Obtaining a work permit for foreign workers

Obtaining a work permit for foreign workers
January 1, 2026

To obtain a work permit for foreign workers in Turkey, there are several types of applications based on the worker’s status. Foreigners with a valid residence permit in Turkey for at least six months can apply domestically. Those without a permit must apply through the Turkish consulate in their home country. Applications are also available for those under international or temporary protection, such as Syrians. Extensions can be made to existing permits within two months of expiration. For more information, you can contact us at +90 534 717 34 80

Employer Registration: Employer registration will be completed by domestic service employers and foreign nationals working on their own behalf using their Turkish ID numbers and electronic signatures.

New workplace (company) registration will be completed by the workplace’s SGK-registered e-report user using the e-report user’s own electronic signature. Once the required information and documents for workplace registration have been uploaded to the system and completed with an electronic signature, the workplace registration is opened.

Work Permit Application As explained in the previous screens, after completing the employer registration, which is the first stage of the work permit application, you can begin applying for a work permit for the foreign national who will be employed by this employer. After connecting to the e-permit application, users will find the e-government and electronic signature (Webstart) options they will use to log in to the page.

Obtaining a work permit for foreign workers in Istanbul

To obtain a work permit for foreign workers in Turkey, there are several application types depending on the worker’s situation. The types of work permits available in Turkey are as follows;

  1. Domestic First Application: This type of application is for foreigners who already have a valid residence permit in Turkey for at least six (6) months. These individuals will have a Turkish Foreign Identification Number starting with “99”.
  2. Foreign First Application: If the foreigner does not have a residence permit in Turkey, they must apply for a work visa at the nearest Turkish embassy or consulate in their home country. After the application, the individual will be given a 16-digit reference number.
  3. International Protection Application: This application is for foreigners who are under international protection in Turkey. They must already have an international protection residence permit.
  4. Temporary Protection Application:
    Foreigners who are under temporary protection in Turkey, especially Syrian nationals, can apply for a work permit. These individuals have a temporary protection residence permit.
  5. Extension Application: If a foreign worker has an existing work permit that is about to expire, they must apply for an extension of their permit. The application must be made at least 2 months before the current permit expires.

By following the appropriate application process based on the type of foreign worker, one can obtain or extend a work permit in Turkey.

Tags: , , , ,

One thought on “Obtaining a work permit for foreign workers”

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Contact us