FOREIGN EMPLOYMENT PERMIT GUIDE IN TÜRKİYE

# FOREIGN EMPLOYMENT PERMIT GUIDE IN TÜRKİYE Employers who wish to hire foreign nationals in Türkiye are required to obtain a work permit from the Ministry of Labour and Social Security in accordance with applicable legislation. Employing foreign nationals without a valid work permit is considered unauthorized employment and constitutes a violation of Turkish labour regulations. If detected during official inspections, administrative fines may be imposed on both the employer and the foreign employee. In addition, deportation proceedings may be initiated against the foreign national. **Important for employers:** All necessary legal requirements and work permit procedures must be completed before a foreign employee starts working. ## 1. EMPLOYER OBLIGATIONS WHEN HIRING FOREIGN NATIONALS Companies operating in Türkiye must meet certain employment and financial eligibility requirements in order to employ foreign nationals. **Employment Requirement** As a general rule, companies subject to balance-sheet accounting are required to employ at least five Turkish citizens for each foreign employee for whom a work permit application is submitted. However, companies with annual net sales of TRY 50,000,000 or more are exempt from the employment requirement for their first five foreign employees. ## 2. FINANCIAL ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR EMPLOYERS The financial eligibility of an employer is assessed according to the company's establishment date and operating history. **A. Newly Established Companies** For companies established during the current calendar year that have not yet prepared year-end financial statements and annual income statements, the following requirement applies: - The company's paid-in capital must be at least TRY 500,000. **B. Established and Operating Companies** Companies established before the current calendar year and having prepared at least one year-end balance sheet and annual income statement must meet at least one of the following criteria: - Paid-in capital of at least TRY 500,000. - Annual net sales of at least TRY 8,000,000. - Annual export revenue of at least USD 150,000. **C. Ordinary Partnerships** For work permit applications submitted by ordinary partnerships established by companies subject to balance-sheet accounting, at least one of the partners must meet one of the following financial requirements: - Paid-in capital of at least TRY 500,000. - Annual net sales of at least TRY 8,000,000. - Annual export revenue of at least USD 150,000. ## 3. HOW ARE WORK PERMIT APPLICATIONS ASSESSED? Work permit applications are not evaluated solely on the employer's financial capacity or the foreign employee's professional background. The Ministry conducts a comprehensive assessment based on labour market conditions and applicable legal requirements. The main factors considered during the assessment include: - Current labour market conditions and developments in working life in Türkiye. - Sector-specific, geographical and economic employment conditions. - Whether qualified Turkish citizens are available to fill the relevant position. - The nationality of the foreign employee. - The employee's professional expertise, experience and qualifications. - Educational background and professional competencies. - The specific requirements and nature of the position. - The employer's business activities and potential contribution to the national economy. A work permit may be granted if the relevant legal requirements and assessment criteria are satisfied. Final approval is subject to the Ministry's evaluation. ## 4. MINIMUM SALARY AND GROSS WAGE REQUIREMENTS FOR FOREIGN EMPLOYEES The minimum salary payable to foreign employees is determined according to their job title, professional qualifications and responsibilities, based on specific multiples of the applicable minimum wage. Employers must ensure that the gross salary offered meets the minimum threshold established for the relevant occupational category. **Minimum gross salary requirements by position:** - **Senior executives and pilots:** At least 5 times the minimum wage. - **Engineers and architects:** At least 4 times the minimum wage. - **Other managerial positions:** At least 3 times the minimum wage. - **Positions requiring specialized skills or craftsmanship:** At least 2 times the minimum wage. - **Domestic services and other occupations:** At least the statutory minimum wage. These salary requirements are among the important factors considered during the work permit application assessment. ## 5. EXEMPTIONS FROM EMPLOYMENT AND FINANCIAL ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS Certain foreign nationals and employers may benefit from special exemptions from the general employment and financial eligibility requirements, provided that the relevant conditions are met. **Special provisions for foreign nationals legally residing in Türkiye** For foreign nationals who have legally resided in Türkiye for at least one year within the last three years, under a work permit, residence permit or international protection status, special provisions may apply to domestic work permit applications. Under this provision: - The general employment and financial eligibility criteria are, in principle, not applied. - The exemption is limited to a maximum of three foreign employees. - The number of foreign employees holding work permits at the same workplace must not exceed the number of Turkish citizen employees. This provision is stated to have entered into force on 3 August 2026. **What happens when the three-person exemption limit is exceeded?** If more than three foreign nationals are to be employed at the same workplace under this provision, the general assessment criteria apply to the fourth and subsequent foreign employees. In such cases: - At least five Turkish citizens must be employed for each additional foreign employee. - The applicable financial eligibility requirements must also be satisfied. Special provisions under the relevant legislation concerning international protection beneficiaries remain reserved. ## 6. MANAGE YOUR FOREIGN EMPLOYMENT PROCESS WITH YARDIMCI BURADA Hiring foreign employees involves more than simply finding the right candidate. It also requires careful consideration of work permit procedures and employer obligations under Turkish legislation. At Yardımcı Burada, we help employers define their staffing needs, access suitable candidate profiles and manage the foreign personnel recruitment process in a more organized and structured manner. Find candidates who match your business requirements, manage your recruitment needs through a controlled process and consider the applicable legal requirements before employment begins. **Yardımcı Burada – The Right Talent for the Right Job.**