Work Visas in Turkey
How to get a work permit and which routes actually exist
A foreigner does not apply for a Turkish work permit alone: the employer applies to the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, and the permit doubles as a residence permit once issued. Quota rules requiring Turkish employees alongside each foreign worker, plus a minimum paid-up capital for the employing company, are what most applications fail on.
| Who applies | The employer, to the Ministry of Labour and Social Security source |
| Typical first permit | Commonly one year, tied to the employer and workplace |
| Quota rule | Commonly around five Turkish employees per foreign worker |
| Company capital | Commonly around TRY 100,000 paid-up capital, or equivalent turnover or exports |
| Qualified route | Turquoise Card, for qualified workers and investors source |
How the application actually runs
If the foreigner is abroad, the sequence begins at a Turkish mission: a work visa application is lodged there, and within roughly ten days the employer files the corresponding application electronically with the Ministry of Labour and Social Security. If the foreigner already holds a residence permit of at least six months' remaining validity, the employer can apply from inside the country without a consular step.
The permit that results is employer-specific and workplace-specific. Changing employer means a new application rather than a transfer, and the first permit is commonly issued for one year, with extensions available for longer periods with the same employer.
The quota and capital conditions
- The employing workplace is commonly expected to employ around five Turkish citizens for each foreign worker, assessed per workplace rather than per company.
- The company is commonly expected to show paid-up capital of roughly TRY 100,000, or gross sales or export figures at published equivalents.
- The salary offered must be proportionate to the role, with published minimums expressed as multiples of the national minimum wage; senior and specialist roles sit at the higher multiples.
- Certain categories are exempt from the quota, including some company partners, teachers in foreign schools, and household staff of accredited diplomats.
- A number of professions are reserved to Turkish citizens by separate legislation, including several legal, health and maritime occupations.
The Turquoise Card
The Turquoise Card is a route for foreigners assessed as highly qualified by education, professional experience, contribution to science or technology, or investment. It is granted first for a transitional period of roughly three years, during which performance against the stated commitments is monitored, and can then be made indefinite.
It carries an indefinite right to work, and the holder's spouse and dependent children receive a document giving residence rights. Numbers issued are small and the assessment is discretionary.
Independent work and companies
Independent work permits exist for professionals in their own name, generally requiring several years of prior lawful residence, and are assessed against the same discretionary criteria.
Forming a Turkish company is open to foreigners and is a common alternative, but company formation does not itself confer the right to work: a foreign director or partner who performs work still needs a permit, and the company must meet the same capital and employment conditions.
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Official sources
Checked against these pages in September 2026. Fees and processing times change without notice — confirm before you act.