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After you've lived in Turkey for eight years, you become eligible to apply for an unlimited work permit, which allows you to work for any employer, or for yourself in your own business. What is an Unlimited Work Permit? An Unlimited Work Permit is a permission to work in Turkey for life, for any employer, without the usual restrictions imposed on foreign workers. It may be issued to any foreigner who has a Long-term Residence Permit or has worked continuously in Turkey for at least eight years. The Unlimited Work Permit also serves as a residence permit. They are issued by the Aile, Çalışma, ve Sosyal Hizmetler Bakanlığı (Ministry of Family, Labor, and Social Services). Eligibility To apply for an Unlimited Work Permit, you must Live in Turkey for at least eight years and have a long-term residence permit, or Work in Turkey continuously for at least eight years with a work permit. Working Privileges with an Unlimited Work Permit You can work for any employer you want, without the restriction of the "five Turkish workers for every foreigner" rule It's for life and doesn't have to be extended You can change employers without having to get a new work permit You get the same rights as a Turkish citizen, except that you can't vote or run for public office, and you're not required to serve in the military. Working Restrictions Foreigners, even with Unlimited Work Permits, are still prohibited from working in certain prohibited professions. Cancellation Your Unlimited Work Permit may be canceled if you're outside of Turkey for more than one year, unless the reason is for education, compulsory national service, illness, or some other reason beyond your control. Where to Apply If you meet the eligibility requirements, you can apply directly, in person, at your local branch of the Ministry of Family, Labor, and Social Services. You don't have to have an employer when you apply. Work Permit Law Work permits are issued under Law Number 6735 on International Labor Force. Assistance and Support The Ministry of Family, Labor, and Social Services: They have a national customer service number, which, from within Turkey, is 170. From outside of Turkey, call +90 216 170 1122. Work Visa and Work Permit Forums: If you have questions about work permits, search our work permit forums, or open a topic. We have quite a few expat members who have already been through the process and can help. Ken Grubb As a special investigator for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and teacher for the University of Maryland, Ken Grubb has lived and worked in Turkey since 1997. He now lives in Antalya, where he researches and writes guides to help others live skillfully in Turkey.

If you have exceptional education, skills, or abilities that the Republic of Turkey needs, you may apply for a program that will allow you to live and work in Turkey on a permanent basis. What is the Turquoise Card? The Turquoise Card is a work permit that enables a foreigner to live and work anywhere in Turkey, in a profession which benefits the country. It's given on a case-by-case basis to foreigners who have exceptional education, talent, or skills, have made significant investments in the country, or have promoted Turkey and Turkish culture worldwide. The Turquoise Card is issued by the Aile, Çalışma, ve Sosyal Hizmetler Bakanlığı (Ministry of Family, Labor, and Social Services) Who is Eligible for a Turquoise Card? Anyone who works in a field that is in high demand in Turkey and whose work would be a significant benefit to Turkey's national interests may apply for a Turquoise Card. Eligible candidates include: Those with a high level of education, professional experience, and/or a track record of contributions to the fields of science and technology Investors who have made sizeable financial contributions to the fields of science and technology, or who employ a large number of Turkish citizens Scientists and researchers who are internationally recognized and distinguished in the fields of science, industry, and technology Artists, musicians, sports figures or performers who are famous, at least on a national level Those who promote Turkey and Turkish culture internationally Lifetime Working and Residence Rights You'll be able to work for any employer, anywhere in Turkey, provided you continue to do the work you agreed to do when you applied. The Turquoise Card also serves as your residence permit, and it gives your spouse and children, if any, the right to obtain residence permits. Your children, if under age 18, may attend Turkish public schools for free. Duration When you first receive your Turquoise Card, you'll have a three-year transition period, which may be monitored from time-to-time. This period is to make sure you're keeping your commitment to do the work the Turquoise Card was issued for. Within six months of the end of the transition period, you can apply to make the Turquoise card permanent. After the second application, the Turquoise Card is valid for life. Revocation The Turquoise Card may be revoked if you stop working in your field of expertise for more than one year, or are outside of Turkey for longer than the term specified for you by the Ministry of Family, Labor, and Social Services. Required Documents Because the Turquoise Card is given individually, the required documents vary from person to person. General