How to obtain a work permit in Turkey
A work permit is a document applied for and obtained by the employer on behalf of foreign employees, or Syrians under temporary protection who hold a kimlik, and it is fundamentally different from a work residence permit or a work authorisation based on a tourist residence permit
Why a work permit matters
It protects the worker's rights and puts the job on a legal footing, it entitles the holder to social security and to various types of insurance, and it is issued for a fixed term: one year the first time, then renewed for two years, after which it may be extended for three years. It may also be granted for an unlimited period once eight consecutive years have passed.
Conditions for applying for a work permit
Work permit conditions:
1- You must be registered under the temporary protection scheme and hold a temporary protection card.
2- You must have been registered in Turkey under the temporary protection scheme for at least six months before the date of application.
3- You must apply for the work permit in the city where you are registered under the temporary protection scheme.
4- You must obtain prior approval from the ministry responsible for the profession, if it falls within the health or education sector.
5- Syrian workers must not exceed 10% of the number of Turkish workers at the workplace.
6- The employer must submit the work permit application on behalf of the employee
7- Self-employed people must apply for the work permit directly at the provincial labour offices and the social security authority
Requirements and documents for a work permit
Qualifying for a work permit means not falling foul of the conditions and rules set out in Turkish legislation. After that, the following must be submitted:
1_ A letter requesting a work permit addressed to the Ministry of Labour and Social Security
2_ Four copies of the three-page foreign worker registration form, together with a recent passport photograph
3_ The official trade registry gazette showing the latest details of the partners' shares and the capital
4_ The company's official balance sheet for the past year, issued by the tax office or certified by a sworn financial adviser
5_ The payroll schedule showing the salaries paid to Turkish staff and their job grades within the company
6_ A tourist residence permit valid for at least six months if the application is made from inside Turkey; student residence permits are exempt, as students are allowed to work 24 hours a week under the new 2015 law
7_ Equivalency certification for a civil engineering, architecture or planning degree if the qualification was obtained outside Turkey
8_ A marriage certificate if the applicant is married to a Turkish citizen
9_ Certified translations of the applicant's qualifications
10_ A certified translation of the passport
11_ A CV.
_ How to apply for a work permit
Once the required documents are ready and the conditions have been met, the employer applies to the Ministry of Labour and Social Security to obtain the work permit under specific conditions which the employer will naturally be aware of
Tracking the work permit
After the work permit application has been submitted, the person concerned follows it up through their own account on e-devlet