Nurse Work Permit

Eligibility

• Nursing degree from a recognised institution with YÖK equivalency for non-Turkish qualifications.
• MoH licensing decision authorising nursing practice under Law 6283.
• Employment offer from a private hospital, polyclinic or other MoH-permitted institution; public-sector MoH employment is generally restricted to Turkish citizens.
• Salary at or above the nursing-role multiplier of minimum wage published by MoLSS.
• Sector-specific competence evidence where required (e.g. ICU, anaesthesia, neonatal).
• Standard public-order, public-security and public-health clearance.

Documents required

• Standard e-İzin document set (passport, photograph, employment contract).
• Apostilled nursing degree and any specialisation certificates plus official transcripts.
• YÖK diploma equivalency (Hemşirelik Diploma Denklik Belgesi).
• MoH licensing decision under Law 6283.
• Employer's hospital licensing and bed-capacity evidence.
• Standard employer registration package (trade registry, SGK, financials, 5:1 staff list or sector exemption justification).

Application process

1. 1

   Apply for YÖK equivalency for the nursing degree

   YÖK equivalency for nursing typically requires demonstration of clinical training equivalent to Turkish nursing programmes. File early — equivalency is a critical-path item.

2. 2

   Apply for MoH licensing under Law 6283

   MoH evaluates clinical competence and language. Depending on the country of original qualification an examination, orientation or supervised period may be required.

3. 3

   Employer files the work permit in e-İzin

   With YÖK and MoH documents in hand, the hospital files the standard Law 6735 application in e-İzin, attaching the regulatory documents and any sector-exemption justification.

4. 4

   MoLSS evaluation with MoH consultation

   MoLSS consults MoH on regulated nursing roles. 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 compliance

   The hospital enrols the foreigner on SGK. The foreign nurse maintains MoH licensing and any required continuing-education credits.

Validity and renewal

Standard Law 6735 1+2+3 progression. Renewals require continued MoH licensing and continued employment by an MoH-permitted institution. Loss of MoH licensing automatically blocks renewal.

Salary thresholds and fees

Nursing roles face an elevated multiplier — historically around 3× minimum wage for general nursing and higher for specialised roles such as ICU or operating-room nursing. Multipliers are set by MoLSS regulation and updated alongside minimum-wage revisions; verify the current numbers on the e-İzin portal.

Common rejection reasons

• MoH licensing not yet granted or conditional on supervised practice.
• YÖK equivalency missing or in process without sufficient evidence.
• Salary below the nursing-role multiplier.
• Employer is a public MoH institution where foreign nurses are not permitted.
• 5:1 rule unmet without a credible sector-exemption justification.
• Outstanding tax / SGK debt at the hospital level.

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