Changes to Turkish Work Permit Regulations – October 2024
In October 2024, Turkey’s Ministry of Labor introduced significant regulatory changes aimed at easing the requirements for obtaining work permits. Below is a summary of the most important amendments to the work permit process:
Previous Requirements (Before October 1, 2024):
Prior to the amendments, the following criteria applied for securing a work permit in Turkey:
- Minimum paid-up capital of 100,000 TL (raised to 500,000 TL as of October 2024).
- Employment of five Turkish nationals for every foreign employee.
- A minimum of three months remaining on the foreign employee’s residence permit.
Key Changes Introduced on October 1, 2024:
Several new exemptions were introduced to facilitate easier access to work permits for foreign nationals:
A) Capital Share Ownership of at Least 100,000 USD in a New Company
Foreign nationals who own a capital share of at least 100,000 USD in a newly established company are now exempt from the requirement of employing five Turkish nationals for every foreign employee. This exemption applies to foreign investors who either fully own or co-own a company, provided their individual share amounts to a minimum of 100,000 USD. These investors may now apply for a work permit without needing to meet the previous employment ratio requirements.
B) Employment by Companies with Net Sales of 50 Million TL
Companies operating in Turkey that achieved net sales of at least 50 million TL in the previous fiscal year are now eligible to employ up to five foreign workers without the requirement to employ Turkish nationals. These companies can obtain work permits for the designated foreign employees under this exemption.
There are other requirements for Turkish work permit that have not changed, such as residence permit validity, job agreement and official application by the employer. Please click for more information on Turkish work permit.
Antalya Lawyer Baris Erkan Celebi and his Antalya Law Firm offer legal support to investors who wish to obtain Turkish work permit by investment of 100,000 USD into a company.
