the employer to start employing the foreigner solely by viewing the temporary protection identity document. The following matters must be checked:

• Whether the temporary protection registration is up-to-date and active,
• Whether the required period has elapsed since the issuance of the identity document,
• The compliance between the province where the foreigner is registered and the province where the workplace is located,
• Whether the work to be performed falls within the scope of the exemption,
• through which system the exemption application or notification will be made,
• the validity period of the exemption certificate and its connection to the employer or workplace,
• how SGK employment entry and wage notification will be processed,
• whether a prior authorization from another institution is required for the profession.

Obtaining an exemption certificate does not eliminate the employer's obligations regarding social security, wages, occupational health and safety, and labor law. Furthermore, a foreigner working in a job outside the scope of the exemption or acting in violation of the limitations in their certificate may be deemed to have worked without a permit.

Regarding applications concerning exemption procedures, the Ministry's e-Exemption system and current implementation guidelines must be checked.

Did the 2026 Exemption Completely Abolish the Old Work Permit System?

The existence of an exemption practice does not mean that every foreigner under temporary protection can work without restriction in any profession and workplace. The persons, sectors, jobs, and periods for which the exemption applies may be restricted by administrative regulations.

Particularly in professions subject to professional prior authorization by another public institution, such as medicine, teaching, engineering, or others, a work permit exemption alone may not be sufficient. Professional qualifications, diploma equivalence, and the prior authorization of the relevant institution may additionally be required.

It poses a significant risk for an employer to conclude that "no further procedures are required" simply by looking at the foreigner's temporary protection ID. The exemption must be verified and documented, retained in the employer's personnel file, and SGK procedures must be carried out in a timely manner.

Special regulations concerning foreigners under temporary protection must be evaluated separately from other types of work permit exemptions in the legislation. For information regarding general exemption categories, durations, and application procedures, work permit exemption 2026 you may review our guide.

10 Percent Quota in Temporary Protection Work Permits

Under the standard work permit system applied to foreigners under temporary protection, as a rule, the number of foreigners under temporary protection working in the workplace where the work permit application is made cannot exceed 10 percent of the number of Turkish citizens working in the same workplace.

In workplaces with a total number of employees of less than 10, it may be possible to issue a work permit for one foreigner under temporary protection, provided that at least one Turkish citizen is employed.

If the employer documents through İŞKUR records that they could not find a Turkish citizen capable of performing the work during the four-week period preceding the application, the application of the quota requirement may come into question. However, this exception does not apply automatically; the employer must document the labor demand and the inability to find a suitable employee.

Within the scope of the exemption system announced in June 2026, it must be additionally verified for which jobs and sectors the quota continues to apply. It should not be assumed that the old quota rule established for work permits will be applied identically to the exemption certificate without any evaluation, or that it has been completely abolished.

Exemption in Seasonal Agricultural and Livestock Works

Special work permit exemptions may apply to holders of temporary protection, international protection applicants, and conditional refugees in seasonal agricultural or livestock jobs.

This exemption does not grant the absolute right to work without notification. The application must be made through the authorized unit in the province where the foreigner is registered, and the exemption record must be created. The province's agricultural labor force needs and quotas determined by the relevant authorities may be taken into account.

Seasonal work exemption does not allow the foreigner to work in a workplace other than agriculture or livestock. For example, a person cannot work in a factory, restaurant, or construction job with an exemption certificate related to agricultural activity.

Right to Work of International Protection Applicants

A foreigner who applies for international protection may apply for a work permit six months after the application date. The international protection applicant identification document does not substitute for a work permit on its own.

Applications for dependent employment are submitted by the employer who will employ the foreigner via the Ministry's electronic system. The foreigner's identification number, registration province, application status, and the validity status of the identification document are reviewed through the system.

If the international protection file of the applicant foreigner has been withdrawn, dismissed, rejected, or if the identification document has become invalid, the work permit application may also be affected. Therefore, simply having the physical ID card is not sufficient; the current status of the legal status must be checked.

Right to Work of Conditional Refugees

Conditional refugee status is granted to foreigners who meet the conditions for international protection due to events occurring outside of European countries and who are permitted to reside in Turkey until they are resettled in a third country.

Conditional refugees may apply for a work permit six months after the date of their international protection application. This period is calculated from the date the international protection application was made, not from the date the status decision was rendered.

The conditional refugee identity document does not substitute for a work permit. Therefore, the foreigner must not start working under an employer before the work permit application is approved.

Right to Work of Refugee Status Holders

A foreigner with refugee status may work, either dependently or independently, as of the date they acquire such status. The refugee identity document issued by the Presidency of Migration Management serves as a work permit.

A conventional work permit application is not additionally required for these individuals. However, the employer must verify the foreigner's identity document and status, register the employee with the SSI (Social Security Institution), and fulfill all obligations arising from labor law.

The identity document serving as a work permit does not mean that professions prohibited to foreigners can be practiced or that professional pre-approvals are not required.

