# Work Permit or Residence Permit?

Last updated: 2026-09-27

## Summary

- A residence permit (ikamet izni) lets you stay in Türkiye legally, but on its own it does not give you the right to work, except for refugees and holders of subsidiary protection.
- To work in Türkiye you need a work permit (çalışma izni) or a work permit exemption before you start working.
- A valid work permit also counts as a residence permit for as long as it is valid; when it ends, your right to stay on that basis ends too.
- A short-term residence permit (kısa dönem ikamet izni) is generally granted for up to 2 years at a time and does not allow you to work.
- The spouse and children of a work permit holder can get a family residence permit, which does not give the spouse the right to work.

Living in Türkiye and working in Türkiye are covered by two different permits, issued by two different authorities. Residence permits are handled by the provincial migration directorates of the Presidency of Migration Management (Göç İdaresi Başkanlığı). Work permits are issued by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (Çalışma ve Sosyal Güvenlik Bakanlığı, ÇSGB). Which one you need depends on what you plan to do in Türkiye.

## What a residence permit gives you

A residence permit (ikamet izni) lets you stay in Türkiye legally. Unless you are a refugee or hold subsidiary protection, it does not give you the right to work ([Law No. 6735, art. 12/1](https://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/MevzuatMetin/1.5.6735.pdf)).

- Turkish law lists these residence permit types: short-term, family, student, long-term, humanitarian, and victim of human trafficking.
- The short-term residence permit (kısa dönem ikamet izni) covers purposes such as tourism, owning a home, business contacts or setting up a business, medical treatment and the other purposes listed in Article 31 of Law No. 6458. It is granted for up to 2 years at a time; the law allows longer terms for investors and citizens of the TRNC.
- You apply online through e-İkamet. The application is made by you, your statutory representative (e.g. a parent or guardian) or a lawyer holding your power of attorney ([Implementing Regulation, art. 21/4](https://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/MevzuatMetin/yonetmelik/7.5.21460.pdf)).

The e-İkamet application and the appointment are free of charge; the residence permit fee (unless you are exempt) and the card fee are paid separately before the appointment.

## What a work permit gives you

A work permit (çalışma izni) is issued by ÇSGB and gives you the right to work and to reside in Türkiye while it is valid. Working without a work permit, and employing someone without one, is prohibited; the permit must be obtained before you start work ([Law No. 6735, art. 6/2](https://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/MevzuatMetin/1.5.6735.pdf)). A foreigner found working without a permit faces a deportation decision ([Law No. 6458, art. 54/1-ğ](https://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/MevzuatMetin/1.5.6458.pdf)).

- A valid work permit or work permit exemption replaces the residence permit while it is valid, and no separate residence permit document is issued. Your right to stay ends on the date the work permit ends ([Law No. 6458, art. 27/1](https://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/MevzuatMetin/1.5.6458.pdf)).
- A work permit tied to an employer is valid only for the workplace and address it was issued for. Changing employer means a new work permit.
- Applications are filed online through the e-İzin system with an e-Devlet login. For an employer-based permit, your employer files the application.
- A complete application is decided within 30 days. Requests for missing documents or opinions from other authorities can extend this.

## Side by side

| | Residence permit | Work permit |
| - | - | - |
| Decided by | Provincial migration directorate | Ministry of Labour and Social Security (ÇSGB) |
| Online system | e-İkamet | e-İzin |
| Who applies | You, your statutory representative (e.g. a parent or guardian) or a lawyer holding your power of attorney | Your employer, for an employer-based permit |
| Right to work | No (except refugees and subsidiary protection) | Yes, for the workplace and job stated on the permit |
| Right to stay | Yes | Yes, while the permit is valid |
| Renewal application | Opens 60 days before expiry | Opens 60 days before expiry |

For both permits, the renewal application must always be made before the permit expires.

