Domestic care
Work permits for foreign caregivers at home
If you want to employ a foreign caregiver for your child, an elderly or disabled relative, or to accompany a patient, your family files the application. Unlike with companies, the assessment looks at the cared-for person's situation and the family's income. Settling who will be the employer and which documents are needed before you apply makes the process easier.
Every day 09:00–19:00 · Türkiye time
At a glance
- Permitted work
- Childcare, elderly care, disability care and patient companionship
- Who applies
- The person needing care or a relative listed in the rules
- Wage
- At least the minimum wage
- Income requirement
- Documented, sufficient and regular income
Which jobs qualify?
In domestic services, foreigners are only granted work permits for childcare, elderly care, disability care and patient companionship. Other household work on its own, such as cleaning, cooking, gardening or driving, is not covered.
Sources
- Ministry of Labour — Work permit evaluation criteria(opens in a new tab) · Last checked:
- Ministry of Labour — Documents(opens in a new tab) · Last checked:
Who can apply as the employer?
For childcare
- If the parents are married, the child's mother or father
- If divorced, the parent with custody
- The adoptive parent
- If the child is under guardianship, the guardian
- A foster mother or foster father
- For a child born outside marriage, the mother or the father who has formally recognised the child
For elderly care, disability care and patient companionship
- The person needing care
- Their first- or second-degree relatives
- If the person is under guardianship, the guardian, or first- or second-degree relatives with the guardian's consent
Can I apply for my mother or father?
If the person needing care is elderly or disabled, or unable to apply, a first-degree relative can be the employer. The employer account is then opened with the relative's details and e-signature, the home where care is provided is entered as the work address, and proof of kinship and a copy of the cared-for person's ID are uploaded with the contract.
Sources
- Ministry of Labour — Work permit evaluation criteria(opens in a new tab) · Last checked:
- Ministry of Labour — FAQ(opens in a new tab) · Last checked:
Your situation doesn't quite fit these rules?
Send us a few lines and we'll check together which rules apply to you.
How the application is assessed
- The health and age of the person needing care or companionship
- The caregiver's education, work experience, Turkish language skills, residence or work history in Türkiye, marital status and age
- Other factors showing the specific nature of the job
- The employer's socio-economic situation, assets and regular monthly income
Income requirement
The person needing care, or relatives by blood or marriage up to the second degree who support the care, must have sufficient and regular income documented by the relevant authorities. If there are no such relatives, another family member who wants to support the care must provide proof of income and a notarised undertaking to support the employer.
The caregiver's wage may not be less than the minimum wage. Social security is declared on the salary and full-time work stated in the application.
Sources
- Ministry of Labour — Work permit evaluation criteria(opens in a new tab) · Last checked:
- Ministry of Labour — FAQ(opens in a new tab) · Last checked:
Application steps and documents
- 1
Employer account
YouThe family member who applies opens an employer account in the Ministry's e-İzin system with their own details and e-signature.
- 2
Contract
You and the caregiverThe Ministry's template fixed-term service contract for domestic services is completed and signed by both sides.
- 3
Route
Caregiver and youIf the caregiver is abroad, they first apply at a Turkish mission, and you complete the application with the reference number they receive (applying from abroad). If the caregiver holds a valid residence permit in Türkiye issued for at least 6 months, the application is made in-country (applying in Türkiye).
- 4
Documents
YouThe contract, the caregiver's passport and photo, and documents showing the cared-for person's situation, kinship and income. A diploma is not required in domestic services; a statement of the last school completed is enough.
- 5
Decision and after
MinistryAfter approval the fee is paid, the caregiver starts work with social security registration and notifications are made on time. Employer obligations
The Ministry specifically warns for domestic services: the email address in the application must belong to the applicant, otherwise you may not hear about the process. Never share your e-Devlet or e-signature passwords.
Sources
- Ministry of Labour — Documents(opens in a new tab) · Last checked:
- Ministry of Labour — FAQ(opens in a new tab) · Last checked:
- Ministry e-İzin information — Points to note when applying(opens in a new tab) · Last checked:
Points to watch after approval
- If the caregiver received the permit through an application from abroad, an in-country application for another employer within 6 months of the permit start is refused, except in cases of force majeure.
- The caregiver works at the address and in the job stated in the application.
- Start and end of work are reported within 15 days; if the caregiver leaves, the permit is terminated in the system.
- An extension can be applied for from 60 days before expiry. About extensions
- Administrative fines apply to a foreigner working without a permit and to the employer.
Sources
- Ministry of Labour — Work permit evaluation criteria(opens in a new tab) · Last checked:
- Ministry of Labour — FAQ(opens in a new tab) · Last checked:
How we help with domestic care
What we do
- We work out who in the family can be the employer
- We list the income and kinship documents, and the undertaking if needed
- We prepare the contract and application steps together with you
- We remind you of reporting and extension dates after approval
What we don't do
- We don't find caregivers or act as an agency
- We don't guarantee the outcome; the Ministry decides
- We don't run payroll, social security or accounting
Frequently asked questions
The caregiver is in Türkiye as a tourist right now. Can we apply from here?
An in-country application requires a residence permit in the caregiver's name, issued for at least 6 months and valid on the application date. If they are here on a visa or visa-free entry, the application starts at a Turkish mission abroad. Let's clarify the situation together.
How much must the caregiver be paid?
The wage of a foreigner working in domestic services may not be less than the minimum wage. Social security is declared on the salary and full-time work you state in the application.
Can I employ a foreigner just for housecleaning?
No. In domestic services, work permits are only granted for childcare, elderly or disability care and patient companionship.
Does the caregiver need a diploma?
No, a diploma is not required in domestic services; a statement of the last school completed is enough. Education and experience are still considered in the assessment.
Let's plan your family's application together
Tell us briefly who needs care and where the caregiver is now, and we'll explain which route and documents apply.
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.