A foreign entrepreneur may establish and own 100% of a Turkish company, but ownership of the company does not automatically give that entrepreneur the right to work in Türkiye.

If a foreign founder intends to move to Türkiye and actively:

• manage the company;
• work as CEO;
• supervise employees;
• negotiate contracts;
• operate the company’s bank accounts;
• provide services;
• manage customers; or
• conduct the company’s day-to-day business,

the founder should determine whether a Turkish work permit is required before beginning those activities.

Under Law No. 6735 on International Labour Force, foreigners falling within the scope of the legislation generally need a work permit or a valid work permit exemption before working in Türkiye.

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security expressly confirms that work permits are the official documents giving foreigners the right to work and reside in Türkiye during their validity period.

For foreign company partners, Türkiye currently applies specific financial, shareholding and employment criteria.

As of August 2026, the ordinary rules generally require:

• at least TRY 500,000 paid-in company capital;
• at least TRY 500,000 capital contribution by the foreign partner;
• at least 20% ownership by the foreign partner; and
• employment of at least five Turkish citizens, generally beginning from the seventh month of the first work permit.

However, exceptions, alternative work permit categories and special rules may apply.

This guide explains the process step by step.

1. Does a Foreign Entrepreneur Need a Work Permit in Türkiye?

The answer depends on whether the entrepreneur merely owns the company or actually works in Türkiye.

A foreigner may own shares in a Turkish company without automatically requiring an ordinary work permit merely because of that investment.

For example:

Passive Foreign Investor

A French investor owns 30% of a Turkish startup but:

• lives in Paris;
• does not manage the company;
• does not work from Türkiye; and
• participates only as an investor.

This person’s situation differs from that of an active founder.

Active Foreign Entrepreneur

A British founder:

• owns 100% of a Turkish SaaS company;
• lives in İstanbul;
• acts as company manager;
• supervises employees;
• negotiates customer contracts; and
• works every day for the business.

The founder is actively working in Türkiye.

A work permit analysis is therefore required.

The Ministry specifically distinguishes active foreign company partners from certain non-resident board members and non-managing partners who may fall within the work permit exemption framework.

2. What Is the Legal Basis for a Turkish Work Permit?

The principal legislation is:

Law No. 6735 on International Labour Force.

The work permit regime is administered primarily by the:

Ministry of Labour and Social Security – Directorate General of International Labour Force.

Work permit applications are evaluated according to:

• Turkish labour market conditions;
• international labour force policy;
• the foreigner’s qualifications;
• the company’s financial position;
• employment contribution;
• the foreigner’s role;
• statutory evaluation criteria; and
• sector-specific requirements.

Accordingly, establishing a company does not create an automatic entitlement to a permit.

3. Can a Foreign Founder Apply as a Company Partner?

Yes.

Foreign entrepreneurs who establish or become shareholders of Turkish companies may apply for work authorization as foreign company partners where the relevant requirements are satisfied.

This route is particularly relevant for foreign founders who are:

• shareholders of a Limited Şirket;
• shareholders who actively manage the business;
• shareholder-managers;
• shareholders serving on the board of an A.Ş.; or
• business owners actively conducting commercial activities in Türkiye.

Special evaluation criteria apply to foreign company partners.

4. What Is the TRY 500,000 Capital Requirement?

This is one of the most important requirements for foreign founders.

Under the Ministry’s current company-partner criteria, where a foreign person establishes a new workplace or becomes a partner in an existing company, the company must generally have at least:

TRY 500,000 paid-in capital.

In addition, the foreign partner’s own capital amount must generally be at least:

TRY 500,000.

This should not be confused with the statutory minimum capital required merely to establish a Turkish company.

For example, a Turkish limited liability company may legally be established with a lower statutory minimum capital.

But:

company formation requirement

and

foreign founder work permit requirement

are different legal questions.

A company may therefore be validly incorporated while its foreign founder does not yet satisfy the ordinary work permit criteria.

5. Does the Foreign Founder Need to Own at Least 20%?

Under the ordinary foreign company-partner criteria:

Yes.

The foreign partner must generally own at least:

20% of the company.

For founders owning 100%, 75%, 51% or 30%, this requirement will usually not create difficulty.

However, it can become important after investment rounds.

For example:

Before Investment

Foreign Founder: 80%
Investor: 20%

After Series A

Foreign Founder: 35%
Investors: 65%

After Series B

Foreign Founder: 15%
Investors: 85%

The founder may still be the company’s CEO, but the shareholding has fallen below the ordinary 20% company-partner threshold.