List of Documents (Everyone Must Provide These) Letter of application Copy of your passport Certificate of Conformity (if you have one) * Diploma(s) proving education in the field you want to work in Certificates proving specialized training or skills CV (resume) Employment contract (if you have one) * In some cases, the ministry of labor will issue a conformity certificate even before a foreigner applies for a Turquoise Card. It certifies that the ministry has already decided to award the card. Investors Documents showing the amount of investment, number of employees, value of goods exported, financial capacity and potential, business sector, region(s) where your company operates Scientists and Researchers Documents concerning your current academic career, your title, and your field of study Information on research papers you've published Awards Documents concerning licenses, trademarks and/or patents Artists, Musicians, Athletes, and Others who are Successful in Cultural Activities Documents relating to awards, national and international fame, performance and audience numbers Those Who Promote Turkey and Turkish Culture Any documents that show the impact of your international activities in promoting Turkey and Turkish culture Documents concerning articles or books written, films produced, or other artistic works you've done Documents concerning publicity you've created for Turkey How Can I Apply for the Turquoise Card? Turquoise card applications are made through the Ministry of Labor's Foreign Application, Assessment, and Monitoring System. Applying for a Turquoise Card in Turkey If you're in Turkey, you can apply at a local office of the Ministry of Family, Labor, and Social Services. Applying for a Turquoise Card While Outside of Turkey If you're outside of Turkey, you can apply at any Turkish embassy or consulate. Turquoise Card Fees There are no fees for applying or processing the application or for printing the Turquoise Card. Turquoise Card Law The Turquoise Card is issued according to the Law on International Labor Force number 6735. Assistance and Support The Ministry of Family, Labor, and Social Services: They also have a national customer service number, which, from within Turkey, is 170. From outside of Turkey, call +90 216 170 1122. It has an English option. Work Visa and Permit Forums: If you have questions about work permits, search our work permit forums, or open a topic. Ken Grubb As a special investigator for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and teacher for the University of Maryland, Ken Grubb has lived and worked in Turkey since 1997. He now lives in Antalya, where he researches and writes guides to help others live skillfully in Turkey.

There are plenty of employment opportunities in Turkey if you have the right qualifications and know where to look. What Kind of Job Can I Get in Turkey? In Turkey, foreign language teachers are always in demand. So if you have a university degree and a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certificate, you can find work practically anywhere. International companies frequently hire non-Turkish citizens not just for their technical skills but also for their knowledge of their own country's culture and language, if they do business with that country. You can even find summer jobs available at various resorts and luxury hotels, especially if you have a skill or talent, such as knowledge of particular types of massage or even dancing or other forms of entertainment. What Are the Rules for Foreigners Working in Turkey? There are some general rules you should understand when seeking employment in Turkey. You must have a work permit to work in Turkey. If you work illegally, you'll be deported, and you and your employer will have to pay a hefty fine. You must find an employer, be offered a job, and accept it before you can get work permit. It's your employer who applies for your work permit, which is valid only for that employer. If you're already living in Turkey, you must live here with a residence permit for at least six months before you can get a work permit and start working. If you're not in Turkey, you can apply any time you want. Applying from outside of Turkey involves first getting a work visa to travel to Turkey, as your employer applies for your work permit. You can't be hired for a job if an equally qualified Turkish citizen can do it unless the employer has already hired five Turkish employees. For every five Turks, they can hire one foreigner. But if the employer requires some talent, skill, or ability that can't be found among eligible Turkish job applicants, you can be hired no matter how many Turks are employed. Learn about the employment restrictions in Turkey. Learn about the professions which are prohibited to foreigners. What are the Best Employment Websites for Turkey? There are many employment websites where employers are seeking foreign employees. Some focus on foreigners, others are in Turkish and focus on Turks. The Turkish websites are also worth checking, because there's an advertisement in English, it's directed at English-speaking job seekers. Here are the most popular employment websites offering jobs in Turkey: Dave's ESL Café: For English teachers, this is a great place to find a job, and also to get advice from other teachers about teaching in Turkey. You can also read reviews of various employers and get an idea of where you want to work and where you don't. İşkur: This is Turkey's national job bank, which has offices in all provincial capitals. Kariyer.net: Turkey job search site. Jobs in Istanbul: Specifically for native English-speakers. Yenibiris: A Turkey job search site. Craig's List Istanbul: Includes employment listings for Istanbul. Secret CV Turkey: For assistance in finding work in Turkey. Learn4Good.com Includes job listings. Career Jet Turkey Career Jet's Turkey jobs. Marmaris Recruitment: Recruits for many Turkish cities, not just Marmaris. MY Executive: For middle and upper-level management and professional positions in Turkey. Turkey Talent: find jobs by industry, professions, and locations across Turkey, including Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, and beyond. 