Work Visa in Turkey

Successful labour migration is only possible when visa requirements are met and a foreign national’s legal status is properly formalised. In other words, obtaining a work visa for Turkey in 2026 is part of a broader legal procedure in which the decisive document is the work permit.

In other words, a foreign national’s desire to work in Turkey is not enough on its own. A Turkish work visa serves as an entry document that allows the legal employment procedure to begin. However, the foreign national’s primary legal status is granted by the work permit, which is issued by the Turkish Ministry of Labour and Social Security on the basis of an employment relationship with an employer. As a general rule, the Work Permit Card also replaces a Turkish residence permit. For this reason, when preparing an application, it is necessary to assess in advance not only the visa-related aspects, but also the employer company’s standing, the document package and whether the application meets the applicable criteria.

For foreign nationals planning to work legally in Turkey, it is important not only to submit the application itself, but also to ensure that the entire procedure is handled correctly. In such cases, specialised legal support focused on foreign relocation matters can be particularly helpful. 

This article provides a detailed explanation of how to obtain a work visa and a work permit in Turkey, as well as the conditions and requirements that must be met.

What Is a Work Visa in Turkey?

A work visa for Turkey is a document that allows a foreign national to enter the country for subsequent legal employment. It does not replace a work permit and does not independently grant the right to work.

Under the official procedure, a foreign national must first apply for a Turkish work visa at a consulate or embassy. The Turkish employer must then submit the required set of documents to the Ministry of Labour and Social Security within 10 business days. Only after the work permit has been approved does the foreign national acquire the legal right to work and reside in Turkey for the validity period of the issued permit.

Difference Between a Work Visa and a Work Permit in Turkey:

Who Can Obtain a Work Visa?

The Turkish system does not provide for unrestricted entry on a work visa to search for a job after arrival. A lawful basis for employment must be secured first, after which the visa and permit documents can be processed. A foreign national may obtain a work visa for Turkey in 2026 if their employment falls within Turkey’s employer-sponsored migration model.

In practice, legal employment in Turkey for foreign nationals requires three essential elements: a genuine employer, an employment contract or formal job offer, and the employer’s willingness to undergo administrative and legal checks.

A work visa may be obtained by:

• Employees who have received a job offer and an official contract from a Turkish employer in tourism, construction, healthcare or other sectors. Turkish work visas are also particularly relevant for IT specialists today.
• Foreign residents who already hold a Turkish residence permit that is valid on the application date and has been issued for a period of at least 6 months. They may apply for a work permit in Turkey.
• Special categories of foreign nationals, such as athletes, artists, researchers and employees of free economic zones.

If an applicant is considering running their own business, we recommend separately reviewing how business activities in Turkey are structured for foreign nationals. Employment and business operations in Turkey are regulated differently.

Key Requirements for Obtaining a Work Visa

The requirements for obtaining a Turkish work visa must be considered from two perspectives: the conditions applicable to the foreign employee and those applicable to the employer. The Ministry of Labour assesses the case as a whole.

Requirements for the Foreign Employee

The key requirements for the employee are:

• a valid passport with at least 6 months remaining before expiry;
• an official employment contract with a Turkish company;
• a biometric photograph;
• a diploma or another document confirming the applicant’s education;
• consistency between the applicant’s qualifications, position and salary.

For certain professions, it is not enough to hold a diploma: the field of study must also be relevant to the future role. This is particularly important in engineering, architecture and management.

Requirements for the Employer

The following factors are important for the employer:

• the company’s lawful status and compliance with the current assessment criteria;
• a complete set of corporate registration documents;
• the willingness to employ the foreign national in a genuine position and register them in full compliance with social security rules.

Quota of 5 Turkish Employees

The ratio between Turkish and foreign employees remains one of the most important factors for successfully obtaining a visa and a work permit. However, the criteria include exceptions and specific requirements for certain sectors, so the same approach cannot be applied to every company. 

