REGULATORY NOTE · 6 NOVEMBER 2026
Work permit criteria depend on the application
The summary below is based on the Ministry of Labour and Social Security’s published assessment criteria, including amendments effective on 3 August 2026. Confirm the rules in force on the application date, any sector or occupation-specific exceptions, and the applicant’s circumstances before filing.
Ministry: full work permit assessment criteria ↗General employer assessment criteria
For workplaces subject to balance-sheet accounting, applications are generally assessed against employment, financial capacity and salary criteria. The rules are applied with regard to the workplace and the position offered.
Five Turkish employees per foreign employee
As a general rule, the workplace must employ at least five Turkish citizens for each foreign employee for whom a work permit is requested. For workplaces with net sales of at least TRY 50 million in the previous year, the employment criterion is not applied to applications for up to five foreign employees.
Paid-up capital, sales or exports
For a newly established workplace without year-end financial statements for the current year, paid-up capital must be at least TRY 500,000. For an operating workplace, one of these thresholds applies: paid-up capital of at least TRY 500,000, net sales of at least TRY 8 million, or exports of at least USD 150,000.
A gross salary floor based on the role
The minimum salary threshold is calculated using the gross minimum wage in force on the application date. The salary offered must also be appropriate to the position’s duties and responsibilities.
Minimum salary multipliers by role
| Role / occupation group | At least this multiple of gross minimum wage |
|---|---|
| Senior executives and pilots | 5× |
| Engineers and architects | 4× |
| Other managers | 3× |
| Jobs requiring specialist skills or mastery | 2× |
| Other professions and jobs | 1× |
The gross minimum wage in force on the application date is used. Verify both the current amount and the correct occupational category against the official criteria before filing.
Exceptions and foreign shareholders
For certain domestic applications, an exemption from the employment and financial-capacity criteria may apply to up to three foreign nationals who have lawfully resided in Türkiye for at least one year during the preceding three years under a work permit, residence permit or international protection. The number of permitted foreign employees in this group must not exceed the number of Turkish employees at the same workplace. Special rules for international protection remain reserved. Additional rules may apply to certain IT, education, tourism, domestic-work and investment situations.
Applications for foreign company shareholders are assessed under separate rules, including ownership percentage, capital contribution and workplace employment requirements. Owning or incorporating a company does not by itself grant permission to work in Türkiye. Review the applicant’s status together with the company’s current figures.
PLEASE NOTE
General criteria do not apply identically to every case
Exceptions can depend on personal status, application route, industry and occupation. The Ministry may seek input from relevant public authorities. Meeting a threshold does not guarantee approval; the Ministry of Labour and Social Security makes the final decision.
Domestic and overseas application routes
The Ministry states that properly completed applications with complete information and documents are assessed within 30 days; requests for additional information or documents can affect the timeline. This is not a guarantee of approval. Ministry work permit FAQs ↗ · Application information and documents ↗
How Papirus supports employers
We review the general eligibility points against your headcount, financial statements and proposed role, help you plan the salary threshold as of the application date, and organise employer-side information and documents. We agree the service scope in an initial conversation. The Ministry remains responsible for the application decision.
- Initial review of Turkish employee headcount and financial indicators
- Comparison of the proposed role with the relevant salary threshold and employer cost planning
- A preparation checklist for the employment contract, workplace details and supporting records
- Coordination of post-permit payroll, social security and notification timelines with employer processes
Work permit questions
Does a foreign employee need permission before starting work?+
Foreign nationals covered by the relevant law must obtain a work permit or work permit exemption before starting work in Türkiye. Any exemption must be reviewed against the person’s circumstances.
Can an employer apply if the foreign national has a residence permit?+
Generally, an employer may file a domestic e-Permit application if the foreign national holds a residence permit issued in their name that is valid on the application date and covers at least six months. Different routes may apply to special statuses.
Does forming a company automatically give a foreign shareholder a work permit?+
No. Work permit applications for foreign shareholders have separate conditions, which can include ownership share, capital and employment criteria. Company formation alone does not create a right to work.
How long does a work permit application take?+
The Ministry says complete and properly submitted applications are assessed within 30 days. Additional document requests and the nature of the application can affect timing; this is not a promise of approval.
Official sources
- Ministry of Labour and Social Security · Work permit assessment criteria
- Ministry · Information and documents for assessment
- Ministry · Work permit FAQs
Reviewed: 6 November 2026. This page is general information; confirm the rules in force and the circumstances of the applicant and workplace before an application.