Work Permit Application Procedure
Work permit applications are submitted through the E-Permit System. (https://ecalismaizni.csgb.gov.tr/eizin) All applications require the foreign national's passport, photo, and a copy of the employment contract.
The documents required for each type of application are listed below:
Review of Work Permit Application
The review of the duly completed applications is completed within 30 days provided that the information and documents are complete. The 30-day period starts on the date the application is submitted through the system or, in the case of a request for additional information and documents, on the date the requested information and documents are uploaded through the system.
For detailed information on the review of work permit processes:
Special Circumstances Regarding Work Permits
In addition to the above-mentioned work permits, in line with the International Labor Force Policy, it is aimed to issue Turquoise Cards to foreigners whose applications are deemed appropriate by taking into account the foreigner’s level of education, professional experience, contribution to science and technology as well as the impact of the foreigner’s investment on the country's economy and employment, and to subject the work permits of foreigners who will work in these enterprises to special provisions and to issue work permits easily in accordance with the Regulation on the Employment of Foreign Nationals in Foreign Direct Investments.
Turquoise Card
The Turquoise Card is a document that grants foreigners the right to work in Türkiye indefinitely and the right of residence to his/her spouse and dependent children in accordance with the provisions of the legislation, and the foreigner benefits from the rights associated with the indefinite work permit.
The Turquoise Card is issued with the first three years being a transitional period . At the end of this period, the transition period record in the Turquoise Card is withdrawn upon submitting the application by the foreigner and the Turquoise Card is thereafter issued indefinitely. This application will be filed starting 180 days prior to the expiration of the transition period, and in any case, before the transition period expires. After the expiration of the transitional period, the application for removal of the transitional period record is rejected and the Turquoise Card becomes invalid.
In the Turquoise Card procedure, qualified foreigners are defined as those who have internationally recognized studies in the academic field, those who are prominent in a field considered strategic for Türkiye in science, industry and technology, or those who have made or are expected to make a significant contribution to the national economy in terms of export, employment, or investment capacity.
Foreign Direct Investments
Pursuant to the Regulation on the Employment of Foreign National Employee in Foreign Direct Investments, a company or branch that falls within the scope of Law No. 4875 and meets at least one of the following criteria is considered a Qualified Foreign Direct Investment. The relevant legislation regulates the identification of Qualified Foreign Direct Investments and the key employee of foreign nationality to work in these enterprises.
I. Qualified Foreign Direct Investment Values (2022)
A company or branch must meet at least one of the following criteria to qualify as a Qualified Foreign Direct Investment:
- The turnover of the company or branch must be at least TRY 258.4 million in the past year provided that the total capital share of the foreign shareholders is at least TRY 3,439,592.
- Exports of the company or branch must be at least USD 1 million in the past year provided that the total capital share of the foreign shareholders is no less than TRY 3,439,592.
- The company or branch must employ at least 250 employees registered with the Social Insurance Institution in the past year provided that the total capital share of the foreign shareholders is at least TRY 3,439,592.
- If the company or branch will make an investment, the minimum fixed investment amount must be at least TRY 85.8 million.
- The company must have foreign direct investment in at least one other country other than the one where its headquarters is located.
The Ministry of Labor and Social Security grants work permits to a maximum of one foreigner holding an authorization certificate to work in the liaison offices of enterprises falling within the scope of Qualified Foreign Direct Investment, provided that they have obtained an operating license from the General Directorate of Incentives Implementation and Foreign Capital of the Ministry of Industry and Technology, limited to the duration of their activities.
II. Foreign Key Personnel
Employees of a company incorporated in Türkiye with a legal entity within the scope of foreign direct investment who meet at least one of the following criteria are referred to as key personnel.
a) Those serving as a company shareholder, chairman of the board of directors, member of the board of directors, general manager, deputy general manager, executive, assistant executive, or similar positions, with the authority or role in at least one of the following:
- A senior management or executive position in the company
- Managing the whole or a part of the company
- Supervising or controlling the work of the company auditors, or administrative or technical staff
- Hiring new employees or terminating the employment of existing employees, or making proposals concerning these issues
b) A person with critical knowledge of the services, research devices, techniques, or management of the company
c) A maximum of one person at liaison offices who is issued an authorization certificate by the overseas parent company 