Can I fly in Türkiye on my foreign EASA / FAA licence?

Not directly. SHT-FCL requires SHGM-issued or SHGM-validated licensing for commercial operations on Turkish-registered aircraft. Foreign-state CPL/ATPL holders go through validation or conversion at SHGM before they can fly the line for a Turkish operator.

What is the typical multiplier for pilots?

Historically around 4× minimum wage as the regulatory floor; operator pay scales typically run materially above that for type-rated experience. The exact MoLSS multiplier is set by regulation; verify on the e-İzin portal.

Are pilots exempt from the 5:1 Turkish-staff rule?

Yes — foreign pilot recruitment is a recognised sector-exemption category in line with the global flight-crew market. Turkish operators flag the exemption in the e-İzin file.

Do I need to speak Turkish?

Operationally no — flight operations are conducted in ICAO English. Day-to-day interactions with company HR and authorities are smoother with Turkish, but the regulatory English-proficiency requirement is the operative one.

How long does SHGM validation take?

Variable. ICAO-state validation can be a matter of weeks to a few months depending on the original state and the operator's urgency. Type-rating training adds further weeks. Plan for the licensing track to be the critical path.

What about helicopter pilots and corporate aviation?

The same SHT-FCL framework applies, with role-specific licensing and type ratings. Corporate / business-aviation operators (private operating certificates) follow a parallel SHT structure. Most foreign helicopter pilot work is for offshore-energy, MEDEVAC and tourism operators.

Profession · Pilot

Pilot Work Permit

Foreign pilots in Türkiye work under standard Law 6735 work permits with operational licensing by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (SHGM) under SHT-1 and SHT-FCL — the Turkish implementation of EASA-style flight-crew licensing.

Legal anchor

Law 6735 + SHGM SHT-1 / SHT-FCL licensing

Türkçe: Yabancı pilot çalışma izni
English: Pilot Work Permit

Overview

Civil aviation in Türkiye is regulated by SHGM (Sivil Havacılık Genel Müdürlüğü) under the Civil Aviation Law (Law 2920) and a stack of SHT (Sivil Havacılık Talimatı) regulations. Flight-crew licensing follows the SHT-FCL framework, the Turkish implementation of EASA Part-FCL.

Foreign pilots employed by Turkish airlines (THY, Pegasus, AnadoluJet, SunExpress and others) need an SHGM-issued or SHGM-validated licence appropriate to the aircraft type and operation. The licence is a separate regulatory layer that runs in parallel with the MoLSS work-permit application.

MoLSS applies an elevated multiplier to pilot roles. Foreign pilots are a recognised sector-exemption category for the 5:1 Turkish-staff rule because the global pilot market and aircraft-specific type ratings make domestic-only hiring impractical.

Eligibility

Valid commercial pilot licence (CPL or ATPL) plus relevant aircraft type rating, issued or validated under SHT-FCL by SHGM.
Class 1 medical certificate valid under SHGM rules.
English-language proficiency at ICAO Level 4 or higher (operational requirement).
Employment offer from a Turkish-licensed air operator (AOC holder) with the aircraft type matching the type rating.
Salary at or above the pilot-role multiplier of minimum wage published by MoLSS.
Standard public-order, public-security and public-health clearance.

Documents required

Standard e-İzin document set (passport, photograph, employment contract).
SHGM-issued or SHGM-validated commercial pilot licence and type rating.
Class 1 medical certificate.
Logbook / flight-hours summary evidencing experience for the role.
ICAO English-language certificate.
Employer (operator) AOC documentation, fleet listing and route licence relevant to the role.

Application process

1
SHGM licence validation or conversion
Pilots holding ICAO-state CPL/ATPL licences typically validate or convert under SHT-FCL — the process is SHGM's call and may include theoretical examinations and a Turkish licence-skill test depending on the original state of issue.
2
Class 1 medical and English-proficiency tests
Class 1 medical and ICAO English certification must be valid at the time of MoLSS filing. SHGM-recognised medical examiners conduct the medical.
3
Employer files the work permit in e-İzin
The Turkish airline files the standard Law 6735 application in e-İzin, attaching the SHGM licence, type rating, medical and English certificate.
4
MoLSS evaluation with SHGM consultation
MoLSS may consult SHGM during evaluation. Typical processing time runs 4–8 weeks; verify on the e-İzin portal.
5
Approval, harç and card
On approval, pay the harç and kart bedeli; the card is delivered by PTT.
6
Operator-side type rating and SGK enrolment
The operator completes any operator-specific type-rating training and enrols the foreigner on SGK.

