Work permits for doctors
It is not possible for non-Turkish doctors and dentists to work in their profession in Turkey.
I want to respond to two different questions about work permits and pension systems. The first question is from Gilda. She asks,
“Dear Sir,
I am a dentist who graduated from Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary, 2006. My nationality is Iranian and because of my sister’s job in Turkey I would like to have some information about working in Turkey, after my graduation I returned to Tehran. And I studied two more equivalency terms in Tehran at Azad Dental University, and then I started to work as a dentist.
Could you please kindly give me some information, if there is a possibility for me to work as a dentist in Turkey, and if yes what are the terms and conditions? I appreciate your kindness before. Sincerely yours, Gilda.”
Dear Gilda, I gave an answer to a similar question about this issue already, but I can give the answer to you again.
In Turkey, three types of work permits are given. These types are for definite periods, indefinite periods and independent work permits (for more information about work permits, you can look at my article dated Dec. 12, 2009). However, for foreign doctors (including dentists), obtaining a work permit is not enough to work. In this regard there is a very important arrangement with Law No. 1219. According to this arrangement, non-Turkish citizens cannot work as a doctor in Turkey. So, without Turkish citizenship, you cannot work in Turkey as a dentist.
On the other hand, in very exceptional cases, some doctors can work without being Turkish citizens. But in these cases, a diploma equivalency and an interview with a professors’ jury may be necessary. As a result, working in Turkey as a foreign doctor (dentist) is difficult, if not impossible.
[HH] Turkish pension system
The second question is from Yelda. She asks,
“Hello Mr. Orhan,
I would like to ask a few questions about the Turkish Pension Plan and how we can qualify to receive a pension in Turkey while living outside of Turkey. For instance my father has had CPP from Canada for 45 years and some from Germany and some from Turkey. Could we apply for a pension plan in Turkey? I was born in Canada and also have earnings from CPP in Canada; what would be the requirements for myself? If you could be of some assistance to would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, Yelda.”
Dear Yelda, in Turkey, the general rule for foreigners is to cover them under the pension system. However, there are some exceptions, which are found in Law No. 5510. According to current arrangements, members of the following groups are not considered to be insured:
- Citizens of countries that signed a social-security agreement with Turkey based on the reciprocity principle;
- People who were sent to Turkey by an institution established abroad and can certify that they are subject to the insurance system in their own country and;
- Self-employed people who reside abroad and are subject to the social-security legislation of their own country.
If you and your father live in Turkey and are not in the above groups, you can apply to the Turkish pension system.
Hurriyet Daily News/31.12.2010
I want to respond to two different questions about work permits and pension systems. The first question is from Gilda. She asks,
“Dear Sir,
I am a dentist who graduated from Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary, 2006. My nationality is Iranian and because of my sister’s job in Turkey I would like to have some information about working in Turkey, after my graduation I returned to Tehran. And I studied two more equivalency terms in Tehran at Azad Dental University, and then I started to work as a dentist.
Could you please kindly give me some information, if there is a possibility for me to work as a dentist in Turkey, and if yes what are the terms and conditions? I appreciate your kindness before. Sincerely yours, Gilda.”
Dear Gilda, I gave an answer to a similar question about this issue already, but I can give the answer to you again.
In Turkey, three types of work permits are given. These types are for definite periods, indefinite periods and independent work permits (for more information about work permits, you can look at my article dated Dec. 12, 2009). However, for foreign doctors (including dentists), obtaining a work permit is not enough to work. In this regard there is a very important arrangement with Law No. 1219. According to this arrangement, non-Turkish citizens cannot work as a doctor in Turkey. So, without Turkish citizenship, you cannot work in Turkey as a dentist.
On the other hand, in very exceptional cases, some doctors can work without being Turkish citizens. But in these cases, a diploma equivalency and an interview with a professors’ jury may be necessary. As a result, working in Turkey as a foreign doctor (dentist) is difficult, if not impossible.
[HH] Turkish pension system
The second question is from Yelda. She asks,
“Hello Mr. Orhan,
I would like to ask a few questions about the Turkish Pension Plan and how we can qualify to receive a pension in Turkey while living outside of Turkey. For instance my father has had CPP from Canada for 45 years and some from Germany and some from Turkey. Could we apply for a pension plan in Turkey? I was born in Canada and also have earnings from CPP in Canada; what would be the requirements for myself? If you could be of some assistance to would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, Yelda.”
Dear Yelda, in Turkey, the general rule for foreigners is to cover them under the pension system. However, there are some exceptions, which are found in Law No. 5510. According to current arrangements, members of the following groups are not considered to be insured:
- Citizens of countries that signed a social-security agreement with Turkey based on the reciprocity principle;
- People who were sent to Turkey by an institution established abroad and can certify that they are subject to the insurance system in their own country and;
- Self-employed people who reside abroad and are subject to the social-security legislation of their own country.
If you and your father live in Turkey and are not in the above groups, you can apply to the Turkish pension system.
Hurriyet Daily News/31.12.2010