444 İK Consulting: Job listings and a CV bank for job seekers. How Else Can I Find a Job in Turkey? Ask around. Walk into company offices and ask if they have a job for you. You never know when there's a job opening that hasn't been advertised. If they don't have any openings, they may know of other companies that are hiring. Search Facebook for various groups with titles that include the name of the city where you want to work. Join up and participate, or just keep an eye on the group posts. From time to time, members of the group will post job announcements. Go to group events and meet people. Let others know that you're looking for a job. Someone might give you the lead you've been looking for. Check out LinkedIn.com. They have business groups in Turkey where you can learn about job openings. What Happens After I'm Hired? Once an employer has offered you a job and you've accepted, what happens next depends on whether you're outside of Turkey or inside Turkey. If You Apply for a Job While Outside of Turkey Once you have a job offer and have accepted it, you'll apply for a work visa at your local Turkish embassy or consulate. At the same time, your employer will apply to the Aile, Çalışma, ve Sosyal Hizmetler Bakanlığı (Ministry of Family, Labor, and Social Services) for your work permit, which should be ready for you when you arrive at your job site. Learn how to apply for a work visa and work permit from outside of Turkey. If You Apply for a Job While Inside Turkey In this case, the employer will apply for a work permit for you. There's no need for a work visa since you're already in Turkey. But you must have already lived in Turkey for at least six months with a residence permit before you can apply for a job. Learn how to apply for a work permit while in Turkey. Ken Grubb As a special investigator for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and teacher for the University of Maryland, Ken Grubb has lived and worked in Turkey since 1997. He now lives in Antalya, where he researches and writes guides to help others live skillfully in Turkey.

To work in Turkey, you must have a work permit. It's the employer who applies for the work permit, as you provide documents required for the application. In this article, I'll teach you how to get your first work permit while outside or inside Turkey, then cover other types of work permits you might apply for. I'll also cover the types of work permits available, the benefits of working in Turkey, and the restrictions you should know as you search for a job. What is a Work Visa? A work visa is a sticker issued by Turkish embassies and consulates. It's applied to one of the pages in your passport, and it allows you to enter Turkey for employment. It's valid for six months, for one entry. If your employer hires you while you're outside of Turkey, your employer will simultaneously apply for your work permit, which should be ready for you when you arrive. What is a Work Permit? A work permit is an identity card that allows you to work in Turkey, subject to certain restrictions. It also serves as a residence permit. The definite-time work permit is the most common, issued for one employer and one job for a fixed amount of time, then extended as needed. Other types of work permits include the independent work permit, for those who work for themselves, the unlimited work permit, which is issued for life, and the Turquoise Card, which is given to foreigners with exceptional talent or skills that Turkey needs. How Can I Get a Work Permit to Work in Turkey? If you've never worked in Turkey before, the type of residence permit you'll apply for is the definite-time work permit. How you get one depends on whether you're outside or inside Turkey. If You're Not in Turkey If you're not yet in Turkey, you must: Find an employer. Accept their job offer Go to a Turkish embassy or consulate and apply for a work visa. While you're applying for your work visa, your employer will be applying for your work permit in Turkey. After you get your work visa, travel to Turkey, and go to your job site, your employer will give you your work permit. Learn more about applying for your work visa and work permit while outside of Turkey. If You're in Turkey If you've been living in Turkey for at least six months, you don't need a work visa since you're already in Turkey. But you must still find an employer and get a job offer first. You'll be supplying the required documents as your employer applies for your work permit. Once your employer receives your work permit and gives it to you, you can start working. Learn more about applying for a work permit while in