Extension
Extending your work permit — on time and complete
An extension must be filed within a short window that opens 60 days before your permit expires, and before it expires. Missing this window means your file is treated as a new application instead of an extension. Let's plan the dates and paperwork together.
Every day 09:00–19:00 · Türkiye time
At a glance
- When to apply
- From 60 days before expiry, and before the permit expires
- Duration granted
- Up to 2 years on the first extension, up to 3 years after that
- While you wait
- Up to 90 days of continued work in the same job and workplace
- Who applies
- Your employer, via e-İzin
When should you apply?
You can file an extension from 60 days before your current work permit expires, and it must be submitted before the permit expires. Like the first application, it is filed electronically through e-Devlet.
Don't miss the window
An application filed after expiry is not treated as an extension; the file is assessed under the rules for a first application. The employer then has to meet the current criteria again, and the advantages of an extension are lost.
Sources
- Ministry of Labour — Application types(opens in a new tab) · Last checked:
- Ministry e-İzin information — Extending work permits(opens in a new tab) · Last checked:
How long is an extended permit?
- First permit
- Up to 1 year
- First extension
- Up to 2 years (same employer)
- Further extensions
- Up to 3 years (same employer)
These are maximums; the Ministry also considers the length of your employment contract and your passport's validity. The permit ends 60 days before your passport expires, so check your passport's expiry date before extending.
An application to work for a different employer is not an extension but a first application. About first applications
Sources
- Ministry of Labour — Work permit types(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.
Can you keep working while it's assessed?
If the extension was filed in time, you can keep working in the same job and workplace from the expiry date while it is assessed, for up to 90 days. This period counts as legal employment, and your and your employer's rights and obligations continue unchanged.
If no extension is filed or it is refused, and you have no other valid residence permit, you must leave Türkiye. The Ministry's information page states this period as 10 days.
Sources
- Ministry of Labour — FAQ(opens in a new tab) · Last checked:
- Ministry e-İzin information — Extending work permits(opens in a new tab) · Last checked:
What is assessed for an extension?
- Your employment and social security records during the previous permit
- The employer's financial situation, taxes paid and contribution to employment
- The length of the employment contract and your passport's validity
Social security contributions must have been paid on the salary and full-time work declared in the application. Inconsistencies in the records can count against the extension; we review them with you before applying.
Sources
- Ministry e-İzin information — Extending work permits(opens in a new tab) · Last checked:
- Ministry of Labour — FAQ(opens in a new tab) · Last checked:
Indefinite work permit and card renewal
Foreigners with a long-term residence permit, or with at least eight years of legal employment in Türkiye, can apply for an indefinite work permit; meeting the conditions does not guarantee it. The indefinite permit card is renewed every five years, within the six months before each five-year period ends.
Source
- Ministry of Labour — Work permit types(opens in a new tab) · Last checked:
How we help with extensions
What we do
- We set up an application timeline based on your expiry date
- We check that social security records, salary and contract length line up before applying
- We list the up-to-date documents and the employer's paperwork
- We support you in preparing and following the e-İzin application
- Where it fits, we assess the option of moving to an indefinite permit
What we don't do
- We can't create an extension right for a permit that has already expired
- We don't guarantee the outcome; the Ministry decides
- We don't represent you in objections or court proceedings
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply earlier than 60 days before expiry?
No. The extension becomes available 60 days before the permit expires. Starting to gather documents before that date, however, makes the process much easier.
If I change employer, is my permit extended?
No. A work permit is tied to a specific employer and workplace. An application to work for a new employer is assessed as a first application, and the new employer must meet the criteria.
Do I pay fees for an extension?
Yes. If the extension is approved, the permit fee for the granted duration and the card charge are payable. Current amounts
What can I do if the extension is refused?
You can object within 30 days of notification; if the objection is refused, the administrative courts are open to you. We recommend working with a lawyer for the legal process. Depending on the reason, we can look at options for a new application together.
Let's check your expiry date together
Send us your permit's expiry date and your employer, and we'll explain the extension timeline and what to prepare.
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.