## Which one fits your situation?

- **You will work for an employer in Türkiye:** you need a work permit, and once it is granted you do not need a separate residence permit. If you are abroad, the process starts with a work visa application at the Turkish embassy or consulate in the country of your citizenship or legal residence ([Implementing Regulation, art. 17](https://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/MevzuatMetin/yonetmelik/7.5.39337.pdf)).
- **You already hold a residence permit and are about to start a job:** your employer can apply from within Türkiye. ÇSGB requires a residence permit issued for at least six months and still valid on the application date ([ÇSGB, application types](https://calismaizni.csgb.gov.tr/tr/calisma-izni/basvuru-turleri/)).
- **You will live in Türkiye but not work:** you need the residence permit type that matches your purpose, for example a short-term residence permit based on owning a home or on tourism.
- **You will set up a company:** the company is registered and gets a tax number first, and then the work permit application is made. In practice ÇSGB issues fixed-term work permits to foreigners who own or are partners in a business ([ÇSGB](https://calismaizni.csgb.gov.tr/tr/genel-bilgi/yabancilarin-turkiyede-sirketisyeri-acma-sartlari-ve-sureci/)). A short-term residence permit for business contacts or setting up a business does not allow you to work.

## Your family

The foreign spouse and the minor or dependent children of a work permit holder can get a family residence permit (aile ikamet izni) for up to 3 years at a time, never longer than the sponsor's own permit. The minimum prior residence normally required from a foreign sponsor does not apply to work permit holders ([Law No. 6458, art. 34 and 35/2](https://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/MevzuatMetin/1.5.6458.pdf)). A family residence permit does not allow your spouse to work; your spouse needs a work permit of their own.

## How the years add up

A [long-term residence permit](/en/residence-permit/long-term) generally requires at least 8 years of uninterrupted residence in Türkiye on residence permits. Time spent on a work permit counts towards this; time spent under a work permit exemption does not ([Law No. 6735, art. 13/6](https://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/MevzuatMetin/1.5.6735.pdf)). For long-term residence permit holders, ÇSGB does not apply its employment, financial capacity and salary criteria to work permit applications ([ÇSGB evaluation criteria](https://www.csgb.gov.tr/uigm/calisma-izni/calisma-izni-degerlendirme-kriterleri/)).

## Frequently asked questions

### Can I work in Türkiye with a residence permit?

No. Except for refugees and holders of subsidiary protection, a residence permit alone does not allow you to work. You need a work permit or a work permit exemption before you start working (Law No. 6735, art. 6/2 and 12/1).

### If I have a work permit, do I also need a residence permit?

No. A valid work permit counts as a residence permit for as long as it is valid, and no separate residence permit document is issued. When the work permit ends, your right to stay on that basis ends as well (Law No. 6458, art. 27/1).

### Does my work permit stay valid if I change jobs?

A work permit tied to an employer is valid only for the workplace and address it was issued for. To work for another employer you need a new work permit (Implementing Regulation, art. 57/4).

### What permit do my spouse and children need?

The foreign spouse and the minor or dependent children of a work permit holder can get a family residence permit (aile ikamet izni) for up to 3 years at a time, never longer than the sponsor's own permit. A family residence permit does not give the spouse the right to work.

## Sources

- [International Labour Force Law No. 6735 (Uluslararası İşgücü Kanunu)](https://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/MevzuatMetin/1.5.6735.pdf) — art. 6, 7, 12
- [Law on Foreigners and International Protection No. 6458 (YUKK)](https://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/MevzuatMetin/1.5.6458.pdf) — art. 27, 31, 34, 35
- [Implementing Regulation of the International Labour Force Law](https://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/MevzuatMetin/yonetmelik/7.5.39337.pdf) — art. 15, 17, 57
- [Implementing Regulation of the Law on Foreigners and International Protection](https://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/MevzuatMetin/yonetmelik/7.5.21460.pdf) — art. 21/4
- [ÇSGB, Setting up a company or workplace as a foreigner (Turkish)](https://calismaizni.csgb.gov.tr/tr/genel-bilgi/yabancilarin-turkiyede-sirketisyeri-acma-sartlari-ve-sureci/)

General information only; this is not legal advice. Decisions on your application rest solely with the competent authority; confirm current requirements with the relevant authority before applying. We have no official affiliation with the Presidency of Migration Management, the General Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs (NVİ) or the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (ÇSGB).