Work permits in Türkiye for foreigners (2026): types, e-İzin application, fees and rules

Foreigners who want to take a job in Türkiye generally need a work permit before they start, and in most cases the employer, not the employee, files the application. The system is run by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (Çalışma ve Sosyal Güvenlik Bakanlığı) through its Directorate General of International Labour Force (Uluslararası İşgücü Genel Müdürlüğü), and applications go through the online e-İzin system. This guide explains the permit types, the application steps, the employer criteria and the official 2026 fees, as of November 2026.

This is general information, not legal advice.

Key points

• Most foreigners need a work permit (or a formal work permit exemption) to work in Türkiye; a residence permit alone does not normally give the right to work.
• Main types: fixed-term (süreli), indefinite (süresiz), independent (bağımsız) and the Turquoise Card (Turkuaz Kart).
• The employer applies online via e-İzin; from abroad, the process starts at a Turkish embassy or consulate.
• Complete applications are decided within 30 days.
• A fixed-term permit is issued for up to one year at first; extensions can run up to two years, then up to three years.
• 2026 fee: 12,574.90 TL for a permit of up to one year, plus a 964 TL card fee.
• Fixed-term, indefinite and independent work permits also serve as a residence permit.
• 2026 fines: 102,503 TL per foreigner for employers, 40,977 TL for a foreign employee working without a permit.

Who needs a work permit

Under Law No. 6735 on International Labour Force, foreigners who work for an employer or on their own account in Türkiye need a work permit or a work permit exemption. The Ministry’s FAQ states that holding a residence permit does not by itself give most foreigners the right to work.

Some groups are exempt from the employer criteria described below (though not from needing a permit), including foreigners with a Turkish citizen parent or child, long-term residence permit holders, people married to a Turkish citizen for at least three years, and citizens of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. A separate "work permit exemption" document exists for certain categories of work; the Ministry issues an exemption card for exemptions of three months or longer, and only a certificate for shorter ones.

The main permit types

Fixed-term (süreli) permit. The standard permit for employees. It is issued for up to one year on first application and is tied to a specific job with one employer. The first extension can be granted for up to two years with the same employer, and later extensions for up to three years. Moving to a new employer counts as a new first application.

Indefinite (süresiz) permit. Available to foreigners who hold a long-term residence permit or have at least eight years of legal work permit. Meeting the conditions does not guarantee approval. The card must be renewed every five years.

Independent (bağımsız) permit. For professionals who want to work on their own account rather than for an employer. It is issued for a set period, and the Ministry looks at factors such as education, professional experience, contribution to science and technology, and the economic impact of the activity.

Turquoise Card (Turkuaz Kart). Aimed at qualified foreigners, judged on education, experience, contribution to science and technology, investment or exports. Holders get the rights of an indefinite work permit, and their spouse and dependent children receive a card that serves as a residence permit. The card is first issued with a three-year transition period.

Step 1: Check the employer criteria

Before applying, the employer should confirm it meets the Ministry’s evaluation criteria. The main general rules are:

• Five Turkish employees per foreigner: workplaces must employ at least five Turkish citizens for each foreign employee. Workplaces with net sales of at least 50 million TL in the last year are exempt from this ratio for up to five foreigners.
• Financial strength: a newly established company needs paid-in capital of at least 500,000 TL. An operating company needs paid-in capital of at least 500,000 TL, or net sales of at least 8 million TL, or exports of at least 150,000 US dollars.
• Salary: the foreigner’s pay is set as a multiple of the gross minimum wage at the application date: five times for senior executives and pilots, four times for engineers and architects, three times for other managers, twice for jobs requiring expertise, and once for domestic work and other jobs.

Sector rules vary: IT expert roles such as software development are not subject to the criteria. Foreign company partners face their own thresholds: a capital share of at least 500,000 TL, at least 20% of the shares, a company paid-up capital of at least 500,000 TL and five Turkish employees, unless the partner’s capital share is at least 100,000 US dollars.

Step 2: Gather the documents

The Ministry’s general document list includes:

• an employment contract signed by both the employer and the foreigner;
• a copy of the passport;
• a copy of the diploma or temporary graduation certificate with a Turkish translation, for professional roles (a declaration of the last school attended is enough for domestic work);
• the Turkish Trade Registry Gazette showing the company’s latest capital and shareholder structure;
• the latest-year balance sheet and profit/loss statement, approved by the tax office or a sworn financial adviser.

Sectors such as education, health and tourism need additional approvals, for example a pre-permit from the Ministry of National Education or the Ministry of Health. Documents are scanned and uploaded as PDFs of up to 2 MB each, together with a recent colour photo on a white background.

