Short answer
A work permit in Turkey is needed by almost every foreigner who works there, and it also counts as a residence permit. The employer usually applies online, either for a foreigner already in Türkiye with at least six months' residence permit or after a visa application at a Turkish consulate abroad; the first permit is valid for up to one year.
In this article
Moving to Türkiye (Turkey) for a job, or finding one after you arrive, starts with the same question: do you have the right to work? A work permit in Turkey is issued by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security under the International Labour Force Law No. 6735 (Uluslararası İşgücü Kanunu). This guide explains the permit types, the application route and what your employment contract should say.
Who needs a work permit in Türkiye?
Foreigners who work in Türkiye, whether employed or self-employed, need a work permit or, in listed cases, a work permit exemption (art. 13). A valid work permit counts as a residence permit (Law No. 6735 art. 12; Law No. 6458 art. 27), but the reverse is not true: holding a residence permit, including a family or short-term permit, does not in itself give you the right to work (art. 12/1).
Company owners are treated differently depending on their role. A foreign partner who is the manager of a limited company, or a board member and shareholder of a joint-stock company, needs a work permit to work in that role (art. 10/5). Board members of joint-stock companies who do not live in Türkiye and partners of other companies who are not managers fall under the exemption regime instead (art. 13/7).
Which type of work permit fits you?
| Type | Who it is for | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed-term work permit (süreli) | Employees of a specific employer and workplace | First permit up to 1 year; extensions with the same employer up to 2 years, then up to 3 years (art. 10/1–2) |
| Indefinite work permit (süresiz) | Holders of a long-term residence permit or at least 8 years of legal work permits | Indefinite; the conditions do not create an absolute right (art. 10/3) |
| Independent work permit (bağımsız) | Self-employed professionals who meet the conditions of their profession | Fixed-term, outside the usual limits (art. 10/6–8) |
| Turquoise Card (Turkuaz Kart) | Highly qualified people and significant investors | Three-year transition period, then indefinite (art. 11) |
Some groups benefit from exceptions in the evaluation, although they still need a permit, for example EU citizens and foreigners married to a Turkish citizen and living together in Türkiye (art. 16).
How do you apply for a work permit?
In most cases the employer applies through the online e-İzin system. According to the Ministry, an application from inside Türkiye is possible for foreigners holding a valid residence permit issued for at least six months; otherwise the foreigner applies for a work visa at the Turkish embassy or consulate in the country of nationality or legal residence, and the employer then completes the online application (art. 7/1).
Work permit: step by step
Agree the job offer
Settle the position, wage and start date with the employer, and check that the employer can meet the Ministry's evaluation criteria.
Start the right procedure
Inside Türkiye with a residence permit of at least six months: the employer applies online. Otherwise: apply for a work visa at the Turkish consulate, which gives you a reference number for the employer's online application.
Complete the file
If documents are missing, the evaluation is postponed for up to 30 days, after which incomplete applications are refused (art. 7/7).
Wait for the decision
A complete application is decided within 30 days (art. 7/8). A refusal can be challenged with the Ministry within 30 days of notification, then before the administrative court (art. 21).
Enter Türkiye and register
If the permit was issued on an application from abroad, you must arrive within six months (art. 12/2) and register your address within 20 working days of entry (Law No. 6458 art. 26/2).
Start work and social security
The employer registers you with the Social Security Institution (SGK) under the social security rules and must notify the Ministry of the start and end of your employment within 15 days (art. 22).
Extensions can be filed from 60 days before expiry and must in any case be filed before the permit ends; extension applications filed after expiry are refused (art. 7/3).
What should your employment contract include?
The permit is tied to your contract and cannot run longer than it (art. 10/1). Turkish labour law applies to work done in Türkiye, and a clause choosing another country's law cannot take away the minimum protection of Labour Law No. 4857. Check at least:
- written form, which is compulsory for contracts of one year or more (art. 8);
- whether the contract is fixed-term or indefinite; repeated fixed-term contracts need an essential reason (art. 11);
- a probation period of no more than two months, unless a collective agreement allows up to four (art. 15);
- working time: generally no more than 45 hours a week (art. 63);
- gross wage, benefits, and who bears permit, housing and travel costs;
- annual paid leave after one year of service: at least 14 days for up to five years of service, 20 days for more than five and less than fifteen years, and 26 days from fifteen years (art. 53);
- notice periods (art. 17) and the language of the contract; a bilingual Turkish-English text avoids disputes about translation.
What happens if you work without a permit?
Working without a permit leads to administrative fines for both the foreigner and the employer, and the amounts are doubled for repeat offences (art. 23). A foreigner found working without a permit is reported to the Ministry of Interior for deportation (art. 23/8), and working without a permit is itself a ground for deportation (Law No. 6458 art. 54). The employer must also cover accommodation and return costs (art. 23/9).
A permit is also cancelled if your employment ends for any reason, or if you stay outside Türkiye for more than six months without interruption on a fixed-term permit, save for force majeure (art. 15/2). To change employer, the new employer files a new application, which is treated as a first application (art. 10/2).
Related topics are covered on our citizenship and immigration law page. Since each permit depends on the employer, the position and your residence status, individual legal advice is recommended before you sign a contract.
Frequently asked questions
Can I work in Turkey with a residence permit?
Not on its own. A residence permit, including a family or short-term residence permit, does not give the right to work (Law No. 6735 art. 12/1). You need a work permit or, in listed cases, a work permit exemption. The reverse does apply: a valid work permit also counts as your residence permit while it remains valid.
How long does a Turkish work permit take?
The law requires a decision within 30 days once the application is complete (Law No. 6735 art. 7/8). If documents are missing, the evaluation is postponed for up to 30 days and then refused if they are still missing. Applications made through a consulate abroad also involve the visa stage, so plan extra time before your start date.
Does a foreigner married to a Turkish citizen need a work permit?
Yes. Marriage does not remove the permit requirement. However, foreigners married to a Turkish citizen and living together in Türkiye can benefit from exceptions in the Ministry's evaluation (Law No. 6735 art. 16). Holding a family residence permit alone does not allow you to work, so the employer should still apply for a permit.
Can I change employers with a Turkish work permit?
Yes, but not automatically. A fixed-term permit is tied to a specific employer and workplace. The new employer must file a new application, which is assessed like a first application (Law No. 6735 art. 10/2). Your existing permit is cancelled when your employment ends, so time the change carefully to avoid gaps in your legal status.
What is the Turquoise Card in Turkey?
The Turquoise Card (Turkuaz Kart) is a special permit for highly qualified foreigners, such as recognised academics or people contributing significantly to technology, exports, employment or investment (Law No. 6735 art. 11). It starts with a three-year transition period and then becomes indefinite on application, giving the rights of an indefinite work permit; family members receive residence documents.
Sources
- Legislation International Labour Force Law No. 6735, arts. 7–16 and 21–23
- Official source Ministry of Labour and Social Security: work permit application types
- Legislation Labour Law No. 4857, arts. 8, 11, 15, 17, 53, 63
- Legislation Law No. 6458 on Foreigners and International Protection, arts. 26–27