A work permit in Turkey is mandatory for almost every foreign national who wants to work in the country, whether as an employee, a company manager or a self-employed professional. This guide explains the work permit for foreigners in Turkey under the work permit in Turkey 2026 rules: who needs one, the types of permits, how the application works, the work permit Turkey documents, the official fees, processing times and how to check your application status online.
Who Needs a Work Permit in Turkey?
Under International Labour Law No. 6735, foreigners must obtain a work permit from the Ministry of Labour and Social Security before they start working in Turkey. Working without a permit exposes both the foreigner and the employer to administrative fines, and the foreigner may face deportation. A valid work permit also counts as a residence permit for its duration.
Certain persons are exempt (see “Exemptions” below), but in practice nearly all foreign employees, managers who actively work in a company and self-employed foreigners need a permit.
Types of Work Permits
- Temporary (fixed-term) work permit: granted for a specific job with a specific employer, initially for up to one year, then extendable.
- Indefinite work permit: available to foreigners with a long-term residence permit or at least eight years of legal work in Turkey.
- Independent work permit: for self-employed professionals who meet the legal conditions, normally after at least five years of legal residence.
- Turquoise Card: a special permit for highly qualified professionals, investors, scientists and similar profiles; after a three-year transition period it can become indefinite.
How to Apply for a Work Permit Turkey
Applications are made by the employer through the Ministry’s e-Permit (e-İzin) system, not by the foreigner personally.
- If the foreigner is abroad: the foreigner first applies to the Turkish embassy or consulate in their country of residence or citizenship and receives a reference number. Within 10 working days, the employer completes the online application in Turkey and uploads the documents.
- If the foreigner is in Turkey: the foreigner must hold a valid residence permit with at least six months remaining (student residence permits have special rules), and the employer applies directly online.
Once approved and the fee is paid, the work permit card is sent to the employer’s address, and the employer must register the foreigner with social security from the permit start date.
Requirements for Employers
The Ministry evaluates applications under its published evaluation criteria. In summary, under the criteria in force since 1 October 2024 (with the capital thresholds applying from 1 January 2025):
- Employment criterion: in general, at least five Turkish citizens must be employed at the workplace for each foreign employee. Workplaces with net sales above 50 million TL in the previous year are exempt for their first five foreign employees.
- Financial criterion: a newly established company needs at least 500,000 TL paid-in capital; an operating company needs either 500,000 TL paid-in capital, 8,000,000 TL net sales or USD 150,000 exports in the previous year.
- Salary criterion: the declared salary must be appropriate to the position and is set as a multiple of the gross minimum wage, from the minimum wage for domestic and other jobs up to five times for senior executives and pilots.
- Exceptions: foreigners who have worked legally in Turkey for at least one year in the last three years (up to three per workplace), IT specialists, healthcare, education and tourism roles and some other categories benefit from relaxed criteria.
The criteria are amended from time to time, so they should be checked before each application.
Work Permit Turkey Documents
The usual work permit Turkey documents are:
From the foreigner:
- passport copy (valid at least 60 days longer than the requested permit),
- biometric photo,
- diploma or professional qualification (with apostille and sworn translation; for regulated professions, recognition/equivalence),
- signed employment contract,
- residence permit (for in-country applications).
From the employer:
- application petition and employer information form,
- trade registry gazette showing the company’s capital and partners,
- latest balance sheet or profit and loss statement approved by the tax office,
- social security records showing the number of Turkish employees.
Work Permit Turkey Price: 2026 Fees
The work permit Turkey price consists of the official fee (harç) and the card fee. The 2026 amounts published by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (effective 1 January 2026) are:
| Permit type / duration | Fee (TL) |
|---|---|
| Fixed-term, up to 1 year | 12,574.90 |
| Fixed-term, up to 2 years | 25,149.80 |
| Fixed-term, up to 3 years | 37,724.70 |
| Fixed-term, up to 4 years | 50,299.60 |
| Fixed-term, up to 5 years | 62,874.50 |
| Indefinite work permit | 125,802.20 |
| Independent work permit | 125,802.20 |
| Temporary protection (1 year) | 4,677.90 |
| Card fee (all permits) | 964.00 |
Fees are updated every year by the revaluation rate and are paid online or at authorised banks after the permit is approved.
