Foreign Direct Investment and Work Permit (2025)

The employment of foreign national personnel within the scope of foreign direct investments in Turkey is regulated by the “Regulation on the Employment of Foreign National Personnel in Foreign Direct Investments” published in the Official Gazette dated 29.08.2003 and numbered 25214. These regulations are implemented in order to encourage strategic investments and to facilitate the managerial personnel needs of foreign investors.

Special Foreign Direct Investments

As of 2025, a company or branch must meet at least one of the following criteria in order to be considered a “qualifying foreign direct investment”:

• Capital and Turnover: The total capital share of foreign shareholders must be at least TL 17,488,252 and the company’s turnover in the last year must be at least TL 1.314 billion.
• Exports: The total capital share of foreign partners must be at least 17.488.252 TL and the company’s annual exports must be at least 1 Million USD.
• Employment: The total capital share of foreign partners must be at least TRY 17,488,252 and the company must have employed at least 250 personnel registered with the Social Security Institution in the last year.
• Investment: There must be an investment plan with a fixed investment amount of at least 436.1 million TL.
• International Presence: The parent company must have investments in at least one other country outside its home country.

For general information: Foreign Work Permit Guide

Work Permit for Liaison Offices

In liaison offices established in Turkey, a maximum of one foreign employee authorized by the parent company abroad may obtain a work permit limited to the duration of the activity.

Detailed application steps: Work Permit Application Process

Key Personnel Description

Key personnel who can work in FDI companies are defined as follows:

A) Those with Management and Organization Authority

• Managing all or part of the company,
• Supervision, controlling administrative or technical staff,
• Making or proposing personnel hiring/removal decisions.

In this context, employees working in senior positions such as company partners, chairman of the board of directors, members, general managers, deputy managers are considered key personnel.

B) Persons with Special Knowledge

Specialized staff with knowledge considered fundamental to the services, research techniques or management of the company.

C) Personnel of Liaison Offices

At most one person authorized by the parent company may work in the liaison office.

Considerations in the Employment of Foreign Personnel

• Documents required for a work permit include the trade registry gazette, capital structure, SSI records and personnel list.
• Applications are made through the e-Permit system with an electronic signature.
• SSI obligations for foreigners to be employed must be fulfilled in full and on time.

Details SSI Notification and Work Permit for Foreigners

Professional Support

Work permit files for foreign direct investments are subject to detailed examination due to the high capital and employment criteria. For fast and smooth progress of your applications MFY Legal | Law Office you can contact their lawyers.

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