Work Permits in Turkey: August 2026 Update to Employment and Financial Criteria

An amendment effective from 3 August 2026 may facilitate certain work permit applications in Turkey by broadening access to an exception from employment and financial adequacy criteria.

Who May Benefit?

Under Section A/4.1 of the Ministry’s Work Permit Evaluation Criteria, the exception concerns domestic work permit applications for foreigners who have legally stayed in Turkey for at least one year within the three years preceding the application, under a work permit, residence permit or international protection.

For qualifying applications, the criteria provide for the non-application of employment and financial adequacy requirements, subject to a limit of three qualifying foreign nationals per workplace.

The Criteria Have Not Been Abolished

The amendment does not remove work permit requirements generally. In particular:

• The number of foreign nationals working under work permits at the workplace must not exceed the number of Turkish employees.

• Applications for the fourth and subsequent qualifying foreign nationals remain subject to the employment and financial adequacy requirements specified in Section A/4.3.

• The exception does not itself waive the applicable salary criteria or other work permit requirements.

How Will the Exception Be Applied?

The amendment is expected to make applications easier for eligible foreign nationals and their employers. However, its practical scope remains subject to clarification through the Directorate General of International Labour Force’s implementation.