The founder’s future work permit strategy should therefore be reviewed before completing an investment round that causes significant dilution.

6. Does the Founder Personally Need TRY 500,000 of Capital?

Generally, yes under the ordinary company-partner criteria.

The rule is not merely that the company itself should have TRY 500,000 capital.

The foreign partner’s individual capital contribution must also generally be at least TRY 500,000.

For example:

Scenario A

Company capital: TRY 500,000
Foreign founder ownership: 100%
Foreign founder capital: TRY 500,000

The ordinary capital thresholds may be satisfied.

Scenario B

Company capital: TRY 2,000,000
Foreign founder ownership: 20%
Foreign founder capital: TRY 400,000

The company exceeds the overall capital threshold and the founder owns 20%.

However, the founder’s individual capital amount would remain below the ordinary TRY 500,000 requirement.

The capitalization structure should therefore be reviewed before incorporation.

7. Does the Company Need Five Turkish Employees?

Under the ordinary company-partner rules, the business must generally employ at least:

five Turkish citizens.

However, the rule does not necessarily apply immediately to a newly established foreign founder’s first permit.

The Ministry provides an important initial grace period.

For the first work permit granted to a foreign company partner or business owner, the five-Turkish-citizen employment requirement generally begins:

from the beginning of the seventh month of the first permit.

Therefore:

Months 1–6

The five-employee criterion is generally not yet required under this specific rule.

Month 7 onward

At least five Turkish citizens must generally be employed each month where no exemption applies.

8. Why Is the Seventh-Month Rule Important for Startups?

Consider a foreign founder who establishes a technology startup.

During the first months, the company may have:

• one founder;
• one developer;
• one salesperson; and
• limited revenue.

Requiring five Turkish employees immediately could create a substantial startup cost.

The current system therefore allows an initial period before the employment requirement applies.

But founders should plan ahead.

If the founder intends to extend the work permit, failure to maintain the required Turkish employment after the relevant period may cause difficulties.

Ministry permit annotations specifically state that company partners subject to this rule must maintain at least five Turkish employees after the first six months and, during an extension permit, throughout the permit period.

9. Is There an Exception for Investors With USD 100,000 or More?

Yes.

This is one of the most significant exceptions for foreign entrepreneurs.

Under the Ministry’s current criteria, where the foreign partner’s capital share is at least:

USD 100,000

the ordinary company-partner criteria concerning:

• TRY 500,000 financial thresholds; and
• the five-Turkish-employee requirement

are not applied.

For example:

Foreign founder’s capital contribution:

USD 150,000 equivalent

The founder may potentially benefit from this exception.

However:

USD 100,000 investment does not automatically guarantee a work permit.

It means that the specified ordinary evaluation criteria do not apply.

The Ministry still evaluates the application under Turkish work permit legislation and international labour force policy.

10. Are There Other Exceptions From Work Permit Evaluation Criteria?

Yes.

Certain foreigners may be exempt from the ordinary:

• employment;
• financial eligibility; and
• salary

criteria.

Current categories include, subject to documentary proof, certain foreigners who:

• have a Turkish citizen mother, father or child;
• hold humanitarian residence permits;
• are recognized victims of human trafficking;
• hold stateless person identification documents;
• hold long-term residence permits;
• have been married to a Turkish citizen for at least three years;
• have spent at least eight years in Türkiye under specified lawful statuses;
• qualify as certain persons of Turkish origin; or
• are citizens of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

However:

an exemption from evaluation criteria is not necessarily an exemption from obtaining a work permit.

The foreigner may still need to apply for work authorization.

11. Is There a New 2026 Exception for Foreigners Already Living Legally in Türkiye?

Yes.

An important new provision took effect on August 3, 2026.

Under the Ministry’s updated general criteria, for certain domestic work permit applications made on behalf of foreigners who have legally remained in Türkiye for at least one year during the previous three years under specified lawful statuses, financial eligibility and employment criteria are generally not applied for up to three qualifying foreigners at the same workplace, subject to additional conditions.

Because foreign company partners are also subject to specific partner criteria, the interaction between this new general exception and the specific company-partner rules should be assessed according to the exact application category rather than assumed automatically.

This is particularly important for founders who have already been legally residing in Türkiye before establishing their companies.

