Occupations in Which Foreigners Cannot Work in Turkey and the Process for Obtaining a Certificate of Turkish Descent
In Turkey, foreigners can work legally by obtaining a work permit in many sectors. However, certain professions and positions are reserved exclusively for Turkish citizens under specific laws. For this reason, under normal circumstances, it is not possible to grant work permits to foreigners in these fields.
However, there is one important exception here: foreigners of Turkish descent.
Foreign nationals of Turkish descent may submit an application to work in certain professions reserved for Turkish citizens, provided they meet the necessary requirements and obtain a work permit. However, this right is not granted automatically. The individual must prove their Turkish ancestry with official documents, meet the specific requirements of the profession, and have their work permit application approved by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.
Can Every Foreigner Work in Any Occupation in Turkey?
No. Applications for work permits by foreigners in Turkey are evaluated based on the state of the labor market, the needs of the sector, economic conditions, and relevant legislation.
In addition, certain professions are reserved exclusively for Turkish citizens under specific laws. In these professions, a foreign national may not be able to obtain a work permit, even if they have the required diploma and experience or if the employer requests it.
For example, law, notary services, pharmacy, dentistry, private security, tour guiding, financial consulting, and certain maritime professions are among the occupations classified under this category.
Why Is the Turkish Ancestry Certificate Important at This Point?
The certificate of Turkish descent is an important document that enables foreigners of Turkish descent to practice certain professions and arts in Turkey.
The purpose of Law No. 2527 is to enable foreigners of Turkish descent residing in Turkey to practice the necessary professions and trades and to work in public or private institutions or workplaces, with the exception of the Turkish Armed Forces and the Security Organization.
For this reason, in certain professions that require Turkish citizenship, a special assessment may be conducted if the individual is a foreign national of Turkish descent. However, the most important point to keep in mind here is this: Being of Turkish descent does not, in and of itself, grant the right to work.
The individual must first prove that they are of Turkish descent, and then provide the diploma, equivalency, professional association registration, certificate of qualification, or meet the specific requirements for the relevant profession. Afterward, an application for a work permit is submitted, and the application is reviewed by the Ministry.
In Which Professions Can Foreigners of Turkish Descent Make Applications?
Foreign nationals of Turkish descent may submit applications for work permits in professions, arts, and occupations specified in relevant laws as being reserved exclusively for Turkish citizens. However, to do so, they must meet the qualifications set forth in specific laws and fulfill the required obligations.
This is particularly important in the following occupational groups.
Careers in Law and the Judiciary
In Turkey, many professions in the fields of law and the judiciary are directly contingent upon Turkish citizenship. These include the professions of attorney, notary, judge, prosecutor, mediator, expert witness, and composition commissioner.
Under normal circumstances, a foreign national cannot obtain a work permit for these professions. However, if a foreign national of Turkish descent can prove their Turkish ancestry with official documents and meets the specific requirements of the relevant profession, a special assessment may be conducted regarding their work permit.
For example, it is not sufficient for a foreign national of Turkish descent who wishes to practice law to simply hold a certificate of Turkish descent. A law degree, equivalency, an internship, bar association registration, and other requirements specified in the relevant legislation are also evaluated.
Healthcare Professions
Dentistry, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, serving as the director of a private hospital, and certain other healthcare roles are among the professions reserved for Turkish citizens.
In these professions, the process of proving Turkish ancestry is particularly important. This is because a foreign national may not be eligible for a work permit in these professions without first proving that they are of Turkish descent.
However, in the healthcare sector as well, a document alone is not sufficient. If there are requirements for a diploma, equivalency, professional certification, registration with the relevant professional association, specialization, or special permits, all of these must be provided separately.
Professions in the Fields of Finance, Business, and Customs
Positions such as certified public accountant, customs consultant assistant, and member of a cooperative’s board of directors are also among the roles that require Turkish citizenship.
The door is not completely closed to foreigners of Turkish descent in these professions; however, the process begins with proving one’s status as a person of Turkish descent. After documenting their Turkish descent, the individual must meet the profession’s requirements regarding education, licensing, exams, professional association registration, or other conditions.