Work Permit Processing Time Turkey
The legal work permit processing time Turkey is 30 days for complete applications. If the Ministry requests additional documents, the period stops until they are submitted. Applications from abroad also include the consulate step, so the total time is usually somewhat longer.
Work Permit Turkey Status: How to Check Online
You can do a work permit check online Turkey through the Ministry’s e-Permit system, where the employer can follow the application with the application number. Foreigners can also check their work permit Turkey status through the Ministry’s “application status inquiry” page using their passport or foreigner identification number and application number. After approval, the permit also appears in the foreigner’s e-Government (e-Devlet) account if they have one.
Work Permit Turkey for Pakistani Nationals
The rules for a work permit Turkey for Pakistani citizens are the same as for other foreigners: the employer applies, the general criteria apply and Pakistani nationals abroad first apply at the Turkish embassy in Islamabad or the consulates in Karachi or Lahore to obtain a reference number. Diplomas and documents issued in Pakistan must be legalised or apostilled as required and translated into Turkish.
Extension, Rejection and Cancellation
- Extension: apply within the last 60 days before expiry and in any case before the permit expires. The first extension is usually for up to two years, later extensions for up to three years.
- Rejection: the employer or foreigner may file an administrative objection within 30 days of notification; if rejected, an action can be brought before the administrative court. After a rejection, a new application for the same foreigner by the same employer may be restricted for a period.
- Cancellation: the permit may be cancelled, for example, if it was obtained with false documents, if the foreigner stays abroad continuously for more than six months (fixed-term permits) or if the conditions are no longer met.
Work Permit for Company Owners and Shareholders
Foreign shareholders who do not work in the company and board members who do not reside in Turkey do not need a work permit. A foreign shareholder who will actively manage the company does, and the foreign partner must hold a capital share of at least 500,000 TL and at least 20% of the company, and the company must employ at least five Turkish citizens. These criteria do not apply if the foreign partner’s capital share is at least USD 100,000. See our guide on company formation in Turkey.
Exemptions
Some foreigners can work without a work permit or with a work permit exemption certificate, for example certain short-term assignments, scientific and cultural activities, and specific categories defined in the implementing regulation. Foreign spouses of Turkish citizens still need a work permit but may benefit from relaxed criteria.
Work Permit Lawyer in Istanbul
Most rejections are caused by incomplete documents or by not meeting the evaluation criteria. We assess your case before you apply, prepare the documents with the employer, follow the e-Permit application and handle objections and court cases if needed. We work in English and Turkish and offer a free short preliminary consultation. If you are considering long-term residence, read our guide on how to get Turkish citizenship. Related area: Immigration Law.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can a foreigner apply for a work permit in Turkey by themselves?
No. The application is made by the employer through the e-Permit system. If the foreigner is abroad, they first apply at the Turkish consulate to get a reference number.
2. How much does a work permit cost in Turkey in 2026?
The official fee is 12,574.90 TL for a permit of up to one year, plus a 964 TL card fee. Longer permits cost proportionally more.
3. How long does it take to get a work permit in Turkey?
The Ministry decides within 30 days for complete applications. Applications from abroad take longer because of the consulate step.
4. How can I check my work permit status online?
The employer can follow the application in the e-Permit system, and the foreigner can use the Ministry’s application status inquiry page with the application and passport or foreigner ID number.
5. Does a work permit give me a residence permit?
Yes. A valid work permit counts as a residence permit for its duration.
6. Can I change employers with my work permit?
No. A fixed-term work permit is tied to a specific employer. A new employer must apply for a new permit.
7. Do Pakistani citizens need a work permit to work in Turkey?
Yes. Pakistani citizens need a work permit like other foreigners, and the application starts at the Turkish embassy or consulates in Pakistan if they are abroad.
8. What happens if my work permit application is rejected?
You can file an administrative objection within 30 days and, if necessary, bring an action before the administrative court.