01Introduction
IGA Law Firm advises foreign employees, employers hiring international talent, foreign nationals with a Turkish citizen parent, and foreign company owners or partners on work authorization in Türkiye. Our Istanbul team assesses the applicable rules, prepares the file, and follows the application.
02What Is a Work Permit in Türkiye?
A work permit is authorization issued by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security for a foreign national to work legally in Türkiye. A work permit or applicable exemption is generally required before work begins. Working without authorization can lead to administrative sanctions for both the employer and the worker. Approval depends on the facts and the Ministry’s assessment.
03Applicants with a Turkish Citizen Parent
Foreign nationals whose mother or father is a Turkish citizen may be exempt from the standard employment, financial eligibility, and salary assessment criteria if they prove this relationship with documents issued by public authorities. This is an exemption from certain evaluation criteria, not an automatic work permit or a general right to change employers without a new application.
- Review the parent–child relationship and relevant civil registry or birth records
- Determine whether the documented status qualifies for the evaluation criteria exemption
- Prepare the application and any additional documents required for the proposed role
04Foreign Company Owners and Shareholders
Foreigners who establish a business or hold a qualifying share in a Turkish company may seek work authorization where they will actively work in the business. For a company partner assessed under the balance sheet criteria, the Ministry currently requires at least 500,000 TL in total paid-in capital, at least 500,000 TL as the foreign partner’s capital share, and at least 20% ownership. The business must employ at least five Turkish citizens from the beginning of the seventh month of the initial permit. A foreign partner with a capital share of at least USD 100,000 is exempt from these specific capital, shareholding, and employment criteria. Other requirements and the Ministry’s review still apply.
- Assess the company structure, role, ownership, and applicable criteria
- Review trade registry records, capital evidence, and corporate resolutions
- Coordinate company formation or compliance work where needed and prepare the permit application
05Work Permit Routes
The appropriate route depends on the person’s work, employer, and status. We assess the following routes and any applicable work permit exemption:
- Fixed-term permits: an initial employer-linked permit may be issued for up to one year
- Applications for foreign nationals with a Turkish citizen parent
- Permits for qualifying company owners or partners
- Independent permits for eligible self-employed applicants
- Permanent permits for eligible long-term residents or those with at least eight years of lawful work permits
- Permit or exemption questions connected with an investment or a particular sector
06Application Procedure and Documents
Applications are filed through the Ministry’s e-Permit system, either from abroad through a Turkish mission or, where the conditions are met, from within Türkiye. The required file varies by route and profession. Common items may include:
- Passport copy and, where required, a certified translation
- Signed employment contract or documents proving the company role and ownership
- Diploma, licence, or professional authorization where required
- Valid residence permit for a qualifying in-country application
- Trade registry, capital, financial, and tax records for the employer
- Official proof of a Turkish citizen parent or company shareholding, where relevant
We check the file, coordinate the electronic submission, and respond to requests for additional information.
07Employer Obligations and Compliance
Employers should check the applicable Turkish employee ratio, financial criteria, profession-specific salary threshold, social security registration, and renewal deadlines. These criteria have exceptions and vary by sector and applicant. We review the supporting documents and help employers address compliance questions.
08Extensions, Changes, and Long-Term Status
We assist with timely extensions, new applications after an employer change, work authorization for new investors, and assessment of independent or permanent permit eligibility. A first extension with the same employer may be granted for up to two years and later extensions for up to three years. An application with a different employer is generally treated as a first application. Eligibility for a permanent permit does not guarantee approval.
09How IGA Law Firm Can Help
- Advice at the intersection of work permit, immigration, and company law
- Assessment for employers, foreign shareholders, and applicants with a Turkish citizen parent
- English and Turkish communication with application coordination
- Document review, company formation support where relevant, filing, and follow-up
10Contact Us About Your Application
If you are applying for a work permit, hiring an international employee, have a Turkish citizen parent, or intend to work through a Turkish company you own, contact our Istanbul office. We can review your circumstances and explain the applicable route and next steps.
