What Changed on 3 August 2026?
This Turkey Work Permit Update covers the changes to the Work Permit Evaluation Criteria that became effective on 3 August 2026. Certain provisions of the criteria applied by the Directorate General of International Labour Force under the Ministry of Labour and Social Security were updated, introducing new exemptions and sector-specific rules.
The changes were not introduced through a separate law or an amendment published in the Official Gazette. The Directorate General updated the criteria under the authority granted by Article 7(6) of International Labour Force Law No. 6735 and Articles 21 and 22 of the Regulation on the Implementation of the International Labour Force Law.
Article 22(3) of the Regulation authorises the Directorate General to update the evaluation criteria at six-month intervals and publish the updated rules on its official website.
For a broader overview of the work permit process, eligibility requirements and application procedures, see our Work Permit in Turkey Guide.
1. Foreign Nationals with a History of Lawful Stay in Türkiye
A foreign national may qualify for the new exemption if, during the three years preceding the work permit application date, the individual lawfully remained in Türkiye for at least one year under one of the following statuses:
- A work permit
- A residence permit
- International protection status
For in-country work permit applications filed on behalf of these foreign nationals, the employment and financial eligibility criteria will not apply for up to three foreign nationals at the same workplace.
The exemption is subject to the following conditions:
- The application must be filed from within Türkiye.
- The foreign national must document at least one year of lawful stay during the preceding three years.
- No more than three foreign nationals may benefit from the exemption at the same workplace.
- The number of foreign nationals employed under the exemption must not exceed the number of Turkish citizens employed at the same workplace.
If more than three qualifying foreign nationals will be employed at the same workplace, the employer must satisfy the requirement to employ five Turkish citizens and meet the applicable financial eligibility criteria separately for the fourth and each subsequent foreign national.
This exemption removes only the employment and financial eligibility criteria. Salary thresholds, professional qualification requirements, restrictions concerning professions reserved for Turkish citizens and applicable sector-specific approvals continue to apply.
Change Compared with the Previous Rule
Under the previous criteria, the foreign national was required to have lawfully remained in Türkiye for at least three years during the preceding five years. Periods spent under a student residence permit were expressly excluded.
Under the current official criteria:
- The five-year reference period has been reduced to three years.
- The three-year lawful-stay requirement has been reduced to one year.
The current wording does not contain a separate exclusion for periods spent under a student residence permit. Nevertheless, each application remains subject to an individual assessment by the Ministry based on the supporting documents and circumstances of the case.
This change is one of the most significant aspects of the Turkey Work Permit Update, as it substantially reduces the previous lawful-stay requirement.
2. Manufacturing Sector
Work permit applications in the manufacturing sector are assessed by reference to the total number of Turkish citizens employed by the business throughout Türkiye.
Where additional foreign labour is required, until 31 December 2027:
- A work permit application may be filed for one foreign national for every five Turkish citizens employed at the relevant manufacturing workplace or branch.
- These applications will be assessed under an exemption from the general employment criterion.
- The calculation is made on a workplace or branch basis.
3. Poultry Farming Sector
Work permit applications in the poultry farming sector are assessed by reference to the total number of Turkish citizens employed by the business throughout Türkiye.
Where additional foreign labour is needed for animal-care, poultry-maintenance and similar positions, until 31 December 2027:
- One foreign national may be employed for every five Turkish citizens working at the relevant workplace or branch.
- These applications will be assessed under an exemption from the general employment criterion.
For a workplace employing fewer than five Turkish citizens, the employment and financial eligibility criteria will not apply for up to two foreign nationals, provided that:
- The application is filed from within Türkiye; and
- The number of foreign nationals employed within this scope does not exceed the number of Turkish citizens employed at the workplace.
4. Recycling Sector
Work permit applications for workplaces engaged in waste collection, recovery and disposal activities are assessed by reference to the total number of Turkish citizens employed by the business throughout Türkiye.
Where additional foreign labour is required for collection, recycling work and similar positions, until 31 December 2027:
- One foreign national may be employed for every five Turkish citizens working at the relevant workplace or branch.
- These applications will be assessed under an exemption from the general employment criterion.
For a workplace employing fewer than five Turkish citizens, the employment and financial eligibility criteria will not apply for up to two foreign nationals, provided that:
- The application is filed from within Türkiye; and
- The number of foreign nationals employed within this scope does not exceed the number of Turkish citizens employed at the workplace.
5. Foreign Nationals Who Have Remained in Türkiye for at Least Eight Years
The employment, financial eligibility and salary criteria will not apply to work permit applications filed on behalf of foreign nationals who have remained in Türkiye for at least eight years under one or more of the following statuses:
- Work permit
- Short-term residence permit
- Family residence permit
- Student residence permit
- Long-term residence permit
- Humanitarian residence permit
- Residence permit issued to a victim of human trafficking
The foreign national must prove the qualifying status and period of stay through documents issued by the relevant public authorities.
Meeting these conditions does not create an automatic entitlement to a work permit. The Ministry will continue to assess the application under the applicable legislation, public-order considerations, professional qualification requirements and the specific circumstances of the case.
6. Change of Employer or Sector During the First Six Months
Where a work permit has been issued under a sector-, occupation- or job-specific exemption, an in-country application filed within the first six months to work:
- For a different employer, or
- Outside the sector, occupation or job for which the exemption was granted
may be rejected unless force majeure circumstances apply.
Important Notice
An exemption from the evaluation criteria is not an exemption from the requirement to obtain a work permit. A work permit application must still be filed, and the Ministry retains discretion to approve or reject the application.
The exemptions introduced under the Turkey Work Permit Update affect the evaluation criteria only and do not remove the requirement to obtain a valid work permit.
Source: Directorate General of International Labour Force – Work Permit Evaluation Criteria