9 replies to this topic

[Candle1000]

I have been offered a job working in a private school in Turkey as an English teacher. However, I'm finding it almost impossible to work out what visas etc I need, where I can get them etc etc and would really appreciate some help please!

My soon-to-be employer has told me what the process is, but I'm not entirely sure that it is correct :S This is what they have said:

1) I travel from the UK to Turkey on my tourist visa (which has 75 days remaining) and upon arrival, go to the "foreign nationals bureau" (a local police station??) where I apply for at least a 6 month residency permit and I take with me a job offer letter from the school

2) Both the school and I apply for a work permit (from within Turkey)

3) The school inform the Ministry of Education of their wish to employ me

However, this seems far too simple! It is really true?? I've read so many conflicting things online and as soon as I think I understand, I read something that totally contradicts it! ((((

There seem to be residency permits and visas and work permits and visas. What is the difference between these? The website of the Turkish consulate in London mentions only residency visas and work visas, and says that residency visas can be applied for in home country or in Turkey, while work visas are applied for in home country. Most advice on forums mentions permits as well as visas. Do I need to have at least one visa so that when I leave the country after my tourist visa expires, I won't be fined for not having a visa? My soon-to-be employer has said that I only need a residency permit and work permit, once in Turkey.

Also, would I be able to start working after applying for, but before obtaining, a working permit/visa (whichever it is I need)?

Finally, where can I find out the current cost of the visas/permits? I have read that the costs on the consulate website are out of date (£245 per visa) and that the rates have gone down a lot recently.

I want to travel out there as soon as possible and find an apartment to rent , but I don’t want to leave the UK and then find out that there was something that I should have done at home first!

If anyone could enlighten me, I would really appreciate it!

Candle1000

[Fil]

Hello candle, what the school is telling you is correct. You just arrive on a tourist visa and then get a residence permit. Then the school gets the work permit, not you.

Someone from the school should go with you when you apply for the residence permit from the police to help you communicate and understand exactly what you need to do (unless you already speak very good Turkish).

Entering Turkey with a work visa is at present unnecessary as your school can apply for the work permit when you have got a residence permit. That means you don't need to pay the work visa fee, only the residence permit fees.

I hope you enjoy your time in Turkey.

[Abi]

Hi Candle it is indeed confusing. There are Resident's Permits, Visitors Visa's and Work Permits. Sometimes people call RP's , Residents Visa's, there is no such thing as a Resident's Visa.

The cost for a 1 year Resdients Permit is 80 US$ for one year. Why US$ I don't know. Anyway the 80 US$ will be converted into Turkish Lira on the day you apply for the RP. There is also an additional cost of 149TL for the blue Residents Permit Book. It's stated that you need to show that you have 300 US$ (you can show that amount in GBP or TL) for every month of the RP. in a Turkish Bank. Thats why Fil said it would be better if someone said it would be good if someone from the school went with you as the can show them a contract as your salary will cover that amount. Some Police Bureau's don't ask for proof of this money but others do.

As Fil say's the school has to apply for your Work Permit and submit it. They must apply for the Work Permit within 30 days of you arriving in Turkey. Another thing you should do when you arrive in Turkey is if you British phone is unlocked you can register it in a large Turkcell / Vodafone or Avea phone shop. This must also be done with 30 days of arrival in Turkey. Take your passport with a copy of the date stamp of your last entry into Turkey and a copy of the page with your photo on it.. You will be able to buy a sim card at the same time. If you don't it will be cut off not long after you arrive in Turkey. Also tell them if you haven't got your RP they you will be staying in Turkey longer than 6 months.

One last thing. If after working at the school you or the school decide to terminate your contract the work permit cannot be transferred to a different employer. If this does happen your new employer will have to apply for a new Work Permit.

If you have any more questions don't be afraid to ask, we will do our best to help you.

Good Luck

[Candle1000]

Thank you both Abi and Fil! You have made me feel much better about the situation and have cleared up a lot!

I have found on the British Embassy in Turkeys website that I will need 6 things. Of those, what does it mean when it says

• The appropriate valid visa obtained from the Turkish Embassy abroad

Does that just mean my tourist visa?

And with regards to the "residence declaration form" which you can download from the site, there is a section that I have to complete that asks:
Have you been to Turkey before?
When?
Where?
The purpose of your entering into Turkey?
If yes, the authority that issued your previous residency permit?
It is number

This is the English translation given......I don't have my old passport which has my stamps in it, but I can make a pretty good guess about when I have been before and where, will this be ok? Or will it have to be exact dates?

Purpose: Does it mean my purpose for entering before? Or now? Before as a tourist, now to apply for a work permit.
"If yes, the authority..." well I'm answering yes to the question "have you been to Turkey before?" but I haven't had a residency permit before, so I leave this bit blank?
"It is number"....assume this means "what was your residency permit number before if you had one"?

Thanks

p.s link to the site http://ukinturkey.fc...esidence-turkey
I

[Fil]

Candle, as I said in my previous reply...

Hello candle, what the school is telling you is correct. You just arrive on a tourist visa and then get a residence permit. Then the school gets the work permit, not you.

Someone from the school should go with you when you apply for the residence permit from the police to help you communicate and understand exactly what you need to do (unless you already speak very good Turkish).

Entering Turkey with a work visa is at present unnecessary as your school can apply for the work permit when you have got a residence permit. That means you don't need to pay the work visa fee, only the residence permit fees.

It really isn't difficult to get the residence permit and the school will be able to get your work permit without problems provided you have the necessary qualifications and certificates (you should bring original degree cetificates with you, including transcripts if available). Problems that arise can invariably be overcome, so you don't need to worry.

When you come to apply for the residence permit, just fill in the form as best you can using your common sense.

I am sure you will enjoy your time in Turkey. I am wondering how well you know Turkey, and where in Turkey will you be working?

[Vic801]

_{Welcome to the forum, Candle. As Fil says don't worry about the residence permit, it really is quite straightforward. And good advice to get someone from the school accompany you, as much for you to feel less stressed than absolute necessity.}

[sunny]

Welcome to the forum, Candle. Everything is worrying when you are new to it in a foreign country. As the others have said, don't worry, arrive, get your tourist visa then apply for a residence permit and the school can apply for a work permit for you.

[Candle1000]

Thank you for your help guys! There have been some developments, i.e they want me to apply from within the UK now.......will get back when I know more! Thanks again

Candle

[Abi]

Thanks for the update Candle. One thing I would stress is that you ask that SGK (Turkish Medical Health Service Insurance) is included as part of your package. We have a thread running on the subject of SGK so you might want to have a read as then you will see why the school should be providing you with medical insurance.

Good luck

[JohnnyBoy]

This is a very helpful thread. You should consider it being a 'sticky'.