Requirements for Hiring Foreign Workers in Türkiye 2026: Step-by-Step Work Permit Guide for Employers
5:1 Turkish-employee rule, capital threshold, wage multipliers, e-İzin documents, 2026 fees and the 13-21 week timeline. The employer files; IMP prepares the Pakistan side.
Who Files?
The employer, on the e-İzin system via e-Devlet. IMP prepares the candidate file.
How Long?
Official evaluation 30 days; in practice 4-12 weeks. End to end 13-21 weeks.
2026 Fees
12,574.90 ₺ permit fee + 964 ₺ card fee (1-year permit, ÇSGB).
Permit Length
First permit up to 1 year; renewals 2, then 3 years.
Requirements for Employing Foreign Workers
The Ministry of Labour and Social Security (ÇSGB) assesses every application on three employer criteria: Turkish-employee ratio, financial capacity and the wage offered. These are the employer's to meet; IMP prepares the candidate side.
The 5:1 Turkish-Employee Rule
At least 5 Turkish citizens must be employed at the same workplace for every foreign worker. Exemptions: companies with net sales of 50,000,000 ₺ or more are exempt for their first 5 foreigners; foreigners with at least 3 years of legal residence in the last 5 (max. 3 per company) are assessed outside the ratio and financial criteria.
Capital / Turnover Threshold
Newly established company: at least 500,000 ₺ paid-in capital. Company operating for more than a year: one of 500,000 ₺ paid-in capital, 8,000,000 ₺ net sales, or USD 150,000 exports.
Wage Multipliers (2026 Gross Minimum Wage: 33,030 ₺)
| Position | Multiplier | Monthly Gross (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Senior managers, pilots | 5× | 165,150 ₺ |
| Engineers, architects | 4× | 132,120 ₺ |
| Other managers | 3× | 99,090 ₺ |
| Skilled trades (welders, electricians, etc.) | 2× | 66,060 ₺ |
| Household services, general labour | 1× | 33,030 ₺ |
Sector Restrictions
Applications for unskilled positions in construction, cleaning and agriculture are generally rejected by the Ministry. IMP presents candidates as certified tradesmen (welders, electricians, formworkers, ironworkers); no general-labourer applications are filed.
Have the Rules Changed? Is the 5:1 Rule Gone?
As of this guide's last update on 2 September 2026, the 5:1 rule, the capital/turnover threshold and the wage multipliers are in force in ÇSGB's evaluation criteria. Criteria can change by regulation, so confirm the current text on e-İzin and ÇSGB before filing.
Documents Required for a Foreign Work Permit
Employer Documents
- Trade registry / company registration
- Tax compliance certificate
- Latest balance sheet and profit/loss statement (tax office or sworn advisor approved)
- SGK workplace registration
- Employment contract (Turkish + English/Urdu)
- Letter explaining why a foreign worker is needed
Worker Documents (prepared by IMP)
- Valid passport (certified translation if not Latin script)
- Diplomas / educational certificates (if applicable)
- Trade certificates and skills-test results
- Passport photographs
- Medical report
- Certified translations
How to Obtain a Work Permit for Foreigners: the e-İzin Process (8 Steps)
How Many Days Does a Work Permit Take?
| Step | Duration | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Employer preparation | 1-2 weeks | Week 2 |
| 2. IMP candidate preparation | 2-3 weeks | Week 4 |
| 3. e-İzin application | 1 week | Week 5 |
| 4. Consulate application | Parallel | Week 5 |
| 5. Ministry evaluation | 4-12 weeks | Week 9-17 |
| 6. Fee payment and card | 1-2 weeks | Week 11-19 |
| 7. Visa and travel | 1-2 weeks | Week 12-20 |
| 8. Registration and start | 1 week | Week 13-21 |
Total: 13-21 weeks (3-5 months). The Ministry's official time for a complete file is 30 days; in practice up to 90 days.
Cost Items for the Employer
| Item | Amount (2026) | Who Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Work permit fee (1 year) | 12,574.90 ₺ | Employer |
| Card fee (valuable paper) | 964 ₺ | Employer |
| SGK employer share | ≈ 22.5% of gross wage | Employer |
| Income tax | Progressive (15-40%) | Deducted from worker's wage |
| Legal / translation | 5,000-15,000 ₺ | Employer |
| IMP service fee | Per contract | Employer |
| Travel | Per contract | Per contract |
If the fee and card fee are not paid within 30 days of the approval notice, the application is rejected (ÇSGB).
Work Permit Renewal
The first permit is granted for up to 1 year, the first renewal for 2 years and the second for 3 years (same employer). The renewal application must be filed on e-İzin at least 2 months before expiry. Take the current renewal document list from the e-İzin system.
Go to the e-İzin systemThe Cost of Employing Without a Permit
Per the ÇSGB administrative fines list, an employer who employs a foreigner without a work permit faces a 2026 fine of 102,503 ₺ per foreigner; it doubles on repeat. SGK sanctions apply separately. ÇSGB
Fine amounts and the legal route →What You Do, What IMP Does
Employer
- Meets the 5:1 ratio and capital/turnover threshold
- Files on e-İzin, submits physical documents within 6 working days
- Pays the fee and card fee within 30 days
- Registers the worker with SGK from day one
IMP
- Selection from an established candidate database and trade testing
- Passport, medical report, certificates, translations — a complete candidate file
- Free A1 Turkish and workplace-safety training
- Islamabad/Karachi consulate process, deployment and placement, welfare follow-up
Questions About Foreign Work Permits
Türkiye vs Other IMP Markets
| Factor | Türkiye | UAE | Saudi Arabia | Serbia |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Processing Time | 13-21 weeks | 4-8 weeks | 6-12 weeks | 8-14 weeks |
| Government Fees | 12,574.90 ₺ + 964 ₺ | $500-1,500 | $800-2,000 | €700-1,200 |
| Quota | 5:1 Turkish-employee ratio | Employer-specific | Employer-specific | No |
| Permit Duration | 1 → 2 → 3 years | 2-3 years | 1-2 years | Up to 3 years |
| Permanent Work Permit | After 8 years | Very difficult | Very difficult | After 3 years |
Türkiye figures are from the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (ÇSGB). The UAE, Saudi Arabia and Serbia columns are indicative only, are not sourced to those countries' authorities, and must be confirmed with the relevant authority before budgeting.
If You Meet the Criteria, We Prepare the Candidates
24-hour response. Free consultation.
Office No.4, Al-Falah Askaria Plaza, Committee Chowk, Rawalpindi, Punjab