12. How Can a Foreign Entrepreneur Apply for a Work Permit?

There are two principal application methods:

1. Domestic Application
2. Application From Abroad

Both procedures ultimately use Türkiye’s electronic work permit system, commonly referred to as the e-İzin system.

The correct route depends primarily on the foreigner’s immigration status at the time of application.

13. How Does a Domestic Work Permit Application Work?

A domestic application can generally be made for a foreigner who is already in Türkiye and has an eligible residence permit.

The Ministry states that domestic applications are generally available where the foreigner has a Turkish residence permit:

• issued for at least six months; and
• still valid at the date of application.

The foreigner will generally have a Turkish Foreign Identity Number beginning with 99.

The application is completed electronically through the work permit system.

14. Does Every Residence Permit Allow an In-Country Application?

Not necessarily.

The foreigner’s residence status should be reviewed before relying on the domestic procedure.

Certain categories may be subject to specific rules.

In addition, the Ministry may permit certain foreigners lawfully present in Türkiye to apply through the domestic system even without the ordinary residence permit requirement where they fall within categories determined by the Directorate General.

Therefore, foreign founders should confirm eligibility before submitting the application.

15. How Does a Work Permit Application From Abroad Work?

If the foreign entrepreneur does not have the necessary Turkish residence status for a domestic application, the process normally begins abroad.

The procedure has two principal stages.

Stage 1: Application at a Turkish Embassy or Consulate

The foreigner applies personally to a Turkish embassy or consulate in:

• the country of citizenship; or
• the country where the foreigner legally resides.

Following this application, the foreigner receives a:

16-digit reference number.

Stage 2: Electronic Application in Türkiye

The foreigner provides the reference number to the Turkish company or relevant applicant.

The Turkish side then completes the work permit application electronically through the Ministry system using that reference number.

This two-stage system is the standard route for applicants who are not eligible to apply domestically.

16. What Documents Are Usually Required?

Required documents depend on:

• the applicant;
• job or management position;
• company;
• sector;
• application type; and
• professional qualifications.

The Ministry’s general documentation guidance includes documents such as:

• passport copy;
• relevant employment or contractual documentation;
• diploma where required;
• Turkish Trade Registry Gazette showing the latest capital and shareholder structure;
• approved balance sheet;
• profit and loss statement; and
• sector-specific authorization documents where applicable.

For foreign company partners and senior managers, corporate documentation establishing:

• shareholding;
• capital amount;
• board membership;
• managerial position;
• representation authority; and
• company status

may be particularly important.

17. Does the Passport Need to Remain Valid?

Yes.

Passport validity matters directly.

The Ministry states that a work permit cannot be issued for a period extending beyond sixty days before the expiry of the foreigner’s passport.

Applications made using a passport or passport-equivalent document with less than sixty days’ validity as of the application date are not processed.

Foreign founders should therefore renew passports before applying where necessary.

18. Is a Diploma Always Required?

Not always.

A diploma is particularly relevant where:

• the occupation requires professional qualifications;
• the person will work in a regulated profession;
• the Ministry considers education relevant to the position; or
• professional services are involved.

The Ministry specifically requires diploma documentation for certain professional occupations.

For foreign engineers and architects, for example, additional diploma equivalency procedures may apply.

A founder should therefore not assume that incorporation of a company allows them to perform any regulated profession in Türkiye.

19. Can a Foreign Founder Work in Any Profession?

No.

Some professions and positions are reserved by Turkish legislation for Turkish citizens.

Accordingly, obtaining a work permit does not override nationality restrictions contained in other statutes.

The Ministry expressly states that work permits cannot be issued for occupations legally reserved for Turkish citizens.

A foreign entrepreneur may therefore be permitted to own a company while being prohibited from personally performing a particular reserved professional activity.

Ownership and professional authorization are separate issues.

20. Are Sector-Specific Permissions Sometimes Required?

Yes.

Work permit approval does not replace licences required by sectoral authorities.

For example, additional permissions may be required in:

• healthcare;
• private education;
• aviation;
• engineering and architecture;
• tourism;
• entertainment;
• regulated financial services; and
• other licensed industries.

The Ministry’s documentation list expressly requires prior authorization or sectoral documentation for several regulated professions and industries.

Foreign founders should therefore assess:

corporate licence + professional authorization + work permit

separately.

21. How Is the Work Permit Application Evaluated?

The Ministry evaluates applications according to:

• statutory criteria;
• international labour force policy;
• employment conditions;
• company financial eligibility;
• foreigner’s qualifications;
• occupation;
• sector;
• labour market circumstances; and
• documentation.