For this reason, it is not sufficient for foreign nationals of Turkish descent who wish to work in the field of tax consulting or customs to simply submit an application for a work permit. Compliance with the requirements set forth in the relevant professional regulations must also be verified first.
Careers in Tourism and Travel
Certain positions, such as tour guide, travel agency manager, and agency manager, are also among the professions that require Turkish citizenship.
For foreign nationals of Turkish descent who wish to work in these fields, the process of obtaining a certificate of Turkish descent is an important first step. However, the certificate alone is not sufficient. For tourist guiding, relevant training, a license, registration with the professional association, and other requirements stipulated by law are also evaluated.
In other words, a foreigner of Turkish descent who wishes to work in these professions must first prove their status as a person of Turkish descent and then meet the specific requirements of the profession.
Occupations in the Maritime and Cabotage Sectors
Certain maritime jobs covered by the cabotage regulations are reserved for Turkish citizens. Fishing, diving, piloting, captaincy, engineering, seaman’s work, and similar duties within territorial waters fall under this category.
In these fields, the nature of the work to be performed by foreign nationals of Turkish descent is also important. Not all maritime jobs are evaluated in the same way. The job description, work environment, type of vessel, nature of operations, and relevant legislation must be examined separately.
Therefore, if a foreign national of Turkish descent is to be employed in the maritime sector, it is essential to carefully verify, before submitting an application, whether the position falls under the scope of cabotage and whether Turkish citizenship is a requirement.
Careers in the Security Field
Positions such as private security officer, founder, manager, trainer, or authorized representative at private security companies, as well as roles such as market and neighborhood watch, are among the positions that require Turkish citizenship.
However, there is one point that requires special attention here. While Law No. 2527 allows foreigners of Turkish descent to work, it excludes sectors such as the Turkish Armed Forces and the Security Forces.
For this reason, even if a person holds a certificate of Turkish descent, a very careful assessment must still be conducted for professions in the security sector. It is not correct to assume that a work permit will be granted simply because a person holds a certificate of Turkish descent.
Duties in the Fields of Education, Mining, Agriculture, and Transportation
Founders of schools that provide instruction in languages other than Turkish and are established by foreigners; permanent supervisors and technical staff in the mining sector; employment agents in the agricultural sector; transportation coordinators; ship agency representatives, and ship agency staff are also evaluated under special legislation.
In these fields, for foreign nationals of Turkish descent to make an application, they must both provide documentation of their status as persons of Turkish descent and meet the specific requirements of the relevant profession.
In technical professions in particular, requirements such as diplomas, equivalency, professional qualifications, and experience are important. When preparing an application, consideration must be given not only to the applicant’s identity but also to whether the work they will perform complies with the relevant regulations.
How Do I Obtain a Certificate of Turkish Ancestry?
The documents that foreign nationals of Turkish descent will need to provide during the process may vary depending on the specific procedure. According to information published by the General Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs, in the process of issuing “Identity Cards for Foreigners” to foreign nationals of Turkish descent, the files prepared by the governorate are sent to the General Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs.
The following documents are generally required during this process:
Document proving Turkish ancestry
Notification Form Regarding the Registration of Foreign Nationals
A diploma certified by a notary or a university
Certificate of Equivalency for Diplomas Obtained Abroad
A notarized Turkish translation of the passport
A photo taken within the last 6 months
A notarized document regarding marriage for married individuals
A photocopy of the residence permit or residence document
Two photos
It is stated that, for civil registry purposes, documents obtained from associations and documents issued by municipalities based solely on a declaration are not accepted.
During the work permit process, the Ministry of Labour and Social Security conducts a more detailed assessment. According to the Ministry’s statement, it is mandatory to prove that the foreign national is of Turkish descent with documents obtained from official Turkish authorities; documents obtained from embassies or consulates of other countries are not accepted in work permit applications.
For this reason, when going through the process of proving Turkish ancestry, it is crucial not only to gather documents but also to obtain the correct document from the appropriate authority.
Does a Turkish Ancestry Certificate Serve as a Work Permit?
No. A certificate of Turkish ancestry does not serve as a work permit.
This document is important for determining a person’s status as a foreign national of Turkish descent. However, in order for the person to work legally in Turkey, a work permit must also be obtained.
