Is your company preparing to expand operations into Turkey? An important part of the expansion process for many businesses is relocating foreign employees to help, but to do this, every employee will need a valid Turkish work visa.
Applying for work visas for Turkey can be a complex process, with several different categories of visas, unique laws, and the language barrier all potentially leading to delays.
At Horizons, our foreign expansion team offers a wide choice of Turkey work visa services, immigration support, and outsourcing options to give your company everything necessary to establish and grow your operation in Turkey with the help of a globally sourced workforce.
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Basic requirements for Turkey work visas
The type of visa and details of the applicant will determine the exact requirements for Turkish work visa applications. However, there are some basic requirements that must be fulfilled in most cases, including:
- Application forms
- Application fees
- A valid passport and passport photos
- Police check
- Proof of health insurance
- Details of accommodation in Turkey
- Proof of sufficient funds
- Proof of any relevant work experience/qualifications
- A job offer from a Turkey-based employer
Types of Turkey work visas and permits
There are various categories of visas available for visitors to Turkey. Anybody needing to work in the country will generally need a work visa as well as a work permit that will be linked to their employer. In addition, anybody staying in the country for more than three months in a six-month period will need a residence permit.
How to get a Turkish work visa and other documentation
To apply for a Turkish work visa, prospective employees should file an application, including any requested documents, with their local Turkish embassy/consulate once they’ve received their job offer from a Turkey-based company. They will generally need to attend an in-person appointment as part of the process.
Once a visa has been issued, the employer will need to apply for a work permit, which can be done via an online application through the Turkish Ministry of Labour and Social Services. The work permit should be processed within one month.
Once the work permit and work visa are issued, the employee can travel to Turkey for work within 180 days. They must also register with the Address Registry System in their first month in the country.
Beyond this, they may need to apply for a residence permit or extension, depending on the required length of stay.
Other considerations
As the process is quite complex, both employees and employers should apply as early as possible, although the visa application process cannot be started until two months before entry.
How can Horizons help?
At Horizons, we help employers of all kinds build and grow their operations in Turkey, and we are specialists in obtaining work visas and permits for Turkey. Our Turkey work visa team offers reliable advice and custom outsourcing services to serve you through the country’s complicated immigration process from start to finish. We will ensure that you and your employees are in full compliance with Turkey’s immigration and employment laws, save you time, and offer the answers to any questions you may have.
Beyond this, we offer extensive outsourcing services to cover recruitment, payroll, HR, administration, and more, helping you start your Turkish expansion as simply as possible, even if you don’t have an established subsidiary in the country.
