10 Major Mistakes in Work Permit Applications in Türkiye
Obtaining a work permit in Türkiye (Turkey) can be a complex process involving multiple administrative steps, legal requirements, and coordination between the foreign employee and the Turkish employer. Despite clear regulations set by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, many applications fail or are delayed due to avoidable mistakes. Below are the 10 major errors frequently seen in work permit applications:
1. Incomplete or Incorrect Documentation
One of the most common mistakes is submitting incomplete or inaccurate documents. Missing apostilles, expired passports, incomplete employment contracts, or improperly prepared notarized translations can lead to automatic rejection.
2. Not Meeting Minimum Capital Requirements for Company-Sponsored Applications
For companies applying on behalf of a foreign employee, failing to meet the legal minimum capital requirement (currently 500,000 TL paid capital) results in rejection. Many companies overlook this criterion when submitting the application.
3. Hiring a Foreign Employee Without Meeting Staff Ratio Requirements
According to Turkish law, there must be at least five Turkish citizens employed for every foreigner a company wants to hire (the 5:1 ratio rule). Ignoring this requirement causes the work permit application to be rejected.
4. Ignoring Application Deadlines
Missing crucial deadlines—such as submitting supporting documents within 6 business days after the online application—is a leading cause of automatic denial. Some applicants also forget the 30-day timeframe for residence permit holders to switch to work permit status.
5. Incorrect Position or Job Description in Application
The declared job title must match both the employment contract and the Turkish Labor Code's list of permitted positions for foreign workers. Applying for restricted professions (e.g., dentistry, pharmacy, law) for foreigners is strictly prohibited.
6. Failure to Align Employer and Employee Declarations
Discrepancies between the information provided by the employer and the foreign employee—such as salary amount, job title, or duration of employment—can trigger suspicion and result in rejection or delay.
7. Submitting Inadequate Salary Offers
The employer must commit to paying the foreign employee at least the minimum wage level prescribed for that position. Offering a salary below the official threshold (which varies by sector and position) leads to immediate rejection.
8. Lack of Valid Residence Status Prior to Application
A common mistake for in-country applicants is failing to ensure that the foreign employee holds a valid residence permit. Work permit applications submitted by foreigners whose visas or residence permits have expired are automatically declined.
9. Misunderstanding Work Permit Exemptions
Some employers wrongly assume that certain foreign nationals (e.g., shareholders, company directors, or spouses of Turkish citizens) are exempt from work permit requirements. This misconception often leads to unintentional illegal employment practices.
10. Relying on Unqualified Intermediaries
Using unqualified "consultants" agents often results in improperly prepared applications or even fraudulent submissions. It's essential to use experienced legal or certified immigration professionals to manage the process correctly.
Work permit procedures in Turkey demand careful attention to detail, strict compliance with labor laws, and timely action. Both employers and foreign employees should stay informed about regulations and avoid these common mistakes to ensure a smooth and successful application process.
You can work with our professional team to manage your work permit process with the least amount of errors and the most accurate method.
20.05.2025
Dr. Sadettin Orhan
Labor and Social Security Expert
Former Social Security Inspector
Obtaining a work permit in Türkiye (Turkey) can be a complex process involving multiple administrative steps, legal requirements, and coordination between the foreign employee and the Turkish employer. Despite clear regulations set by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, many applications fail or are delayed due to avoidable mistakes. Below are the 10 major errors frequently seen in work permit applications:
1. Incomplete or Incorrect Documentation
One of the most common mistakes is submitting incomplete or inaccurate documents. Missing apostilles, expired passports, incomplete employment contracts, or improperly prepared notarized translations can lead to automatic rejection.
2. Not Meeting Minimum Capital Requirements for Company-Sponsored Applications
For companies applying on behalf of a foreign employee, failing to meet the legal minimum capital requirement (currently 500,000 TL paid capital) results in rejection. Many companies overlook this criterion when submitting the application.
3. Hiring a Foreign Employee Without Meeting Staff Ratio Requirements
According to Turkish law, there must be at least five Turkish citizens employed for every foreigner a company wants to hire (the 5:1 ratio rule). Ignoring this requirement causes the work permit application to be rejected.
4. Ignoring Application Deadlines
Missing crucial deadlines—such as submitting supporting documents within 6 business days after the online application—is a leading cause of automatic denial. Some applicants also forget the 30-day timeframe for residence permit holders to switch to work permit status.
5. Incorrect Position or Job Description in Application
The declared job title must match both the employment contract and the Turkish Labor Code's list of permitted positions for foreign workers. Applying for restricted professions (e.g., dentistry, pharmacy, law) for foreigners is strictly prohibited.
6. Failure to Align Employer and Employee Declarations
Discrepancies between the information provided by the employer and the foreign employee—such as salary amount, job title, or duration of employment—can trigger suspicion and result in rejection or delay.
7. Submitting Inadequate Salary Offers
The employer must commit to paying the foreign employee at least the minimum wage level prescribed for that position. Offering a salary below the official threshold (which varies by sector and position) leads to immediate rejection.
8. Lack of Valid Residence Status Prior to Application
A common mistake for in-country applicants is failing to ensure that the foreign employee holds a valid residence permit. Work permit applications submitted by foreigners whose visas or residence permits have expired are automatically declined.
9. Misunderstanding Work Permit Exemptions
Some employers wrongly assume that certain foreign nationals (e.g., shareholders, company directors, or spouses of Turkish citizens) are exempt from work permit requirements. This misconception often leads to unintentional illegal employment practices.
10. Relying on Unqualified Intermediaries
Using unqualified "consultants" agents often results in improperly prepared applications or even fraudulent submissions. It's essential to use experienced legal or certified immigration professionals to manage the process correctly.
Work permit procedures in Turkey demand careful attention to detail, strict compliance with labor laws, and timely action. Both employers and foreign employees should stay informed about regulations and avoid these common mistakes to ensure a smooth and successful application process.
You can work with our professional team to manage your work permit process with the least amount of errors and the most accurate method.
20.05.2025
Dr. Sadettin Orhan
Labor and Social Security Expert
Former Social Security Inspector
