Since October 1, 2024, important changes have been made to the procedure for issuing work permits for foreign citizens, which will significantly facilitate the employment process.
Innovations:
- Foreign citizens who have established a company and own a share in the capital of at least $ 100,000 are exempt from the requirement to hire at least 5 Turkish citizens. After opening a company, funds can be withdrawn from the account or used at the discretion of the owner. Spouses and children (under 18) are also eligible for a residence permit.
- For foreigners who have legally resided in Turkey for 3 of the last 5 years, the requirement to hire 5 Turkish citizens does not apply to the first 3 employees of the company. However, the total number of foreign employees in the company cannot exceed the number of Turkish employees.
- In some industries, the minimum wage for foreigners is now equal to Turkish standards, making them more attractive to employers.
- Foreigners whose children or parents have Turkish citizenship can obtain a work permit without additional requirements. This is relevant for those whose children have reached 18 years of age and do not qualify for the citizenship program.
- Restrictions on hiring the first 2 foreign IT specialists have been lifted, requirements for the number of employees and the financial stability of the company have been eliminated.
- Foreigners who have worked in Turkey continuously for 5 years can apply for citizenship on a general basis.