Work Permit Criteria Have Been Updated! They Take Effect Today

Criteria for Foreign Work Permits in Turkey

In Turkey, obtaining a work permit for foreign nationals requires that certain criteria be met by both employers and foreign employees. In this guide, we will discuss the criteria for foreign work permits in detail under main headings such as employment, financial eligibility, wages, and exemptions. Our goal is to simplify the process for you by using language that everyone can easily understand.

1. Employment Criteria

1.1. Employment of Five Turkish Citizens

• General Rule: In businesses subject to the balance sheet system, at least five Turkish citizens must be employed for every foreign employee.
• Objective: The goal is to increase employment and reduce unemployment in Turkey.

1.2. Businesses with High Sales Volume

• Exception: Businesses with net sales of 50 million TL or more in the past year are exempt from the employment requirement when submitting an application for a work permit for up to five foreign nationals.
• Advantage: It makes it easier for large-scale businesses to hire foreign experts.

2. Financial Eligibility Criteria

2.1. Newly Established Workplaces

• Capital Requirement: The paid-in capital must be at least 500,000 TL.
• Why Is It Important?: It demonstrates the company’s financial stability and sustainability.

2.2. Active Workplaces

It is sufficient for at least one of the following conditions to be met:

• Paid-in Capital: At least 500,000 TL
• Net Sales: At least 8 million TL
• Export Value: At least 150,000 U.S. dollars

2.3. General Partnerships

Requirement: At least one of the partners must meet the financial criteria listed above.

3. Wage Criterion

Wages paid to foreign workers must be a certain multiple of the minimum wage:

• Senior Executives and Pilots: Five times the minimum wage
• Engineers and Architects: Four times the minimum wage
• Other Executives: Three times the minimum wage
• Jobs Requiring Expertise and Skill: Twice the minimum wage
• Domestic Services and Other Jobs: Minimum Wage Level

Note: These criteria ensure that foreign workers receive fair and standard-compliant wages.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the requirements for obtaining a foreign work permit?

To obtain a foreign work permit, certain criteria—such as employment, financial eligibility, and salary—must be met. These criteria govern the employment processes of employers and foreign workers in Turkey.

Under what circumstances does the requirement to employ five Turkish citizens not apply?

Businesses with net sales of 50 million TL or more in the past year are exempt from this employment requirement when submitting an application for a work permit for up to five foreign nationals. This allows large-scale businesses to hire foreign experts more easily.

What are the financial eligibility criteria for newly established businesses?

Newly established businesses must have a paid-in capital of at least 500,000 TL. This requirement demonstrates the business’s financial stability and sustainability.

What are the financial eligibility requirements for active businesses?

It is sufficient for active businesses to meet at least one of the following criteria: a paid-in capital of at least 500,000 TL, net sales of at least 8 million TL, or exports totaling at least 150,000 U.S. dollars. These criteria help assess the business’s financial condition.