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  •  /  Turkey
  • Country Overviews

Turkey

At a Glance

Capital Ankara
Language Turkish
Population 79,414,269 (July 2015 est.)
GDP Total $733.6 billion (2015 est.)
GDP Per Capita $20,400 (2015 est.)
Assessing Travel and Visa Obligations

 

When traveling to Turkey, your nationality and the types of activities you will conduct during your trip will determine whether you may travel lawfully as a business visitor or if you require work authorization. Please seek advice from your immigration counsel if you are uncertain about the specific types of activities that constitute business or work.

 

Traveling for Business

 

What types of activities may I engage in as a business visitor?

As a business visitor to Turkey, you may engage in the activities below. While this list is not exhaustive and other activities could qualify as business, you may:

  • » Attend business meetings and discussions
  • » Buy goods for sale outside the country
  • » Tour a company facility
  • » Facilitate or receive classroom training
  • » Perform audits

 

If I qualify as a business visitor, do I need a visa for Turkey?

Nationals of the United Kingdom, European Union Member States, and other select countries are eligible for a visa waiver and are not required to obtain a visa in order to enter and conduct business activities in Turkey.

Depending on nationality, foreign nationals not eligible to enter Turkey on visa-waivered status must obtain a Business Visa from a Turkish Consulate/Embassy, or an e-Visa online, prior to travel. Please obtain an individual assessment before traveling to determine your eligibility for a visa waiver.

 

Working in Turkey

 

What types of activities require work authorization?

The activities below, whether paid or unpaid, generally constitute work under Turkish law. This list is not exhaustive, and many other professional activities are considered work in Turkey, even if conducted for a short duration.

  • » Hands-on technical work
  • » Repairs and maintenance
  • » Marketing

 

Turkey allows foreign nationals to be granted a work authorization exemption on a short-term basis if their intended scope of work falls under designated permitted activities. Foreign nationals must apply for a Work Permit Exemption Certificate from the relevant consulate/embassy in their country of residence, or directly in Turkey with the Ministry of Family, Labor, and Social Services (MFLSS). Please consult with your immigration counsel prior to travel to determine your eligibility for a short-term work authorization exemption.

 

If I am traveling to Turkey for work, what type of work authorization do I need?

The requirements for work authorization depend on your qualifications, your profession, and the duration of your work. The most common types of work authorization for Turkey are:

  • » Assembly and Maintenance Service Visa (short-term work authorization for technical activities related to designated products and services)
  • » Work-Residence Permit (long-term work authorization)

 

Is it possible to be exempted from work authorization requirements?

Some categories of foreign nationals may be exempt from work authorization requirements in limited circumstances where there is a bilateral or multilateral agreement to which Turkey is a signatory party. Please consult with your immigration counsel for an assessment to determine the possibilities for long-term work authorization exemptions prior to traveling.

 

What else should I know?

 

Inevitably, the legal and strategic considerations impacting visa selection, as well as visa waiver and work authorization eligibility, entail the careful consideration of many factors. We recommend that you consult with your immigration counsel before taking any course of action.

 

Copyright © 2020 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. Government immigration agencies often change their policies and practices without notice; please consult an immigration professional for up-to-date information. This document does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. BAL maintains comprehensive immigration information and processing specifics for our clients.


News and Events

11 Jan 21

Minimum salary requirements for work permits announced

Turkey

22 Sep 20

COVID-19: New requirements for work permit applications announced

COVID-19 Turkey

22 May 20

Residence permit processing to resume

Turkey

15 Jan 20

Minimum salaries increase

Turkey

3 Oct 19

Processing delayed for resident permits

Turkey

28 Jun 19

First-time work permit fees now must be paid...

Turkey

26 Jun 19

Online account required for address renewals

Turkey

20 May 19

General Migration Directorate stops accepting mailed renewals 

Turkey

25 Jan 19

Minimum salaries increase

Turkey

3 Dec 18

Thresholds for citizenship by investment lowered

Turkey

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At a Glance

Capital Ankara
Language Turkish
Population 79,414,269 (July 2015 est.)
GDP Total $733.6 billion (2015 est.)
GDP Per Capita $20,400 (2015 est.)

