A foreign national whose mother or father is a Turkish citizen may benefit from a special rule when applying for a Turkish work permit. The family relationship must be established with official documents. This is a work permit evaluation rule, not automatic permission to work or a guaranteed fast-track decision.
First check whether you are already a Turkish citizen
If a parent was a Turkish citizen when you were born, Turkish citizenship by descent may already apply, depending on parentage and the circumstances of birth. A birth that was never registered abroad may require a citizenship determination and registration. Review this question before preparing a foreign national work permit application.
Who can use the family connection criterion?
The Ministry of Labour and Social Security lists foreigners whose mother or father is a Turkish citizen among people exempt from certain work permit evaluation criteria. The applicant must prove the relationship and the parent’s citizenship using records issued by public authorities. A birth certificate and population or family register records may be relevant; the exact file depends on the case.
What changes in the work permit assessment?
- The general employment criterion, often described as five Turkish employees for one foreign employee, is not applied to this category.
- The general financial eligibility and salary criteria are also not applied under the published rule.
- This does not remove the need for a work permit, prove eligibility for a restricted profession or guarantee approval or faster processing.
How the application is prepared
- Confirm citizenship status and the parent-child relationship.
- Gather official family records, passport and employment documents; arrange translation, notarisation or legalisation where required.
- Submit the work permit application through the appropriate employer and official channel, then respond to any request for additional information.
What does approval allow?
A valid work permit generally authorises work and residence in Türkiye within its stated scope and period. A parent’s citizenship does not itself grant unrestricted work rights, long-term residence or a new citizenship entitlement. Any later residence or citizenship route has separate legal requirements.
How IGA Law Firm can help
We assess whether citizenship recognition or a work permit is the appropriate first step, review the family evidence, prepare the application with the employer and follow the file through the official decision. Contact our Istanbul team for an individual eligibility assessment.
Legal information reviewed on 14 October 2026. This 2025 article should be read with the current official criteria.
Official work permit evaluation criteria — Ministry of Labour and Social Security
Official guidance on acquisition of Turkish citizenship — Civil Registration Directorate
