Obtaining Turkish Residency Through Work: A Comprehensive Guide with Methods and Conditions

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In this article, we will examine the details of obtaining Turkish residency through work. Do you want to bring your family to Turkey with a Turkish work visa? Is it possible to obtain Turkish citizenship through work? What jobs are in demand in Turkey, and what documents are required to get a Turkish work visa? Join us to experience this journey from the initial steps to long-term goals in the Turkish working world.

Turkish Work Visa and Understanding the Unemployment Rate

Before starting any work migration, a look at the unemployment rate of the destination country is essential. The unemployment rate, as a vital indicator, reflects the economic situation of the country. In Turkey, the unemployment rate in 2024 has been announced to be around 13 percent, which has decreased compared to previous years. Getting familiar with this economic information is important because a lower unemployment rate provides you with a greater opportunity to apply for a work visa and find suitable job opportunities. By carefully studying this information, you can align your plans with more accurate knowledge and get closer to your career goals in Turkey in the best possible way.

Migration to Turkey Through Work

Migration to Turkey through job opportunities is a precise and step-by-step process that you must be familiar with. Initially, you must obtain a job offer from a Turkish employer. You can start this step by searching on job websites or by registering a company in Turkey.

After this stage:

1. Company Registration in Turkey
If you decide to start a business in Turkey, registering a company is a desirable option. This action not only allows you to become an employer but also establishes Turkish work residency.

2. Job Search
If you wish to start working in Turkey, you can search for job opportunities from within Iran or through Turkish job websites and look for job offers.

3. Approval by the Employer
After being accepted by the employer, the employer has up to 10 days to register the request for hiring a foreign national on the website of the Ministry of Labor and Social Security of Turkey.

4. Submission of Work Residency Application
You have 90 days to submit your work residency application along with the required documents to the Turkish embassy or consulate.

This path, in addition to creating job opportunities, provides you with the opportunity to expand your business activities and increase living facilities in Turkey. By carefully following these steps, you can successfully complete your migration to Turkey through work.

Types of Turkish Work Visas and Ways to Obtain Them

In the final stage of entering work and life in Turkey, we must become familiar with the types of work visas. The Turquoise Card work visa exists as a popular option for individuals with high education and suitable work experience. This card provides its holders with multiple facilities, including the right to education and insurance. It should be noted that alongside this card, there are other work visas that make it possible to choose diverse options depending on the applicant’s conditions and job position. The most important point here is that for job searching in Turkey, learning the Turkish language is essential to significantly facilitate the process of finding a job.

Obtaining a Work Visa and Types of Turkish Work Visas

In Turkey, it is possible to receive two types of work visas:

Temporary Work Visa

This type of visa allows individuals to reside in Turkey for one year, in accordance with the labor laws of this country. The temporary work visa is issued for specific fields and professions. With the employer’s consent, you can extend your work permit for up to 2 or 3 years. After the 3-year work permit expires, if you reach a new agreement with the same employer, you can continue for another 6 years. Spouses and children, after 5 years of residency without re-entry and exit, receive a work permit.

Unlimited Work Visa

If you have resided continuously for 8 years or 6 years without interruption by extending temporary work visas, you can apply for an unlimited work visa. This visa is almost the same as the process of obtaining Turkish permanent residency. From the 8th year of continuous residency, you can also proceed to obtain permanent residency. This possibility is very attractive for those who want to start a permanent life in Turkey.

Important Note:

With new security measures in Turkey, any individual who is recognized as a serious threat to public order and security can be banned from entering the borders by the government of this country for a period of up to 10 years. These measures have been adopted to maintain community security and prevent any danger to public order. Therefore, travelers must carefully adhere to these regulations and refrain from any activity that might lead to being recognized as a threat.

Work Visa Application Process for Foreign Nationals in Turkey

Foreign nationals who live outside of Turkey must apply for a work visa through the Turkish consulate in their place of residence. Foreign applicants can directly apply for a work visa at the Ministry of Labor and Social Security of Turkey and submit their application. This process may take approximately 30 days, and the result will be notified to the applicant via email or phone call. If they have a valid residence permit (at least 6 months, excluding residence permits for education), foreign applicants can directly go to the Ministry of Labor and apply. Applicants who are not Turkish citizens are required to submit their application electronically through a lawyer residing in Turkey who has a national identification number.

Required Documents for Turkish Work Visa

• Signed contract letter from the Turkish employer for the applicant
• Original passport
• Personal identification documents
• 4 photos
• Health certificate
• Certificate of no criminal record
• Educational documents from the two previous levels
• Required proof of financial means
• Resume/CV
• Application for work permit in Turkey
• Accompanying documents in case of marriage

Required Documents for Obtaining a Residence Permit

• 4 photos
• Passport photo
• Photo of the last entry stamp and the validity page and expiry date
• Proof of financial means showing 300 USD per month in your account

Required Documents for Obtaining a Residence Permit for Work

• 4 photos
• Applicant’s passport
• Photo of the last entry stamp and the validity page and expiry date
• Copy and original work permit from the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs

Required Documents for Obtaining a Work Permit in Turkey

• Work permit form (both online and physically by visiting the Ministry of Labor)
• Tax balance sheet and profit and loss statement for the previous year with confirmation from the tax office
• Your organization’s business plan
• Having a notarized power of attorney if applying online

Institutions that intend to hire foreign experts in the fields of engineering, construction, contracting, and consulting services should note that the payment of salaries to Turkish citizens who are working in similar positions must be the subject of a contract between the applicant and the employer. This is to ensure balance and fairness in the payment of salaries and benefits to employees and prevent discrimination.

Required Documents for Initial Work Application in Turkey

To start the work application process in Turkey, applicants need to prepare the following documents:

1. Educational document: A document that shows the applicant’s level of higher education and confirms its equivalency with Turkish documents.
2. Translation of the educational document: If required, a translation of the educational document into Turkish and its approval.
3. License document for pilots: For pilots, submission of a license document obtained from their home country.
4. Work and cooperation letters: For tourism companies, work and cooperation letters with Turkey and a letter of recommendation in Turkish.
5. Equivalency document for the education sector: For those who want to work in the education sector in Turkey, submission of an equivalency document obtained in their home country.

List of Job Search Websites in Turkey:

http://www.iskur.gov.tr
http://www.jobsinistanbul.com
http://www.learn4good.com
http://www.secretcv.com
http://www.totaljobs.com/jobs/in-turkey
http://www.yenibiris.com
http://www.reed.co.uk/jobs-in-turkey

Obtaining Turkish Citizenship with a Work Visa

Individuals who have been continuously present in Turkey for 8 years can submit their permanent residency application. For this purpose, it is necessary to maintain their job position during this period. Below, we outline the steps for obtaining permanent residency and important information related to this process:

1. Maintaining Job Position
– Ensure that you have been continuously employed in Turkey for 8 years.
2. Submitting Permanent Residency Application
– After the specified period has passed, submit your permanent residency application.
3. Review by Relevant Authorities
– Relevant authorities will review your application and determine the duration of permanent residency.
4. Residency Extension
– After obtaining permanent residency, its duration may be limited or unlimited, depending on the authorities’ decision.
5. Applying for Turkish Citizenship
– After one year of obtaining permanent residency, you can apply for Turkish citizenship.
6. Turkish Passport
– By obtaining Turkish citizenship, you will gain access to many advantages, including visa-free travel to over 100 countries worldwide.