Turkey Work Visa
Applications for work permits from abroad are submitted through the Turkish Embassy in the country where the foreign national resides or has permanent residence. Applications for work permits are submitted to the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, and if approved, the foreign national is granted a work permit. The work permit also serves as a residence permit.
If an application for a work permit from abroad is approved and endorsed by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, the foreign national must enter Turkey on a work visa. The work visa is issued by a Turkish diplomatic mission abroad and is subject to a fee. The foreigner is charged an Entry Visa Fee, a Work Permit Certificate Fee, and a Residence Fee. Since the foreigner will reside in Turkey with a work permit certificate after arriving in a foreign country, a “work visa with a work permit” valid for a maximum of 90 days is issued for the purpose of entry.
How to Obtain a Work Visa in Turkey?
Foreigners who are abroad and come to Turkey to work must obtain a work visa. As stated in our article titled Work Permit, work permits are generally issued by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security. However, work permits for foreigners who will work in Free Zones are issued by the Ministry of Economy, and those for academic staff who will work in Higher Education Institutions are issued by the Higher Education Council.
Work permit applications are submitted to the relevant Ministry in two ways: from within Turkey and from abroad. Foreign nationals applying for a work permit from abroad must first reach an agreement with a workplace operating in Turkey. Foreign nationals who sign a contract with an employer must submit the employment or service contract they have concluded to the Representative Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey to apply for a work permit. A reference number is given to the foreigner whose application is accepted within 10 days. After the foreigner informs the employer of this reference number, the employer applies for a work permit. If the work permit application from abroad is approved by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, the foreigner must obtain a work visa from a Foreign Representative Office before coming to Turkey.
Who is exempt from the work visa?
Persons exempt from work permits under bilateral or multilateral agreements to which Turkey is a party;
Foreigners coming to Turkey temporarily for less than one month for scientific, cultural, and artistic activities and for less than four months for activities in the field of sports;
Foreigners coming to Turkey for the repair, maintenance, installation, and training of imported machinery;
Foreigners coming to Turkey to provide training on the use of goods and services imported from or exported to Turkey;
Foreigners coming to perform at fairs and circuses under certain conditions.
Foreign nationals; Foreign nationals who come to universities and public institutions and organizations for the purpose of increasing their knowledge and experience, provided that the duration of their education is specified and does not exceed a total of two years;
Foreign nationals who declare to the relevant institutions that they can provide services and contributions to Turkey in socio-cultural and technological fields and in education;
Foreigners coming to Turkey under the European Union Education and Youth Program;
Foreigners who have completed their internship as intern students;
Foreigners working as representatives of tour operators in Turkey (they cannot work for more than 8 months);
Athletes (footballers) and technical directors whose applications are deemed appropriate by the Football Federation or the General Directorate of Youth and Sports;
Foreigners who are seafarers working on ships registered in the Turkish International Ship Registry, have obtained a Certificate of Compliance, and do not work on the coastline;
Foreign experts authorized in the European Union Turkey Financial Cooperation Programs.
How Long is the Turkish Work Visa Valid?
If the Ministry of Labor and Social Security approves a work permit application submitted from abroad, the foreign national must enter Turkey with a work visa. The work visa is issued for a maximum period of 90 days. This visa is issued for the purpose of entering the country, and the foreign national must submit a Social Security Institution (SGK) employment notification within 30 days of entering the country.
Since the work permit issued by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security also serves as a residence permit, the person does not need to apply for a residence permit.
How to Extend a Turkish Work Visa?
A work visa is issued for a foreigner to enter Turkey. After the foreigner arrives in the country and starts working, the work permit card sent by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security to the employer by mail is delivered to the foreigner. Th work permit is initially issued for a period of 1 year. The first extension application is granted for a maximum of 2 years, and the second extension application is granted for a maximum of 3 years. The employer must apply to the Ministry of Labor and Social Security for an extension before the work permit expires. In this case, since the foreigner’s work permit application will be made from within the country, they do not need to return to their country to obtain a work visa. Therefore, there is no such thing as a work visa extension.
What Documents Are Required for a Work Visa?
It is important for foreigners applying for a work visa to present the employment or service contract they have signed with their employer. Foreigners applying for a work visa must have the following documents ready.
Passport or other valid document;
1 biometric photograph;
Employment or Service Contract.