Turkey. Restrictions for Foreigners Working in Turkey The general rule is that you can't work in a job that a qualified Turk can do. After your employer applies for your work permit, the Ministry of Family, Labor, and Social Security will check the national employment application database to see if there is a qualified Turkish citizen available. If there are no qualified Turkish candidates, they'll approve your work permit. For that reason, many foreigners work as teachers of their native language or in positions requiring hard-to-find skills. Also, an employer can only hire one foreigner for every five Turkish citizens. Learn more about the restrictions for foreigners working in Turkey. Learn more about professions which are prohibited for foreigners. Types of Work Permits in Turkey Definite-time Work Permit If you're coming to Turkey for the first time or applying for a job after you've lived in Turkey for six months, you'll get a definite-time work permit. The definite-time work permit is for a single employer, for a specific job, for a definite amount of time. Duration At first, the definite-time work permit is valid for one year. After the first year, it can be extended for another two years, then for three years at a time. After eight years of work, you can apply for an unlimited work permit (see below). For seasonal jobs, the definite-time work permit may be issued for less than 12 months. How the Definite-time Work Permit Application Process Works For the definite-time work permit, you must first find an employer. Your employer will then apply for your work permit online, using the e-Devlet system, at www.turkiye.gov.tr. e-Devlet means "e-Government." It's Turkey's government services website. While your employer is completing the work permit application, you'll provide your identity information and various required documents (see below). Some of the documents you must provide will be scanned and uploaded into the online application system. Changing Employers and Expiration of the Definite-time Work Permit If you stop working for one employer and want to work for another one, you and your new employer must go through the work permit application process again. Definite-time work permits aren't transferrable from one employer to another. If your work permit expires or you become unemployed, it becomes invalid. You must apply for a short-term residence permit or leave Turkey within ten days. If you leave Turkey, you can return on the next day with an e-visa, then apply for a residence permit. Work permits are unrelated to visas, so your time in Turkey isn't counted against your visa. When you re-enter with the e-visa, your time in Turkey for the visa will start at zero. Independent Work Permit Independent work permits are given on a case-by-case basis to foreigners who work on their own, without an employer. Unfortunately, approvals for these types of applications are rare. To apply for an independent work permit, contact an office of the Ministry of Family, Labor, and Social Security for guidance on how to apply and what documents are required. Unlimited Work Permit Once you've lived and/or worked in Turkey continuously for eight years with no interruptions in residence, you can apply for a long-term residence permit and an unlimited work permit. You don't need to have an employer when you apply, and you can work for any employer, anywhere you want. With the unlimited work permit, it doesn't matter if the job can be filled by a Turkish citizen or not, and it's not subject to the "one foreigner for every five Turkish workers" rule. However, the restrictions on what professions you can work in still apply. The unlimited work permit is issued for life. Learn more about the long-term residence permit. Learn more about the unlimited work permit. Turquoise Card The Turquoise Card is an unlimited work permit without the requirement to live in Turkey for at least eight years. It's given to foreigners with exceptional talent or skills on a case-by-case basis and allows the foreigner to work in professions where their talent or abilities will benefit Turkey. It's first issued for three years, then can be made permanent. Learn more about the Turquoise Card. Finding a Job in Turkey There are several websites where employers offer jobs to foreigners. Some are in English, some in Turkish. If the site you're searching is in Turkish, try searching in English, since jobs for foreigners on those sites are usually written in English. Learn how to find a job in Turkey. Legalization of Foreign Documents for Use in Turkey All foreign documents must be "legalized" for use in Turkey. Legalization is done with an apostille, a separate document (or stamp) that authenticates the document it's attached to. Then the document and the apostille must be translated by a sworn translator. Learn how to legalize foreign documents for use in Turkey. Learn how to get foreign documents translated into Turkish by a sworn translator. Who Issues Work Permits Work permits for most jobs are issued by the Aile, Çalışma ve Sosyal Hizmetler Bakanlığı (Ministry of Family, Labor, and Social Services). This ministry also issues independent and unlimited work permits, and also the Turquoise Card. Work permits for teachers are issued by the Yükseköğretim Kurulu (Council of Higher Education, or "YÖK"). Some universities are authorized to issue work permits. So if you're a teacher, contact