Foreign Maid (Domestic Worker) Work Permit

Eligibility

• Household head (employer) registered as an employer with SGK and the relevant tax office.
• Defined role within the household — childcare, elderly care, general housekeeping, cooking, etc.
• Salary at or above the domestic-worker multiplier of minimum wage published by MoLSS.
• Foreigner with relevant experience or training (some roles, e.g. infant care, may require evidence of prior caregiving experience).
• Live-in or live-out arrangement consistent with employment contract.
• Standard public-order, public-security and public-health clearance.

Documents required

• Standard e-İzin document set (passport, photograph, employment contract).
• Household head's national ID and SGK employer registration document.
• Tapu (title deed) or notarised lease evidencing the household residence.
• Detailed employment contract specifying duties, hours, salary, accommodation and rest-days.
• Foreigner's CV and any caregiving certifications (first-aid, infant-care, eldercare).
• References from prior household employers where applicable.

Application process

1. 1

   Household registers as an employer

   The household head registers as an employer with SGK and obtains a workplace number. Without the SGK workplace number the e-İzin filing cannot proceed.

2. 2

   Sign the household-employment contract

   The contract specifies role, salary, hours, rest-days, accommodation (live-in or live-out) and end-of-employment terms. MoLSS expects the contract to be specific and consistent with the role.

3. 3

   Foreigner enters Türkiye on a work visa or applies in-country

   If abroad, the foreigner applies for a work visa at a Turkish consulate using the e-İzin reference. If already in Türkiye on a valid residence permit with at least six months remaining, in-country filing is possible.

4. 4

   Household files the work permit in e-İzin

   The household head files the application in e-İzin under the domestic-worker regime, attaching the SGK workplace registration, contract and household evidence.

5. 5

   MoLSS evaluation

   Domestic-worker files are exempt from the 5:1 rule, so evaluation is faster than for commercial workplaces. Typical processing time runs 4–8 weeks; verify on the e-İzin portal.

6. 6

   Approval, harç, card and SGK enrolment

   On approval, pay the harç and kart bedeli. The card is delivered by PTT. The household enrols the foreigner on SGK 4A and pays monthly premiums; this is enforced.

Validity and renewal

Standard Law 6735 1+2+3 progression. Renewals require continued household employment and continued SGK premium-payment compliance. Switching households requires a fresh first-grant application with the new household.

Salary thresholds and fees

Domestic-worker permits face the standard minimum-wage floor at the lower end of the multiplier table — historically aligned with the prevailing minimum wage rather than an elevated multiplier, plus mandatory SGK contributions paid by the household. Live-in arrangements with accommodation provided do not waive the cash-salary minimum. Verify current expectations on the e-İzin portal.

Common rejection reasons

• Household has not registered as an employer with SGK.
• Salary below the domestic-worker minimum-wage floor.
• Live-in arrangement inconsistent with the household's actual capacity (e.g. no accommodation evidence).
• Outstanding SGK premium debt against the household for prior domestic workers.
• Inconsistencies between the contract role and the foreigner's actual experience.
• Foreigner has prior overstay or unresolved permit-violation flags.

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