Validity and renewal

Standard Law 6735 1+2+3 progression. Renewal requires continued SHGM licensing, valid Class 1 medical, current type rating and continued operator employment. Loss of any operational element automatically blocks renewal.

Salary thresholds and fees

Pilot roles face an elevated multiplier — historically around 4× minimum wage for first officers and higher for captains. Multipliers are set by MoLSS regulation and updated alongside minimum-wage revisions; verify the current numbers on the e-İzin portal. Operator pay scales typically run materially above the regulatory floor for type-rated experience.

Common rejection reasons

SHGM licence validation / conversion not yet complete at filing time.
Class 1 medical or ICAO English certification expired.
Operator AOC scope inconsistent with the role description.
Salary offered below the pilot-role multiplier.
Type rating mismatched between the foreigner and the operator's fleet.
Outstanding regulatory action against the foreigner from a foreign aviation authority.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Can I fly in Türkiye on my foreign EASA / FAA licence?: Not directly. SHT-FCL requires SHGM-issued or SHGM-validated licensing for commercial operations on Turkish-registered aircraft. Foreign-state CPL/ATPL holders go through validation or conversion at SHGM before they can fly the line for a Turkish operator.
What is the typical multiplier for pilots?: Historically around 4× minimum wage as the regulatory floor; operator pay scales typically run materially above that for type-rated experience. The exact MoLSS multiplier is set by regulation; verify on the e-İzin portal.
Are pilots exempt from the 5:1 Turkish-staff rule?: Yes — foreign pilot recruitment is a recognised sector-exemption category in line with the global flight-crew market. Turkish operators flag the exemption in the e-İzin file.
Do I need to speak Turkish?: Operationally no — flight operations are conducted in ICAO English. Day-to-day interactions with company HR and authorities are smoother with Turkish, but the regulatory English-proficiency requirement is the operative one.
How long does SHGM validation take?: Variable. ICAO-state validation can be a matter of weeks to a few months depending on the original state and the operator's urgency. Type-rating training adds further weeks. Plan for the licensing track to be the critical path.
What about helicopter pilots and corporate aviation?: The same SHT-FCL framework applies, with role-specific licensing and type ratings. Corporate / business-aviation operators (private operating certificates) follow a parallel SHT structure. Most foreign helicopter pilot work is for offshore-energy, MEDEVAC and tourism operators.

Related subtypes

Related work-permit subtypes

Süreli çalışma izni

Definite-Period Work Permit

Law 6735, Article 10

The definite-period work permit is the default category for foreigners hired by a Turkish employer.

View permit details

İstisnai çalışma izni

Exceptional Work Permit

Law 6735, Article 16

The exceptional work permit is a discretionary category under Article 16 of Law 6735 reserved for specific groups — including foreigners married to Turkish citizens, holders of citizenship by investment in process, recognised refugees and other categories the Council of Ministers identifies.

View permit details

Turizm sektörü çalışma izni

Tourism Sector Work Permit

Law 6735 + Law 1618 (Tourism) + Ministry of Culture and Tourism

Foreign tourism-sector workers in Türkiye work under standard Law 6735 work permits, with hotels, resorts and travel agencies operating under Law 1618 (Travel Agencies Law) and Ministry of Culture and Tourism licensing.

View permit details

Recommended tools

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Salaried work in Türkiye almost always triggers Turkish tax residency — model the day-presence test and worldwide-income exposure before signing your contract.

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Sanity-check the salary your employer is offering against the actual cost of living in the city you will work in.

Deep dives

Long-form guides and calculators

Türkiye Work Permit Guide

End-to-end guide to applying for a Türkiye work permit — the e-İzin portal, employer-side criteria, salary thresholds, harç payment and the SGK enrolment that follows approval.

Residence Permit Cost Calculator

A work permit issued under Law 6735 doubles as a residence permit — estimate the harç (stamp tax) and card fee that apply to the residence component.

Back to all work permit subtypes