Global Alerts

TURKEY – Changes to Work Permit Application Process

Recent changes by Turkish authorities have significantly altered the work permit application process, from both outside of and within Turkey. Major amendments include work permits acting as both work permits and residence permits, and mandatory registration at the Civil Registration office within 20 days of entrance into Turkey. Please reference the below lists for all changes made to the Turkish work permit application process.

The following are changes to the work permit application process from outside of Turkey:

• As work permits now double as residence permits, assignees that have already obtained a work permit will no longer be required to submit an application for a residence permit. However, the assignee’s dependents are still required to obtain residence permits.
• Work permits will be sent in the form of an ID card to the employer’s address by Turkish Post (PTT).
• As it is no longer mandatory for assignees to apply for a residence permit, it is required that they register with the Civil Registration office (Nüfus Müdürlüğü) within 20 days of entering Turkey.
• The employer must start the assignee’s social security contributions within 30 days of the assignee’s arrival in Turkey (after obtaining the work permit).
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• During the residence permit application process for dependents, the assignee may be subject to a criminal records check.
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• If the assignee’s social security coverage does not include their dependents, the assignee is required to obtain a private Turkish full-coverage health insurance plan for his/her dependents for a minimum of one year. This must cover both inpatient and outpatient services.
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• An application for the extension of a work permit must be made at least two months prior to the expiry of the initial permit. The extension must be applied for before the end date of the initial permit’s expiration date. For the dependent’s residence permit, the application must be made and the appointment must be scheduled prior to the expiration date, however, the actual appointment date can be after the expiration date.
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• Currently, the residence permits of an assignee’s dependents are sent by Turkish Post (PTT) to the registered address indicated in the application form. Expected issuance time for dependents’ residence permits is 90 days. During this 90 day period, the residence permit issuing authority will provide a travel document until the residence permit is received. The travel document allows for one trip outside of Turkey for a maximum of 15 days. It should be noted that for trips longer than 15 days or any additional trips, the individual may be permitted to travel depending on which country’s passport he/she holds, as this may change the Turkish tourist visa conditions.
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• The official work permit and residence permit fee for the assignee’s application is payable only after the permit has been received by the applicant.

The following are changes to the work permit application process from within Turkey:

• Previously, only A-Group citizens were permitted to submit a work permit application from within Turkey. With the new rules, it is still unclear whether all groups of citizens are permitted to do so.
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• First, the assignee must apply for a residence permit. During this time, the assignee, along with any dependents, must have a private Turkish full-coverage health insurance plan for both inpatient and outpatient care. This plan must be valid for a minimum of one year.
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• Work permits will be sent directly to the employer’s address in the form of an ID card. This ID card will act as both the work permit and the residence permit.
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• The requirement to obtain a residence permit has been replaced with the requirement to register at the Civil Registration office within 20 days of obtaining the work permit.
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• The employer is required to register the employee’s social security details within 30 days after the work permit is obtained.
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• An application for the extension of a work permit must be made at least two months prior to the expiry of the initial permit. The extension must be applied for before the end date of the initial permit’s expiration date. For the dependent’s residence permit, the application must be made and the appointment must be scheduled prior to the expiration date, however, the actual appointment date can be after the expiration date.
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• Currently, we are informed that the residence permits of assignees’ dependents will be sent by Turkish Post (PTT) to the registered address indicated in the application form. Expected issuance time for dependents’ residence permits is 90 days. During this 90 day period, the residence permit issuing authority will provide a travel document until the residence permit is received. The travel document allows for one trip outside of Turkey for a maximum of 15 days. It should be noted that for trips longer than 15 days or any additional trips, the individual may be permitted to travel depending on which country’s passport he/she holds, as this may change the Turkish tourist visa conditions.