What Is A Turkish Work Visa?
Turkey Work Visa
Applications for work permits from abroad are submitted through the Turkish Embassy in the foreign national’s country of citizenship or permanent residence. Work permit applications are submitted to the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, and if approved, the foreign national is granted a work permit. The work permit also serves as a residence permit.
If the application for a work permit from abroad is approved and endorsed by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, the foreign national must obtain a work visa to enter Turkey. The work visa is issued by Turkey’s diplomatic mission abroad and is subject to a fee. The foreigner is charged an Entry Visa Fee, a Work Permit Certificate Fee, and a Residence Fee. Since the foreigner will reside in the country with a work permit certificate after arriving in the foreign country, an “entry visa with work authorization” valid for a maximum of 90 days is issued.
How to Obtain a Work Visa in Turkey?
Foreigners who are abroad and come to Turkey for work purposes must obtain a work visa. As stated in our article titled “Work Permit,” work permits are, as a rule, issued by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security. However, work permits for foreigners who will work in Free Zones are issued by the Ministry of Economy, and those for academic staff who will work at the Higher Education Institution are issued by the Higher Education Council.
Applications for work permits can be submitted to the relevant Ministry in two ways: from within Turkey or from abroad. Foreigners applying for a work permit from abroad must first have an agreement with a workplace operating in Turkey. Foreigners who have an agreement with an employer must submit the employment or service contract they have concluded to the Turkish Embassy or Consulate and apply for a work permit. Foreigners whose applications are accepted are given a reference number within 10 days. After the foreigner informs the employer of this reference number, the employer applies for a work permit. If the work permit application made from abroad is approved by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, the foreigner must obtain a work visa from the Diplomatic Mission before coming to Turkey.
Who is Exempt from the Work Visa?
Those exempt from the work permit requirement under bilateral or multilateral agreements to which Turkey is a party include:
Foreigners coming to Turkey temporarily for less than one month for scientific, cultural, or artistic activities, or for less than four months for sporting activities;
Foreigners coming to repair, maintain, assemble, and provide training for machinery imported into Turkey;
Foreigners coming to provide training on the use of goods and services imported into or exported from Turkey;
Foreigners coming to perform at fairs and circuses, provided they meet certain conditions;
Foreigners coming to universities and public institutions and organizations to increase their knowledge and experience, provided that the training period is specified and does not exceed a total of 2 years;
Foreigners who declare to the relevant institutions that they can provide services and contributions to Turkey in socio-cultural and technological fields and educational matters;
Foreigners coming to Turkey under the European Union Education and Youth Program;
Foreigners doing internships as student interns;
Foreigners acting as representatives of tour operators in Turkey (they cannot serve for more than 8 months);
Athletes (footballers) and coaches whose requests are deemed appropriate by the Football Federation or the General Directorate of Youth and Sports;
Foreign seafarers who have obtained a Certificate of Eligibility, are registered with the Turkish International Ship Registry, and work on ships not operating on the cabotage route;
Foreign experts authorized under the Turkey-European Union Financial Cooperation Programs.
How Long is a Turkish Work Visa Valid?
If the Ministry of Labor and Social Security approves a work permit application submitted from abroad, the foreign national must obtain a work visa to enter Turkey. The work visa is issued for a maximum period of 90 days. This visa is issued for the purpose of entering the country, and the foreign national must submit an SGK employment notification within 30 days of entering the country. Since the work permit issued by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security also serves as a residence permit, the person does not need to apply for a residence permit.
How to Extend a Turkish Work Visa?
A work visa is issued to allow a foreigner to enter Turkey. After the foreigner arrives in the country and starts work, the work permit card sent by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security to the employer by mail is delivered to the foreigner. The work permit is initially issued for one year upon the first application. The first extension application is granted for a maximum of 2 years, and the second extension application is granted for a maximum of 3 years. The employer must apply to the Ministry of Labor and Social Security for an extension before the work permit expires. In this case, since the foreigner’s work permit application will be made from within the country, they do not need to return to their country to obtain a work visa. Therefore, there is no such thing as a work visa extension.
Documents Required for a Work Visa?
It is important for foreigners applying for a work visa to submit the employment or service contract signed between them and their employer. Foreigners applying for a work visa must have the following documents ready.
Passport or valid substitute document;
1 Biometric Photo;
Employment or Service Contract.