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Work Permit Renewal, Changing Employer and Ending Employment in Türkiye in 2026
Renewing with the same employer, moving to a new employer and cancelling a permit are different procedures. A work permit does not transfer automatically between companies.
The official e-İzin sign-in for work-permit applications and follow-up is the Ministry’s portal.
Seeking assistance with an application
Practical overview
| Situation | Procedure |
|---|---|
| Renew before expiry | |
| New application before starting work | |
| Permit, SGK and notification procedures |
When to renew
The current employer can submit the renewal through e-İzin during the 60 days before expiry, and must do so before the permit expires. A late application is treated as a new initial application rather than a renewal.For continued employment with the same employer, the maximum periods are one year for the initial permit, two years for the first renewal and three years for each subsequent renewal. These are ceilings, not guaranteed terms; the contract, passport, role and employer circumstances can justify a shorter permit.
The renewal procedure
The employer or authorised representative signs in, selects the permit, checks workplace/worker/role/salary details, uploads the documents required for the sector and employer, electronically signs and submits, monitors requests for further information and pays the permit/card charges following approval. Use the document checklist in the actual application and the Ministry’s official documents page.
Continuing work while a renewal is assessed
A timely renewal can allow work to continue after the previous permit expires for up to 90 days during assessment, provided the employer, work and workplace remain the same and no refusal has been issued. The existing salary, insurance and other duties continue. This rule does not authorise work for a new company while its initial application is pending.
Changing employer
The new employer must make an initial work permit application, even for an identical role. The current criteria apply and the previous approval does not guarantee a new one. Do not start the new job until the appropriate permit is valid. Coordinate the old employment termination, Ministry notification and SGK exit record.
Changing role or workplace
An internal contract amendment may be insufficient when the role, work, address or employer details change. Check in e-İzin whether an update, formal notification, fresh application or cancellation and replacement permit is required. Professional qualifications and prior institutional approvals are particularly relevant in regulated occupations.
Specific restrictions on an early move
Some routes have a restriction during the first six months of the permit. For permits granted under sector-specific evaluation exemptions, a domestic application for a different employer outside the specified sector, occupation or work is assessed negatively, except for force majeure. Domestic-service and livestock permits obtained through an overseas application have a similar restriction on a domestic change of employer. This is not a blanket rule for every worker: check the permit’s basis and any documented exception before moving.
Discussing documents during a legal consultation
Termination and cancellation
Resignation, dismissal or contract expiry normally requires two separate steps: complete the SGK exit procedure within its statutory period, and notify the Ministry and request termination/cancellation of the work permit. Neither process replaces the other. The Ministry publishes a cancellation/termination petition form on its documents page.
Reporting deadlines and fines
The relevant commencement, termination and events requiring cancellation must be reported to the Ministry within 15 days where the statutory reporting duty applies. Independent and permanent permit holders also have applicable reporting obligations. For 2026, the published failure-to-report fine is TRY 6,805 per foreign national, doubled for a repeat breach. It is separate from any unauthorised-work penalty.
Residence after employment ends
A valid work permit generally provides a residence basis, with exceptions for certain temporary/international protection categories. Expiry or cancellation may end that basis unless another valid permission or status covers the person. Check your lawful stay immediately; do not assume residence continues automatically or rely on a cancelled permit.
Before renewing or moving
- Check expiry early and submit within the final 60 days, before expiry.
- Reconcile the role, salary and workplace with the records.
- Wait for the new employer’s valid permission before starting there.
- Keep the application reference, receipt, contract and termination documents.
- Monitor and answer requests for missing documents.
- Complete Ministry and SGK steps separately.
- Check residence status after the permit ends.
Organising documents and an online application

Records and checks
| What to review | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Apply within the period | |
| Early-transfer restrictions where applicable | |
| Evidence that the procedure was submitted |
Related topics
Work Permits for Foreign Nationals in Türkiye in 2026: Types, Applications and Fees
Applying for a Work Permit through e-İzin in Türkiye in 2026: Documents and Follow-up
Work Permit Evaluation Criteria in Türkiye in 2026: Staffing, Finances and Salary
Work Permit Exemptions in Türkiye in 2026: Eligibility, Time Limits and Applications
Employment Rights for Foreign Workers in Türkiye in 2026: Contracts, Pay, Hours and Leave
SGK Registration for Foreign Workers in Türkiye in 2026: Employer Obligations
Working Without a Permit in Türkiye in 2026: Fines, Removal and Employer Liability
Work Permit Refusals, Objections and Cancellation in Türkiye in 2026