Senior lawyer
Lawyer practicing international migration. Specializes in issues of migration law - paperwork on the territory of Ukraine and the countries of the European Union (Romania, Hungary, Spain, Czech Republic).
PERMIT TO WORK IN TURKEY
PERMIT TO WORK IN TURKEY
How to get a work permit in Turkey?
In order to get a work permit in Turkey, complete the following three steps:
- find a job in Turkey
- get a job offer from his own employer
- Your employer serves application for a receipt work permit or working visa
All this maybe happen in Turkey or beyond. Having received permission to work, they will go to you sprat weeks as soon as you submit an application. In Turkey, permission to work is similar to a work visa and a residence permit.

To get a regular job in Turkey, first necessary to get a job offer. Employer, consultative company, or an employment agency must submit an application for receipt of working visas in your name as soon as they decide to employ you.
If you are abroad, you can apply through the local Turkish consulate to get a working visa If you are in Turkey, your boss must submit an application for receipt permission to work from your name
How to get a work permit in Turkey?
The majority of work permits are granted to Ministry labor. The Ministry economy provides permissions employees have free zones Ministry national education provides employees educational institutions Ministry culture and tourism as well maybe to provide some permissions to work So try it understand, if you can, to whom you are addressing and in which regional departments It may be useful if some procedures are postponed.
Your work permit is in the form of an ID and will also be a residence permit. Here below you can see what a work permit looks like.
Types of work permits
There are two main types of work permits: temporary and indefinite. The first time you apply, you’ll probably get a fixed-term work permit.
For a certain period
It is the kind of work he gets the majority of visitors. The employee must have an employer to receive permission to work, and he ” is dependent “. It should be issued within one year. This must continue every year After this, and under certain conditions period. Application for receipt of such forms permission to work can be submitted from outside Turkey or within Turkey.
Applying from outside Turkey
If you are outside of Turkey, you first necessary get an ordinary letter from a proposal about work and/ or contract. Then, in agreement with the employer, you must apply for a job visa at the Turkish embassy or consulate in your country or where you legally reside. Your application and statement to the employer have to happen within ten working days of each other. After approval of the employer’s application and your application will receive working get a visa that you will use to travel to Turkey permission to work and go to work.
To work in Turkey, you should contact the nearest Turkish mission to obtain a work permit and visa. A passport, a visa application form, and a letter from the employer are the necessary documents for submitting the application. Other documents must be submitted to the Turkish Ministry of Labor and Social Security (MLSS) by the employer within ten working days of submitting your application.
Applying from within Turkey
If you are in Turkey and have completed at least six months of legal residence, you can also apply for a work permit. Again, you first need to get a job offer from an employer.
Requirements and processes such the same as for the application outside of Turkey, except that you and your employer will submit your applications directly to the Ministry of labor and social software (Ministry of labor and social protection).
since you don’t need to get a working visa (because you already are in Turkey). when you apply from inside Turkey, your employer and you must submit your applications within six working days of each other.
Category 2: Permits for independent work for an indefinite period
This category of work permits is “independent” because it is not necessary to have a specific employer to obtain work permits. It is “indefinite” because it does not need to be renewed every year. However, there are certain reporting requirements. For example, you will need to report any change of employer and change of address. There are two types of independent and permanent work permits.
Unlimited work permit
If you worked legally in Turkey for no less than five years or have legally resided in Turkey for at least eight years without a break, you have the right to submit an application for receipt of unlimited permission to work This type of permission to work allows you to work in any the employer, which you want to, and move on from one employer to another without necessity get a new work permit.
Self-employment permit
This type of permission to work is intended for entrepreneurs who have the intention to create a company in Turkey. It allows work for half a year to create your company. After creation, your company’s permission work will be extended indefinitely. In order to get right, you should first live in Turkey for at least five years without break. This type of permission for work does not exist established ” process “, and he will demand a presentation business plan, among other documents to the Ministry of labor and social provision.
