Turkey’s work permit process is deeply interlinked with its local employment law, social security, and tax regulations. Regardless of a foreign employee’s country of origin, any Turkish employer sponsoring a work permit must comply with these legal obligations.

Employer Responsibilities in Turkish Work Permit Applications

By default, the Turkish company sponsoring the work permit is legally recognized as the foreign employee’s employer. This remains true even if the foreign national is paid abroad—i.e., they are “posted” to Turkey from a foreign company while staying on that foreign payroll.

Since Turkish law views the corporate sponsor as the employer during the entire validity period of the work permit, a fully executed Turkish employment agreement is mandatory. This contract must be signed and sealed with wet signatures by both parties and must be submitted at two stages:

  • During the online application with the Ministry of Labor
  • At the visa filing stage

Important: Offer letters or non-Turkish employment agreements with the foreign sending company are not accepted as substitutes.

Legal Obligations During Employment in Turkey

Foreign nationals who hold Turkish work permits are subject to Turkish labor laws, which include:

  • Employer’s obligation to provide social security and health insurance contributions or a valid Certificate of Coverage
  • Adherence to termination restrictions under Turkish employment law
  • Compliance with data privacy regulations under Turkey’s Data Protection Law (KVKK), which aligns closely with the EU’s GDPR

Risk of Non-Compliance and Red Flags

As Turkish work permits are overseen by a directorate within the Ministry of Labor, any perceived or actual non-compliance—either during application or renewal, or during a Ministry inspection—can trigger further scrutiny.

Violations may be escalated to relevant government bodies, including:

  • Social Security Institute
  • Employee Health and Safety authorities
  • National Health Care

Key Takeaways for Employers in Turkey (2025)

  • Always file a Turkish employment agreement for work permit applications.
  • Ensure strict compliance with labor, social security, and data protection laws.
  • Understand that even minor discrepancies can lead to inspections or penalties.
Maria Lianides Çelebi
Senior Partner | maria.celebi@bener.com