In practice, the “one foreign national to five Turkish employees” rule remains in force. However, in 2026 it no longer applies to all employers, as legislation and administrative practice provide for a number of exceptions.

General Rule

As a rule, to obtain a work permit (çalışma izni) for a foreign national, a company must demonstrate compliance with two conditions:

• at least 5 Turkish citizens officially registered through the SGK system for each foreign employee;
• compliance with the financial criteria established for employers in relation to capital, turnover or exports.

If a company employs several foreign nationals:

• In certain cases, more lenient conditions may apply to the first three foreign employees.
• As a general rule, the standard approach usually applies again from the fourth foreign employee onwards: an additional 5 Turkish employees are required for each new foreign employee.

When Exceptions Apply

The requirement to employ five Turkish citizens may not apply in certain cases, including where:

1. The foreign national has lawfully resided in Turkey for at least 3 of the previous 5 years, excluding periods of residence under a student residence permit. In this case, neither the five-Turkish-employee rule nor the financial criteria may apply to the first three foreign nationals.
2. The foreign national is an investor with an ownership interest of at least USD 100,000. In this case, the requirements relating to the employment of Turkish citizens and the company’s financial indicators may not apply.
3. The case concerns certain special categories or sectors subject to specific rules, such as education, domestic services and some other areas.

If the Foreign National Is the Founder of Their Own Company

When a foreign national applies for a work permit as the founder of their own company, the requirement to employ five Turkish citizens is generally not assessed immediately. Compliance with this condition is assessed during the validity period of the first work permit, usually closer to the end of that period.

What Most Companies Need to Know

The general principle still applies to most employers: if a company intends to employ a foreign national legally, it should check in advance whether it meets both the staffing and financial criteria. These two factors are most often decisive when a work permit application is reviewed.

Another important consideration is the company’s revenue. If the employer’s net sales for the previous year amount to TRY 50,000,000 or more, the employment criterion will not apply when reviewing work permit applications for up to five foreign nationals.

Minimum Company Capital

Financial standing is critical for the employer. In other words, a company seeking to arrange a work visa and work permit for a foreign national must appear to be a genuine employer. Minimum company capital is one of the key criteria used by the Turkish Ministry of Labour when assessing an employer in connection with a foreign national’s work permit application. 

For a newly established company that does not yet have an annual balance sheet or annual income statement, the paid-in share capital must be at least TRY 500,000 when applying for a foreign employee. 

For an operating company with at least one annual balance sheet and income statement, three alternative financial thresholds apply. Meeting at least one of them is sufficient:

• share capital of at least TRY 500,000;
• net sales of at least TRY 8,000,000;
• exports of at least USD 150,000.

This is an important practical point: the law does not require a company to meet all three criteria at the same time. Even if a business does not have substantial share capital, it may still meet the financial standing requirement if it has sufficient turnover or export volume. 

The company’s staffing structure, the relevance of the role and the foreign national’s salary level are also assessed. 

Documents Required for a Work Visa

The standard document package consists of two sections: documents submitted by the foreign national for the Turkish work visa and documents submitted by the employer. The list may be expanded for certain professions and employment categories.

Documents from the Employee

The foreign national must provide:

• a completed work visa application form;
• biometric photographs taken no more than 6 months earlier;
• a copy of the applicant’s passport;
• an employment contract signed by both the employer and the foreign national;
• a diploma or certificate of completion of education;
• health insurance for the entire period of residence in Turkey.

In some cases, the consulate or embassy may also request a criminal record certificate and proof of accommodation, such as a rental agreement or TAPU title deed. 

Documents from the Employer

The employer submits:

• a work permit application;
• the foreign employee information form;
• a trade registry extract;
• accounting documents: income and expense statements certified by the Tax Office or a certified public accountant;
• a notarised power of attorney if the documents are filed through a representative.

Translations and Apostille Certification

When applying for a Turkish work visa, all foreign-language documents submitted by citizens of Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and other countries must be translated into Turkish and certified by a sworn translator. Some documents must also be apostilled. The legalisation requirements must be checked separately depending on the type of document, the country of issue and the requirements of the relevant consulate or authority. Assistance from qualified Turkish lawyers is particularly important in this matter.

