💼 Work Permits for Foreign Nationals in Türkiye in 2026: Types, Applications and Fees

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1️⃣ 💼 Work Permits for Foreign Nationals in Türkiye in 2026: Types, Applications and Fees​


A Turkish work permit (Çalışma İzni) is issued by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security. It authorises work within its conditions and validity, including the relevant employer, occupation and workplace. A tourist visa or residence permit does not itself authorise employment; the appropriate work permit or documented exemption is required.

The official e-İzin sign-in for work-permit applications and follow-up is the Ministry’s portal.

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Organising documents and an online application​

2️⃣ 📊 Practical overview​

Permit typeNature
1️⃣ Fixed-termLinked to specified work and employer
2️⃣ IndefiniteSpecific conditions; no automatic approval
3️⃣ IndependentWork on one’s own account with separate assessment

3️⃣ 📌 Does a work permit also cover residence?​

Fixed-term, permanent and independent permits generally provide a lawful residence basis while valid, so a separate residence permit is not normally required. Permits issued to temporary protection beneficiaries, international protection applicants and conditional refugees do not substitute for residence permission.

4️⃣ 🪪 Types of authorisation​

Fixed-term employment permit: covers the specified employer and authorised work/workplace. The first permit is for up to one year and cannot exceed the employment contract. With the same employer, the first renewal can be up to two years and later renewals up to three. Changing employer is an initial application, not an ordinary renewal.

Permanent work permit: a long-term residence holder or someone with at least eight years of lawful permitted employment can apply, but eligibility does not guarantee approval. Rights broadly follow the applicable long-term residence framework; the holder does not acquire voting rights, access to citizen-only public posts or a military-service obligation. The permanent permit document must be renewed every five years through the prescribed procedure.

Independent work permit: authorises qualifying work on the holder’s own account. Assessment considers education, professional experience, scientific/technical contribution, economic and employment impact, investment and any company capital share. Owning a company does not automatically secure an independent permit.

Turquoise Card (Turkuaz Kart): may be granted for outstanding skills, investment or contributions under the relevant policy and criteria. It offers the applicable permanent-work rights; qualifying spouse and dependent children receive a document substituting for residence permission. The scheme does not cover temporary protection beneficiaries.

5️⃣ 🌍 Domestic and overseas applications​

The ordinary domestic route requires a qualifying residence permit issued for at least six months and still valid on the application date, with special rules for designated categories. Use the correct foreign identity number, employer details and signed contract. The employer or authorised representative submits an employer-sponsored application.

Without a suitable domestic route, apply for a work visa at the Turkish mission in your country of nationality or lawful residence. The mission supplies a 16-digit reference for the employer’s online application.

Use e-İzin, not the e-İkamet residence application system. The employer normally needs e-Devlet access, a valid electronic signature, workplace registration, active contact details and lawful representation authority.

6️⃣ 📂 The application file​

Worker documents normally include passport identity pages, a certified Turkish translation where the passport is not in Latin script, a recent photograph, signed contract, required translated/certified qualifications, residence or consular reference and relevant experience/licensing records. Passport validity must be sufficient: the permit ends at least 60 days before passport expiry.

Employer evidence can include the trade registry, workplace details, capital and partner structure, approved accounts/profit and loss, contract, Turkish staffing records and activity/sector licences. Requirements vary by occupation and sector. Healthcare, private teaching, engineering/architecture, aviation and other regulated roles can need additional approvals, equivalence or registration. Some professions are reserved to citizens.

7️⃣ 📊 How applications are assessed​

The Ministry considers labour market need, Turkish staffing, capital and financial capacity, sales/exports, gross salary, qualifications, the role’s fit with the business, prior approvals, legal records and special sector criteria. Exceptions exist; there is no single rule that guarantees every application.

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Discussing documents during a legal consultation​

8️⃣ 💳 Published fees for 2026​

  • Fixed-term permit up to one year: TRY 12,574.90.
  • More than one and up to two years: TRY 25,149.80.
  • More than two and up to three years: TRY 37,724.70.
  • Permanent or independent permit: TRY 125,802.20.
  • Standard temporary-protection work permit for one year: TRY 4,677.90.
  • Applicable valuable-paper/card charge: TRY 964 in addition.
Pay the amounts notified after approval within 30 days of notification or the application is rejected. Use the Digital Tax Office or the contracted Ziraat, Halk or Vakıf bank channels, with the foreign identity and transaction/reference details. Follow the separate permit/card payment instructions. Government charges are not payable to an intermediary’s personal account.

9️⃣ 📬 Receiving and verifying the card​

After payment and issue, the card is printed and normally sent by PTT to the employer’s registered address. Follow the application and delivery electronically. Check the worker’s name, permit type, start/end dates, employer, workplace/province and verification details. Use the official permit enquiry service to validate the document.

1️⃣0️⃣ 🏥 Insurance and commencement​

The employer must register the worker with SGK where required, declare the correct gross salary, pay contributions, keep the occupation/pay consistent and submit required commencement/termination reports. The permit does not remove labour or social security duties. Do not begin before its validity starts.

1️⃣1️⃣ 🔄 Renewal and changes​

Apply in the final 60 days before expiry and before the existing permit ends. A late application is treated as initial. The two-/three-year renewal terms require the same employer. A fixed-term permit cannot be freely used for another employer, different unauthorised role/workplace, after expiry or following cancellation; obtain the appropriate new permission or official amendment first.

1️⃣2️⃣ ❌ Common refusal reasons​

These include staffing or financial criteria not met, salary below the role threshold, unsuitable role/business activity, missing or inaccurate documents, defective contract, insufficient passport validity, a citizen-only profession, missing prior approval, legal impediments or unpaid approval charges.

1️⃣3️⃣ ✅ Practical application sequence​

Choose the right permit and lawful application route, sign a genuine contract, prepare the worker/employer evidence, submit and electronically sign through e-İzin, answer deficiency requests, pay within the 30-day notice period, track the card and begin work with the required SGK arrangements. Requirements depend on the actual occupation, sector and individual status.

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Preparing a passport for travel​

1️⃣4️⃣ ✅ Records and checks​

2026 payment itemAmount
1️⃣ Fee for up to one yearTRY 12,574.90
2️⃣ Card feeTRY 964 separately
3️⃣ Payment methodMinistry notice and transaction reference

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