Where necessary, the Ministry may also obtain opinions from other government institutions or professional organizations.

Meeting the numerical criteria does not itself guarantee approval.

22. How Long Does a Work Permit Application Take?

The Ministry states that duly completed applications are generally evaluated within:

30 days

provided that the information and documents are complete.

If additional documents are requested, the 30-day evaluation period is calculated from the date the requested information is uploaded and the application becomes complete.

Therefore, an incomplete application may take longer.

Foreign founders should ensure that corporate documentation is consistent before filing.

23. What Is the Most Common Corporate Problem in Founder Applications?

One of the most common problems is inconsistency between:

• Trade Registry records;
• capital information;
• shareholder percentages;
• SGK records;
• tax records; and
• the work permit application.

For example, the founder may believe that TRY 500,000 has been “invested,” but the Trade Registry and accounting records may show a different paid-in capital amount.

Similarly, the founder may believe they own 25%, while updated investment documents have reduced the registered ownership percentage.

Work permit planning should therefore include a corporate records review.

24. What Happens If the Application Is Approved?

Once the application is approved, the required:

• work permit fee; and
• valuable paper fee

must be paid.

The Ministry states that failure to pay the required amounts within 30 days from notification results in rejection of the application.

The work permit card is subsequently prepared and delivered to the relevant address.

25. How Much Does a Work Permit Cost in 2026?

For 2026, the Ministry lists the work permit fee for a fixed-term permit valid for up to one year as:

TRY 12,574.90

The 2026 valuable paper fee is:

TRY 964

Therefore, the Ministry-level permit and card charges for a standard one-year permit total:

TRY 13,538.90

before considering any other costs that may arise in the process.

For permits longer than one year, different fee levels apply.

Where an application is made from abroad, additional consular or visa-related fees may also become relevant.

26. How Long Is the First Work Permit Valid?

An ordinary fixed-term work permit may generally be issued for a maximum of:

one year on the first application.

The permit cannot exceed the relevant contractual or legal work period.

Foreign company partners should examine the permit conditions and annotations applicable to their specific permit.

27. Can the Work Permit Be Renewed?

Yes.

If a timely extension application is approved:

First Extension

A permit may generally be granted for up to:

two years.

Subsequent Extensions

A permit may generally be granted for up to:

three years

under the same employer structure and applicable conditions.

Foreign company partners should also continue to satisfy conditions applicable to their specific permit.

28. When Must the Extension Application Be Filed?

An extension application may generally be submitted beginning:

60 days before the existing permit expires.

It must be submitted before the existing permit expires.

Applications made after expiration are generally assessed according to the first-application procedure.

Founders should therefore create an internal compliance calendar for:

• work permit expiry;
• passport expiry;
• residence status;
• SGK obligations; and
• employee thresholds.

29. Can the Founder Continue Working While the Extension Is Pending?

Yes, under specified conditions.

The Ministry states that where a timely extension application has been submitted, the foreigner may continue working during the evaluation period:

• for the same work;
• at the same workplace; and
• for a maximum of 90 days after the existing permit expires.

The work during that period is treated as lawful where the statutory conditions are satisfied.

30. What Must a Founder Do After Approval of an Overseas Application?

For applications made from abroad, additional steps apply.

After approval, the foreigner generally needs to complete the required consular procedures and enter Türkiye using the appropriate work visa.

The Ministry states that the foreigner must:

• complete required fee procedures;
• obtain the relevant visa;
• enter Türkiye;
• begin working within one month after entry; and
• in any event begin within six months from the work permit’s start date.

Foreigners entering Türkiye with a work visa must also register in the address registration system within 20 days after entry.

31. What Happens After a Domestic Application Is Approved?

For domestic applications, the Ministry states that the foreigner must begin work and fulfil relevant legal obligations within:

one month from the start date of the work permit.

This may include social security and other workplace obligations depending on the foreigner’s legal position.

The company’s accountant and legal counsel should coordinate these procedures.

32. Does a Work Permit Also Function as a Residence Permit?

Generally, yes.

A valid Turkish work permit or work permit exemption generally also functions as a residence permit pursuant to Article 27 of Law No. 6458, subject to particular exceptions involving certain international protection categories.

This is particularly important for active entrepreneurs.

