Work Permit for Foreign Company Partner (2025)

Foreigners who establish a company in Turkey or become a partner in an existing company must obtain a work permit in order to work in their own company. The evaluation is based on capital/partnership ratio, local employment, financial competence and compliance with the legislation.

General framework: Foreign Work Permit Guidelines

Process flow: Work Permit Application Process

Basic requirements: Work Permit Requirements

1) Financial Capability and Partnership Criteria

1.1. Workplaces subject to balance sheet basis (general rule)

• Capital The paid-in capital of the company must be ≥ 500.000 TL.
• Shareholding: The foreigner must have at least 20% share and a capital contribution of at least TRY 500,000.
• Employment: Initial work permit is issued with annotation ; starting from the 7th month, at least 5 Turkish citizens must be employed every month.
  • This obligation is uninterrupted for the entire duration of the permit during extension periods.

1.2. 100.000 USD and above

capital share exemption

• If the foreigner’s capital share in the company is ≥ USD 100,000, the above criteria (TL 500,000, 20% and 5 Turks) do not apply (exception in the assessment).

Related annotations: 11, 22, 26 (5 Turkish jobs for company partner; initial authorization with annotation; uninterrupted employment condition for extension).

License validity annotation: 28 (together with business license).

2) Company/Business Opening and License

• After the company establishment and tax number is obtained, the work permit application is made;
• After obtaining a work permit, a “Workplace Opening and Operation License” is requested from the municipality; the duration of the license is regulated in line with the duration of the permit (no “independent work permit” should be sought separately).
• For applications within the scope of temporary protection, the provisions of the relevant Regulation are also applied (for applications on own behalf and account, activity documents are uploaded to the system).

SSI Steps SSI Notification and Work Permit for Foreigners

Fee/fee items: Work Permit Fees 2025

3) Application Procedure (e-Permit)

• Applicant: Employer on behalf of the company (e-Government/e-Permit); the foreigner who is a partner/owner of the company can also apply through the system.
• Workplace registration: SSI registered workplaces or new workplace (e-Declaration authority), with electronic signature.
• What needs to be uploaded (summary): Trade registry gazette, signature circular, tax certificate, balance sheet/income statement for the last year, partnership structure and evidence of capital commitment/paid-in capital, employment contract/job description.
• Assessment: Law No. 6735 and secondary legislation; opinions of relevant institutions when necessary.

Status tracking Work Permit Inquiry

First application scenario from abroad: Applying for a Work Permit from Abroad

4) Post Authorization Obligations

• Recruitment & Social Security Institution: Social Security Institution (SSI) employment within 30 days from the approval/notification of leave.
• Prime earnings: Cannot be lower than the wage declared in the application.
• Employment tracking: ≥5 Turkish employees per month from month 7 onwards (annotation 22/26).
• Extension: In the first extension, the company’s contribution to the economy/employment and compliance with the legislation are documented (annotation 11/24).

Extension guide: Work Permit Extension Application

5) Prohibited/Exempt Professions and Chamber/Prior Authorization Requirements

• Professions reserved for Turkish citizens cannot be practiced (annotation 5; also special annotations for law, pharmacy, dentistry, veterinary medicine, cabotage, etc.).
• Prior authorization from relevant institutions is mandatory for health, education and academia (Ministry of Health/MEB/YÖK).
• If there are membership requirements for professional chambers such as TMMOB/TTB, they must be completed within the specified period (annotation 7/21).

Special profession pages: Foreign Doctor, Foreign Dentist, Foreign Nurse

6) Common Mistakes (Typical Causes of Rejection)

• Failure to document capital and 20% shareholding requirements (or showing a commitment instead of paid-in capital),
• Failure to maintain monthly employment of 5 Turks from month 7 onwards,
• Application with the wrong SSI registration number/address,
• Lack of prior authorization/room conditions required for the profession,
• License-permit incompatibility(commentary 28),
• Poor documentation of contribution-compatibility in the extension(comment 11/24/26).

7) FAQs – Short Answers

• Is the requirement of 5 Turks in the first 6 months? The first permit is granted with annotation ; from the 7th month onwards, ≥5 Turkish employees per month are required.
• I have a 100,000 USD share; is there still a 5 Turkish requirement? No; the criteria of TL 500,000, 20% and 5 Turks do not apply for shares of USD 100,000 and above.
• When is the license obtained? From the municipality after the work permit is issued; it is issued in accordance with the duration of the permit (annotation 28).
• Does the permit replace residence? No, it does not replace residence.
• What is looked for in an extension? Economic and employment contribution, legislative compliance and continuity of the 5 Turks per month requirement.

Notes and Basis

• International Labor Law No. 6735 and its implementing regulations,
• Regulation on Workplace Opening and Operation Licenses (license/annotation 28),
• Work permit card annotations (in particular 11, 22, 26, 28),
• For those under temporary protection, the relevant Regulation.

Professional Support

Capital-share documents, proof of employment, financial statements, preliminary permission/room processes and license-SGK synchronization are of critical importance in company partnership files. To prepare your dossier without risking rejection MFY Legal | Law Office You can contact their lawyers for Company Partner Work Permit Consultancy.