Work Permit

Work Permit Consultancy in Turkey

Professional Work Permit Consultancy for Foreigners in Turkey

Foreign nationals who wish to work legally in Turkey must comply with the applicable work permit regulations and complete the required application procedures. The process may vary depending on the applicant’s current immigration status, profession, qualifications, employer, sector, salary level and whether the application is submitted from inside or outside Turkey.

İstanbulcota Group® provides professional work permit consultancy in Turkey for foreign nationals who wish to work in Turkey and companies that intend to employ foreign personnel. Based in Istanbul, we assist clients throughout the process, including preliminary eligibility assessment, document preparation, employer compliance checks, application coordination and post-approval procedures.

Our objective is not simply to submit an application. We evaluate the applicant, the proposed employment relationship and the employer’s corporate and financial structure together in order to establish a more controlled and transparent work permit process.

What Is a Turkish Work Permit?

A Turkish work permit is an official authorization allowing a foreign national to work legally in Turkey under the conditions specified in the permit. Work permit procedures are primarily governed by the International Labour Force Law No. 6735 and the related legislation and administrative regulations.

Having an employment contract alone does not generally give a foreign national the right to work in Turkey. The appropriate work permit application must be submitted and approved by the relevant authorities.

A work permit is also important for establishing a lawful employment relationship between the foreign employee and the employer. Therefore, the work permit process should be considered together with employment contracts, social security obligations, payroll, salary reporting and other employer responsibilities.

Who Can Apply for a Work Permit in Turkey?

Foreign nationals who intend to work for an employer in Turkey may apply for a work permit if they meet the applicable legal requirements. However, not every applicant is assessed according to exactly the same criteria.

Factors such as the applicant’s education, professional qualifications, work experience, immigration status in Turkey, occupation and the employer’s workforce, capital, turnover, export figures and business sector may affect the assessment.

Special rules or exemptions may also apply to certain sectors and professional groups, including information technology, education, healthcare, tourism, manufacturing, research and development and other qualified occupations.

Main Requirements for a Turkish Work Permit

Before submitting a work permit application, both the foreign applicant and the prospective employer should be assessed against the current legal requirements.

1. Valid Passport

The foreign applicant must generally have a valid passport or a document accepted in lieu of a passport. Where a passport has been issued using an alphabet other than the Latin alphabet, a sworn translation or officially certified translation may be required depending on the circumstances.

The validity period of the passport is also important. The duration of a work permit is subject to the applicable legal rules concerning passport validity.

2. Employment Contract

An employment contract between the foreign employee and the employer is one of the fundamental elements of a work permit application. The position, salary, employment conditions and employer information stated in the contract should be consistent with the information submitted in the application.

3. Biometric Photograph

A biometric photograph meeting the applicable requirements must generally be submitted as part of the application.

4. Diploma or Educational Qualification

Depending on the nature of the position and applicable regulations, a diploma, graduation certificate or other evidence of educational qualifications may be required.

Where educational documents have been issued outside Turkey, Turkish translations may be required depending on the circumstances and the relevant application requirements.

5. Employer’s Corporate Documents

The employer may be required to provide corporate and financial documentation depending on the type of application. These documents may include trade registry information, tax information, balance sheets, income statements, activity certificates and other supporting documentation.

Employer Eligibility Criteria for Work Permits

A Turkish work permit application is not assessed solely according to the qualifications of the foreign employee. The financial and employment capacity of the employer may also be taken into consideration.

Under the general assessment criteria, workplaces subject to balance-sheet accounting are generally expected to employ at least five Turkish citizens for each foreign employee.

For operating businesses, at least one of the following financial criteria is generally required: paid-in capital of at least TRY 500,000, annual net sales of at least TRY 8,000,000, or annual exports of at least USD 150,000.

Special rules may apply to newly established businesses that do not yet have an annual balance sheet and income statement.

However, these criteria are not absolute for every application. Different assessment criteria and exemptions may apply depending on the sector, occupation, foreign national’s status and other circumstances. Certain rules apply specifically to areas such as information technology, education, healthcare, tourism, manufacturing and research and development.