A founder who obtains a valid work permit generally does not need to treat ordinary short-term residence permission as an entirely separate immigration route merely to obtain residence rights.

33. Can a Founder Apply for an Independent Work Permit?

Potentially.

Türkiye recognizes an Independent Work Permit, which allows a foreigner to work in their own name and on their own account without being tied to a specific employer.

When deciding whether to grant an independent permit, the Ministry may consider:

• education;
• professional experience;
• contribution to science and technology;
• economic impact;
• contribution to employment;
• investment activity; and
• the foreigner’s capital share where the person is a company partner.

However:

being an entrepreneur does not automatically create entitlement to an independent work permit.

The application remains subject to Ministry evaluation and international labour force policy.

34. Can an Entrepreneur Obtain an Indefinite Work Permit?

Potentially, after satisfying long-term legal requirements.

Foreigners who have:

• a long-term residence permit; or
• at least eight years of lawful work permit history in Türkiye

may potentially apply for an indefinite work permit.

Satisfying the eligibility threshold does not automatically guarantee approval.

An indefinite permit is generally relevant to established foreign entrepreneurs rather than newly arriving startup founders.

35. Can a High-Value Entrepreneur Apply for a Turquoise Card?

Potentially.

The Turquoise Card is designed for qualifying highly skilled or high-value foreigners.

Factors considered may include:

• education;
• professional experience;
• contribution to science and technology;
• investment;
• economic impact;
• contribution to employment; and
• value to Türkiye’s international labour force policy.

A successful startup founder, technology entrepreneur or substantial investor may therefore consider whether the Turquoise Card framework is relevant.

However, it should not be viewed as the standard work permit route for every foreign founder.

36. Can a Foreign Founder Start Working While the Application Is Pending?

Generally, a founder should not assume that merely filing an application creates work authorization.

The foreigner should have valid authorization before beginning activities that legally constitute work unless a specific legal rule allows continued work, such as the limited extension-pending situation described above.

This issue is particularly important because founders often begin:

• hiring;
• managing;
• negotiating;
• operating;
• selling; and
• signing contracts

immediately after incorporation.

Company registration should therefore not be treated as permission to start working personally.

37. What Happens If a Foreign Entrepreneur Works Without a Permit?

Unauthorized work can result in significant consequences.

The Ministry states that foreigners working without valid work authorization and employers engaging unauthorized foreign workers may face administrative sanctions.

Foreigners found working without authorization may also be reported to the Ministry of Interior for immigration and deportation procedures.

Potential consequences can therefore extend beyond a simple administrative fine.

They may affect:

• immigration status;
• future work permit applications;
• visa history;
• residence applications; and
• continued stay in Türkiye.

38. Should the Founder Establish the Company Before Planning the Work Permit?

Ideally, the two processes should be designed together.

A common mistake is:

1. Establish Ltd. Şti. with minimum capital.
2. Register foreign founder as manager.
3. Rent office.
4. Begin working.
5. Ask about work permit.
6. Discover the capital and employment criteria afterward.

A better approach is:

1. Determine whether the founder will actively work in Türkiye.
2. Determine the appropriate company type.
3. Review work permit criteria.
4. Determine required company capitalization.
5. Determine founder shareholding.
6. Review whether USD 100,000 exception applies.
7. Plan Turkish employee requirements.
8. Establish the company accordingly.
9. Submit the work permit application.
10. Begin work after obtaining lawful authorization.

This approach can prevent expensive corporate restructuring.

39. Practical Example: Startup Founder Moving to İstanbul

Assume a Canadian founder plans to establish an AI startup in Türkiye.

The founder will:

• own 100% of the company;
• become manager;
• move to İstanbul;
• hire engineers;
• sign contracts;
• raise investment; and
• work full-time as CEO.

Before incorporation, the founder should ask:

Corporate Questions

Should the business be an Ltd. Şti. or A.Ş.?

Capital Question

Will the capitalization satisfy the applicable work permit rules?

Shareholding Question

Will the founder remain above the relevant ownership threshold after investment?

Employment Question

Can the startup maintain five Turkish employees once required?

Immigration Question

Can the application be made from Türkiye or must it begin abroad?

Investment Question

Would a capital contribution of at least USD 100,000 change the applicable evaluation criteria?

These issues should be answered before finalizing the cap table.

40. Practical Example: Existing Company With Foreign Founder

Suppose a German founder purchases 40% of an existing Turkish technology company.

