# Work Permits in Türkiye

Last updated: 2026-09-27

## Summary

- Foreign nationals who will work in Türkiye need a work permit (çalışma izni) or a work permit exemption before they start working.
- Applications run through the e-İzin system of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (ÇSGB), accessed with e-Devlet; applicants living abroad start at a Turkish embassy or consulate.
- The main types are the fixed-term, independent and indefinite work permits and the Turquoise Card (Turkuaz Kart).
- The statutory decision period for a complete application is 30 days; an extension can be filed from 60 days before expiry and must be filed before the permit expires.
- A valid work permit also counts as a residence permit while it is valid.

A work permit (çalışma izni) is issued by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (ÇSGB) and gives a foreign national the right to work and live in Türkiye while it is valid ([Law No. 6735, art. 3/1-c](https://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/MevzuatMetin/1.5.6735.pdf)).

## Who needs a work permit?

- Foreign nationals who will work in Türkiye, whether for an employer or on their own account. Working or employing someone without a permit is prohibited, and the permit must be obtained before work starts ([Law No. 6735, art. 6/2](https://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/MevzuatMetin/1.5.6735.pdf)).
- Some short-term work, such as installation and maintenance or scientific, cultural or sports activities, can be covered by a work permit exemption (çalışma izni muafiyeti). An exemption cannot be extended; longer work needs a work permit ([Regulation art. 48, 51/3](https://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/MevzuatMetin/yonetmelik/7.5.39337.pdf)).
- Blue Card (Mavi Kart) holders, refugees and holders of subsidiary protection status can work without a work permit ([Law No. 6735, art. 6/3](https://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/MevzuatMetin/1.5.6735.pdf)).
- No work permit is issued for professions reserved for Turkish citizens, such as dentistry, pharmacy, practising law and notary services ([ÇSGB, reserved professions](https://www.csgb.gov.tr/uigm/calisma-izni/turk-vatandaslarina-hasredilen-meslekler/)).

## Where to apply

All steps run electronically through ÇSGB's online work permit system ([e-İzin](https://calismaizni.csgb.gov.tr/)), which you access with an e-Devlet login ([Regulation art. 11/1](https://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/MevzuatMetin/yonetmelik/7.5.39337.pdf)).

- **From inside Türkiye:** the application goes directly to ÇSGB. As a general rule, the foreign national needs a residence permit issued for at least six months and valid on the application date ([ÇSGB, application types](https://www.csgb.gov.tr/uigm/calisma-izni/basvuru-turleri/)).
- **From abroad:** the foreign national applies for a work visa at the Turkish embassy or consulate in the country of their nationality or where they legally reside, and the employer then completes the application in e-İzin ([Law No. 6735, art. 7/1](https://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/MevzuatMetin/1.5.6735.pdf); [Regulation art. 17](https://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/MevzuatMetin/yonetmelik/7.5.39337.pdf)).

## Types of work permit

| Type | Key feature | Duration |
| - | - | - |
| Fixed-term (süreli) | Tied to one employer; valid only for the workplace and job it was issued for | As a general rule, up to 1 year on first application; with the same employer up to 2 years on the first extension and up to 3 years on later extensions. It cannot exceed the employment contract ([Law No. 6735, art. 10/1-2](https://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/MevzuatMetin/1.5.6735.pdf)). The Regulation allows longer terms for qualified workers and investors and certain other groups ([Regulation art. 32–39](https://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/MevzuatMetin/yonetmelik/7.5.39337.pdf)) |
| Independent (bağımsız) | Lets you work on your own account without an employer. The Regulation gives as examples a managing partner of a limited company and a shareholder board member of a joint-stock company ([Regulation art. 29/1](https://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/MevzuatMetin/yonetmelik/7.5.39337.pdf)); in practice, however, ÇSGB issues fixed-term work permits to foreign nationals who own or are partners in a business ([ÇSGB](https://calismaizni.csgb.gov.tr/tr/genel-bilgi/yabancilarin-turkiyede-sirketisyeri-acma-sartlari-ve-sureci/)) | Issued for a fixed term, but not bound by the term limits of employer-based permits |
| Indefinite (süresiz) | Open to foreigners with a long-term residence permit or at least 8 years of legal work permits; meeting the conditions is not an absolute right ([Law No. 6735, art. 10/3](https://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/MevzuatMetin/1.5.6735.pdf)) | Indefinite; the permit document is renewed every five years ([Regulation art. 28/4](https://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/MevzuatMetin/yonetmelik/7.5.39337.pdf)) |
| Turquoise Card (Turkuaz Kart) | Gives the rights of an indefinite work permit; the holder's spouse and dependent children receive a document that counts as a residence permit ([Law No. 6735, art. 11](https://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/MevzuatMetin/1.5.6735.pdf)) | The first 3 years are a transition period |