Right to Work of Subsidiary Protection Status Holders

Subsidiary protection is an international protection status granted to foreigners who cannot be considered refugees or conditional refugees, but who would face a serious threat of the death penalty, torture, inhumane treatment, or serious threats due to armed conflict if returned to their country of origin.

A foreigner with subsidiary protection status may work, either dependently or independently, as of the date they acquire such status. The subsidiary protection identity document serves as a work permit.

Regarding the current distinction made by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security between statuses foreigners provided with international protection can be accessed via the page.

For Whom Is a Work Permit Application Made?

Status	Action to be taken	The applicant
Temporary protection	Work permit or exemption procedure according to the current system	The employer or the authorized applicant pursuant to the exemption regulation
International protection applicant	Work permit after six months	Employer in dependent employment
Conditional refugee	Work permit after six months	Employer in dependent employment
Refugee	Identity document substitutes for a work permit	A separate work permit application is not required
Subsidiary protection	Identity document substitutes for a work permit	A separate work permit application is not required

How to Apply?

For statuses subject to a work permit, applications for dependent employment shall be submitted by the employer who will employ the foreign national e-Permit system via . For foreigners under temporary protection and international protection, the relevant application type must be selected in the system.

1. The foreigner's identity document and status are verified.
2. It is determined whether they are subject to the six-month period.
3. The validity of the ID and the registered province are examined.
4. An employment contract is drafted between the employer and the foreign national.
5. The workplace, position, salary, and workplace address are entered into the system.
6. Required documents are uploaded to the electronic application.
7. The application is completed using an electronic signature or a verification method accepted by the system.
8. Once the application is approved, SSI and employment commencement procedures are carried out.

Application options established by the Ministry for temporary and international protection work permit application types is located on the page.

What Are the Required Documents?

The documents that may be requested in the application may vary depending on the foreigner's status, the employer's legal structure, the nature of the work, and the sector. Generally, the following documents are prepared:

• Valid temporary protection or international protection identity document,
• Biometric photograph of the foreigner,
• Employment contract signed by the employer and the foreigner,
• Activity and registration documents of the workplace,
• Trade Registry Gazette or artisan registry documents,
• Employer's balance sheet and financial adequacy documents,
• Diploma or vocational qualification certificate for the position,
• If necessary, preliminary permit obtained from the relevant public institution,
• İŞKUR labor demand and documents demonstrating quota exemption,
• Documents demonstrating the grounds for exemption in exemption applications.

For details regarding application documents documents required for foreign work permit you may review our guide.

Fees and SSI Obligations

The status of a foreigner under temporary or international protection does not eliminate minimum wage and social security rights. The wage to be paid to the employee shall under no circumstances be determined below the current minimum wage. For positions such as specialized roles, management, engineering, or architecture, wage criteria determined by the Ministry according to the profession may apply.

Regarding current wage coefficients wage criteria for foreign employees in 2026 information can be obtained from our article.

For a foreigner for whom a work permit or exemption certificate is issued, the employer must fulfill SSI (Social Security Institution) employment entry and premium notifications within the statutory period. Obtaining an exemption certificate does not mean that the foreigner can be employed without social security.

For work permits granted from within the country, the foreigner must commence work by fulfilling social security obligations within one month from the start date of the permit. The employer must also make timely notifications regarding the commencement and termination of work, as well as situations requiring the cancellation of the permit. Current explanations are available on the Ministry's social security of foreign employees page.

Professions Prohibited for Foreigners

The identity document substituting for a work permit or the foreigner holding a work permit exemption does not grant the right to practice professions reserved for Turkish citizens.

Professions such as attorneyship, notary public, private security guard, customs consultancy, and certain other professions reserved for Turkish citizens under relevant special laws cannot be practiced by foreigners. In fields such as health and education, apart from citizenship prohibitions, diploma equivalency and prior approval from the relevant institution may be required.

Before applying, compliance with the legislation should be examined based on the work the foreigner will actually perform, rather than the job title. Permits or exemptions obtained with misrepresentative job descriptions may be subsequently revoked.

Is a New Application Required in Case of Change of Employer?

A timed work permit issued on behalf of a specific employer does not grant the foreigner the right to work for another employer. If the foreigner is going to change employers, a new work permit application must be submitted by the new employer.

Regarding the work permit exemption, it must also be examined whether the document is restricted in terms of the person, employer, workplace, sector, or activity. If the exemption certificate does not cover the new employer or the new job, work must not commence without completing the necessary procedures.

For detailed information employer change in work permit you can check our guide.

Consequences of Working Without a Work Permit or Exemption

Administrative fines may be imposed separately pursuant to Law No. 6735 on the foreign national working without a work permit or the required exemption certificate and on the employer employing the foreigner. In case of recurrence, the penalties may be increased.

The situation of a foreign national determined to be working without authorization shall be reported to the Ministry of Interior. However, this notification does not mean that the foreign national will be deported in every case and automatically. The deportation assessment must be conducted separately within the framework of the foreign national's protection status, the prohibition of refoulement, and the provisions of Law No. 6458.