Company statistics:

Paid-in capital: TRY 2,000,000
Founder capital share: TRY 800,000
Foreign founder ownership: 40%
Turkish employees: 12

The founder plans to relocate to Türkiye and actively manage the company.

On these figures, the company may appear substantially stronger under the ordinary company-partner criteria than a newly incorporated minimum-capital company.

However, approval still depends on:

• documentation;
• role;
• immigration status;
• company records;
• applicable Ministry criteria; and
• overall evaluation.

The numerical thresholds do not create automatic approval.

41. Practical Example: Founder With USD 120,000 Capital Share

Suppose a US entrepreneur owns a Turkish startup and has contributed capital equivalent to:

USD 120,000.

Under the Ministry’s current criteria, a foreign partner with a capital share of USD 100,000 or more is not subject to the ordinary company-partner financial and five-Turkish-employee criteria.

This can materially change the work permit strategy.

But the founder still needs to:

• submit the appropriate application;
• establish the legal basis;
• provide the necessary documents; and
• obtain Ministry approval.

42. Practical Example: Founder Who Already Lived in Türkiye

Assume a foreign entrepreneur has legally lived in Türkiye for more than one year during the last three years and now wants to establish a technology company.

As of August 3, 2026, new general evaluation rules provide an employment and financial eligibility exception for certain domestic applications involving qualifying foreigners, limited to the applicable number of foreign workers and subject to additional conditions.

Because foreign business owners may also fall under specific company-partner rules, the correct application category should be confirmed before structuring the company on the assumption that the new general exception will automatically apply.

43. What Can Cause a Work Permit Application to Fail?

Common practical problems include:

• insufficient company capital;
• insufficient founder capital contribution;
• founder ownership below the applicable threshold;
• failure to satisfy Turkish employment requirements;
• inconsistent Trade Registry records;
• incomplete corporate documents;
• invalid or soon-to-expire passport;
• incorrect application category;
• lack of required professional authorization;
• occupation reserved for Turkish citizens;
• inconsistent job title;
• missing documents;
• incorrect information;
• failure to respond to Ministry document requests;
• failure to pay permit fees on time; and
• failure to satisfy sector-specific legislation.

A pre-application legal review can identify many of these issues.

44. Work Permit Checklist for Foreign Entrepreneurs

Before filing, a foreign founder should determine:

• Will I actively work in Türkiye?
• Am I merely an investor?
• Am I a shareholder-manager?
• Am I an A.Ş. board member?
• Do I qualify for an exemption?
• Is my company properly registered?
• Is the paid-in capital sufficient?
• Is my personal capital share sufficient?
• Do I own at least 20%?
• Is my capital share at least USD 100,000?
• Does the five-Turkish-employee rule apply?
• When will the seventh month begin?
• Will my startup be able to maintain five Turkish employees?
• Do I qualify under any criteria exemption?
• Have I legally remained in Türkiye for at least one year during the previous three years?
• Does the August 3, 2026 domestic application exception affect my case?
• Do I have an eligible residence permit for domestic application?
• Must I apply through a Turkish consulate?
• Have I received the 16-digit reference number?
• Is my passport sufficiently valid?
• Do I need a diploma or equivalency document?
• Does my profession require prior authorization?
• Is the proposed occupation open to foreigners?
• Are Trade Registry records current?
• Are capital and shareholder records consistent?
• Are accounting records ready?
• Have all e-İzin documents been prepared?
• Have permit fees been budgeted?
• When will I legally begin work?
• Have SGK obligations been reviewed?
• Does an upcoming investment round affect my share percentage?
• When must my permit be renewed?

Conclusion: How Should a Foreign Founder Obtain a Turkish Work Permit?

Foreign entrepreneurs can establish and own businesses in Türkiye, but the right to own the company should never be confused with the right to work for it.

A foreign founder who intends to actively manage and operate a Turkish company should first determine the correct work authorization route.

For ordinary foreign company partners, the Ministry’s current 2026 criteria generally require:

• TRY 500,000 minimum paid-in company capital;
• TRY 500,000 minimum foreign partner capital contribution;
• at least 20% ownership; and
• at least five Turkish employees from the seventh month of the first work permit, unless an applicable exception exists.

Where the foreign partner’s capital share is at least:

USD 100,000

the ordinary company-partner financial and Turkish employment criteria are not applied.

Applications may generally be submitted:

from Türkiye, where the foreigner has the required residence status,

or

from abroad, beginning with an application to a Turkish embassy or consulate and the issuance of a 16-digit reference number.

