Work Residence Permit

Eligibility

• A Turkish-registered employer (sermaye şirketi typically) sponsors the application via e-İzin.
• The employer meets the relevant ratio (5 Turkish employees per foreign hire) and capital tests, or qualifies for an exemption.
• The foreign worker's gross salary meets the minimum-wage multiple set for that role under the Ministry of Labour evaluation criteria.
• Education and experience match the role advertised — diplomas issued abroad must be recognised by YÖK denklik for regulated professions.
• No public-order or public-security flags.
• Independent / self-employed applicants can use the independent work permit (bağımsız çalışma izni) under Law 6735 Article 10 after 5 years of continuous lawful residence.

Documents required

• Employment contract signed by the Turkish employer.
• Employer's commercial registry record (ticaret sicili gazetesi), most recent balance sheet and tax filings.
• Foreign worker's diploma (apostilled and sworn-translated; YÖK denklik for regulated professions).
• Passport bio-page and entry stamp.
• Biometric photo.
• If applying from abroad: work-visa from a Turkish consulate first, then the Ministry of Labour application within 30 days of entry.

Application process

1. 1

   Employer evaluation and offer

   The Turkish employer assesses ratio compliance and capital tests, then makes the offer.

2. 2

   Foreign worker obtains work-visa from a Turkish consulate (if applying from abroad)

   The consulate issues a single-entry work-visa once the employer has pre-filed the application reference. Skip this step if the worker is already in Türkiye on another permit.

3. 3

   Employer files via e-İzin

   Within 30 days of entry, the employer submits the full application via the e-İzin portal of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security. The Ministry typically decides within 30 days.

4. 4

   Worker registers SGK and obtains tax number

   Once the work permit is approved, the worker is registered with SGK (Social Security Institution) by the employer and obtains a Turkish tax number.

5. 5

   Card delivery via PTT

   The work-permit card is delivered to the worker's registered address. The card itself functions as the residence permit during its validity.

6. 6

   Renewal before expiry

   Renewals are filed by the employer before expiry. After 8 years of continuous work, the worker may be eligible for an indefinite work permit and the long-term residence permit.

Validity and renewal

First-issue work permits are typically granted for up to 1 year for the same employer and same job. The first renewal extends up to 2 years; subsequent renewals up to 3 years. After 8 years of continuous lawful work, the worker may apply for an indefinite work permit (süresiz çalışma izni) under Law 6735 Article 10. Independent work permits also become available after 5 years of continuous lawful residence.

Fees

The Ministry of Labour charges a work-permit fee (set yearly by Treasury circular) plus the kart bedeli. The fee is invoiced to the employer in most cases. Verify current figures with the Ministry of Treasury harç schedule and the e-İzin portal.

Common rejection reasons

• Employer fails the 5:1 Turkish-to-foreign worker ratio without an exemption.
• Salary offered below the role-specific minimum-wage multiple.
• Diploma not recognised by YÖK denklik for a regulated profession.
• Employer's capital below the minimum threshold (currently 100,000 TRY paid-in for most cases).
• Foreign worker had a prior unauthorised-work flag.
• Application filed more than 30 days after the worker's entry on a work-visa.

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