Work Permit in Turkey  
Legal Services for Employees, Turkish-Origin Applicants & Foreign Company Owners

1. Introduction

IGA Law Firm offers comprehensive legal services for obtaining a work permit in Turkey, serving foreign employees, companies hiring international talent, individuals with Turkish parents, and foreign company owners or partners seeking legal authorization to work. Our Istanbul-based team ensures your application meets all legal criteria and is processed hassle-free.

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2. What is a Work Permit in Turkey?

A work permit in Turkey is a mandatory authorization granted by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security that enables foreign nationals to work legally. Without a valid permit, both the employer and the foreigner may face fines, deportation or legal sanctions. We manage the full legal process to ensure compliance and quick approval.

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3. Work Permits for Foreigners With Turkish Parents

Foreign nationals whose mother or father is Turkish benefit from a privileged legal status.

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Advantages for Turkish-Parent Applicants:

• Eligibility for short-term residence under the “Turkish origin” category

• Smoother access to a work permit after receiving residence

• Exemptions from certain employment restrictions

• Flexibility in changing employers

• Higher approval rates and simplified documentation

• Faster processing compared with standard applicants

 

Although Turkish ancestry alone does not automatically grant a work permit, it significantly simplifies eligibility. Our law firm prepares and verifies all parentage documentation (birth certificate, nüfus records, etc.) to secure your legal benefits.

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4. Work Permits for Foreign Company Owners & Shareholders in Turkey

Foreigners who own a company, hold shares, or are appointed as a company director in Turkey may apply for a work permit under special rules.

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Key Requirements for Company Owners/Partners:

• The company must meet capital requirements (minimum 100,000 TRY paid-in capital OR turnover/exports criteria)

• The company must employ at least 5 Turkish citizens (requirement may be flexible for the first 6 months in newly established companies)

• The foreign shareholder must hold at least 20% shares, with a minimum share value of 40,000 TRY

• The role must be justified (e.g., manager, director, partner responsible for operations)

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Advantages for Foreign Company Owners:

• Ability to obtain work authorization through their own company

• Potential for more flexible application criteria

• Option to renew annually and eventually qualify for long-term or indefinite work permit status

• Eligibility for director/manager titles that support work permit approval

IGA Law Firm assists with company setup, corporate compliance, capital verification, board resolutions, and the full work permit application for foreign shareholders.

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5. Types of Work Permits in Turkey

We assist with all categories, including:

• Temporary work permits (1-year initial period)

• Work permits for Turkish-origin foreigners

• Company owner / shareholder work permits

• Independent work permits

• Indefinite work permits

• Investor-based work permissions

Each category requires different documents and criteria, which our team navigates strategically for you.

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6. Application Procedure & Required Documents

A typical application involves both the employer and the foreign applicant.

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Common Documents:

• Passport & biometric photo

• Employment contract or shareholder documents

• Diploma/licence proof

• Valid residence permit (or concurrent application)

• Corporate registration documents

• Tax & SGK registration records

• For Turkish-origin applicants: proof of Turkish parentage

• For company owners: share certificate, capital documentation, registry records

We prepare the complete file, submit it electronically, track the process, and resolve Ministry inquiries.

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7. Employer Obligations & Legal Compliance

Employers must comply with labour and immigration regulations, including:

• Maintaining Turkish-to-foreign employee ratios

• Paying wage thresholds specific to each profession

• Registering the foreign worker with SGK

• Filing renewals on time

• Ensuring corporate compliance for foreign shareholders

IGA Law Firm maintains full documentation integrity to minimize rejection risks.

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8. Renewals, Modifications & Long-Term Status

We assist with:

• Annual renewals

• Employer changes

• Converting residence permits to work permits

• Work permits for new company investors

• Transition to indefinite work permits

• Legal support for Turkish-origin applicants to obtain long-term status

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9. Why Choose IGA Law Firm?

• Strong specialization in work permit law, foreigner law, and corporate law

• Extensive experience with foreign company owners & shareholders

• Expertise with Turkish-parent applicants

• Bilingual (English–Turkish) legal team

• Full-process management, including company establishment if needed

• High approval rates through precise legal strategy​

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10. Contact Us to Start Your Application

If you are:

• applying for a work permit in Turkey,

• hiring foreign employees,

• a foreigner with Turkish ancestry, or

• a foreign company owner/partner,

contact our Istanbul office today.

We provide rapid assessment, strategic guidance and complete legal assistance.