A practical guide to Turkish work permits for employers and foreign nationals: permit types, application routes, Ministry criteria, extension deadlines, objections after refusal and 2026 fines.
This article reflects International Labour Force Law No. 6735 as in force on 30 October 2026 and the evaluation criteria and guidance published by the Directorate General of International Labour Force of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security. Criteria and fine amounts change frequently, so check the Ministry’s current announcements before applying. The Turkish version of this article prevails.
Whether you are a company hiring a foreign national in Türkiye or a foreigner planning to work here, the questions are the same: how do you get a work permit (çalışma izni), how long does it last, and what happens if it is refused? In practice, most problems arise because the employer’s company does not meet the Ministry’s criteria, because the extension application is filed late, or because people overlook that the permit is tied to one specific employer.
This guide walks through the types of work permit, how to apply, the criteria the Ministry applies, what to do after a refusal and the penalties for working without a permit, based on official sources. It is at the core of our work on work permits for foreign nationals and immigration law.
The legal framework
Foreign nationals’ employment in Türkiye is governed by International Labour Force Law No. 6735 (Uluslararası İşgücü Kanunu), published in Official Gazette No. 29800 of 13 August 2016. The Implementing Regulation of the International Labour Force Law sets out the details, and the Ministry’s published “Work Permit Evaluation Criteria” determine how applications are assessed. All applications and follow-up steps run electronically through the Ministry’s e-İzin system.
One point that is often missed: according to the Ministry’s guidance, a work permit or work permit exemption issued under Law No. 6735 counts as a residence permit (ikamet izni) under Article 27 of Law No. 6458 on Foreigners and International Protection. This does not apply to work permits issued to international protection applicants, conditional refugees or persons under temporary protection. So in most cases a work permit holder does not need a separate residence permit, but when the work permit ends, the basis for staying in Türkiye may end with it. For residence options, see our residence permits page.
Types of work permit
Fixed-term work permit
This is the most common type. It is tied to a specific employer and job and, on a first application, is granted for up to one year, never exceeding the term of the employment contract. If an extension is filed in time and approved, the permit can be extended with the same employer for up to two years on the first extension and up to three years on later extensions. An application to work for a different employer is treated as a first application, so a foreigner who changes jobs starts again with a permit of up to one year.
Indefinite work permit
Foreigners holding a long-term residence permit, or with at least eight years of lawful work permits in Türkiye, may apply for an indefinite work permit (süresiz çalışma izni). In the Ministry’s words, meeting the requirements does not create an absolute right. Holders enjoy the rights of long-term residence and, as a rule, the rights granted to Turkish citizens, but not the right to vote, stand for election or enter public service, and they have no military service obligation. The permit card is renewed every five years; the renewal application must be filed within the six months before the five-year period ends, and in any case before it ends.
Independent work permit
This permit allows a foreigner to work on their own account without an employer, and is issued for a fixed term. The Ministry considers education, professional experience, contribution to science and technology, the economic and employment impact of the activity or investment in Türkiye and, for foreign company shareholders, their share of the capital.
Turquoise Card
The Turquoise Card (Turkuaz Kart) is granted to foreigners whose application is approved in light of their education, professional experience, contribution to science and technology or the economic impact of their investment. Holders enjoy the rights of an indefinite work permit, and their spouse and dependent children receive a document that replaces a residence permit. Persons under temporary protection are excluded.
How to apply
There are two routes, depending on whether the foreigner is already in Türkiye:
| Route | For whom | Key requirement |
|---|---|---|
| In-country application | Foreigners already in Türkiye | A valid residence permit of at least six months (foreigner ID number starting with 99) |
| Application from abroad | Foreigners without a residence permit | Work visa application at the Turkish consulate in the country of nationality and the 16-digit reference number it issues |
According to the Ministry, complete and properly filed applications are assessed within thirty days. The period runs from the date the application is completed in the system or, if the Ministry requests additional documents, from the date they are uploaded. The decision is sent to the e-mail address given in the application and can also be seen in e-İzin.
For applications from abroad, once the permit is approved the foreigner pays the work and residence permit fees and the visa fee at the consulate. According to the Ministry, if the fee and the card cost are not paid within thirty days of the payment notice, the application is refused.
Deadline for extensions
An extension must be filed starting 60 days before the current permit expires and in any case before it expires. An application filed after expiry is assessed as a first application, not an extension. This matters: a late filing loses the possibility of a two- or three-year extension.
What criteria does the Ministry apply?
The Ministry’s published evaluation criteria are decisive. The general criteria fall into three groups:
- Employment criterion: In workplaces keeping balance-sheet accounts, at least five Turkish citizens must be employed for each foreign employee. For workplaces with net sales of TRY 50,000,000 or more in the last year, this criterion does not apply for up to five foreign employees.
- Financial adequacy criterion: A newly established workplace must have paid-in capital of at least TRY 500,000. An operating workplace must have paid-in capital of at least TRY 500,000, or net sales of at least TRY 8,000,000, or exports of at least USD 150,000.
- Salary criterion: The salary may not be lower than the gross minimum wage in force on the application date multiplied by 5 for senior executives and pilots, 4 for engineers and architects, 3 for other managers, and 2 for jobs requiring expertise or mastery; for domestic services and other jobs it may not be lower than the minimum wage.
