Türkiye is a promising country for employment, as expats from different parts of the world are planning to relocate here in 2025, including citizens of India, Nepal, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Kenya and Pakistan.

A Turkish work visa and a work permit are two documents that foreigners planning to work in Turkey must obtain. We will talk about the features of obtaining permits and the procedure for their registration below.

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Who needs to issue a Turkish work visa?

Turkey provides a work visa to all foreigners who plan to visit the country for the purpose of employment. That is, if you want to work in Turkey, you must have a work visa and a work permit.

Citizens of all countries of the world, except the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, can issue permits.

Prerequisites for obtaining a Turkish work visa

The main feature that distinguishes the procedure for obtaining a Turkish work visa from other permits is that before applying for a work visa, a foreigner must have a job offer or an employment contract from a Turkish company.

Importantly! You cannot start the process of obtaining a Turkish work visa if you do not have a specific job offer in the country.

Categories of Turkish work visas

The work visa has different subcategories that you can choose according to the nature of your work:

- Appointed executors

- Appointed employees of the free zone

- Appointed journalists

- Appointed teachers/academics

- Designated athletes

- Purpose of employment/special purpose of employment

- For installation and repair

When should I start the procedure for obtaining a work visa?

A foreigner must apply for a Turkish work visa after receiving a job offer in Turkey. However, no earlier than two months and no later than 30 days before the contract start date.

Where to apply for a Turkish work visa?

A foreign worker must apply for a Turkish work visa at the embassy, ​​consulate or visa center of Turkey in the country of residence.

In general, the procedure for obtaining a work visa consists of the following stages:

Stage 1 – Registration for an interview

You need to fill out an online questionnaire. Answer a few questions about your identity and the purpose of your visit, and the system will assign you the date and time of the interview at the Turkish embassy.

Stage 2 – Prepare a package of documents

On the day of the interview, the applicant must have a certain list of documents with him:

- Questionnaire for a Turkish work visa.

- A foreign passport that must be valid for at least 6 months after your arrival in Turkey.

- Two biometric photos.

- Certificate of no criminal record.

- A job offer from an employer or a contract. The document must contain information about the employee's position, monthly salary, and the term of the employee's contract.

- Diploma or other certificate of education with a translation.

- Medical insurance for the entire period of stay in Turkey.

- Information about residence - a housing rental agreement or a certificate of real estate availability in the country.

- Information about availability of funds.

Depending on the specifics of each specific case and the foreigner's country of residence, the embassy may require additional documents.

Step 3 – Pass the interview

On the day of the interview, the applicant must come to the embassy, ​​consulate or visa center on time with a complete package of documents.

During the interview, the representative of the consular institution will ask the applicant several questions about the future job. We advise you to prepare a little so that you are not nervous during the meeting and answer questions clearly.

After the interview, inform your employer about the successful submission of documents, because he must also submit certain documents to the Turkish Ministry of Labor and Social Security (MLSS) within ten days from the moment of your application.

How to apply for a work permit in Turkey?

A work permit in Turkey is the second mandatory document for employment in the country. It is similar to a residence permit. An application for a work permit must be submitted by the employer. Within ten days after the employee's interview at the Turkish Embassy, ​​the employer must fill out an online application on the Turkish Ministry of Labor and Social Security (MLSS) website.

At the second stage, send a certain list of documents to the department by mail or in person.

Importantly! The employer must send the documents within 10 days after the employee's visit to the embassy and a maximum of six days after completing the online application. Be sure to calculate the time so as not to lose the chance to issue a visa.

List of documents from the employer for obtaining a work permit in Turkey

The package of documents that the employer must provide to the Ministry of Labor and Social Security of Turkey:

- Work permit letter.

- Questionnaire of a foreign worker.

- Certificate from the commercial register of Turkey with detailed information about the current shareholding and capital structure of the organization.

- Balance sheet and profit/loss statement for the last year, certified by the tax office or a certified accountant.

- Notarized power of attorney for a person who is authorized to submit an online application on behalf of the entity or organization where the foreigner is employed.

The procedure for processing visa applications and work permits in Turkey

After submitting all documents, the foreigner and the employer can only wait for the application to be considered. The maximum period for processing documents by the Ministry is 30 days, provided that all necessary documents are submitted in full.

The Ministry of Labor and Social Security forwards a positive or negative decision on the application for a Turkish work visa to the relevant consulate of the Republic of Turkey.

After obtaining a visa, a foreigner has a maximum of 180 days to enter Turkey. Within a month after arrival in the country, it is necessary to register in the address register system.

How does a work visa differ from a business visa?

A work visa gives the traveler the right to seek or obtain work in a foreign country and receive income in exchange for services. The difference between a work visa and a business visa is that with a work visa, a traveler cannot run a business, start a company, make investments, or engage in commercial activities in a foreign country. On the contrary, a business visa gives them the right to enjoy all these benefits.

New work visa program in Turkey 

In order to further develop the economy, Turkey has launched a technical visa program that provides expedited work permits for more than three years to foreigners seeking to establish startups in the country. The initiative aims to attract foreigners with exceptional technological expertise as well as innovative business models based on innovation.

In addition, as part of the new program, the Ministry will provide entrepreneurs with six months of legal and financial consulting services for businesses established in Turkey. By 2030, Turkey aims to create 100,000 tech startups, at least a hundred of which will be worth more than $1 billion.

Changes to Turkey’s Work Visa System in 2025

Turkey has recently made several important changes to its work visa and permit regulations, with the aim of attracting qualified foreign workers and streamlining the application process. Here are the main updates:

- Work Permit Exemption for Skilled Workers

Highly qualified foreign professionals are now eligible for a three-year work permit exemption, allowing them to work in Turkey without the need for a traditional permit. This provides more flexibility and encourages the recruitment and retention of talented professionals.

The exemption applies to the following categories:

1. Refugees: Those granted refugee status can work in certain fields without a work permit.

2. Skilled Professionals: Experts in high demand, particularly in the technology sector, medicine and engineering, are given an advantage in attracting global talent.

3. Journalists: Foreign correspondents working for international media can work in Turkey without a standard work permit.

4. Athletes: Professional athletes who participate in Turkish sports competitions or leagues can also work without the need for a permit.

- Simplification of the application process for foreigners

The application process for a work permit has been simplified, making it more accessible and efficient for foreigners who want to work in Turkey, especially in high-demand sectors such as technology and medicine.

- Increase in the minimum wage

The minimum wage in Turkey for 2025 is 22,104 TL ($630.36) per month, compared to the previous 20,000 TL ($577). This increase demonstrates the country's efforts to increase workers' incomes and improve living standards.

Turkey offers excellent opportunities for foreign workers thanks to its developed labor market, moderate cost of living, and convenient geographical location. By familiarizing yourself with the visa and work permit process, you can easily start your career in this exciting country.

Book a consultation with a migration lawyer to find out all the intricacies of employment in Turkey.

We will remind you!Turkey is a popular tourist destination that attracts travelers from all over the world. Citizens of more than 100 countries can visit this country without a visa. We talked about the requirements and types of visas needed to travel to Turkey earlier.