Turkey at a Glance
Work Visa and Residency Permits in Turkey
Konak Square with the famous clocktower is a landmark of Izmir.
Work Visa Requirements
Before you move to Turkey, you must visit the nearest embassy to apply for a work permit and a work visa (calisma vizesi). You will need to bring the following in order to fulfill the application requirements for your work permit application for Turkey:
- Valid travel document
- Completed work visa application form
- One passport sized photograph
- One copy of your work contract
After your work permit has been approved, you must submit the following documents (in person) to the same embassy:
- Valid travel document with your work permit
- Non-refundable work visa processing fee
- Non-refundable work permit processing fee
The required fees are between 140€ and 200€. They often depend on the applicant’s nationality. However, requirements and fees are often subject to change. Contact your nearest Turkish embassy for current information.
Work Visa Types
Temporary work visas are usually issued for one year for a specific company and occupation. You can, however, have your visa renewed for another 3 years of working for the same company in the same occupation. A second renewal will be valid for 6 years. Your accompanying family members receive a work permit after living in Turkey for 5 years in a row.
Unlimited work visas are not issued unless you have been living in Turkey for 8 years or working there continuously for 5 years. These are, however, only granted if there are no treaties between Turkey and your home country stating otherwise.
The government will only grant a work visa to self-employed people after 5 consecutive years of living in Turkey.
Residence Permits
After arriving in Turkey, you must apply for a residence permit to receive a “pink book” from the alien branch of the local police department (Emniyet Mudurlugu Yabancilar Subesi). Your employer may take care of this. Otherwise, you need to submit the following documents within 30 days after your arrival:
- Work permit and visa
- Passport
- Five passport sized photos
- A letter describing your situation (i.e. employment, education, marriage, etc.)
- Processing fee
The processing fee was about 320€ in 2011. However, this fee is often raised and you should make sure to contact the local department for proper information. You will then receive your residence permit after 3 or 4 working days. This enables you to leave and reenter the country as often as you please without an entry visa.
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