Bayraktar Attorneys helps companies in Turkey hire and sponsor foreign employees. We manage the work permit application from start to finish, prepare every document, deal with the Ministry, and keep your hiring compliant with Turkish labor law, all in English.
Whether you are bringing in one specialist or building a larger international team, we handle the paperwork and the deadlines so you can focus on running the business.
Talk to an English-speaking immigration lawyer today. The first consultation is free and there is no obligation.
Sponsoring a foreign employee involves several offices, strict deadlines and documents that must line up exactly. Our immigration team manages the whole process for your company, so nothing is missed and nothing slips past a deadline.
We take care of each stage:
The right permit depends on how long the employee has been in Turkey and how you plan to employ them. The main categories are:
The most common permit for a sponsored employee. It is granted for an initial period of one year, tied to your company and the specific role. Where the employment continues and the conditions stay the same, it can be renewed, generally for two years and then three years at a time, which lets you keep skilled staff for the long term.
A foreign employee who has lived and worked legally in Turkey for at least eight years, or who holds a long-term residence permit, may qualify for an unlimited work permit. It removes the need for frequent renewals and gives both the employer and the employee more flexibility.
Aimed at foreign nationals who work on their own account, such as freelancers or business owners. It can be relevant if you engage specialists as contractors rather than employees. The applicant must meet set criteria on their business activity and financial standing.
How the application starts depends on where the employee is when you apply.
If the employee is outside Turkey, the process begins at the Turkish consulate or embassy in their home country or country of residence. The employee lodges the application there while your company files the employer side within Turkey, and the file is forwarded to the Ministry of Labor and Social Security for a decision.
If the employee already holds a valid residence permit, your company can apply directly to the Ministry on their behalf. This route is usually faster, but it still needs a complete file, including the employment contract and your company details.
The exact list depends on your company and the role, but an employer application generally calls for:
The Ministry reviews every application against Turkey's labor policy and economic needs. Employers are generally expected to show that hiring a foreign worker adds real value and does not simply displace a Turkish candidate. In some sectors a quota applies, linking the number of foreign employees a company may hire to the number of Turkish staff it employs. We check your position against the current rules before filing.
A work permit is not the end of the story. Both the work and residence permissions end when the permit expires, so renewals must be filed on time. We track your deadlines, prepare renewals, and, if an application is refused, help you appeal with corrected or additional documents. For wider workforce questions, we also advise on labor law and employment contracts.
We review the role, the candidate and any sector quota, then set out the right permit type, the documents, the cost and the timeline.
We prepare the employment contract, gather your company records and the employee documents, and arrange translations and any notarization.
We submit the file to the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, coordinating the consulate step where the employee applies from abroad.
We track the file, respond to any queries from the Ministry, and collect the permit once it is approved.
We diarize your renewal dates, handle renewals before they fall due, and manage any appeal if needed.
We work daily with international companies and staff, entirely in English.
From eligibility to collection and renewal, we handle the whole file for your company.
We track every renewal date so your team never lapses into an illegal status.
Work permits, residence, labor contracts and compliance, all from one office.
Atty. Nevzat Oğulcan Bayraktar
Confidential, English-speaking support for employers, from application to renewal.
This page provides general information about work permits for employers in Turkey and does not constitute legal advice. For guidance on your specific situation, please contact Bayraktar Attorneys for a consultation.
