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WorkPermitTurkey

If you're outside Türkiye

Getting a Turkish work permit from abroad

If you don't hold a valid Turkish residence permit, the process starts at the Turkish embassy or consulate general in the country where you are, and your employer completes the application in Türkiye. Because the steps move between two countries, getting the order right from the start matters.

Message us on WhatsApp (opens in a new tab)Call us, +90 541 908 16 77

Every day 09:00–19:00 · Türkiye time

At a glance

First step
Apply in person at a Turkish embassy or consulate
You receive
A 16-digit reference number
Employer's step
e-İzin application with your reference number
After approval
Visa, entry within 6 months, address registration within 20 days

Before you start

  • An employer in Türkiye and a job offer
  • An employment contract signed with the employer; for applications from abroad it must be ready when you apply at the consulate
  • A passport with enough validity; the permit ends 60 days before your passport expires
  • Depending on your profession, a diploma with a certified translation; some professions need recognition or a pre-approval

We don't find jobs

If you don't have an employer yet, you first need a job offer from an employer in Türkiye. Once you have one, we can plan the process with you.

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Step by step

  1. 1

    Consulate application

    You

    You apply for a work visa in person at the Turkish embassy or consulate general in your country of citizenship or legal residence. You receive a 16-digit reference number.

  2. 2

    Employer's application

    Employer

    You pass the reference number to your employer, who files the e-İzin application through e-Devlet with an e-signature and uploads the documents.

  3. 3

    Ministry assessment

    Ministry

    If the file is complete, the assessment is completed within 30 days. The decision is emailed and also sent to the consulate where you applied.

  4. 4

    Fees and visa

    You

    After approval, the work permit fees and the visa fee are paid at the consulate where you applied. If the permit fee and card charge are not paid within 30 days of notification, the application is rejected. A visa sticker is then placed in your passport.

  5. 5

    Entering Türkiye

    You

    You must enter Türkiye within 6 months of the permit being issued. The work permit card is sent by PTT (Turkish Post) to your workplace.

  6. 6

    Address registration and starting work

    You and your employer

    You must register in the address registration system within 20 days of entry. Social security registration and starting work must happen within one month of entry (and in any case within six months of the permit start date).

Sources

Your situation doesn't quite fit these rules?

Send us a few lines and we'll check together which rules apply to you.

WhatsApp (opens in a new tab)Call, +90 541 908 16 77

Your family

The work permit replaces a residence permit for you only. Your spouse and children need their own residence permit applications to stay in Türkiye; these are filed with the Provincial Directorates of Migration Management. If your family is moving with you, we recommend building this step into the timeline from the start.

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Common mistakes

  • Preparing the employment contract after the consulate application
  • Not accounting for passport validity (the permit ends 60 days before the passport expires)
  • Delaying entry into Türkiye more than 6 months after the permit is issued
  • Missing the 20-day address registration deadline after entry
  • Arriving as a tourist and trying to apply from within Türkiye (an in-country application needs a residence permit of at least 6 months)

How we help

What we do

  • We draw up a personal timeline from the consulate application to your first working day
  • We check your documents and translation or legalisation needs before you apply
  • We coordinate the process with your employer in Türkiye
  • We guide you through the fees, entry and address registration after approval

What we don't do

  • We can't guarantee consulate appointments or that a visa will be issued
  • We don't find jobs for you
  • We don't act on behalf of the consulate or the Ministry

Frequently asked questions

In which country do I apply at the consulate?

In your country of citizenship, or in the country where you legally reside, at the Turkish embassy or consulate general. Appointment and document procedures differ between missions; check the relevant mission's announcements before you apply.

I can enter Türkiye visa-free. Do I still need a work visa?

Yes. Visa-free entry is for tourist stays and does not give you the right to work. If you don't hold a valid Turkish residence permit, the work permit application goes through a Turkish consulate.

Can my family come with me?

The work permit replaces a residence permit for you only. Your spouse and children need separate residence permit applications; we recommend including this in your planning from the beginning.

I'm applying from Germany or another European country. Is the process different?

The basic steps are the same: an application at the Turkish mission where you are, and your employer's e-İzin application. Türkiye has social security or labour agreements with some countries, which can matter in certain respects. Tell us about your situation and we'll check what applies to you.

Let's plan your move from abroad

Tell us which country you're in and who your employer is, and we'll map out the steps and their order together.

Message us on WhatsApp (opens in a new tab)Call us, +90 541 908 16 77

Every day 09:00–19:00 · Türkiye time

We are an independent consultancy, not a government office. Work permit decisions are made by the Turkish Ministry of Labour and Social Security.