Foreign Work Permit Requirements for Employers (2025)

For companies wishing to employ foreigners as employers in Turkey foreign work permit application involves serious obligations. Incomplete or erroneous applications may result not only in a permit refusal, but also in administrative sanctions. In this article, you can find out what employers need to know as of 2025, the application process and the most common mistakes.

1. Basic Obligations for Employers

• Activity requirement: The company must maintain active commercial activity.
• Employment requirement: At least 5 Turkish citizens must be employed in the workplace where the work permit is issued (see Work Permit Conditions for details).
• Financial adequacy: The company meets balance sheet, capital and revenue criteria.
• Compliance with legislation: Application within the framework of Law No. 6735 and secondary legislation.

2. Capital and Employment Criteria

• General rule:
  • Capital: ≥ 500.000 TL
  • Foreign shareholding: ≥ 20% (at least TL 500,000 contribution)
  • Employment: First permit is issued with annotation, ≥ 5 Turkish citizens compulsory every month starting from 7th month
• 100.000 USD exception: If the foreigner’s capital share in the company is 100.000 USD or more, the above capital and employment criteria do not apply. For detailed information, see Foreign Company Partner Work Permit.

3. Work Permit Application Process

Applications are made through the e-Permit system.

1. Workplace registration: SSI registered workplace or workplace registration within the scope of Foreign Work Permit in Domestic Services.
2. Documents: Trade registry gazette, signature circular, tax certificate, balance sheet, SSI documents, employment contract.
3. Electronic signature: The application is completed by the employer or e-declaration authorized person.
4. Follow-up: Results can be checked through the Work Permit Inquiry.

Yurt dışından başvurular için bkz. Yurtdışından Çalışma İzni Başvurusu.

4. Employer Obligations After Leave

• SGK bildirimi: Onaydan itibaren 30 gün içinde SGK Bildirimi.
• Fee: No payment can be made below the fee declared in the application.
• Employment follow-up: Continuous employment of ≥5 Turkish citizens from month 7 onwards.
• Uzatım: Ekonomik katkı ve mevzuata uyum belgelenmelidir (bkz. Çalışma İzni Uzatma Başvurusu).

5. Prohibited Occupations and Areas Requiring Prior Authorization

Some professions are exclusively for Turkish citizens: lawyers, pharmacists, dentists, veterinarians, captains, etc.

Health and education require prior authorization from the relevant institutions. Detailed content:

• Foreign Doctor Work Permit
• Foreign Dentist Work Permit
• Foreign Nurse Work Permit
• Foreign Teacher Work Permit

6. Common Mistakes

• Failure to document capital and 20% shareholding requirement
• Failure to sustain employment of 5 Turks after the 7th month
• Application with the wrong SSI registration number
• Lack of prior authorization/chamber membership
• License-permit incompatibility
• Poor documentation in extension applications

7. FAQs – Short Answers

• Is there a requirement of 5 Turks in the first 6 months? No, the first permit is annotated; it is sought after the 7th month.
• I have a 100.000 USD share, should I still employ 5 Turks? No, this exception applies.
• Does a work permit replace residence? Yes, no separate residency application is required.

8. Fees and Charges

2025 yılı güncel ücret kalemleri için bkz. Çalışma İzni Ücretleri 2025.

Professional Support

For employers, capital, SSI notification, employment and extension applications are the most critical stages.

You can contact the lawyers ofMFY Legal | Law Office to avoid rejection of your applications.