What are the requirements for getting a job in Turkey?

Compared to the rest of Europe, Turkey is an affordable place to live and so it’s no surprise that many people want to work and live there. 

Unfortunately, you can’t just fly to Turkey and start working there. There’s plenty of paperwork to submit.

So, what are the requirements for getting a job in Turkey? 

Before we delve into details, there are a couple of prerequisites. 

A work contract

You need to have a work contract before you apply for a work visa. It needs to include sufficient information about your potential position, like your salary, bonuses, period of work, etc.

A work contract is the evidence the Turkish embassy needs to be sure that you’re actually moving to Turkey for work. 

The two most crucial requirements to work in Turkey are a work visa and a work permit. 

How to get a Turkish Work Visa?

Applying for a Turkish work visa isn’t a solitary effort, as both you and your employer take part in the process. 

Once you’ve secured a work contract, identify a departure date. Here’s the catch: You can only apply for a Turkish work visa 1-2 months before your departure. 

The application

Your first step is to fill out the visa application. It’s a standard form, but it’ll ask you to specify the type of employment you’re applying for. That includes:

• Assigned Sportsperson
• Assigned Journalists
• Employment Purpose/Special Employment Purpose
• Assigned Artists
• Montage and Repairman Purposes
• Assigned Free Zone Workers
• Assigned Lecturers/Academics

Once you fill out the application, submit it to the Turkish embassy in your country. However, some countries may require you to submit it to an application center that Turkey has outsourced.

Once you finish this step, you’ll receive a date for a face-to-face interview at the Turkish consulate. Make sure to show up on time and prepare all the necessary documents (we’ll cover those further on).

The interview

We understand most people get nervous during interviews, but you have nothing to worry about. 

The consular officer will ask a few standard questions like the purpose of your visit, the nature of your work, your background, etc.

It shouldn’t take long. If you have your papers and affairs in order, you can be assertive and answer their questions confidently. If it’ll help calm you down, you can prepare for the interview the day before. 

What are the required documents for the Turkish Work Visa?

Knowing the correct paperwork to provide before applying for a work visa will save you a lot of time and energy. 

You’ll need:

• A completed Turkish work visa application.
• A passport: It should be valid for six months after the date of your departure to Turkey.
• Two biometric photos: They need to be taken no more than six months before your departure.
• A valid police clearance certificate: It proves you haven’t been involved in illegal businesses.
• Job contract (as we’ve already covered).
• A provisional graduation certificate or a diploma: It proves that your education is equivalent to that of Turkey.
• A sworn translation: It’s a certified translation of your provisional certificate or diploma. It should be translated into English or Turkish.
• Proof of accommodation: Whether it’s a real estate property or a rent contract, you need to prove you have a place to stay in Turkey.
• Flight tickets: You need to book a round-trip flight and present a copy of it to the embassy or consulate.
• Medical insurance: Your medical insurance needs to cover the entire time you’re staying in Turkey.
• Financial stability: You need to prove that you have the financial capability to spend at least €50 a day.

How to get a work permit?

You need both a work visa and a work permit to work in Turkey, and the process for each is different.

How different? For starters, your employer completes the work permit application process, not you. So how do they do it?

The application 

Once you’re done with the interview, notify your employer to apply for the work permit. Yes, like with the work visa, you apply for a work permit by filling out an online form.

They’ll find it on the website of the Turkish Ministry of Labor and Social Services. It’s crucial to contact them as soon as you finish the interview, though.

If they don’t submit the application within ten days of doing your interview (six within filling out the application), the embassy will reject the permit. After filling in the form, your employer should send the rest of your employment documents to the embassy in person or via email.

Make sure to coordinate with them so you can complete the process on time. Pro tip: When you finish your interview, the embassy will give you a reference number.

It could take four days or more to issue, depending on the number of applicants. When you receive it, send it to your employer. It helps the ministry access your application faster, making the process go smoother.

Once your employer completes the application process, it should take the ministry no more than thirty days to accept or reject the application.

What are the required documents for the Turkish Work Permit?

Like the work visa, your employer needs to present specific documents to the Turkish Ministry of Labor and Social Services. So, what do they need to submit?

• A work permit application letter
• A foreign personnel application form: It’s a standard form for employers looking to hire people from foreign countries.
• A balance sheet, along with a profit and loss statement (P&L): The tax office needs to provide a certification of authenticity. 
• A trade registry gazette of Turkey: It holds crucial information about the organization, like the capital structure and shareholding.
• A power of attorney for the person managing the online application.     

Now you understand the requirements of getting a job in Turkey. Yes, it’s a bit of a hassle, but if you’re organized and follow the steps precisely, you shouldn’t face any trouble.

Remember, you’re not the only one working to secure a work visa and permit. Your employer also takes part in the process. So, make sure to stay in touch with them to complete the application in time.

Applying while in Turkey

If you are already living in Turkey on a residence permit, then you can apply directly to the Ministry of Labor and Social Security for a work permit. Your residence permit needs to be valid for at least six months.

So if you’re on a visit to Turkey and happen to stumble upon a job opportunity, then it is possible to apply to work while in the country. If, however, you secure a job online while abroad, you don’t need to have a residence permit.

What is a residence visa? 

A residence visa enables you to live, study, get married, open a bank account, get a Turkish driver’s license, purchase property, etc. in Turkey. However, it doesn’t allow you to work in Turkey. You need to apply for a work permit for that. 

The good news is that you don’t have to apply for a work visa at a Turkish consulate if you already have a residence permit, but your employer will still need to apply for a work permit for you. 

Your employer will be required to submit documents to the Ministry of Labor and Social Security (MLSS) like a copy of your passport, the application form, and a letter of employment. 

Once your employer has submitted the documents, the decision is up to the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, and they will get back to you within 30 days. 

Extra requirements for work permits:

Not just any job will be accepted for a work permit. For example, your employer needs to be paying you acceptable wages for your skills and education:

• Senior executives, pilots, engineers, and architects must be paid at least 6.5 times the minimum wage
• Branch managers and engineers and architects must be paid 4 times the minimum wage
• Specialized and skilled jobs like teachers, psychologists, physiotherapists, musicians, and stage performers must be paid 3 times the minimum wage
• Domestic services at least the minimum wage and other professionals (like salespeople) must be paid 1.5 times the minimum wage 
• Acrobats or people in tourism companies or masseurs must be paid 2 times the minimum wage

How long does a work permit last in Turkey?

The maximum you will be granted a work permit is for one year, after your first renewal you can apply for an extension of 2 more years, and up to 3 years for following extensions.  

What if I quit my job?

If you resign from your workplace, then your work permit is cancelled. 

What happens if my work permit expires?

Once your permit expires, you have 10 days to leave the country, or you will be fined. If you want to stay longer then you need to apply for short term residence within 10 days of your last day at work.

Grace Hillier

I’m a teacher and writer living abroad. I love languages, drinking lots of çay (tea) with friends, experiencing different cultures and going on adventures with my family.