Complete applications are generally evaluated within 30 days, although additional document requests may extend the practical timeline.

For 2026, the Ministry-level cost of a standard fixed-term work permit of up to one year is currently:

• TRY 12,574.90 work permit fee; plus
• TRY 964 valuable paper fee.

Most importantly, the correct work permit strategy should be determined before the founder starts working and preferably before the company structure is finalized.

The share capital chosen today, the founder’s ownership percentage and the number of Turkish employees hired can directly affect the founder’s ability to obtain and renew work authorization later.

For foreign startup founders, work permit planning is therefore not merely an immigration matter.

It is also a corporate structuring and fundraising issue.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a foreign entrepreneur obtain a work permit in Türkiye?

Yes. Foreign entrepreneurs may obtain work permits where the applicable legal and evaluation requirements are satisfied.

Does establishing a Turkish company automatically give a work permit?

No. Company formation and work authorization are separate.

What is the minimum capital for a foreign company partner’s work permit?

Under the current ordinary criteria, the company must generally have at least TRY 500,000 paid-in capital.

How much capital must the foreign founder personally hold?

The foreign partner’s capital amount must generally be at least TRY 500,000 under the ordinary criteria.

What percentage of the company must the founder own?

The foreign partner must generally own at least 20%.

Must the company employ five Turkish citizens?

Generally yes under the ordinary company-partner criteria, although the requirement generally begins from the seventh month of the first permit.

What happens during the first six months?

The foreign company partner’s initial permit is generally issued with an annotation providing that the five-Turkish-employee requirement applies from the beginning of the seventh month.

What if my capital share is USD 100,000 or more?

The Ministry currently provides that the ordinary company-partner financial and employment criteria are not applied where the foreign partner’s capital share is at least USD 100,000.

Does investing USD 100,000 guarantee approval?

No. It removes specified evaluation criteria but does not create an automatic right to a work permit.

Can I apply from Türkiye?

Generally yes if you have an eligible residence permit issued for at least six months and still valid at the application date, subject to applicable exceptions.

Can I apply without a residence permit?

Where an in-country application is unavailable, the process generally begins at a Turkish embassy or consulate abroad.

What is the 16-digit reference number?

It is the reference number issued by the Turkish foreign mission during an overseas work permit application and used for the subsequent electronic application in Türkiye.

How long does the application take?

The Ministry states that duly completed applications are generally evaluated within 30 days, provided that all documents are complete.

How long is the first permit valid?

A standard fixed-term work permit may generally be granted for up to one year on the initial application.

How long can the first extension be?

Generally up to two years, subject to the applicable conditions.

How long can later extensions be?

Generally up to three years for subsequent extensions under the same employer structure.

When should the extension be filed?

Beginning 60 days before expiry and before the existing permit expires.

Can I continue working while my extension is being evaluated?

A timely extension applicant may generally continue working under the same conditions for up to 90 days after expiry while the application is pending.

Does a work permit also give residence rights?

Generally, yes. A valid work permit ordinarily functions as a residence permit under Turkish law, subject to specific statutory exceptions.

How much is a one-year work permit in 2026?

The Ministry lists a TRY 12,574.90 permit fee for a fixed-term permit of up to one year and a TRY 964 valuable paper fee for 2026.

Can a startup founder apply for an independent work permit?

Potentially. Independent permits are evaluated according to factors such as education, experience, investment, capital share and contribution to Türkiye’s economy and employment.

Can entrepreneurs obtain a Turquoise Card?

Potentially, particularly where the applicant’s qualifications, investment, technological contribution or economic impact meet the applicable criteria.

Can I start working immediately after submitting my application?

A new application should not generally be treated as work authorization merely because it has been submitted. The founder should ensure that valid authorization exists before beginning work.

Can my startup’s investment round affect my work permit?

Yes. Dilution below the ordinary 20% foreign company-partner threshold may affect future work permit applications or extensions and should be reviewed before completing the investment.

Legal Disclaimer: This article provides general information regarding Turkish immigration, corporate and work permit law and does not constitute individual legal advice. Work permit rules depend on the foreigner’s nationality, immigration status, company type, shareholding, paid-in capital, personal capital contribution, actual management role, Turkish employee numbers, professional qualifications and possible exemptions. Monetary thresholds and administrative criteria can change; the rules in force on the date of the application should always be verified.