Turkey Work Visa and Permit Types for Foreign Nationals

Which Turkish work permit fits your situation?

Turkey offers a range of work visa and permit options for foreign nationals looking to work or start a business in the country. Whether you’re an executive relocating to manage your Turkish subsidiary, a skilled professional joining a local company, or an entrepreneur establishing your own venture through start a company in Turkey, understanding the different permit types is essential. This guide covers all work permit categories available in 2026.

Work Permit vs. Work Visa: What’s the Difference?

Many people confuse work visas and work permits, but they serve different purposes:

• Work Visa: Issued by Turkish consulates abroad, it allows entry into Turkey for work purposes. It is a sticker placed in your passport.

• Work Permit: Issued by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (ÇSGB), it grants the legal right to work in Turkey. The work permit also serves as a residence permit.

In most cases, you need to obtain a work permit first, and then the work visa is issued based on the approved permit.

Types of Work Permits in Turkey

1. Definite-Term Work Permit (Süreli Çalışma İzni)

This is the most common type of work permit for foreign employees. Key features include:

• Duration: Initially granted for up to 1 year

• Renewal: Can be renewed for up to 2 years, then up to 3 years for subsequent renewals

• Employer-specific: Tied to a specific employer and job position

• Role assessment: The Ministry evaluates the role, employer, sector and current criteria. A labour-market justification can matter in some cases, but it is not a universal standalone document requirement for every application.

• 5:1 Rule: For each foreign employee, the company generally must employ at least 5 Turkish citizens (see our work permit in Turkey service overview for employer obligations)

2. Indefinite-Term Work Permit (Süresiz Çalışma İzni)

A foreigner who holds a long-term residence permit or has at least 8 years of legal work permits in Turkey may apply for an indefinite work permit. Meeting the eligibility condition does not create an automatic right to approval:

• No time limitation: Valid indefinitely

• Flexibility: Not tied to a specific employer

• Same rights as Turkish citizens: Enjoy the same working conditions

• Document renewal: The indefinite permit document must be renewed at the intervals specified by the Ministry

3. Independent Work Permit (Bağımsız Çalışma İzni)

An independent work permit allows a foreigner to work in their own name and on their own account without being tied to an employer:

• Duration: Issued for a specified period; current law does not state a universal five-year residence prerequisite for every applicant

• Assessment criteria: Contribution to the Turkish economy, investment amount, and scope of activities

• Flexibility: Allows self-employment and freelance work

4. Exceptional Work Permit (İstisnai Çalışma İzni)

The law allows specified categories to be evaluated under exceptional provisions. This does not necessarily mean expedited processing or automatic exemption from every document and criterion:

• Spouses and children of Turkish citizens

• Holders of Turquoise Card

• Foreigners with a long-term residence permit

• Refugees with conditional refugee or subsidiary protection status

• Citizens of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus

• Graduates of Turkish universities at the graduate level

Turquoise Card: Turkey’s Premium Work Permit

The Turquoise Card (Turkuaz Kart) is a separate status for highly qualified professionals, researchers, investors and other applicants whose contribution is assessed under the international labour policy:

• Target audience: Scientists, academics, athletes, investors, and other high-profile professionals

• Benefits: Rights associated with an indefinite work permit after the statutory transition process; it is not itself a guarantee of citizenship

• Investors: Investment level, exports, employment, scientific and technological contribution and similar factors are assessed. The Ministry does not publish a universal USD 500,000 Turquoise Card threshold.

• Transition period: Granted with an initial three-year transition period. The transition record is removed only after a timely application and Ministry review.

Work Permit Exemptions

Work permit exemptions are activity-specific and time-limited under Article 48 of the implementing regulation. An eligible foreigner may still need to apply through the e-Exemption system and obtain an exemption document. Examples can include:

• Diplomats and consular staff

• NATO personnel

• Specified short-term scientific, cultural, training, installation, cross-border service and similar activities for the period assigned to the relevant exemption category

• Foreign press correspondents accredited by the Directorate of Communications

• Crew members of foreign-flagged ships and aircraft (within certain limits)

• Foreigners providing temporary services under bilateral agreements

Application Process

Domestic Application (From Within Turkey)

• The employer applies through the e-İzin system (eizin.csgb.gov.tr)

• Required documents include employment contract, company documents, applicant’s passport and diploma

• Processing depends on whether the file is complete, whether additional information or a pre-permit is required, and the Ministry’s review

• The foreign employee must have a valid residence permit during the application process

Overseas Application (From Abroad)

• The foreign employee applies at the Turkish consulate in their home country

• Simultaneously, the Turkish employer submits the application through the e-İzin system

• Processing depends on the consular and Ministry stages and on whether additional information is requested

• Once approved, the employee receives a work visa to enter Turkey

Required Documents

The required file depends on the permit type, occupation, sector and whether a pre-permit is required. A common employment application can include:

• Valid passport (at least 6 months validity)

• Passport-size photographs

• Employment contract signed by both parties

• Employer’s trade registry gazette, tax registration, and latest financial statements

• Applicant’s educational or professional documents where required for the role, with the applicable translation or legalization

• Additional documents requested for the applicant, employer, regulated profession or sector

Work Permits for Company Shareholders and Directors

Foreign shareholders and directors of Turkish companies have specific considerations:

• LLC (Ltd. Şti.) shareholders: If a foreign shareholder also works as a manager, they need a work permit; see LLC formation for individual foreigners for capital thresholds tied to work permits

• JSC (A.Ş.) board members: A board member who does not reside in Turkey can fall outside the work-permit requirement under the statutory scope rule; residence, shareholding and actual work performed must be checked. Our joint stock company setup guide covers governance roles.

• Minimum capital: Companies established primarily for employing foreign nationals must meet higher minimum capital requirements; compare LTD vs JSC structures when planning staffing

• Revenue expectations: The company must demonstrate sufficient revenue and business activity to justify the work permit

Official Sources

• Ministry of Labour: work permit types
• Ministry of Labour: current evaluation criteria
• Ministry of Labour: work permit exemption types
• Ministry of Labour: Turquoise Card

Planning for Owners and Employers

Foreign shareholders who will actively manage the business should review the specific work permit criteria for a foreign company owner. Employers should also model 2026 employer cost in Turkey and align the result with payroll onboarding.