Step-by-Step Application Procedure

The step-by-step procedure for obtaining a Turkish work visa in 2026 is outlined below.

Obtaining a Job Offer

According to the official guidance issued by the Ministry of Labor, the process begins with a job offer and the signing of an employment contract between the employer and the foreign national. The procedure cannot begin without an employer and a formal contract.

Applying at the Consulate

Once the contract has been signed, the foreign national applies at a Turkish embassy or consulate in their country of residence in accordance with Article 7 of the Law on International Labour Force. According to the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a passport, visa application form and employer letter are required at this stage. After applying at the consulate, the applicant receives a 16-digit reference number, which must be passed on to the employer.

The time required to obtain a Turkish work visa depends directly on the workload of the embassy or consulate and on whether the application and supporting documents have been submitted correctly. 

Employer Submission to the Ministry of Labour

This is the most important stage. The employer must submit the document package to the Turkish Ministry of Labour and Social Security within 10 business days after the foreign national submits their information to the consulate. The procedure can now be completed through the e-Devlet electronic system using an electronic signature.

Obtaining the Work Permit

The Ministry of Labour issues a decision on the application within a maximum of 30 days. If the decision is positive, the applicant is informed that the applicable fees for the official documents must be paid. The work permit is then issued and sent to the employer.

Entering Turkey

After approval and payment of the relevant fees, the foreign national enters Turkey. The employer must then submit a commencement notification, and the foreign national must register with the Social Security Centre within 30 days of entry.

Validity Period and Extension of a Work Visa

According to the Ministry of Labour, the initial work permit is issued for up to 1 year. Upon the first extension, the Turkish work permit may be extended for up to 2 years, and for subsequent extensions, for up to 3 years with the same employer. If the foreign national changes employers, the new application is treated as an initial application.

A separate status is available in the form of a permanent or indefinite work permit. Foreign nationals who hold a long-term residence permit in Turkey or who have held a lawful work permit for at least 8 years may be eligible.

How Much Does a Turkish Work Visa Cost?

The cost of a work visa consists of several mandatory expense items: consular fees, government charges, notarial expenses, translations and other related costs.

Government Fees

According to the Ministry of Labour, the following amounts apply in 2026:

• work permit valid for up to 1 year — TRY 12,574.90;
• work permit valid for more than 1 year and up to 2 years — TRY 25,149.80;
• work permit card issuance fee — TRY 964.

Notary Fees

Notary fees generally arise when issuing a power of attorney and certifying individual documents and translations. According to the tariffs of the Turkish Notaries Union, the cost of notarising one document is approximately TRY 1,500–2,000 per document.

Translations

Translations are a mandatory expense, at least for education documents. The cost of sworn translation services is calculated per 1,000 characters and generally amounts to approximately TRY 500–800 for standard documents such as a passport or diploma.

Insurance

The overall budget for an employment-related application should include the cost of a health insurance policy for the entire validity period of the Turkish work permit. The final cost depends on the selected coverage and the composition of the family.

Reasons for Refusal of a Work Visa

Issues with the Company

One of the most common reasons for refusal of a Turkish work visa is a weak employer profile. If the company does not meet the criteria, cannot demonstrate sufficient business activity, fails to satisfy the staffing or financial requirements, or submits an incomplete document package, the risk of refusal increases significantly.

Fictitious Employment

The Turkish system is designed for genuine rather than nominal employment. If an application is filed merely “to obtain status”, this generally becomes apparent quickly. Such cases are particularly vulnerable both during the review stage and after the permit has been issued.

Salary Non-Compliance

The salary must not only be stated in the contract, but must also comply with statutory requirements. For certain categories, such as senior executives and pilots, higher thresholds apply in relation to the minimum wage. In addition, the amount subject to social security contributions must not be lower than the salary declared in the work permit application.