A recent exception is worth noting: for in-country applications concerning foreigners who, at the application date, have lawfully stayed in Türkiye for at least one year in the last three years on a work permit, residence permit or international protection, the employment and financial adequacy criteria are not applied, up to a limit of three foreigners. The Ministry states that this exception has been in force since 3 August 2026. Even then, the number of foreign employees with work permits at the workplace should not exceed the number of Turkish citizen employees.
In the IT sector, the employment and financial adequacy criteria do not apply to specialist roles such as software development, database, mobile software, system network and security and enterprise architecture; outside the IT sector this exception is limited to two foreigners. Education institutions need prior approval from the Ministry of National Education or the Council of Higher Education (YÖK).
For foreign investors setting up a new company, the financial adequacy criterion deserves attention at the incorporation stage: a company incorporated at the statutory minimum capital may not meet the TRY 500,000 paid-in capital threshold needed for a work permit, and planning for it at the outset can avoid a later capital increase.
Exemptions from the work permit
In certain cases a foreigner may work under a work permit exemption instead. The exemptions are listed in Article 48 of the Implementing Regulation. An exemption is issued for each foreigner separately, for a period sixty days shorter than the validity of their passport; work exceeding the exemption period requires a work permit. Social security obligations still apply.
What if the application is refused?
Ministry decisions refusing a work permit or its extension, or cancelling or terminating a permit, can be challenged within thirty days of notification. The objection (itiraz) is filed through e-İzin, with a reasoned petition and supporting documents uploaded to the system. If the objection is rejected, the case can be taken to the administrative courts. The time limit for filing and the competent court should be calculated for the specific case; because a missed deadline can close the court route, this should be done as soon as the rejection is notified.
A refusal does not bar a new application. According to the Ministry, once the deficiency behind the refusal is remedied, a new application may be filed. Reading the reasons for refusal carefully, and deciding between an objection and a fresh application, is therefore the first step.
Losing the residence right attached to a work permit can also trigger other administrative measures. For remedies against residence permit decisions, see our article on residence permit refusal or cancellation.
After the permit: notification duties
Obligations continue after the permit is issued. Employers of foreigners, and foreigners holding a permit not tied to an employer, must notify the Ministry within fifteen days of the start and end of employment and of any circumstance requiring cancellation of the permit. If the foreigner does not start work or leaves the job, the employer must file a permit termination request through e-İzin.
Penalties for working without a permit
The administrative fines announced by the Ministry for 2026 are:
| Breach | 2026 amount |
|---|---|
| Employer employing a foreigner without a work permit, per foreigner | TRY 102,503 |
| Foreigner working for an employer without a work permit | TRY 40,977 |
| Foreigner working independently without a work permit | TRY 82,010 |
| Failure to meet the notification duty on time (employer or independent/indefinite permit holder), per foreigner | TRY 6,805 |
According to the Ministry, under Article 23 of Law No. 6735 the fines are doubled for repeat breaches. The amounts are increased each year by the revaluation rate, set at 25.49% for 2026.
Fines are not the only consequence. According to the 2027 Presidential Annual Programme, a regulation allowing certain costs of deporting foreigners who worked without a permit to be recovered directly from the employer entered into force on 23 January 2026. The Programme also plans, for 2027, risk analyses in sectors with a high share of foreign workers and planned inspections of workplaces where unregistered employment of foreigners is widespread (Measure 703.2). For deportation procedures, see our deportation and administrative detention page.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a separate residence permit if I have a work permit?
As a rule, no. According to the Ministry, a work permit or work permit exemption counts as a residence permit under Article 27 of Law No. 6458. Work permits issued to international protection applicants, conditional refugees and persons under temporary protection do not.
Does my permit continue if I change employer?
No. A fixed-term work permit is tied to a specific employer. An application to work for a different employer is treated as a first application, starting with a permit of up to one year.
When should I apply for an extension?
From 60 days before the current permit expires, and before it expires. An application filed after expiry is assessed as a first application.
My application was refused. How long do I have to object?
Thirty days from notification of the refusal, cancellation or termination decision, through e-İzin. If the objection is rejected, the administrative courts are available. A fresh application after remedying the deficiency is also possible.
When can I apply for an indefinite work permit?
Foreigners with at least eight years of lawful work permits, or with a long-term residence permit, may apply. Meeting the requirements does not mean the permit will automatically be granted; the Ministry has discretion.
Conclusion
In work permit matters the outcome is usually decided at the preparation stage: whether the employer meets the employment and financial adequacy criteria, whether the salary is set correctly and whether the extension deadline is respected. A refusal is not necessarily the end; the thirty-day objection period and the option of a new application should be weighed together. If you would like your situation assessed, you can reach us through our contact page.
Sources
- Ministry of Labour and Social Security, DG International Labour Force – Types of Work Permit (in Turkish)
- Ministry of Labour and Social Security – Application Types (in Turkish)
- Ministry of Labour and Social Security – Work Permit Evaluation Criteria (in Turkish)
- Ministry of Labour and Social Security – Exemption Types (in Turkish)
- Ministry of Labour and Social Security – Administrative Fines (in Turkish)
- Ministry of Labour and Social Security – Work Permit FAQ (in Turkish)
- Presidency of Strategy and Budget – 2027 Presidential Annual Programme (in Turkish)
This content is provided for general information and does not constitute legal advice.