Step 3: Apply through e-İzin

From inside Türkiye: the employer applies online through the e-İzin system for a foreigner who already holds a residence permit valid for at least six more months. If you are already living in Türkiye on a residence permit, keep it valid while the work permit is pending; see our guide to renewing a residence permit.

From abroad: the foreigner first applies at the Turkish embassy or consulate in their home country or country of legal residence and receives a 16-digit reference number. The employer then completes the online application using that number.

Step 4: Wait for the decision and pay the fees

The Ministry says complete applications are decided within 30 days. If it asks for additional documents, the clock restarts once they are provided.

The official 2026 work permit fees (harç), in force since 1 January 2026, depend on the permit’s length:

• up to 1 year: 12,574.90 TL
• over 1 and up to 2 years: 25,149.80 TL
• over 2 and up to 3 years: 37,724.70 TL
• over 3 and up to 4 years: 50,299.60 TL
• over 4 and up to 5 years: 62,874.50 TL
• indefinite or independent permit: 125,802.20 TL

On top of the fee, a card fee (değerli kâğıt bedeli) of 964 TL applies in 2026. Replacing a lost card costs half the original fee for most permit lengths.

Step 5: Start work and register

Once approved, the foreigner must start work within one month of the permit’s start date (for applications made inside Türkiye) or within one month of entering Türkiye (for applications from abroad), and in all cases within six months of the permit’s start date. The employer must also complete social security registration. Foreign employees are then covered by the state system; our health insurance explainer explains how this works. A foreign identification number is also used for tax matters; see our guide to the Turkish tax number.

Step 6: Extend on time

Extension applications can be filed once 60 days remain before expiry, and in any case before the permit ends; late applications are rejected. While an extension is under review, the foreigner may keep working for up to 90 days, provided the job and workplace stay the same. The Ministry warns that people who switch employers within six months of getting a permit are generally refused, except in cases of force majeure.

The permit as a residence permit

The Ministry states that fixed-term, indefinite and independent work permits, and work permit exemptions, serve as residence permits while valid, so holders do not need a separate residence permit. This does not apply to permits for temporary or international protection holders. Keep your address up to date too; see our address registration guide.

Working remotely for a foreign employer

The Ministry’s work permit FAQ does not specifically address foreigners who work remotely for an employer abroad. If unsure, seek professional advice.

Penalties for illegal work

For 2026, the Ministry lists these administrative fines:

• employer, for each foreigner employed without a permit: 102,503 TL;
• foreigner working as an employee without a permit: 40,977 TL;
• foreigner working independently without a permit: 82,010 TL;
• failure to meet notification obligations: 6,805 TL per foreigner.

Under Article 23 of Law 6735, the fines are doubled for repeat violations. Fines are revalued every year.

FAQ

Q: Can I apply for a work permit myself? A: For an ordinary job, no. The employer applies through e-İzin. From abroad, you start the process at a Turkish consulate, which gives you a reference number that the employer uses.

Q: How long does a work permit take? A: The Ministry says complete applications are decided within 30 days. Requests for additional documents restart that period.

Q: How much does a one-year work permit cost in 2026? A: The fee is 12,574.90 TL plus a 964 TL card fee.

Q: Do I also need a residence permit? A: No. Fixed-term, indefinite and independent work permits serve as a residence permit while they are valid.

Q: Can I change employer on the same permit? A: No. A permit is tied to one employer, and a new employer must file a new first application. Switching within six months is usually refused, except for force majeure.

Q: What happens if I work without a permit? A: In 2026 a foreign employee faces a 40,977 TL fine and the employer 102,503 TL per foreigner, and the foreigner is reported to the Interior Ministry for deportation proceedings.

Sources

• Harç ve Değerli Kâğıt Bedelinin Ödenmesi (Çalışma ve Sosyal Güvenlik Bakanlığı)
• Work Permit Evaluation Criteria (Ministry of Labour and Social Security)
• Çalışma İzni Türleri (Çalışma ve Sosyal Güvenlik Bakanlığı)
• Çalışma İzni – Sıkça Sorulan Sorular (Çalışma ve Sosyal Güvenlik Bakanlığı)
• Belgeler – Çalışma İzni (Çalışma ve Sosyal Güvenlik Bakanlığı)
• Yabancılara Düzenlenen Belgeler (Çalışma ve Sosyal Güvenlik Bakanlığı)
• İdari Para Cezaları (Çalışma ve Sosyal Güvenlik Bakanlığı)
• 2026 Yılı Çalışma İzni Olmaksızın Çalışan/Çalıştırılan Yabancılara İlişkin İdari Para Cezaları (Alomaliye)
• Obtaining a Work Permit (Invest in Türkiye)

Photo: Jorge Franganillo from Barcelona, Spain / CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons