Work in Turkey for Foreigners: How to Find and What Documents Are Needed

The International Monetary Fund experts characterize Turkey’s economy as developing. However, the country itself is not far behind EU member states in its industrial potential.

Foreign workers are attracted by the prospect of employment in a country with a strong economy without having to delve into the slow European bureaucracy. In our article, we will take a detailed look at what employment in Turkey gives, what is needed for it, and what professions are in demand in the country right now.

Pros and Cons of Employment in Turkey

When looking for work in Turkey, you need to keep in mind that there are pros and cons here too. External well-being and economic power in reality turn out to be not stable enough, which is expressed in explosive inflation and rising living standards. But this does not always apply to foreign workers.

What is Needed to Work in Turkey

Legal work in Turkey for foreigners requires a work visa, which is issued through the Turkish consulate in the country of residence. An exception is possible only for foreigners with a valid residence permit in Turkey for at least 180 days. They can apply for a work permit directly at the Ministry of Labor and Social Security (MLSS), bypassing the need for a consular visa. However, a residence permit for studying at Turkish universities does not grant such a right. The rule is rarely applied and is not available with a residence permit for study, tourism, and buying real estate in Turkey.

A work permit is a key document, without which even having a work visa to Turkey does not allow you to work legally. The permit is issued by the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection and, in some cases, by other agencies, such as the Ministry of Health for doctors or the Council for Higher Education for teachers.

Permission types:

• Temporary permit (Süreli Çalışma İzni). Issued for a period of up to 1 year, usually for the duration of the employment contract. After a year, an extension of up to 2-3 years is possible when working for the same employer.
• Permanent resolution. Available after 5 years of continuous residence in Turkey or for spouses/children of citizens. It provides rights similar to those of locals.
• Independent resolution. For company founders who have lived in Turkey for 5 years or more. Requires proof that the business benefits the country’s economy. When reviewing, the commission will also assess the applicant’s level of education, experience, and investment potential.
• Blue Card (Turkuaz Kart). For highly qualified specialists, investors, or persons whose activities are significant for Turkey. Granted for 3 years with the possibility of extension.

Special categories with simplified access:

• Spouses and children of Turkish citizens (subject to entry under 18 years of age and completion of local school/university).
• Refugees and persons with humanitarian status.
• EU citizens and their families.
• Professional athletes.

For other foreigners, a work permit is issued only if there is an employment contract, and the employer must justify why he is hiring a foreigner and not a Turkish citizen.

You can apply for a work visa to Turkey in two stages. In the first stage, the employer must submit an application to the MTSO within 10 days of signing an employment contract with you. The MTSO reviews the application for 30 working days and, if approved, sends a notification to the employer and the consulate.

At the second stage, the applicant submits documents to the consulate for work in Turkey. These include:

• International passport (valid for at least 6 months).
• Copy and certified translation of the passport.
• Questionnaire with photo (50×60 mm).
• Employment contract (original and copy).
• Certified translation of diploma/certificate.
• Certificate of good conduct.
• Company statutory documents (from the employer: tax certificate, registration number).

The consulate issues a single-entry visa, and within 30 days of entering Turkey with it, it is necessary to apply for a short-term residence permit at the local police department. The visa review period is about 2 weeks.

The main costs for obtaining a permit are:

• Consular fee for a visa: $50 + $24 for a residence permit.
• The fee for a work permit in Turkey is $100–150 (depending on the validity period).
• Additional costs for translation and its notarization are approximately $50.

The MTSO may refuse without explanation, especially if the employer has not provided convincing evidence that there are no suitable candidates for the vacancy among local residents.

How to Find a Job in Turkey

Before you start looking for a job in Turkey, evaluate your skills, experience, and language proficiency. A big plus would be knowledge of Turkish, at least at a basic level, because outside of tourist areas, English is less common. Without knowledge of Turkish, you can only count on vacancies in tourism and international companies. Remote work in Turkey is also available, but, as a rule, also in international companies or with employers targeting foreign markets.

Job Search Process in Turkey:

1. Preparing a resume. Turkish employers value short and structured CVs, 1-2 pages maximum. They expect to see:
   • Personal data (name, contacts, citizenship).
   • Brief description of experience (with emphasis on relevant skills).
   • Education with certified translations of diplomas.
   • Language skills (Turkish, English, and others).
   • Certificates (e. g,. TOEFL, programming courses).
2. Search for vacancies through online platforms. The main resources for finding a job in Turkey include local and international platforms. Most of the vacancies in the country are posted on local sites, so knowledge of Turkish will come in handy here. This step can be skipped if you look for a job through agencies, but in this case there is a risk of running into scammers who do not contact you immediately after making an advance payment.
3. Preparing for an interview. Jobs in Turkey require an interview. This may include tests of professional skills (especially in IT) and questions about readiness to relocate. In international companies, interviews are often conducted in English, but in local companies, in Turkish.
4. Checking the legality of the offer. Before signing a contract, make sure that the employer is really ready to issue a work permit. The absence of a clear contract or a promise to “issue a visa later” are not the best signals from the employer.

If all goes well, the employer will begin the process of obtaining a work visa, and once the process is complete, you can begin your job duties.

It is also worth mentioning that personal connections play an important role in finding a job — they are often even more important than a resume. The easiest way to make such contacts is at professional events such as Istanbul Tech Meetup (for IT specialists) or job fairs in Istanbul and Ankara (for example, Career Days from Bilkent and Koç universities). Without connections, it is very difficult to break into the competitive fields of finance or marketing, precisely because Turkish employers often give preference to acquaintances.

Average Salaries in Turkey

The minimum wage in Turkey in the first quarter of 2025 is TRY 22,104 ($630) before taxes, or about TRY 18,800 ($536) after taxes (15-20%). The average salary in Istanbul and Ankara reaches $1,200-$1,500, while in the country as a whole it is $1,000.

Average salaries in Turkey for foreigners:

Working in a hotel in Turkey will be 30-50% higher for workers with knowledge of the Turkish language. The same applies to nationality in general — locals have higher salaries than foreigners.

Foreign workers must pay income tax in Turkey:

Payroll taxes in Turkey also include a social security contribution (SGK). It is paid by both the employee and the employer: the former pays 14% of the salary, and the latter 20%.