Salary Requirements for Turkish Work Permits in 2026

The salary stated in a work permit application must comply with the applicable minimum salary requirements. For certain professions and positions, the required salary may be calculated as a multiple of the statutory minimum wage.

The gross minimum wage in Turkey for 2026 is TRY 33,030. Under the general salary assessment criteria, the indicative minimum gross salary levels are:

Position / Occupation	Salary criterion	2026 gross amount
Senior executives and pilots	5 × minimum wage	TRY 165,150
Engineers and architects	4 × minimum wage	TRY 132,120
Other managers	3 × minimum wage	TRY 99,090
Occupations requiring expertise or craftsmanship	2 × minimum wage	TRY 66,060
Other occupations	1 × minimum wage	TRY 33,030

These amounts are based on the gross minimum wage applicable in 2026. Different assessment rules may apply to specific professions, sectors or categories of foreign nationals. Therefore, the salary requirement should be checked against the specific position before an application is submitted.

Turkey Work Permit Fees and Costs in 2026

The total cost of obtaining a work permit is not limited to the government application fee. Depending on the circumstances, applicants may also incur expenses for document translation, notarization, visa procedures and professional consultancy.

For 2026, the official work permit fee and valuable paper fee are as follows:

Work Permit Period	2026 Official Fee	Valuable Paper Fee	Total Official Cost
Up to 1 year / including 1 year	TRY 12,574.90	TRY 964	TRY 13,538.90
More than 1 year – up to 2 years	TRY 25,149.80	TRY 964	TRY 26,113.80
More than 2 years – up to 3 years	TRY 37,724.70	TRY 964	TRY 38,688.70
More than 3 years – up to 4 years	TRY 50,299.60	TRY 964	TRY 51,263.60
More than 4 years – up to 5 years	TRY 62,874.50	TRY 964	TRY 63,838.50
Indefinite work permit	TRY 125,802.20	TRY 964	TRY 126,766.20

The figures above represent the official government work permit fee and valuable paper fee for 2026. They do not include consultancy fees, translation and notarization expenses, visa fees or other potential administrative costs.

Once a work permit application has been approved, the applicable official fees must be paid within the prescribed period. Failure to complete the payment process may result in the application not being finalized.

How to Apply for a Work Permit in Turkey

The application procedure depends primarily on whether the foreign national is already legally residing in Turkey or is applying from abroad.

Work Permit Application from Within Turkey

Foreign nationals who are already in Turkey may generally submit an in-country work permit application if they hold an appropriate valid residence permit. Under the current framework, a residence permit valid for at least six months may allow an eligible foreign national to apply from within Turkey.

The application is submitted through the Ministry’s electronic work permit system. The employer or authorized representative enters the required information, uploads the relevant documents and completes the electronic application process using an electronic signature.

Work Permit Application from Outside Turkey

A foreign national residing outside Turkey generally starts the process by applying for a work visa and work permit through a Turkish diplomatic mission in their country of residence.

After receiving the relevant reference number from the diplomatic mission, the employer in Turkey completes the corresponding work permit application through the electronic system.

Once the application is approved, the applicable work permit fee and valuable paper fee are paid. The foreign national then completes the relevant work visa procedures through the Turkish diplomatic mission.

Our Work Permit Consultancy Services

İstanbulcota Group® does not treat a work permit application as a simple document submission procedure. We assess the foreign applicant’s status, the employer’s corporate structure, the proposed position and the applicable legal criteria before the application is prepared.

Our consultancy services may include:

Preliminary work permit eligibility assessment
Determination of the appropriate application route
Assessment of employer eligibility criteria
Evaluation of salary and occupational requirements
Preparation of the required document checklist
Review of employment contract information
Coordination of diploma and supporting document preparation
Coordination of electronic work permit application procedures
Follow-up of the application process
Coordination of government fee and valuable paper payments
Guidance concerning post-approval procedures
Coordination of employment and social security procedures
General guidance regarding the employer’s obligations

What Happens After the Work Permit Is Approved?

Approval of a work permit does not necessarily represent the final step in the process. Depending on the application route, the foreign national may need to complete entry, address registration, employment commencement and social security procedures.

A foreign national entering Turkey based on a work visa must comply with the applicable requirements and commence employment within the legally prescribed period.

