Foreign Doctor Work Permit (2025) | Prior Authorization, Equivalence, SKYS

Foreign physicians can work in private health institutions (private hospitals, medical centers, etc.) in Turkey by obtaining a work permit from the Ministry of Labor and Social Security (MoLSS) after completing the Ministry of Health pre-permit process. The process includes the following steps: equivalence, Turkish proficiency (TÖMER B or above), no disability, professional liability insurance and SKYS/staff work certificate.

General framework: Foreign Work Permit Guidelines

Step by step flow: Work Permit Application Process

1) Who Can Work and Where?

• Scope: Medical doctors and specialists according to the legislation on medical specialization (physicians covered by Law No. 1219).
• Working area: Private health institutions (units with special status, including university-affiliated health facilities).
• Exemptions: There may be different exemption provisions for some temporary/special situations and shelters (relevant temporary articles and public regulations).

Other pages dedicated to health professions: Foreign Dentist Work Permit , Foreign Nurse Work Permit

2) Mandatory Prerequisites (Summary)

• Recognition and registration:
  • Diploma equivalence (YÖK) and/or specialization certificate equivalence/registration (relevant department of the Ministry of Health).
• Turkish proficiency:
  • TÖMER B level (or above). Documents may not be required for graduates of Turkish-medium institutions.
  • Note: If the document is not submitted within 1 year at the latest after the prior authorization, the staff work certificate may be canceled.
• There is no impediment to the profession:
  • For first-time professionals; exceptions in some cases (graduation in TR in the last 1 year, uninterrupted residence for 5 years, asylum due to state of emergency).
• Professional liability insurance (compulsory for physicians).
• Work and residence permit: Work permit with prior authorization (MoLSS) and subsequent harmonization of residence status.

Summary of basic requirements: Work Permit Requirements

3) Step-by-Step Process (University/Private Hospital Scenario)

A) Provincial Health Directorate Preliminary Procedures (for Prior Authorization):

1. The private health institution (or university) submits the application file to the Provincial Directorate of Healththrough the responsible manager.
2. The file contains documents such as equivalence/registration, TÖMER/Turkish, no obstacles to the profession, service contract (gross wage open).
3. The Directorate inquires the documents at the General Directorate of Health Services – Registration/Denistry unit; after a positive return, a directorate approval/prior authorization letter is issued.

B) Work Permit (MoLSS) and Residence:

4) Work Permit application is made via e-Permit with the prior authorization letter.

5) Once the work permit is approved, the residence status is verified/updated if necessary.

C) BCMS and Personnel Working Document:

6) Documents regarding work permit and residence are entered into the SKYSby the Provincial Directorate of Health.

7) A staff work document is issued; the physician can start working as of the date of document approval.

Explanation of the process: Work Permit Application Process

Status tracking Work Permit Inquiry

4) Contract, Wages and Insurance

• Each page of the service contract must be signed/named; the gross monthly salary must be clearly written.
• Wages below the minimum wage cannot be agreed; SSI premium based earnings must be in line with the declaration.
• Professional liability insurance (compulsory).
• Professional organization obligations such as TMA/chamber membership and annotations (e.g. Annotation 21) must be completed in due time.

SSI and payroll processes: SSI Notification and Work Permit for Foreigners

Fees/charges: Work Permit Fees 2025

5) Sample Document Checklist

• Diploma equivalence (YÖK) and/or specialty equivalence/registration (Ministry of Health)
• TÖMER B and above Turkish certificate (exemption status, if any)
• Letter of no occupational disability (exception if applicable)
• Service contract (gross wage open)
• Professional liability insurance policy
• Prior authorization (Provincial Health Directorate approval)
• Work permit (MoLSS) → Residence harmonization
• SKYS registration and Personnel work certificate

6) Common Mistakes (Common Reasons for Rejection)

• Sending files without recognition/registration,
• Failure to submit TÖMER B certificate within one year → cancellation of personnel certificate,
• Failure to specify the gross wage in the service contract or missing page signatures,
• Employment without occupational insurance,
• Actual work after a work permit without obtaining an SKYS/personnel certificate,
• Neglect of chamber/member obligations (e.g. TMA).

7) FAQs – Short Answers

• Can I work in a public hospital? As a rule, foreign physicians work in private healthcare organizations; special regulations and staffing conditions are required for the public sector.
• When is a language certificate required? If TÖMER B is not submitted within 1 year at the latest after the prior authorization, the personnel certificate may be canceled.
• When do I start working? From the date of completion of SKYS registration and approval of the personnel work document.
• Do permits replace residence? Work permit/residency status are separate processes; the status must be harmonized.

Notes and Basis (summary)

• Law No. 1219 (Medicine and Medical Sciences), 663 DECREE LAWrelevant regulations,
• Regulation on Foreign Health Professionals (22.02.2012 and amendments),
• Ministry of Health prior authorization correspondence and guidelines; Provincial Health Directorate approval processes,
• MoLSS/e-Permit work permit; SKYS and personnel work certificate procedures.

Professional Note

Physician files are the applications where the most mistakes are made in equivalence-registration and prior authorization steps. Actual work without an HCMS/personnel certificate can lead to serious sanctions. To prepare your file in full compliance with the legislation from start to finish, you can contact our team of lawyers for MFY Legal | Law Office’s Health Personnel Work Permit process.