Engineer / Architect Work Permit

Eligibility

• Diploma in engineering or architecture from a recognised university, with YÖK equivalency for non-Turkish degrees.
• TMMOB chamber registration for the relevant discipline (architects, civil engineers, electrical engineers, etc.).
• Employer side: standard Law 6735 employer eligibility — registered entity, no tax / SGK debt, 5:1 Turkish-staff ratio (or FDI / sector exemption).
• Salary at or above the engineering-role multiplier of minimum wage published by MoLSS.
• Sector references and CV consistent with the role.
• Standard public-order and public-security clearance.

Documents required

• Standard e-İzin document set (passport, photograph, employment contract).
• Apostilled engineering / architecture diploma plus official transcripts.
• YÖK diploma equivalency certificate (Diploma Denklik Belgesi) or evidence the recognition is in process.
• TMMOB chamber registration certificate or letter confirming the registration application is in process.
• Employer's standard registration package (trade registry, SGK, financials, 5:1 staff list).
• Sector references — prior project portfolio, employer references — for senior engineering roles.

Application process

1. 1

   Apply for YÖK diploma equivalency early

   YÖK equivalency commonly takes several months and is the longest critical-path item. File the equivalency application in parallel with starting the job search.

2. 2

   Register with the relevant TMMOB chamber

   Once YÖK equivalency is granted, register with the chamber for your discipline (Mimarlar Odası, İnşaat Mühendisleri Odası, etc.). The chamber issues the practice authorisation that MoLSS expects to see.

3. 3

   Employer files the work permit in e-İzin

   With YÖK and chamber documents in hand, the employer files the standard Law 6735 application in e-İzin, attaching the diploma equivalency and the chamber registration.

4. 4

   MoLSS evaluation with TMMOB consultation

   MoLSS may consult TMMOB during evaluation. Typical processing time runs 4–8 weeks; verify with the e-İzin portal.

5. 5

   Approval, harç and card

   On approval, pay the harç and kart bedeli; the card is delivered by PTT.

6. 6

   SGK enrolment and ongoing chamber dues

   The employer enrols the foreigner on SGK. The foreigner pays annual chamber dues to the relevant TMMOB chamber to maintain practice authorisation.

Validity and renewal

Standard Law 6735 1+2+3 progression: up to one year on first grant, then up to two, then up to three. Renewals require continued YÖK equivalency, chamber registration and employer eligibility.

Salary thresholds and fees

Engineering and architecture roles face a dedicated multiplier in the MoLSS table — historically around 1.5× minimum wage for line engineers and architects and higher for senior project leads. The multiplier is set by MoLSS regulation and updated alongside minimum-wage revisions; verify the current value on the e-İzin portal as of your application date.

Common rejection reasons

• YÖK diploma equivalency missing or in process at filing time without sufficient evidence of progress.
• TMMOB chamber registration missing.
• Salary offered below the engineering / architecture multiplier of minimum wage.
• Employer fails the 5:1 rule and cannot justify a sector exemption.
• Role description inconsistent with the foreigner's actual qualifications (e.g. civil-engineering work for an electrical-engineering graduate).
• Outstanding tax / SGK debt at the employer level.

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