The foreign employee must also work within the scope of the approved permit. If the employer, workplace, position or employment conditions change, additional legal procedures or a new work permit may be required depending on the nature of the change.

How Long Is a Turkish Work Permit Valid?

As a general rule, the initial work permit may be issued for a period of up to one year for a specific employer and a specific job, subject to the applicable legal requirements.

Where the legal requirements continue to be satisfied, subsequent work permits may be granted for longer periods depending on the applicant’s circumstances and previous work permit history.

The validity of the passport, employment contract and other applicable requirements should also be taken into consideration when determining the potential duration of the work permit.

Common Problems in Turkish Work Permit Applications

Errors or omissions in a work permit application can cause delays or result in an unfavorable decision. Common issues may include insufficient Turkish employee numbers, failure to satisfy financial criteria, incorrect occupational classification, insufficient salary, missing documents or inconsistencies between the employment contract and the information submitted to the authorities.

Another important issue is assuming that the same application strategy can be used for every foreign national. The applicant’s immigration history, educational background, occupation and qualifications should be assessed together with the employer’s sector, workforce and financial structure.

A professional pre-application assessment can therefore help identify potential issues before the application is submitted.

Important 2026 Changes and Exemptions

Turkish work permit legislation is dynamic and subject to periodic amendments. In 2026, important changes were also introduced to the assessment framework.

For example, regulations effective from 3 August 2026 introduced a special application concerning certain foreign nationals who have legally stayed in Turkey for at least one year within the previous three years through a work permit, residence permit or international protection status. Under the applicable framework, certain employers may benefit from exemptions from the general employment and financial criteria, subject to conditions and a maximum number of foreign employees.

Special assessment rules may also apply to qualified positions and sectors such as information technology, manufacturing, tourism, education, healthcare and research and development.

For this reason, relying solely on general information available online may not be sufficient. The applicable rules should be checked according to the applicant’s individual circumstances, the employer’s structure and the legislation in force on the date of application.

Integrated Business Services for Foreign Entrepreneurs and Companies

İstanbulcota Group® views work permit consultancy as part of the broader process of establishing and operating a business in Turkey.

Foreign entrepreneurs and international companies often require several interconnected services when entering the Turkish market. For this reason, we provide an integrated range of professional business services, including company formation, legal consultancy, commercial consultancy, company secretarial services, accounting and tax planning, virtual office rental, payroll outsourcing, human resources consultancy, corporate bank account opening support, residence permit consultancy, trademark registration consultancy, management consultancy and corporate training.

This integrated approach allows our clients to coordinate their corporate, legal, financial and employment-related requirements through a single professional service structure.

Work Permit Consultancy in Istanbul

Istanbul is Turkey’s leading international business, finance, technology, tourism and entrepreneurship hub. Companies operating in Istanbul frequently employ foreign professionals, executives, specialists and international personnel.

For this reason, obtaining a work permit in Istanbul requires careful consideration of both the foreign employee’s individual circumstances and the employer’s corporate and financial structure. Based in Istanbul, İstanbulcota Group® provides professional work permit consultancy for foreign nationals who wish to work in Turkey and companies seeking to employ foreign personnel.

Why Choose İstanbulcota Group® for Work Permit Consultancy?

Successful work permit applications require more than submitting forms. Accurate information, appropriate documentation, correct timing and a clear understanding of the applicable eligibility criteria are all important.

İstanbulcota Group® evaluates each application according to its individual circumstances rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach. We monitor the applicable regulations, assess eligibility before submission, coordinate the preparation of supporting documents and provide guidance throughout the application process.

Whether you are a foreign national planning to work in Turkey or a Turkish or international company intending to employ foreign personnel, a professional pre-application assessment can provide a more reliable starting point.

Contact İstanbulcota Group® for Work Permit Consultancy

If you are researching how to obtain a work permit in Turkey, renew an existing permit or employ a foreign national, you can contact İstanbulcota Group® for professional assistance.

We assess the type of application, the foreign national’s current immigration status, the employer’s corporate structure, the proposed position and the applicable legal criteria in order to determine the appropriate process and potential cost items.

İstanbulcota Group® – Professional Work Permit Consultancy in Turkey.

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