Travel and Visa Info for Turkey - B A L | Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP

At a Glance

Capital	Ankara
Language	Turkish
Population	84,339,000
GDP Total	$771.4 billion
GDP Per Capita	$9,367.90

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 © 2021 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

5 May 21

Turkey

At a Glance

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

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

What types of activities require work authorization?

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

Is it possible to be exempted from work authorization requirements?

News and Events

COVID-19: Travel restrictions updated, lockdown in effect

Minimum salary requirements for work permits announced

COVID-19: New requirements for work permit applications announced

Residence permit processing to resume

Minimum salaries increase

Processing delayed for resident permits

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

Online account required for address renewals

General Migration Directorate stops accepting mailed renewals

Minimum salaries increase

At a Glance

Turkey

At a Glance

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

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

What types of activities require work authorization?

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

Is it possible to be exempted from work authorization requirements?

News and Events

At a Glance

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