## Decision and renewal

- Under the Law, applications that are properly filed with complete information and documents are decided within 30 days. If missing documents are requested, the period starts when they are uploaded ([Law No. 6735, art. 7/8](https://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/MevzuatMetin/1.5.6735.pdf); [Regulation art. 21/2](https://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/MevzuatMetin/yonetmelik/7.5.39337.pdf)).
- An extension can be filed from 60 days before the current permit expires and must in any case be filed before it expires. Extension applications made after expiry are refused ([Law No. 6735, art. 7/3](https://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/MevzuatMetin/1.5.6735.pdf)).

## A work permit counts as a residence permit

A valid work permit or work permit exemption counts as a residence permit ([Law No. 6735, art. 12/1](https://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/MevzuatMetin/1.5.6735.pdf)). If the work permit becomes invalid for any reason, the right to stay that depends on it ends too; a valid residence permit obtained on other grounds is not affected ([Regulation art. 57](https://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/MevzuatMetin/yonetmelik/7.5.39337.pdf)). Work permits issued to international protection applicants, conditional refugees and people under temporary protection do not count as residence permits ([ÇSGB, FAQ](https://www.csgb.gov.tr/sikca-sorulan-sorular/uluslararasi-%C4%B1sgucu-genel-mudurlugu/calisma-%C4%B1zni/)).

Our guide [Work Permit or Residence Permit?](/en/guides/work-permit-vs-residence-permit) explains the differences between the two, and the [Residence Permits](/en/residence-permit) page covers the residence permit types. Official fees are listed on the [Official Government Fees](/en/fees) page.

## Frequently asked questions

### Can I apply for a work permit from abroad?

Yes. You first apply in person for a work visa at the Turkish embassy or consulate in the country of your nationality or where you legally reside, and receive a reference number. Your employer then uploads the information and documents to the e-İzin system under that number and confirms the application.

### I already have a residence permit. Do I still need a work permit?

Yes. Except for refugees and holders of subsidiary protection status, a residence permit does not by itself allow you to work. A valid work permit, on the other hand, also counts as a residence permit while it is valid.

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

No. An employer-based work permit is valid only for the workplace and address it was issued for. Working for another employer needs a new work permit, and that application is assessed like a first application.

## Sources

- [International Labour Force Law No. 6735 (Turkish)](https://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/MevzuatMetin/1.5.6735.pdf) — art. 3, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12
- [Implementing Regulation of the International Labour Force Law (Turkish)](https://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/MevzuatMetin/yonetmelik/7.5.39337.pdf) — art. 11, 17, 21, 28, 29, 32–39, 48, 51, 57
- [Ministry of Labour and Social Security (ÇSGB) — Work permit application types (Turkish)](https://www.csgb.gov.tr/uigm/calisma-izni/basvuru-turleri/)
- [Ministry of Labour and Social Security (ÇSGB) — Professions reserved for Turkish citizens (Turkish)](https://www.csgb.gov.tr/uigm/calisma-izni/turk-vatandaslarina-hasredilen-meslekler/)
- [Ministry of Labour and Social Security (ÇSGB) — Setting up a company or workplace (Turkish)](https://calismaizni.csgb.gov.tr/tr/genel-bilgi/yabancilarin-turkiyede-sirketisyeri-acma-sartlari-ve-sureci/)
- [Ministry of Labour and Social Security (ÇSGB) — Work permit FAQ (Turkish)](https://www.csgb.gov.tr/sikca-sorulan-sorular/uluslararasi-%C4%B1sgucu-genel-mudurlugu/calisma-%C4%B1zni/)

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).