1. Main Visa and Work Permit Types

1. Short-Term Visits and eVisa

Depending on nationality and travel document, short entry may be visa-free or require an eVisa or consular visa. The eVisa is mainly for tourism or trade. Any requirement for a valid third-country visa or supporting document depends on the applicant’s nationality and conditions.

Visitor status does not cover ordinary local employment, continuing services, or long-term on-site projects. The visa usage period, entries, and cumulative stay are separate concepts; long visa validity does not allow continuous residence for the same period.

2. Employer-Sponsored Fixed-Term Work Permit

Turkish employers must meet applicable assessment criteria. Generally, each foreign employee requires at least five Turkish citizen employees. Employer financial capacity may be assessed from paid-in capital, net sales, or exports, with exceptions for some sectors or entities.

Education, qualifications, and the actual role must align, and regulated professions may require prior authorization. Salary is generally assessed as a multiple of the gross minimum wage: five times for senior executives and pilots, four for engineers and architects, three for other managers, two for professional or skilled roles, and one for other eligible roles. Sector-specific standards may also apply.

The first fixed-term permit is valid for up to one year and cannot exceed the contract term. With the same employer, the first extension may be up to two years and later extensions up to three years. The permit provides work and residence rights only within the approved employer, role, and scope.

3. Work Permit Exemption

Exemptions apply to legally specified activities, not simply because a contract or stay is short or salary is paid overseas. Installation, technical service, research, and similar work must match the relevant exemption provision, period, and evidence requirements.

An exemption does not automatically remove visa, lawful-entry, residence, or registration duties. The actual work period follows the exemption approval. Changes to the task, client, or project period require reassessment and possibly a new exemption or permit.

2. Entry, Family Members, and Other Arrangements

1. Entry and Stay

Eligibility to apply inside Turkey depends on the residence category already held and statutory conditions. Tourist status or an eVisa does not itself establish eligibility for an in-country work permit application. Overseas applications must also meet work-entry requirements. Employers and employees must comply with social insurance and address registration after employment begins.

2. Family Members and Other Statuses

Eligible family members may apply under family residence rules, but do not automatically receive work rights. They need their own work permit or exemption. Long-term lawful workers may consider an indefinite permit; independent operators and high-level talent may consider an independent permit or Turquoise Card, each with separate eligibility and approval rules.

3. Extensions, Changes, Termination, and Status Maintenance

A fixed-term permit authorizes only the approved employer, role, and work scope. Pending renewal, employer change, or status adjustment does not automatically extend or transfer the original authorization.

4. How sailglobal Can Help

If a company plans business visits, local employment, short projects, or family accompaniment in Turkey, sailglobal can help explain the applicable route and requirements based on status, duties, employment arrangement, and travel plan.

Applications are independently decided by the competent authorities. sailglobal does not guarantee approval or a fixed issuance date.