An employer who employs an unauthorized foreign national may also be held liable for the accommodation expenses and repatriation costs of the foreigner and, if applicable, their spouse and children. Additional premiums and administrative fines regarding unregistered employment under the SSI (SGK) may also arise.

Official sanction amounts applied in 2026 can be checked via the Ministry's administrative fines page. For the legal framework of the deportation assessment, deportation decision you may review our guide.

For the administrative fines that may be imposed on the foreigner and the employer due to unauthorized work, the condition of recurrence, SSI (SGK) consequences, and the employer's liability for repatriation costs, penalty for employing unauthorized foreigners 2026 you may review our guide.

What Can Be Done If a Work Permit Application Is Denied?

A work permit application made on behalf of a temporary protection beneficiary, international protection applicant, or conditional refugee may be rejected for reasons such as the expiration of the six-month period not being met, the identification document not being active, the registration province not matching the workplace, the quota being exceeded, insufficient wages, failure to meet employer requirements, or the job being prohibited for foreigners.

When determining the legal remedy to be pursued against a rejection decision, the notification date of the decision, the grounds for rejection, and whether the deficiency is remediable must be examined. A rejection based on material or document deficiencies and a rejection based on the misinterpretation of legislation should not be evaluated in the same manner.

You can find information in our article titled rejection of the work permit application Reasons for Rejection and Legal Remedies.

Checklist for Employers

1. Look at the foreign national's current legal status, not their nationality.
2. Check the validity and expiration date of the identity document.
3. Determine whether the six-month waiting period applies.
4. Compare the foreign national's registered province with the province where the workplace is located.
5. Determine whether a work permit, exemption, or identity document is required.
6. Ensure that the exemption truly covers the job and the workplace.
7. Examine whether there is a quota or İŞKUR exemption.
8. Check whether the wage meets the applicable lower limit for the position.
9. Do not employ the foreign national before the permit or exemption is finalized.
10. Complete the SGK registration and Ministry notifications in a timely manner.
11. Retain a copy of the employment certificate in the foreign national's personnel file.
12. The employer must re-verify the validity of the document upon any change in duties or workplace.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the temporary protection identification document substitute for a work permit?

No. The temporary protection identification document is not a work permit on its own. In accordance with current practice, the work permit or work permit exemption procedure must be completed.

Has the work permit for Syrians been completely abolished in 2026?

A new era regarding the implementation of work permit exemptions instead of work permits has been announced for Syrians under temporary protection. This does not mean that one can work without any registration or documentation. Obtaining the exemption, SSI (SGK) procedures, and scope conditions continue to apply.

Can a temporary protection beneficiary work in another province?

As a rule, the employment process is carried out based on the province where the foreign national is registered. A travel permit does not change the province of registration. Registration or permit procedures must be evaluated separately for continuous employment in another province.

When can an international protection applicant work?

An international protection applicant may apply for a work permit after six months have passed from the date of the application. The applicant's identity document alone does not grant the right to work.

Does the conditional refugee identity document substitute for a work permit?

No. A conditional refugee may apply for a work permit six months after the date of the international protection application. Employment must not commence before the work permit is approved.

Does a refugee ID card substitute for a work permit?

Yes. The identity document issued to the holder of refugee status serves as a work permit. However, SSI (Social Security Institution) and employer obligations remain in effect.

Does a subsidiary protection beneficiary need to obtain a separate work permit?

No. The subsidiary protection identity document serves as a work permit. However, professions prohibited to foreigners and professional pre-approval requirements are reserved.

Is an SSI entry registration made for a foreigner who holds an exemption certificate?

Yes. A work permit exemption does not automatically eliminate the employer's social security and labor law obligations. The foreigner's SSI procedures must be completed within the statutory period.

Is a permit required for daily or trial-period work?

Yes. Daily, part-time, or trial-period work also constitutes actual employment. Employing a foreigner without completing the necessary permit or exemption procedures carries risks.

Is a protection beneficiary working without a permit subject to direct deportation?

When unauthorized employment is detected, the foreigner's situation is reported to the Directorate General of Migration Management. Deportation is not automatic; the foreigner's protection status, the principle of non-refoulement, and the specific circumstances of the case are evaluated separately.

Conclusion

The employment rights of foreigners under temporary protection and international protection are not subject to a single rule. For temporary protection beneficiaries, there is a work permit or the work permit exemption system implemented in 2026; for applicants and conditional refugees, a work permit after six months; and for holders of refugee and subsidiary protection status, an identity document that serves as a work permit.

It is not sufficient for an employer to make a hiring decision solely by looking at the foreigner's identity document or nationality. The current status, six-month period, registration province, scope of work exemption, quota, wage, SSI, and professional pre-approvals must be examined together.

regarding the general conditions of the foreign work permit system in Turkey our foreign work permit guide; in terms of specific applications and disputes our immigration law service page you may review.

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Author Information

Attorney Batın YILMAZ

Istanbul Bar Association Bar Registry No: 77008

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Attorney Batın YILMAZ

Istanbul Bar Association Bar Registry No: 77008

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