Step 1: Check the employer criteria
The Ministry of Labour assesses each application against its criteria. In general, the employer should have:
At least 5 Turkish citizen employees for each foreign employee.
Paid-in capital of at least TRY 500,000, or net sales of at least TRY 8,000,000, or exports of at least USD 150,000 in the previous year.
A salary above the threshold for the role, set as a multiple of the minimum wage (higher for senior managers, engineers and specialists).
Some criteria are waived or eased for company shareholders, certain sectors and highly qualified applicants. Newly established companies should plan early, because the 5:1 rule can be the hardest to meet.
Step 2: Choose the application route
| Where the employee is | How it works |
|---|---|
| Abroad | The employee applies at the Turkish consulate in their country; the employer completes the online application in Türkiye within 10 days |
| In Türkiye, with a residence permit valid for at least 6 months | The employer applies directly online |
Step 3: Prepare the documents
Employment contract signed by both parties
Passport copy and diploma (with translation and, for some professions, equivalence)
Company documents: trade registry gazette, latest financial statements, social security employee list
Photograph and application form
Step 4: After the permit is issued
The employee enters Türkiye with a work visa if applying from abroad.
The employee registers an address and receives a foreigner ID number.
The employer registers the employee with the Social Security Institution (SGK) before work starts.
Payroll begins with income tax, stamp tax and social security withheld.
Timeline
The Ministry evaluates complete applications within its legal review period; incomplete files cause most delays. From first documents to the employee starting work, many employers should plan for one to two months, longer if the employee applies from abroad.
Social security for foreign employees
Foreign employees pay Turkish social security like Turkish employees: 14% employee share and 1% unemployment insurance, with the employer's share on top. If the employee stays covered by the system of a country with which Türkiye has a social security agreement, a certificate of coverage can exempt them from Turkish premiums for a limited period.
Alternatives to a local work permit
Turquoise Card for highly qualified professionals and investors.
Work permit exemption for short technical assignments such as installation or repair.
Employer of record, where a Turkish company employs the person on your behalf if you do not have a Turkish entity yet.
Frequently asked questions
Can a foreign employee start work while the permit is pending?
No. Working without a permit exposes both the employer and the employee to fines and may lead to deportation.
Does the permit cover the employee's family?
No. Spouses and children apply for family residence permits; the spouse needs their own work permit to work.
How long is the first permit?
Usually up to one year, then renewable for up to two years and later up to three years.
Hiring from abroad?
Our Payroll and Legal teams prepare the work permit application, register the employee and run the payroll.
This page provides general information and is not legal or tax advice. Every situation is different; talk to us before you act.