your school or university for details. Benefits of a Work Permit Your work permit also serves as your residence permit. It also enables you to leave Turkey and return without a visa. Family Members For the first year, your family members can get short-term residence permits. After you've been employed and living in Turkey for one year, your family members will be eligible for family residence permits. The family residence permit is valid until your work permit expires or for three years, whichever is soonest. So as your time on the job increases and your work permit is extended for two and three years at a time, your family's residence permits can have the same duration as your work permit. Education for Your Children Your children will be able to attend public schools for free until they reach 18 years of age. Social Security and Health Insurance Your employer will enroll you in Turkey's national social security and retirement plan, provided by the Sosyal Güvenlik Kurumu (Social Security Administration, or SGK). They have 30 days to do this. Your employer will pay the monthly payments. After a required number of years working in the system, you'll be eligible to receive a pension. Your employer will also enroll you in Turkey's national health insurance plan, provided by the SGK, and pay the monthly payments. Your family members will also be covered. The plan entitles you and your family to free medical treatment at state hospitals and will usually pay most of your bill at more expensive private hospitals. Checking the Validity of Your Work Permit To see if your work permit was issued or if it's still valid, go to https://izinsorgula.ailevecalisma.gov.tr/#/app/giris. The site is in Turkish. In the first menu, select Yabancı Çalışma İzni. In the second box, enter your foreigner identification number. In the third box, enter the document number of your work permit. Complete the "Captcha" verification and click Sorgula. Working Illegally Don't work without a work permit. To learn more about working illegally in Turkey and what can happen if you do, see: Working Illegally in Turkey: How You Might Get Caught and What Might Happen to You. Work Permit Law Work permits are issued under Law Number 6735 on International Labor Force. Assistance and Support Ministry of Family, Labor, and Social Security: They have a national customer service number, which, from within Turkey, is 170. From outside of Turkey, call +90 216 170 1122. It has an English option. Yükseköğretim Kurulu (Council of Higher Education, or "YÖK"): If you'll be working at a University, contact the Council of Higher Education at 0 850 470 0 965 from outside Turkey. The call will be free. From inside Turkey, call +90 312 298 7000. Work Visa and Work Permit Forums: If you have questions about work permits, search our work permit forums, or open a topic. We have quite a few expat members who have already been through the work visa and work permit process and who help. Ken Grubb As a special investigator for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and teacher for the University of Maryland, Ken Grubb has lived and worked in Turkey since 1997. He now lives in Antalya, where he researches and writes guides to help others live skillfully in Turkey.

This article is about the process of applying for a work permit from inside Turkey, after living in Turkey for a required six months. To learn about applying for a work visa and work permit from outside of Turkey, see Apply for a Work Visa and Work Permit from Outside of Turkey: Eligibility, Required Documents, and the Application Process. Turkey Work Permit Rules To work in Turkey, you must have a work permit. To apply for a job and get a work permit while in Turkey, you must be a resident of Turkey for at least six months. You must have a job offer before you can apply for a work permit. Your employer will make the application, while you provide information about yourself and various required documents. Your work permit is only valid for the job you're hired for, and only for the employer who hired you. If you get another job, your next employer must get you another work permit. Your work permit also serves as a residence permit, but you can have both a work permit and a residence permit at the same time. The Work Permit Application Process As your employer creates an application for your work permit, you'll provide your personal information, details about your education, skills, and experience, and various required documents. Here's how it works: You get a work contract or job offer letter from your employer. Your employer creates an application using e-Devlet, at www.turkiye.gov.tr. This site is Turkey's official government portal. As your employer registers as your employer and goes through the online work permit application process, you provide required documents (see below) which are scanned and uploaded into the system. Your employer prints out and signs the application, then sends it with the other required documents to the Aile, Çalışma ve Sosyal Hizmetler Bakanlığı (Ministry of Family, Labor, and Social Services) within six working days. If you will be working as an English teacher or at a university, your application will be sent to the Yükseköğretim Kurulu (Council of Higher Education, or "YÖK"). You can start working as soon as the work permit application is approved. Work Permit Fees Your employer will pay the work permit