Applications for work permits are evaluated by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security in accordance with the provisions of Law No. 2527, the relevant regulations, and other applicable legislation. The Ministry makes its decision after consulting with the relevant ministries when it deems necessary.
A Roadmap for Foreigners of Turkish Descent Who Wish to Pursue These Professions
The general procedure that foreign nationals of Turkish descent who wish to pursue a profession requiring Turkish citizenship must follow is as follows:
First, the profession or role to be pursued must be clearly defined.
It must be verified whether this profession is subject to the Turkish citizenship requirement.
Documents proving the individual’s status as a foreign national of Turkish descent must be prepared.
The necessary civil registration and identification procedures must be completed.
If a diploma, equivalency, license, certificate, or professional association registration is required for the profession, these must be obtained.
The employer and job description must be properly defined.
Applications for work permits must be submitted in accordance with the law.
The Ministry’s evaluation process must be followed.
If these steps are not completed properly, the application may be denied or the process may be delayed.
Important Notice Regarding Professions That Can Be Practiced with a Certificate of Turkish Ancestry
The following occupations are generally considered to be those for which foreigners cannot obtain work permits or that require Turkish citizenship. However, foreigners of Turkish descent may submit an application for a work permit for these occupations under a special evaluation process, provided they meet the necessary requirements.
In this context, the following professions stand out in particular:
Law Practice
Notary Public
Mediation
Expert Witness Services
Receivership
Dentistry
Pharmacy
Veterinary Medicine
Director of Operations at Private Hospitals
Accounting Services
Assistant Customs Consultant
Membership on the cooperative's board of directors
Tour Guide Services
Travel Agency Liability
Agent Liability
Certain maritime activities covered by cabotage
Job placement in the agricultural sector
Ship agency representative
Ship agency staff
Permanent supervisor
Technical staff member
Freight Forwarding
Founding roles related to certain educational institutions
To practice these professions, a person must first prove their status as a foreign national of Turkish descent with the appropriate documents. Then, they must meet the specific requirements of the relevant profession and submit an application for a work permit.
In short, for foreigners of Turkish descent who wish to work in professions reserved for Turkish citizens, the process consists of three basic steps: documenting their status as persons of Turkish descent, meeting the specific requirements of the profession, and obtaining a work permit.
Conclusion
In Turkey, certain professions are reserved exclusively for Turkish citizens under special laws. For this reason, foreign nationals cannot work in these professions through the standard work permit process.
However, there is a special provision for foreigners of Turkish descent. After preparing the necessary documents and proving their status as foreigners of Turkish descent, they may submit an application for a work permit in certain professions that require Turkish citizenship.
However, the most important point in this process is this: A certificate of Turkish ancestry alone does not grant the right to practice the profession.
An individual must both properly document their Turkish ancestry and meet the requirements specified in the specific law governing the profession they wish to pursue. The application is reviewed by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, and a work permit may be issued if the application is deemed eligible.
For this reason, the first step for foreigners who wish to work in professions reserved for Turkish citizens is to carefully assess the suitability of the profession and the process for obtaining Turkish citizenship.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a certificate of Turkish descent serve as a work permit?
No. A certificate of Turkish descent does not serve as a work permit. In order to work legally in Turkey, a person must also obtain a work permit.
Can a foreigner of Turkish descent work in any profession?
No. Foreign nationals of Turkish descent must also meet the specific requirements of the relevant profession. If a diploma, equivalency, registration with a professional association, license, or certificate is required, these requirements must also be met.
Can a person of Turkish descent practice law?
A foreign national of Turkish descent may be subject to a special evaluation for a work permit if they can prove their status as a person of Turkish descent and meet the specific requirements for the legal profession. However, merely holding a certificate of Turkish descent does not confer the right to practice law.
Can a person of Turkish descent practice pharmacy or dentistry in another country?
Since these professions are subject to specific regulations, the individual must prove their status as a person of Turkish descent, meet requirements such as holding a diploma and obtaining equivalency, and have their work permit application approved.
Is an association certificate sufficient for a certificate of Turkish ancestry?
No. It is stated that, for civil registration purposes, documents obtained from associations and documents issued by municipalities based solely on a declaration are not accepted. At the work permit stage, Turkish ancestry must be proven with documents obtained from official Turkish authorities.