Immigration Links

  • Country Specific Travel information
  • Directory of Embassies/Consulates
  • Overseas Security Advisory Council

Related News

  • Minimum salary requirements for work permits announced

    TURKEY   11 Jan 21

  • COVID-19: New requirements for work permit applications announced

    TURKEY   22 Sep 20

  • Residence permit processing to resume

    TURKEY   22 May 20

  • Minimum salaries increase

    TURKEY   15 Jan 20

  • Processing delayed for resident permits

    TURKEY   3 Oct 19

  • First-time work permit fees now must be paid...

    TURKEY   28 Jun 19

  • Online account required for address renewals

    TURKEY   26 Jun 19

  • General Migration Directorate stops accepting mailed renewals 

    TURKEY   20 May 19

  • Minimum salaries increase

    TURKEY   25 Jan 19

  • Thresholds for citizenship by investment lowered

    TURKEY   3 Dec 18

  • Updated employment contracts now required for work permit...

    TURKEY   29 Nov 18

  • Exit permits taking significantly longer to process

    TURKEY   13 Aug 18

  • Resident permit processing changes prompting backlogs, delays

    TURKEY   27 Jul 18

  • Transition to new application system causing delays

    TURKEY   27 Feb 18

  • Minimum wage gets a boost

    TURKEY   19 Jan 18

  • U.S., Turkey to resume regular visa issuance

    TURKEY, UNITED STATES   29 Dec 17

  • Turkish consulates in U.S. resume visa issuance, but...

    TURKEY, UNITED STATES   7 Dec 17

  • Turkey limits sticker visas upon entry to US...

    TURKEY, UNITED STATES   22 Nov 17

  • Turkey restarts visa issuance, but only in limited...

    TURKEY, UNITED STATES   10 Nov 17

  • U.S., Turkey resume nonimmigrant visa issuance

    TURKEY, UNITED STATES   7 Nov 17

  • U.S., Turkey suspend visa issuance

    TURKEY, UNITED STATES   9 Oct 17

  • Ban on Turkish nationals to be lifted

    RUSSIAN FEDERATION, TURKEY   14 Jun 17

  • Turkey publishes ‘Turquoise Card’ regulations

    TURKEY   17 Mar 17

  • Istanbul residence permit appointments scheduled for early 2017...

    TURKEY   5 Oct 16

  • Changes to residence permit rules included in new...

    TURKEY   28 Sep 16

  • State Department issues security message on possible attacks

    TURKEY, UNITED STATES   26 Sep 16

  • Immigration law introduces ‘Turquoise Card,’ changes to work permit...

    TURKEY   22 Aug 16

  • Foreign residents in Istanbul must attend appointment to...

    TURKEY   11 Aug 16

  • U.S. warns of travel to Turkey after failed...

    TURKEY, UNITED STATES   18 Jul 16

  • Turkey in turmoil; companies advised to account for...

    TURKEY   15 Jul 16

  • EU agrees to faster progress on Turkey visa...

    EUROPEAN UNION, TURKEY   24 Mar 16

  • Closing of German missions may delay processing

    GERMANY, TURKEY   17 Mar 16

  • London consulate alters work visa application process

    TURKEY   8 Feb 16

  • Higher minimum salaries set

    TURKEY   22 Jan 16

  • Russia imposes new restrictions on Turkey

    RUSSIAN FEDERATION, TURKEY   14 Jan 16

  • Expatriates required to obtain new driver’s license within...

    TURKEY   8 Jan 16

  • New process takes effect for business and work...

    TURKEY   7 Jan 16

  • Russia to impose visa, work permit sanctions on...

    RUSSIAN FEDERATION, TURKEY   30 Nov 15

  • Resident permit delays persist in Istanbul

    TURKEY   25 Nov 15

  • Offices to close for Republic Day

    TURKEY   20 Oct 15

  • U.S. Consulate in Istanbul closed following gun attack

    TURKEY, UNITED STATES   10 Aug 15

  • Changes to residence-permit processing causing delays, difficulties

    TURKEY   21 May 15

  • Consulates instructed to issue multiple-entry Assembly, Maintenance and...

    TURKEY   12 Feb 15

  • Applicants face stricter rules for in-country work permits,...

    TURKEY   3 Feb 15

  • Foreign workers will be barred entry if passports...

    TURKEY   3 Dec 14

  • New rules to limit in-country applications by foreign...

    TURKEY   13 Nov 14

  • Major changes to residence permits coming next month

    TURKEY   19 Mar 14

  • Turkey Ramping Up Use of E-Visas

    TURKEY   8 Nov 13

  • Protests Impact Immigration Processing

    TURKEY   13 Jun 13

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