Errors in the Documents

Missing translations, errors in the application form or contract, an incomplete document package and missed filing deadlines are common reasons for refusal. Resubmission is possible once the deficiencies have been corrected, but this always results in lost time and additional expenses.

Rights of a Foreign National Holding a Work Permit

Can a Residence Permit Be Obtained?

A work visa is essentially equivalent to a work-based residence permit in Turkey. The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Labour and Social Security confirm that, as a general rule, a work permit card provides a valid legal basis for residing in the country. Exceptions apply to certain categories of international and temporary protection.

Can Family Members Be Brought to Turkey?

Yes. A foreign national may bring close family members to Turkey, but a separate legal mechanism applies. The applicant’s family members generally do not receive a work visa; instead, they apply for a family residence permit.

Does It Provide a Right to Citizenship?

A work visa and a work permit do not automatically grant a right to Turkish citizenship. However, legal employment and residence in the country may form part of a lawful migration pathway. One of the conditions for citizenship by naturalisation is continuous residence in Turkey on a work visa for 5 years.

Work Visa vs Digital Nomad Visa

A work visa and a digital nomad visa are two different legal regimes.

A digital nomad must be between 21 and 55 years old, hold a valid passport and a university degree, provide evidence of remote employment, and earn at least USD 3,000 per month or USD 36,000 per year. The work must be performed for a company located outside Turkey or as independent activity under a contract with a foreign company.

Legal Assistance with Work Visa Applications

Applying for a Turkish work visa is a complex legal matter that requires the employer to be reviewed, the role and salary to be assessed for compliance, each filing stage to be structured correctly, deadlines to be observed, translations to be prepared and a strategy for future extensions to be considered.

For a foreign national, mistakes can be costly: a refusal may derail relocation, a family move and subsequent migration plans. The risks are also significant for employers: failure to comply with the rules may prevent the company from hiring a qualified employee and may lead to additional administrative issues.

High-quality legal support includes not only the filing of documents, but also a thorough legal assessment of the case: a general review of the company and refusal risks, an audit of the employment contract, coordination of the corporate document package, assistance at the consulate and support with extensions or a change of employer.

FAQ

What Is a Work Visa in Turkey?

A work visa is a visa obtained by a foreign national through a Turkish consulate to enter the country for employment purposes. It does not operate separately from a work permit and is used only as part of the work permit application procedure.

What Is the Difference Between a Work Visa and a Work Permit?

A work visa is required for lawful entry into Turkey for employment purposes. A work permit, in turn, is the primary document that allows a foreign national to work legally in the country and reside there lawfully for its validity period.

Who Can Obtain a Work Visa in Turkey?

A foreign national may apply for a work visa if they have been offered a job by a Turkish company, an employment contract has been signed, and the applicable requirements have been met by both the applicant and the employer.

What Documents Are Required for a Work Visa?

As a rule, the applicant will need a passport, an employment contract, a biometric photograph and proof of education. The employer provides the company’s registration and financial documents, including tax and corporate records.

How Long Does It Take to Obtain a Work Visa?

According to official information from the Turkish authorities, once the employer has correctly submitted the documents to the Ministry of Labour, the application is generally reviewed within up to 30 days.

How Long Is a Work Permit Valid?

The initial permit is generally issued for up to 1 year. Upon the first extension, it may be issued for up to 2 years, and upon subsequent extensions, for up to 3 years.

Can a Work Visa Be Extended?

Yes. An extension is possible by extending the work permit itself. The application must be filed within the applicable deadlines and comply with the requirements for the relevant work permit category.

Does a Work Visa Provide a Right to a Residence Permit?

In standard cases, a work permit fully replaces a residence permit, so a separate permit is generally not required. However, exceptions apply to certain special protection statuses.

Can Turkish Citizenship Be Obtained Through a Work Permit?

Not automatically. However, a work permit may serve as the basis for lawful residence in Turkey, which is taken into account for citizenship by naturalisation if the other conditions are met, including 5 years of continuous residence.