fees. Required Documents Passport Copy of your passport Residence permit Copy of your residence permit Four biometric photos Diploma or certificate which qualifies you for the job Sworn translation of the diploma or certificate Legalization and Translation of Foreign Documents If any of your documents are issued by a foreign government, they will need to be legalized with an apostille or through diplomatic channels. In all cases, documents in a language other than Turkish must be translated by a sworn Turkish translator. Learn how to get foreign documents legalized with an apostille and translated for use in Turkey. Work Permit Processing Time Work permit applications are typically approved within thirty days. Work Permit Duration and Extensions Your first work permit will have a duration of one year. Your employer can then extend it for up to two years. After that, your employer can extend it for up to three years and continue to extend it indefinitely. Extensions can be made any time within 60 days prior to your work permit's expiration, and within 15 days after expiration. The Unlimited Work Permit Once you've worked or lived in Turkey for eight years, you can apply for an unlimited work permit, which never needs to be extended and which enables you to work for any employer. Learn about the unlimited work permit. Termination of Employment If your employment is terminated, your employer will also terminate your work permit. You'll then have ten days to leave Turkey or apply for a short-term residence permit, which will enable you to live in Turkey for up to two additional years and can be extended indefinitely. Learn about the short-term residence permit. Checking the Validity of Your Work Permit You can check to see if your work permit is valid, or if it has been canceled, by going to https://izinsorgula.ailevecalisma.gov.tr/#/app/giris Here's what to enter into the form: Sorgulamak İstediğiniz Başvuru Türünü Seçiniz (Select the Application Type You Want to Inquire About): Select Yabancı Çalışma İzni (Foreigner Work Permit). Yabancı Kimlik Numarası (Foreigner Identification Number). Belge Numarası (Document Number): This is the number of the ID card itself, rather than the foreigner. It's printed on the card. Doğrulama (Verification): Click "I am not a robot". Lastly, click Sorgula (Inquire). You can also use a smartphone application. Go to your smartphone's app store and look for an app called CSGB Yabancılar Uygulaması (Ministry of Labor Foreigners Application). After you download and activate it, click Yabancı İzin Sorgula (Foreigner Permit Query) and enter your foreigner identity number. The result will show if it is active or canceled, and if canceled, the date of cancellation. Having a Work Permit and a Residence Permit Your current residence permit will remain valid even after you apply for and receive a work permit. You can either let your residence permit expire or continue to extend it. That might be a good idea because if you quit your job or are terminated, you won't have to leave Turkey within the required ten days or have to apply for a residence permit. Work Permit Law Work permits are covered by Law Number 6735 On the International Labor Force. Assistance and Support Ministry of Family, Labor, and Social Services: They also have a national customer service number, which, from within Turkey, is 170. From outside of Turkey, call +90 216 170 1122. There is an English option. The Yükseköğretim Kurulu (Council of Higher Education, or "YÖK"): If you'll be working at a University, contact the Council of Higher Education, at +90 312 298 7000. Work Visa and Work Permit Forums: If you have questions, search our forums to see if it's already been answered. If it hasn't, feel free to open a new topic. We have quite a few members who have gone through the work permit process who can help you. Ken Grubb As a special investigator for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and teacher for the University of Maryland, Ken Grubb has lived and worked in Turkey since 1997. He now lives in Antalya, where he researches and writes guides to help others live skillfully in Turkey.

Many foreigners get jobs in Turkey and travel to Turkey for work. Briefly, it works like this: Find a job in Turkey. Apply for the job. Get a job offer from the employer. Accept the job. Take the job offer or contract to a Turkish embassy to apply for a work visa. Pick up the work visa and travel to Turkey. Get your work permit from your employer and start working. While you're applying for your work visa, your employer, in Turkey, will be applying for your work permit. These two things happen at the same time. You'll be providing documents such as your identity information and information about your skills and experience to your employer and to the Turkish embassy when you go to your appointment to apply for your work visa. The guide to getting a work visa and work permit from outside of Turkey is here: How to apply for a Work Visa and Work Permit from Outside of Turkey To learn how to find a job in Turkey, see: Turkey Employment Websites and Tips for Finding Employment. Ken Grubb As a special investigator for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and teacher for the University of Maryland, Ken Grubb has lived and worked in Turkey since 1997. He now lives in Antalya, where he researches and writes guides to help others live skillfully in Turkey.

