Work Permit, Work Visa and Residence Permit for Foreign National Citizens

1. Work Permit
The Employer shall issue the petition on a letterhead paper and insert company seal. The documents to be attached to the petition are as follows:
1. Information form of the foreign personnel (4 copies);
2. Notarized passport copy (translated);
3. Notarized copy of the related individual�s diploma;
4. Photographs (4 copies); and
5. Copy of the company�s tax plate, balance sheet approved by the tax office and copy of the profit-loss statement.
In the event that the Employer is a liaison office, copy of the incorporation permit for a liaison office shall be inserted instead of the documents stated under article 5.
Work permit may be granted in one month following application.
2. Work Visa
Following the issuance of the work permit, the foreign national citizen shall apply to the Turkish Consulate where is located in the related citizen�s country. Applications shall be submitted in person.
The documents to be submitted in application are as follows:
1. Passport;
2. Copy of the work permit (the original copy shall be present when applying however shall not be delivered to the consulate);
3. Photographs (3-4 copies); and
4. Couple of hundred dollars in cash may be necessary for the application fee.
Work visa may be granted in 45 days following application. The related individual shall receive work visa from the consulate in person.
3. Residence Permit
Following the issuance of the work visa, the employer company shall apply with a petition to the Foreigners Section of the Police Department of Istanbul. The Employer shall issue the petition on a letterhead paper and insert company seal. The petition shall also be signed by the related individual.
The documents to be submitted in application are as follows:
1. Application form of residence declaration (4 copies);
2. Original passport (a copy of it shall also be present);
3. Copy of the work permit; and
4. Photographs (7 copies).
Residence permit may be granted in 8-10 days following application. