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The relevant persons may appeal against the decisions to be taken by the Ministry regarding the rejection of the request for granting a work permit or extension of the work permit period, cancellation of the work permit or termination of the work permit within thirty days from the date of notification. Objections regarding the rejection of the work permit application are made online through the system, and the petition and documents with an explanation regarding the objection must be uploaded to the Foreigners' Work Permits Application System (e-İzin). In case the objection is rejected by the Ministry, administrative judicial remedy may be applied.

For foreigners whose work permit application has been rejected, it is possible to reapply for a work permit if the deficiency subject to the rejection is eliminated. Rejection of a work permit application shall not prevent a new work permit application.

Pursuant to the Law on Fees dated 02/07/1964 and numbered 492, work permits and work permit exemptions to be granted to foreigners are subject to fees. In addition, pursuant to the Law No. 210 on Valuable Papers, work permit and work permit exemption documents issued by the Ministry are considered as valuable papers and a valuable paper fee is charged for each document to be issued. No fee is charged for work permit exemption applications requested for less than three months. Turquoise Card holder foreigners are not subject to fees and a valuable paper fee is charged for the document issued. Current work permit fee amounts and valuable paper fee amounts can be found at https://calismaizni.csgb.gov.tr/tr/genel-bilgi/harc-ve-degerli-kgit-bedelinin-odenmesi/

Work permit exemption can be arranged for part-time work. Sectors, jobs and occupations where part-time work can be done are determined by our Directorate General and published on the official website.

In order for the e-İzin system to run smoothly, it is recommended to use Google Chrome as an internet browser. In order to avoid problems in electronic signature transactions and to see the system warnings, it is necessary to switch the internet browser settings to "Allow Pop-up Windows" (switch off the pop-up blocker).

Notifications will be made via registered and verified e-mail and communication channels in the system.

In accordance with the Fees Law No. 492 dated 2/7/1964, work permit exemption is subject to fee. In accordance with the Valuable Papers Law No. 210 dated 21/2/1963, the work permit exemption document issued to foreigners is also subjected to fee. No fee is charged for work permit exemption applications for which the exemption validity period is less than three months. Persons who want the work permit exemption transactions to be carried out, which are subject to the expense, are obliged to pay.In case of renewing the work permit exemption document, which was issued incorrectly due to the fault of the administration, no fees and valuable paper fee is charged. In case the work permit exemption document is renewed due to loss, half of the fee and the entire value of the valuable paper fee is collected.

The documents required for a work permit are available at https://www.csgb.gov.tr/uigm/belgeler/

Work permit applications can be made in two different ways, from abroad and from within the country, through the Foreigners' Work Permits Application System (e-İzin).

Work permit application is made directly to the Ministry in Türkiye. For foreigners who have a residence permit issued in Türkiye for at least six months and still valid as of the date of work permit application, the relevant employers may apply for a work permit through the e-Government portal (calismaizni.csgb.gov.tr). In addition, foreigners who are legally present in Türkiye among the foreigners to be determined by the Directorate General may apply through the system without a valid residence permit.

The work permit application from abroad is completed in two stages. In the first stage, the foreigner applies for a work permit in person at the embassy or consulate general of the Republic of Türkiye in the country where he/she is a citizen or legally resides, and is given a 16-digit reference number by the embassy or consulate general based on this application. In the second stage, the foreigner is required to inform his/her employer in Türkiye about the given reference number, and his/her employer is required to apply for a work permit to our Ministry through the e-Government portal (calismaizni.csgb.gov.tr) using this reference number. 

Within the scope of the work permit exemption, the start and end of the work and the situations that will require the cancellation of the work permit exemption must be notified to our Ministry within fifteen days. Notifications are made through the system. Employment notifications made to the Social Security Institution regarding the employment of foreigners granted work permit exemption and exit notifications made on the expiry date of the work permit exemption period are deemed to have been made to our Ministry. In this context, no separate notification is made to our Ministry. Work permit exemptions issued for up to three months are exempt from notification obligation. In case of non-compliance with the notification obligations, the sanctions for violation of the notification obligation of the Law No. 6735 are applied to the employer and the foreigner on whose behalf a work permit exemption is granted.

Work permit applications can be made to the Ministry of Labour and Social Security to employ foreigners for domestic services; elderly, disabled, or child care and patient accompaniment.

With the Decree Law No. 663, foreign doctors and nurses are allowed to work in Türkiye and they apply for a work permit to the Ministry with the preliminary permission certificate obtained from the Ministry of Health and a work permit is issued to those whose application is approved. If the foreigner for whom a work permit is requested has graduated from abroad, it is mandatory to submit a diploma equivalency certificate.

In the e-İzin automation system, employer registration can be made by the employer's workplace SSI e-Declaration user registered in the SSI. After the workplace registration is created by the workplace SSI e-Declaration user, the persons to be authorised can be authorised to apply on behalf of the workplace by entering the T.R. identification number by entering the "Employer Management Panel" - "Authorisation Procedures" menu. After the employer registration is opened by the workplace e-Declaration user, the authorised persons can apply on behalf of that workplace when they enter the system.

After the employer registration is opened by the workplace e-Declaration user, there is no limit on the authorisation of persons to apply on behalf of the workplace.

According to Law No. 6735 on International Labour Force, a work permit or work permit exemption is considered as a residence permit as per Article 27 of Law No. 6458 on Foreigners and International Protection. However, work permits issued to international protection applicants, conditional refugees and foreigners under temporary protection do not replace residence permits.

Law No. 6735 on International Labour Force, Implementing Regulation on International Labour Force Law, Regulation on Turquoise Card, Regulation on the Employment of International Protection Applicants and International Protection Status Holders, Regulation on Work Permits of Foreigners under Temporary Protection, Regulation on Work Permits of Foreigners to Work in Free Zones and Regulation on Employment of Foreign Nationals in Foreign Direct Investments are the legislation in force.

Law No. 6735 covers foreigners who apply for or work in Türkiye to work, foreigners who apply for or receive vocational training with an employer, foreigners who apply for or receive vocational training, foreigners who apply for or receive internship, foreigners who are cross-border service providers in Türkiye for the purpose of temporary service provision, and real and legal persons who employ or apply for the employment of foreigners. In the implementation of the Law, the provisions of bilateral or multilateral agreements and international conventions to which Türkiye is a party are reserved.

Foreigners who are stated in other laws or in bilateral or multilateral agreements or international conventions to which Türkiye is a party that they can work without a work permit can work in Türkiye without a work permit. Foreigners holding a Blue Card (Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901), foreigners with refugee or subsidiary protection status (Law No. 6458 on Foreigners and International Protection) and foreigners who are members of diplomatic missions (Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations dated 1961/1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations) can be listed as examples in this context. 

If a work permit is granted, the foreigner is required to go to the foreign representative office where the foreigner applied and pay the work and residence permit fees and visa fee. Applications for which fees and valuable paper fees are not paid within thirty days from the date of notification of payment of work permit fees and valuable paper fees are rejected. After the foreign representative office affixes a visa sticker to the foreigner's passport, the foreigner can enter Türkiye. The work permit card issued by the Ministry is delivered to the employer's address by PTT Cargo. Foreigners who come to Türkiye by obtaining a work visa from the foreign representative office are obliged to register in the address registration system within twenty days at the latest from the date of entry.

Work permit documents for work permits approved by the Ministry are printed and sent to the employer's address by PTT Cargo. Notifications regarding the status of these shipments are sent by PTT to the mobile phone registered in the system, and the status of the shipment can be seen by following the "Application Procedures Menu"-"Finalised Applications"-"Post Permit Transactions"-"Card Tracking" tabs by entering the system via e-Government.

Regarding the cancellation of the work permits issued by the Ministry, the employer must follow the "Post Permit Transactions"-"Permit Termination Request" tabs on the e-İzin automation system and complete the process with an electronic signature.

Employers employing foreigners and foreigners on whose behalf a work permit is issued for work permits issued without being affiliated to an employer are obliged to notify the Ministry within fifteen days of the commencement and termination of the work permit or work permit exemption, and the circumstances that may require the cancellation of the work permit or work permit exemption.

According to the Turkish Commercial Code No. 6102, foreigners who are company partners of limited liability companies, company partners of joint stock companies, members of the board of directors of joint stock companies, directors of limited partnership companies with capital divided into shares, can work by obtaining a work permit. Established in accordance with Law No. 6102, non-resident members of the board of directors of joint stock companies and non-managing partners of other companies are considered within the scope of work permit exemption.

Can international protection applicants and conditional refugee status holders apply for a work permit?

International protection applicants and conditional refugee status holders are obliged to obtain a work permit before starting work. The work permit application can be made six months after the date of the international protection application. The applications of international protection applicants and conditional refugees, who are obliged to reside in a certain province, to obtain a work permit outside the borders of this province are finalised by taking the opinion of the Ministry of Interior.

If the persons who will employ foreigners in domestic services are elderly or disabled or are not in a position to apply, their first-degree relatives can be employers. In this case, after the workplace record is opened with the information and electronic signature of the first-degree relative, the address where the foreigner will work should be entered in the system while making the application. In addition, a document showing the proximity and a copy of the identity card of the person to be cared for should be attached to the contract to be uploaded.

If the workplace is the main employer, the last three digits following 23 digits should be entered as 000. In case of sub-employer status, this number should be learnt from the relevant Provincial Directorate of Social Security.

The relevant persons may appeal against the decisions to be taken by the Ministry regarding the rejection of the request for granting a work permit or extension of the work permit period, cancellation of the work permit or termination of the work permit within thirty days from the date of notification. Objections regarding the rejection of the work permit application are made online through the system, and the petition and documents with an explanation regarding the objection must be uploaded to the Foreigners' Work Permits Application System (e-İzin). In case the objection is rejected by the Ministry, administrative judicial remedy may be applied.

For foreigners whose work permit application has been rejected, it is possible to reapply for a work permit if the deficiency subject to the rejection is eliminated. Rejection of a work permit application shall not prevent a new work permit application.

Pursuant to the Law on Fees dated 02/07/1964 and numbered 492, work permits and work permit exemptions to be granted to foreigners are subject to fees. In addition, pursuant to the Law No. 210 on Valuable Papers, work permit and work permit exemption documents issued by the Ministry are considered as valuable papers and a valuable paper fee is charged for each document to be issued. No fee is charged for work permit exemption applications requested for less than three months. Turquoise Card holder foreigners are not subject to fees and a valuable paper fee is charged for the document issued. Current work permit fee amounts and valuable paper fee amounts can be found at https://calismaizni.csgb.gov.tr/tr/genel-bilgi/harc-ve-degerli-kgit-bedelinin-odenmesi/

• Applications for work permits exemption from abroad are made to the Turkish representative office abroad in the country where the foreigner is a citizen or legally located. Applications made to the Turkish foreign representative office are forwarded to our Ministry through the system.

• A work permit exemption document is issued to foreigners whose applications are evaluated positively.

• Work permit exemption fee and valuable paper fee are not charged for work permit exemption applications issued for up to 3 months. However, a work permit exemption document can be issued by the Ministry, provided that the foreigner requests it and pays the price of valuable paper.

Work permit applications are evaluated by taking into consideration the situation in the labour market in Türkiye, developments in the labour market, sectoral and economic conjuncture conditions regarding employment. In addition, it is not possible to grant work permits to foreigners in professions and positions that are reserved only for Turkish citizens in the relevant legislation.

These professions are reserved for Turkish citizens in accordance with various legal regulations and the most well-known ones are the jobs and professions listed below:

• Founder, Manager, Trainer for Private Security Companies and Representatives Authorised by the Legal Entity Partner of the Company (Article 5 of the Law on Private Security Services)

• Private Security Officers (Article 10 of the Law on Private Security Services)

• Bazaar and Neighbourhood Watch (Article 3 of the Law on Bazaar and Neighbourhood Watch)

• Financial Consultancy (Article 4 of the Law on Certified Public Accountancy and Sworn-in Certified Public Accountancy)

• Members of the Board of Directors of the Cooperative (Article 56 of the Law on Cooperatives)

• Assistant Customs Consultant (Article 227 of the Customs Law)

• Founders of Schools Opened by Foreigners and Teaching in Languages Other Than Turkish (Article 8 of the Private Education Law)

• Responsible Manager in Private Hospitals (Article 9 of the Private Hospitals Law)

• Dentistry (Law on the Practice of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Article 30)

• Hospital careworker (Law on the Practice of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Article 63)

• Pharmacy (Article 2 of the Law on Pharmacists and Pharmacies)

• Veterinary Medicine (Article 2 of the Law on the Execution of the Veterinary Medicine Profession, the Formation of the Turkish Veterinary Medical Association and its Chambers and the Affairs to be Performed)

• Foreign Assistants to Work Outside Speciality Training (Article 20 of the Regulation on Speciality in Medicine)

• Notary (Article 7 of the Notary Law)

• Judge and Prosecutor (Article 7 of the Law on Judges and Prosecutors)

• Lawyer (Article 3 of the Law on Lawyers)

• Mediator (Article 20 of the Law on Mediation in Civil Disputes)

• Expert Witness (Article 12 of the Expert Witness Law)

• Concordat Commissioner (Article 4 of the Regulation on Concordat Commissioner and Board of Creditors)

• Trainee Aviation Information Management Officer (Article 16 of Aviation Information Management Personnel Licence and Rating Regulation)

• Honorary Traffic Inspector (Highway Traffic Law Additional Article 6)

• Organisation of Transport Works (Article 7 of the Regulation on Organisation of Transport Works)

• Agency Supervisor, Travel Agency Supervisor (Article 3 of the Law on Travel Agencies and Association of Travel Agencies)

• Tourist Guide (Article 3 of the Tourist Guide Profession Law)

• Export of fish, oysters, mussels, sponges, sponges, pearls, corals; diving, prospecting, pilotage, captain, captaincy, navigation, clerk, crew, etc. within the territorial waters (Article 3 of the Cabotage Law)

• Sports Counsellors (Article 5 of the General Directorate of Youth and Sports Regulation on Appointment and Employment of Sports Counsellors)

• Labour Intermediary in Agriculture (Article 6 of the Regulation on Labour Intermediation in Agriculture)

• Ship Agency Official and Ship Agency Personnel (Articles 7 and 8 of the Regulation on Ship Agencies)

• Permanent Supervisor, Technical Staff (Articles 125 and 130 of the Mining Regulation)

A foreigner with a dependent-permanent work permit is granted a work permit on condition that he/she works in a specific workplace belonging to a real or legal person or a public institution or organisation, or in a specific job in their workplaces in the same line of business.

Statistical data on work permits of foreigners can be accessed from the website of our Ministry https://calismaizni.csgb.gov.tr/tr/genel-bilgi/istatistikler/

According to the Turkish Commercial Code No. 6102, foreigners who are company partners of limited liability companies, company partners of joint stock companies, members of the board of directors of joint stock companies, directors of limited partnership companies with capital divided into shares, can work by obtaining a work permit. Established in accordance with Law No. 6102, non-resident members of the board of directors of joint stock companies and non-managing partners of other companies are considered within the scope of work permit exemption.

Can international protection applicants and conditional refugee status holders apply for a work permit?

International protection applicants and conditional refugee status holders are obliged to obtain a work permit before starting work. The work permit application can be made six months after the date of the international protection application. The applications of international protection applicants and conditional refugees, who are obliged to reside in a certain province, to obtain a work permit outside the borders of this province are finalised by taking the opinion of the Ministry of Interior.

If the persons who will employ foreigners in domestic services are elderly or disabled or are not in a position to apply, their first-degree relatives can be employers. In this case, after the workplace record is opened with the information and electronic signature of the first-degree relative, the address where the foreigner will work should be entered in the system while making the application. In addition, a document showing the proximity and a copy of the identity card of the person to be cared for should be attached to the contract to be uploaded.

If the workplace is the main employer, the last three digits following 23 digits should be entered as 000. In case of sub-employer status, this number should be learnt from the relevant Provincial Directorate of Social Security.

It is a work permit that is issued on behalf of a foreigner without being affiliated to an employer and gives the foreigner the right to work and reside in Türkiye indefinitely. Foreigners who have a long-term residence permit or a legal work permit for at least eight years in Türkiye may apply for an permanent work permit. However, the foreigner's fulfilment of the application conditions does not provide the foreigner with an absolute right to be granted an permanent work permit. Permanent work permit documents are renewed at the end of every five years as of the start date of the work permit. The application for renewal shall be made within six months before the expiry of the five-year period from the start date of the permanent work permit and in any case before the expiry date.

It is a work permit issued on behalf of the foreigner without being affiliated to an employer and gives the foreigner the right to work on his/her own behalf and account in Türkiye. An independent work permit may be issued in line with the international labour force policy, taking into account the foreigner's level of education, professional experience, contribution to science and technology, the impact of his/her activity or investment in Türkiye on the country's economy and employment, his/her capital share if he/she is a foreign company partner and other similar issues. Independent work permit is issued for a period of time.

It refers to an exemption issued by our Ministry in the form of an official document that gives the foreigner the right to work and reside in Türkiye without a work permit within the validity period.

It is the International Labor Force Law no. 6745 and the Implementing Regulation of International Labor Force Law .

• The work permit exemption issued by our Ministry replaces the residence permit as long as it is valid.

• The periods spent with work permit exemption are not taken into account in the calculation of legal work permit or residence permit periods.

• In the event that the work permit exemption becomes invalid for any reason, the residence permit attached to it expires.

• If the validity of the work permit exemption granted to a foreigner who has a valid residence permit in Türkiye for reasons other than the work permit exemption expires for any reason, the other residence permit of the foreigner does not become invalid.

While the work permit exemption application of the foreigner is in the evaluation process and before it is concluded, a different application cannot be made at the same time. In addition, within the first paragraph of article 48, subparagraphs (b) (for the purpose of training on the use of goods and services exported from or imported to Türkiye or the installation, maintenance and repair of machinery and equipment imported into Türkiye, providing training on the use or equipment for foreigners who are granted work permit exemption, up to three months) and (c) (For foreigners who provide cross-border service up to three months), no new application can be made within the scope of the same exemption type unless six-month period has elapsed . In the case of other work permit exemptions, the required time to elapse is twelve-month period.

Foreigners for whom a work permit extension application has been made may continue to work from the date of expiry of the work permit during the evaluation of the application and in any case for a period not exceeding ninety days and provided that the work performed and the workplace does not change. The work during this period shall be considered as legal work and the rights and obligations of the foreigner and the employer arising from the work permit shall continue in the same manner.

If the work permit extension application is evaluated positively, the foreigner is issued a work permit for a maximum of two years in the first extension application and up to three years in subsequent extension applications, depending on the same employer.

The work permit exemption is considered to be sixty days shorter than the validity expiration date of the foreigner's passport or the documents substituting passport.