Turkish Work Visa
Applications for a work permit from abroad are submitted through the Foreign Representative Office of the Republic of Turkey of the country in which the foreigner resides or is a permanent resident. Applications for a work permit are submitted to the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, and in case of a positive result, a foreigner is granted a work permit. A work permit is also a substitute for a residence permit.
If a foreigner applying for a work permit from abroad has a positive result of his application and has been approved by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, the foreigner must come to Turkey on a work visa. A work visa is issued by a representative office of Turkey located abroad and is subject to fees. The foreigner is charged the Entry Visa Fee, the Work Permit Certificate Fee and the Residence Fee. Since he will reside with a work permit certificate after arriving in a foreign country, a “work visa with a work permit” is issued for entry purposes, issued for a maximum of 90 days.
How to Get a Work Visa in Turkey?
Foreigners who are abroad and come to Turkey to work must obtain a work visa. As we mentioned in our article entitled Work permit, a work permit is issued, as a rule, by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security. However, work permits of foreigners who will work in Free Zones are issued by the Ministry of Economy, and academic staff who will work in the Higher Education Institution are issued by the Council of Higher Education.
The application for a work permit is submitted to the relevant Ministry in 2 ways, from within the country and from abroad. A foreigner applying for a work permit from abroad must first agree with a workplace operating in Turkey. A foreigner who has signed an agreement with the employer must apply for a work permit by submitting the employment or service agreement they have concluded between them to the Dec Representative Office of the Republic of Turkey. A reference number is provided to the foreigner whose application has been accepted within 10 days. After the foreigner informs the employer of this reference number, an application for a work permit is made by the employer. If the application for a work permit from abroad is approved by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, the foreigner must obtain a work visa from an External Representative Office before coming to Turkey.
Who is Exempt from a Work Visa?
Persons exempted from work permits in accordance with bilateral or multiple treaties to which Turkey is a party;
Foreigners who have come to Turkey temporarily for less than a month for the purpose of scientific, cultural and artistic activities and for less than 4 months for the purpose of operating in sports fields;
Foreigners who come to Turkey to repair and maintain, assemble and train imported machines;
Foreigners who come to Turkey to provide training on the use of goods and services imported or exported from Turkey;
Foreigners who come to the show at fairs and circuses by fulfilling certain conditions;
Foreigners who come to universities, public institutions and organizations to increase their knowledge and manners, provided that the duration of education is specific and does not exceed 2 years in total;
Foreigners who declare to the relevant institutions that they can provide services and contributions to Turkey in socio-cultural and technological fields and educational issues;
Foreigners coming to Turkey within the scope of the European Union Education and Youth Program;
Foreigners who have completed an internship within the scope of an intern student;
Foreigners working as a tour operator representative in Turkey (they cannot work for more than 8 months);
Athletes (football players) and coaches whose requests are deemed appropriate by the Football Federation or the General Directorate of Youth and Sports;
Foreigners who are registered in the Turkish International Ship Registry who have received a Certificate of Approval of Conformity and are seafarers who work on ships that do not work on the coasting line;
Foreign experts authorized in the Financial Cooperation Programs of the European Union of Turkey.
How Long is the Turkish Work Visa Valid For?
If the application for a work permit from abroad to the Ministry of Labor and Social Security is approved by the Ministry, a foreign national must come to Turkey on a work visa. A work visa is issued for a maximum period of 90 days. This visa is issued for the purpose of entry into the country, and an SSI employment entry statement must be made no later than 30 days after the foreigner enters the country. Since the work permit issued by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security is also a substitute for a residence permit, a person does not need to apply for a residence permit.
How is the Turkish Work Visa Extended?
A work visa is issued in order for a foreigner to enter Turkey. After the foreigner arrives in the country and starts working, the work permit card sent by mail to the employer by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security is delivered to the foreigner. The work permit is issued for 1 year at the first application. The first extension application is given for a maximum of 2 years, and the second extension application is given for a maximum of 3 years. Before the expiration of the work permit, the employer is required to apply for an extension to the Ministry of Labor and Social Security. In this case, since the foreigner’s work permit application will be made from within the country, it is not necessary to return to his country again and obtain a work visa. Therefore, there is no such thing as a work visa extension.
Necessary Documents For a Work Visa?
It is important that foreigners applying for a work visa submit an employment or service contract that they have signed with the employer. dec. Foreigners applying for a work visa are required to have the following documents ready.
Passport or other valid document;
1 Biometric Photo;
Employment or Service Contract.