Necessary documents for obtaining a work permit in Turkey
To receive working visas in Turkey will need to be provided such documents:
- Your passport with a minimum validity of six months.
- Your qualifications are your school or university degree and your various professional development certificates
- A completed work permit application usually contains four biometric passport photos.
- Your employer will also need to send a letter confirming your job offer to the Turkish Ministry.
- You can find a list of these documents on the MLSS website. Applications are reviewed by MLSS no later than thirty days in advance. Immediately after your arrival in Turkey (before starting work), you must register with the local police department within one month to obtain the necessary residence permit.
Limited occupations
Some professions can only be practiced by citizens of Turkey. It:
- Dentist, midwife, nurse, or pharmacist
- veterinarian
- Director of the hospital
- Lawyer
- Public notary
- Guardian
- Sea Captain, Merman, Fisherman, or Diver
- Customs consultant.
Your work permit is for one employer only
If you have permission you can not switch to a dependent job from one employer to another with the same work permit. If you get another job, you will have to get permission to work for a new employer. If you have a self-employment permit and you changed employer (or changed address), you should report it to local management Ministries’ labor and social provision.
Working visa
Applications for work permits are concluded positively or negatively by the Ministry of Labor. A work permit is equivalent to a residence permit. Thus, if the work permit is approved by the ministry, the foreign consular office of Turkey will charge the visa entry fee, work permit fee, and residence fee. Since the Work Permit Card replaces the residence permit in Turkey, the Annotated Work Visa issued by these services can only be used for entry and for a maximum of 90 days.
Is it easy to get a work permit in Turkey?
It depends on how easy it is for you to find a regular job in Turkey.
Can a foreigner get a job in Turkey?
Yes, first find a job in Turkey and then apply for a work permit together with your employer.
Can you get a work permit in Turkey without speaking Turkish?
Yes, even if it will be a little difficult. And you can find a job without knowing any Turkish. Most employers will not require you to learn Turkish. But it’s also nice to have a minimum vocabulary to understand what’s going on around you.
How long does it take to get a residence permit in Turkey?

Work without a work permit
Someone maybe employs you without permission to work Some Turkish people work without a proper contract.
If you get caught, you will probably lose your job and maybe even your residence permit. In some cases, you could be detained within a short period of time, days or weeks, and sometimes months. And you may be banned from entering Turkey for a period of up to five years. Maybe for hiring your employer a fine
awaits. You always should seek legal advice help if fall into such a situation.
Calculate the cost of services
1 question
Are you currently in Ukraine?
2 question
Are you currently in Turkey?
3 question
Do you need advice on obtaining a work permit in Turkey ?
4 question
Do you need full legal support for obtaining a work permit in Turkey?
5 question
Do you need a consultation urgently?
Can a Ukrainian open a company in Turkey without a local partner?
For many ordinary types of commercial activity, a company with wholly foreign capital is possible. A foreign founder may be an individual or a legal entity. A Turkish partner is not a universal requirement for every company, but before registration, restrictions applicable specifically to the selected sector should be checked.
Management is determined separately: who will represent the company, sign agreements and operate the account. The ability to own a business does not automatically mean the right to work personally in Turkey. Therefore, the ownership structure, authority and immigration matters are considered together, before the documents are prepared.
Is it mandatory to establish a Turkish company in order to open an account in Turkey?
This depends on who needs the account and for which transactions. An individual’s account, an account of a Turkish company and banking services for a foreign legal entity involve different banking procedures. This service primarily covers launching a Turkish company and preparing it for corporate banking.
If the legal entity is already registered in another country, it is first necessary to clarify whether the bank will consider servicing it and which documents and local connections it expects. Establishing an additional company solely for the account should be considered only after the business need has been reviewed. It is also important to take into account the accounting and corporate obligations that will arise for the new structure.
What practical advantage does an account in Turkey provide for trade?
