What law governs immigration and residence permits in Turkey?

Immigration and residence permits in Turkey are governed by the Law on Foreigners and International Protection No. 6458 (YUKK), which entered into force on April 11, 2014. The law establishes categories of residence permits under Articles 30-46 including short-term, family, student, long-term, and humanitarian residence permits, administered by the Directorate General of Migration Management.

How can a foreigner obtain a work permit in Turkey?

Foreign nationals can obtain work permits under the International Labor Law No. 6735 by applying through the Ministry of Labor and Social Security. Employers must submit applications electronically, and the foreign worker must hold a valid residence permit or apply simultaneously. The law requires that the employer's workforce does not exceed a 1-to-5 ratio of foreign to Turkish employees as a general principle.

What is the Turquoise Card in Turkey?

The Turquoise Card is a special permit under Article 11 of the International Labor Law No. 6735, granting indefinite work and residence rights to highly qualified foreign professionals, investors, scientists, and athletes. It functions similarly to a permanent residency and work authorization combined, and holders' spouses and dependents also receive residence permits.

How long must a foreigner reside in Turkey to get long-term residence?

Under Article 42 of YUKK No. 6458, foreign nationals who have resided in Turkey continuously and legally for at least eight years, or who meet conditions set by the Ministry of Interior, may apply for a long-term residence permit. Long-term residents enjoy most rights accorded to Turkish citizens except voting, military service, and public office.

Can a foreigner start a business and get a residence permit in Turkey?

Yes, under Article 31(j) of YUKK No. 6458, foreigners who establish a business in Turkey can apply for a short-term residence permit. Additionally, the Foreign Direct Investment Law No. 4875 allows foreigners to establish or acquire companies with the same rights as Turkish citizens. Business owners may also apply for work permits under Law No. 6735 as company shareholders.

How to Migrate Live & Work in Türkiye?

Migrating to Turkey involves three legal pathways: obtaining a residence permit (short-term, family, student, or long-term under Law No. 6458), securing a work permit (through the Ministry of Labor and Social Security under Law No. 4817), or acquiring citizenship (through investment, marriage, or naturalization). For employment, foreign workers need a work permit before starting employment; the employer files the application and the foreign worker’s quota and sector restrictions apply. Self-employed individuals can obtain an independent work permit after 5 years of legal residency. Living costs in Turkey are significantly lower than EU averages: average rent in major cities ranges from $400-$800/month for a one-bedroom apartment. Healthcare is accessible through SGK (Social Security) enrollment for work permit holders or private insurance for residence permit holders. The taxation threshold for residency is 183 days per calendar year.

Moving to Turkey? Here’s How to Migrate and Work in Türkiye

Türkiye has become one of the world’s most attraction places for foreigners across the world to live, with its rich and deep culture and warm hospitality a lot of tourists during their visit intends to extend or move to Türkiye to live but many new residence do not know the procedures and the accurate steps to take prior coming to Türkiye and in this article we are going to talk about the most important points that every potential residence need to do when they arrive to Türkiye. Türkiye can be a very attractive spot to establish a business with it’s massive market and strong market it is very competitive but not hard to start a business in, most of the foreigners moving to Türkiye establish their business to make a living and this is the part where lawyers come in, if you are willing to establish a business within Türkiye it is always recommended to consult a lawyer prior any step or decision to make. Establishing a company can reflect in various benefits for the investor where they can obtain a residence permit based on their work, and this is the first thing all newcomers to Türkiye should be aware.

Residence:

Having a legal residence in Türkiye is one of the most important documents any newcomer should do, there are different types of residence permit starting from:

Temporary residence permit
Long-term residence permit
Investor residence permit
Student residence permit

it is highly recommended to contact a lawyer to get the advice on which type of residence permit is suitable in your case since getting a rejection on a wrong residence permit can cause a decision of deportation from the Turkish authorities to your home country. You can apply for a long-term residence permit and eventually become a permanent resident if you’ve had a residence permit and have lived in Türkiye for at least eight years straight. The long-term residence permit has an unlimited validity period.

Serka Law Firm Investment And Company Consultancy in Turkey - How to Migrate Live & Work in Türkiye?

Living Costs:

A lot of people do not know the costs and assume that living in Türkiye is as expensive as Europe, that is a false thought where Türkiye is much cheaper to live with more options than Europe, Türkiye’s racing time and getting developed in a very quick way. A small comparison regarding the living costs in Türkiye and the United States, Türkiye is 60% less cheap to live in from the educational sector, health and lifestyle and Türkiye has an excellent healthcare system. For many years, the country has worked on transforming the healthcare system, making it more accessible and of great quality. As a result, Türkiye is now known as a tourist medical destination and it’s whether due to its location and size Türkiye has many climatic regions. You can also enjoy the four seasons. Nevertheless, the winters are mild, and if you are someone that seeks sun whenever you can, Türkiye might be the best place for you.

Language:

One of the main complaints of foreigners who move to Türkiye is their lack of Turkish language skills. You must know at least the fundamentals if you want to conduct any official business or work there. Turkish is preferred by the locals as well however, learning Turkish Language is not difficult at all where there are plenty of tutors whether online or in institutes that teaches the language for foreigners as well as Türkiye is well known for its warm people and welcoming ways. They enjoy sharing their food and culture with visitors from other countries and are willing to assist when necessary. Additionally, there are lots of expat hubs and you can easily make friends which helps to gain the language very quickly and easy.

Locations:

As mentioned earlier Türkiye has a huge location and massive cities but the most loved cities for foreigners to live in are:

Istanbul.
Ankara.
Izmir.
Bodrum.
Antalya
Alanya

There are more places to live in but since these cities have a good number of foreigners living these cities are more preferable.

Immigration by Investment:

You can get real estate for yourself and your family by buying a property of value (at least $75,000 in big cities and $50,000 in small cities). Of course, you should keep in mind that property prices in Türkiye vary from city to city. When buying these properties if the property is above 75 thousand dollars you will be eligible to obtain a residence permit as an investor and if you decide to increase your investment amount up to 400,000 thousand dollars you are able to get the Turkish Citizenship within few months of legal process, in these situations we always advice our clients to have an expert lawyer to handle all the legal procedures in order to obtain the citizenship without any difficulties.

Immigration by work:

If you intend to immigrate to Türkiye this way, you must first agree with a Turkish employer to allow you to work in Türkiye. In general, to get your work visa, you must go to the Turkish embassy or consulate in your country with documents and an invitation from the business owner.

Conditions for obtaining a work permit in Türkiye:

Obtaining a residence permit for tourist destinations with a validity period of at least one month is mandatory.
The company must hire five Turkish citizens for each foreign employee, except for the owner of the company.
The capital of the company must be at least 100,000 Turkish Liras.
The company must pay all relevant taxes.
The company must be committed to pay all social insurances

In conclusion if you want to migrate and live in Türkiye, follow these key steps:

Obtain a legal residence permit suitable for your situation, with the help of our experienced lawyers.
Türkiye offers affordable living costs, excellent healthcare, and diverse climates.
Learn the basics of the Turkish language for better integration.
Consider popular cities like Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Bodrum, Antalya, and Alanya.
Explore immigration options through real estate investment or securing employment with a Turkish employer.
Consult an expert lawyer to navigate the legal procedures smoothly.

By following these steps, you can enjoy Türkiye’s rich culture, affordable lifestyle, and various opportunities.