The authority authorized to issue work permit applications for foreigners is the Ministry of Labor and Social Security.
Work permit applications vary depending on the foreigner's location.
Foreigners living in Turkey apply from within the country, and foreigners living outside Türkiye apply from abroad.
For both types of applications, it is mandatory to have a valid employment contract between the foreign worker and the employer in Turkey.
FOREIGN APPLICATIONS
Foreigners who want to work in Turkey must apply for a work permit at the Embassies and consulates of the Republic of Turkey in the country where they are citizens or legally reside.
It is regulated in the legislation that duly submitted applications with no lack of information or documents will be evaluated WITHIN 30 DAYS.
After the foreigner submits the application, he/she is given a reference number. He must report this reference number to his employer in Turkey.
After the application is made to the foreign representative offices, the employer for whom the foreigner will work must also make an electronic application via the e-Government portal with the reference number sent by the foreigner.
It is important to note that in order for the employer to make an electronic application, he/she must first CREATE AN EMPLOYER REGISTRATION electronically. This is also called KEP ACCOUNT.
If the application is evaluated positively, the necessary fees are deposited by the employer to the relevant bank in Turkey.
If the applicant is a foreigner, he/she must go to the foreign representative office and pay the work permit visa fee.
Work permits of foreigners who enter Turkey without paying fees and charges will not be valid.
It is mandatory to submit an employer-insured employment declaration WITHIN 30 DAYS after entering a foreign country.
DOMESTIC APPLICATIONS
The prerequisite for a foreigner to apply for a work permit from within the country is to have a legal residence permit in Turkey that is valid for at least 6 MONTHS.
Foreigners who do not have this type of legal residence permit will not be able to apply for a work permit domestically, even if they enter Turkey legally and are in Turkey.
Applications from within the country will be made directly to the Ministry of Labor and Social Security.
Applications will be made directly to the ministry through the online work permit application system.
Work permit applications for foreigners who want to obtain a temporary work permit will be made by the employer in Turkey.
Foreigners who will apply for an indefinite work permit or work independently must have their foreigner identification numbers, KEP addresses and electronic signatures.
Just like when applying abroad, the employer must create an employer record electronically.
The employer can register his workplace with his e-signature in the Foreigners' Work Permit Automation System via e-government.
When the application is positive, the necessary fees and valuable paper payments are paid by the employer.
The employer must issue a declaration of employment with the insured person WITHIN 30 DAYS from the date of approval of the foreigner's work permit.
However, it should be noted that not only the status of the foreigner is important when applying for a work permit.
The workplace where the foreigner will work must also meet certain conditions specified in the legislation. Workplaces that do not meet these conditions cannot employ foreign workers.