For any foreigner wishing to work in Turkey, a work permit is mandantory. Employers also require work permits for the foreign employees they want to staff in their organisations.
Understanding the Work Permit
A work permit in short description is an official document where acquired from Ministry of Labor and Social Security in Turkey. It provides aliens their legal right to reside and find employment in the country. By the provision of the Universal Labor Law No. 6735, a work permit has a fixed time limit of validity. In case of expiry of your work permit you will need to apply for a new one to enable you work.
Types of Work Permits
- Temporary Work Permit: This permit lets you work for a year under a certain employer and can only work in the field of employment. Renewals are possible, and the initial permit usually takes up to two years.
- Indefinite Work Permit: This permit is available to the foreigner who have been residing and practicing his business legally in Turkey for a period of not less than eight years. It permits you to work endlessly; however, some papers must be renewed within five years.
- Independent Work Permit: This permit is the IIT permit the kind that is issued to foreign bakers and chefs wanting to work on their own. For this, there are certain conditions which are mandatory, like the residence in Turkey for a predetermined timeframe, and the demonstration or the need of industry and experience.
Requirements for Application
To apply for a work permit, you will need the following documents:
- An employment contract labeling it either a written or computer generated document that contains the job title, location, personal information, position, and monthly net salary.
- Biometric photo taken within the last six months.
- A copy of your passport.
- The Turkish translation of the passport, which has to be notarized by an official body.
- Certified annual profit/loss statement from the company by the tax office or by a qualified certified accountant.
- If any, any relevant document proving that the candidate is owning or in partnership with a company.
- A individual’s education and career experience.
- Health insurance.
- Police clearance certificate.
- There is evidence of being a resident in Turkey that per the provision of Article 144(1)(cc) means having accommodation.
Application Process
For Applicants in Turkey: Any foreigners who are already residing in the country do not have to make an application at any Turkish office outside the country. But they have to have a residence permit which is valid for at least six months in the country of work.
For Applicants Abroad: Foreigners have to obtain work permit via the Turkish embassies or consulate in their home country. If you have a foreign employer, you have to go to the relevant embassy to get the work visa after which your employer submits all the necessary documents through the system.
An applicant who obtained work permit needs to arrive in Turkey within the next six months only. If you have independent or indefinite work permit then you should notify your electronic notice address to Ministry of Labor within 30 days of employment.
Fees for Work Visa
Visa Application Fee: It is 565.00 TL which can be found to be almost equivalent to 17.55 USD.
Education Costs (if applicable): These rates give approximately 7,910.00 TL (245.65 USD) for a one-year study visa. And if we want to calculate the costs of a 2 years study visa it is nearly 15, 255.00 TL which is equal to approximately 473.20 USD.
