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Türkiye's strategic location and developing economy attract thousands of foreigners every year as part of "brain drain" or "labor migration." The employment of foreigners in the Turkish legal system is carefully regulated by constitutional guarantees and the International Labor Law No. 6735.
The freedom of foreigners to work in Türkiye is guaranteed by Articles 48, 49, and 50 of the Constitution. However, according to Article 16 of the Constitution, this right can be limited by law in accordance with international law. International Labor Law No. 6735, which entered into force on 13.08.2016, is the cornerstone of the process.
A work permit for foreigners is an official document issued by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security (MoLSS) that grants both working and residency rights during its validity period.
The foreigner applies to the Embassy or Consulate of the Republic of Türkiye in their country. The obtained Reference Number is provided to the employer. The employer must complete the process via e-Devlet within 15 working days.
For foreigners who have a residence permit valid for at least 6 months in Türkiye, applications are made directly to the MoLSS through the online system.
| Criterion | Description |
|---|---|
| Turkish Personnel Quota | At least 5 Turkish citizens must be employed for every 1 foreigner. |
| Financial Sufficiency | Paid-in capital must be min. 100,000 TL or gross sales must be 800,000 TL+. |
| Wage Balance | The salary to be paid must be above the minimum wage and proportional to the position. |
By law, some professions are reserved exclusively for Turkish citizens:
In case of rejection of the application, an appeal can be made to the Ministry within 30 days of notification. If the appeal is rejected, there is a right to file an annulment lawsuit in the Administrative Court within 60 days.
