Who applies and what the permit allows
The application is submitted by the employer through the ministry’s electronic system; the employee is involved but cannot apply for a permit on their own behalf, ’for the future,’ or ’while job-seeking.’ The permit is tied to both the employer and the position: changing companies requires a new permit, not an amendment to the existing one.
A practically important provision: under Article 12 of Law 6735, a work permit substitutes for a residence permit. This means that a person holding a valid çalışma izni is not required to maintain a separate ikamet — the permit itself is the legal basis for their stay in the country. Exceptions apply to persons under international and temporary protection: for them, the permit does not replace the ikamet.
Students are treated differently: a work permit issued to a foreign student does not terminate their student ikamet or the rights attached to it.
- The application is submitted by the company, not the employee
- The permit is tied to the employer and position — a job change means starting the process over
- A valid permit replaces the ikamet
- The initial permit is typically short-term and can then be renewed
The five Turkish employees rule
The basic requirement for the employer: for each foreign national for whom a permit is requested, the company must have at least five Turkish citizens on its payroll. The ratio is checked at the time of application and again at renewal — meaning it is not enough to meet it once.
There is a turnover-based exception to the rule: an employer with annual net revenue of at least 50 million lira may hire up to five foreign nationals without meeting this ratio. This is the only loophole, and it is not designed for small businesses.
Employer financial requirements
In addition to the quota, the company must meet one of the financial thresholds. A new business confirms paid-up capital; an established one may show turnover or export figures instead of capital.
- Meeting any one of the three indicators is enough
- The thresholds are set by ministry criteria and have been in effect since January 2025
- Documentation is required; approximate figures are not accepted
| Indicator | Threshold |
|---|---|
| Paid-up capital | from 500,000 lira |
| Net annual revenue | from 8,000,000 lira |
| Annual exports | from $150,000 |
Salary: a multiplier, not a fixed amount
The ministry sets the minimum salary for foreign nationals not in liras but as a multiple of the current minimum wage. The multiplier depends on the role — the more senior the position, the higher the threshold. The calculation is based on the minimum wage in effect during the year the application is submitted.
No absolute figures are given here intentionally: Turkey’s minimum wage is reviewed every January, and any number printed will be outdated before you get to filing. The multiplier, however, holds for years — that is the norm.
| Position | Minimum salary |
|---|---|
| Senior executive, pilot | 5 minimum wages |
| Engineer, architect | 4 minimum wages |
| Other senior management positions | 3 minimum wages |
| Professions requiring qualifications | 2 minimum wages |
| Domestic staff and other household work | 1 minimum wage |
Who the criteria do not apply to
Some applicants are exempt from the quota, capital, and salary requirements — not because it is easier for them, but because their ties to the country are already established on another ground. If you fall into one of these groups, the conversation with an employer changes entirely: they are no longer required to maintain five local staff on your behalf.
- Spouse of a Turkish citizen, where the marriage has lasted at least three years
- Child or parent of a Turkish citizen
- Those who have legally resided in Turkey for at least eight years
- Holders of long-term and humanitarian ikamet
Work permit: review and guidance
- Checking the employer’s compliance with the quota and financial thresholds before starting
- Calculating the minimum salary for your position based on the current minimum wage
- Checking whether you are exempt from the criteria
- Assembling and checking the package on the employee’s side
- Employer-led submission support and status tracking
- Analysis of the refusal and the path forward if it has already happened
A legal consultation — 80 $.Credited toward the full service fee if you continue with us.
During the consultation the lawyer reviews your situation based on your documents and provides filing route: which basis, what will be needed and in what order.
Government fees, notarisation, certified translations and apostille, where required, billed separately at actual cost — we will itemise them for your situation. Processing time depends on the authority and its workload, which is why we do not publish an average figure.
Frequently asked questions
Can you work on a standard ikamet?
No. An ikamet grants the right to stay in the country, not to work. Working without a permit is a violation for both the employee and the employer, and it affects future applications: violations are visible at renewal and when a citizenship application is assessed.
Do you need to apply for an ikamet separately if you have a work permit?
No. Under Article 12 of Law 6735, a work permit replaces a residence permit. The exception applies to persons under international or temporary protection: no such substitution occurs for them. For students, the work permit does not cancel the student ikamet — both remain valid simultaneously.
What happens to my permit if I resign?
The permit is tied to the employer and lapses with the job. A new employer must file a new application and go through the quota and threshold checks again. This is worth discussing before you resign, not after.
How many Turkish employees are required if I’m setting up a company for myself?
Five to one — unless the company’s annual net revenue reaches fifty million lira, in which case up to five foreign nationals may be hired without observing this ratio. A newly established company will also need to demonstrate paid-up capital of at least five hundred thousand lira.
Does working in Turkey lead to citizenship?
Not directly. Naturalisation through the standard procedure requires five years of continuous lawful residence, knowledge of Turkish, and sufficient income — and the decision rests with the state. Years spent working under a permit count toward that period, since the permit serves as a residence permit.
Verified September 1, 2026. The thresholds and amounts are tied to indicators that are reviewed annually — check the official source for your country before filing.
Services and prices — openly, before any conversation
People usually add: tax number — $69 · account at a turkish bank — $199. Two or more services — 5% off each.
Prices are in US dollars; 20% VAT is added on top. Government fees are paid separately and directly.