An account helps organise payments in the country where the company purchases or sells goods: paying suppliers, receiving local proceeds and handling settlements for business transactions. Foreign currency accounts and international transfers can complement this model for working with overseas clients.
For more complex supplies, letters of credit, documentary collections or guarantees can be considered separately. For example, a letter of credit links payment to the presentation of the documents specified in it. At the same time, the bank checks the documents in accordance with the terms of the instrument and does not guarantee the quality of the goods. This is why the banking product and supply agreement should be aligned.
Can a company and an account be opened entirely online?
Representation under a power of attorney is permitted for some registration actions, but the possibility of completing the entire process without travelling depends on the specific composition of founders and signatories. Documents issued abroad must be prepared in a form acceptable to the Turkish registry. Incorrectly worded authority may result in the power of attorney having to be reissued.
The bank establishes its own identification procedure and may require the personal participation of a company representative. Online banking after the account has been opened does not confirm the possibility of making the initial application remotely. Therefore, the format of participation is agreed before booking travel, executing a power of attorney and planning the first payment.
How long does registration and the launch of settlements take?
Registration in the trade registry is only one stage. Before it, the structure must be determined and documents and translations prepared; afterwards, the necessary organisational procedures must be completed and the bank review passed. Therefore, the date on which the company appears in the registry and the date on which the account is ready for the required payments may differ.
The overall plan is affected by the founder’s documents, participation of a foreign legal entity, the need for a power of attorney, a regulated type of activity and additional bank requests. An indicative timeframe should be determined after analysing the source information. For the first contract, it is advisable to separately check whether the required currency, access and payment direction have already been activated.
Does company registration give the right to live and work in Turkey?
Company registration formalises the business but does not in itself give the founder an unrestricted right to reside or work. If the owner plans to work personally or perform management functions in Turkey, the relevant immigration and employment regime, including possible exceptions, must be assessed.
Separate financial and staffing criteria may apply to a work permit. They cannot be replaced by the minimum share capital established for company registration. This is why plans to relocate and work personally should be disclosed at the beginning of the consultation: they may affect the organisation of the business.
Is accounting required if the company is not yet earning income?
After registration, the company must comply with applicable accounting and reporting obligations even while preparing to start sales. At this stage, there may already be owner contributions, rent, equipment purchases and other transactions. They must be properly recorded and supported by documents.
The list of tax returns, notifications and electronic tools is determined by the local accountant according to the company’s status and activities. It is advisable to agree the calendar and document transfer procedure immediately. If the company will not be used for a long period, further actions regarding it should be assessed separately rather than simply discontinuing accounting and communication with the authorities.
Do CFC obligations arise in Ukraine?
Such obligations may arise if the owner is a Ukrainian tax resident and meets the statutory criteria for control of a foreign company. Ukrainian citizenship alone is insufficient for a conclusion: tax residence, ownership structure and actual control must be assessed.
Where the relevant ground exists, a CFC notification is submitted within 60 calendar days from the event. The annual report is a separate obligation. A possible exemption of CFC profit from taxation should not be equated with an exemption from reporting. To ensure the required information is available later, Turkish financial documents and corporate changes should be collected systematically from the moment the company is established.
You may also need:
OPENING A BANK ACCOUNT FOR A GAMBLING BUSINESS
Read moreBANK REGISTRATION IN CYPRUS
Read moreBrand name registration
Read moreREGISTRATION OF A BUSINESS (FIRM) IN POLAND
Read moreCompany Registration in the UAE
Read moreOpening a bank account in the United Kingdom
Read moreOPENING A BANK ACCOUNT IN AUSTRIA
Read moreREGISTRATION OF A BUSINESS IN THE UK
Read moreOpening an account in a foreign bank
Read moreCompany Registration in Austria
Read moreREGISTRATION OF A BUSINESS (FIRM) IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC
Read moreOPENING A BANK ACCOUNT IN ESTONIA
Read morecall back
during the day
Types of work permits