There are labor laws in Turkey designed to maximize Turkish citizens' employment opportunities, which restrict employers from hiring too many foreigners. The Main Rule A Turkish employer can't hire a foreigner to do a job that an unemployed and qualified Turkish citizen can do unless the employer has already hired five Turkish citizens. This restriction doesn't apply if the job requires specific skills only a foreign employee can do, for example, speaking or teaching a foreign language. It also doesn't apply to foreigners with an unlimited work permit or a Turquoise Card. You Can't Take a Job that a Qualified Turk can Do Because of this law, unless your employer has already hired five Turkish citizens (see below), you won't be able to work as a barman, barmaid, waiter, mechanic, or a similar job since Turkey has an abundance of people qualified to do these jobs. When your employer applies for your work permit, the Aile, Çalışma ve Sosyal Hizmetler Bakanlığı (Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Services) will check a central employment database to see if any unemployed Turkish citizens can fill the position. So the most common jobs for foreigners in Turkey are teaching a foreign language, or jobs requiring liaison and cooperation with foreign companies, as a native speaker of the required language. But there's an exception in this law. It's the "one for five" exception. One Foreigner for Five Turks Exception The one for five exception states that if the employer has already hired five Turks, they can hire one foreigner. So, if there are already five Turks working there, you can get a job, and it doesn't matter if a Turk could fill that job or not. When the employer hires another five Turks, they can employ one more foreigner, and so on. Unlimited Work Permit and Turquoise Card Holders Don't Have These Restrictions The Unlimited Work Permit may be issued to a foreigner who has lived in Turkey for at least eight years and has a long-term residence permit, or has worked in Turkey for at least eight years. It allows the foreigner to work for any employer, for life, without restriction. Learn more about the unlimited work permit. The Turquoise Card is similar to the Unlimited Work Permit, except that it doesn't require the eight-year period of residence or work before it is issued. It's given to those who have talents, skills, and abilities which will benefit the Republic of Turkey. It also allows the foreigner to work without restriction, but the foreigner must continue to do the type of work for which they received the Turquoise card. Learn more about the Turquoise Card. Prohibited Professions There are also some professions in which foreigners may not work, regardless of the type of work permit they have. Learn about Turkey's professions which are prohibited for foreigners. Assistance and Support The Ministry of Family, Labor, and Social Services: They also have a national customer service number, which, from within Turkey, is 170. From outside of Turkey, call +90 216 170 1122. There is an English option. Work Visa and Work Permit Forums: If you have questions about work permits, search our work permit forums, or open a topic. We have quite a few expat members who have already been through the work visa and work permit process who can help. Ken Grubb As a special investigator for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and teacher for the University of Maryland, Ken Grubb has lived and worked in Turkey since 1997. He now lives in Antalya, where he researches and writes guides to help others live skillfully in Turkey.

There are some career fields in Turkey in which only Turkish citizens can work. So unfortunately, even if you're qualified to work in these fields, you won't be allowed to work in them. Here's a list of the professions which are off-limits to foreigners: Dental medicine and dentistry Nursing Pharmacy Veterinary Medicine Private Hospital Director Advocacy Notary Public Private security officer Exportation of fish, oysters, mussels, sponges, pearls, corals, or working as a diver, explorer, guide, captain, or crew involved in these activities. Customs consultancy Tour guiding Assistance and Support Work Visa and Work Permit Forums: If you have questions about work permits, search our work permit forums, or open a topic. We have quite a few expat members who have already been through the work permit process and can help. Ken Grubb As a special investigator for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and teacher for the University of Maryland, Ken Grubb has lived and worked in Turkey since 1997. He now lives in Antalya, where he researches and writes guides to help others live skillfully in Turkey.

It's illegal to work in Turkey without a work permit. Some employers may hire you to work illegally, since they won't have to register you with the Sosyal Güvenlik Kurumu (Social Security Administration) or pay anything towards your healthcare, retirement, or other benefits. It's strictly a cash deal, paid after you provide your services. Your employer might not pay you at all. You'll be helpless to do anything about it, since you'll have no rights to assert. How You Can Get Caught There are three main ways you can get caught working illegally: A surprise inspection of your workplace by the local office of the Ministry of Family, Labor, and Social Services to check the work permits of any foreigners working there. An anonymous telephone call to the authorities. Anybody can call and report illegal workers. Often it will be a former disgruntled employee or a competitor. The police coming to your residence for some reason and asking a neighbor where you are. Then your neighbor telling them that you're at work. What Will Happen if You Get Caught There will be a hefty fine for both you and your employer. The fine is doubled if an offense is repeated. You may also face being turned over to the Ministry of the Interior for deportation, and being banned from re-entering Turkey for 90 days or more. Turkey's Law on Illegal Workers The authority for government officials to inspect workplaces for illegal workers and the fines which can be imposed comes from the Law on International Workforce, No. 6735. Ken Grubb As a special investigator for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and teacher for the University of Maryland, Ken Grubb has lived and worked in Turkey since 1997. He now lives in Antalya, where he researches and writes guides to help others live skillfully in Turkey.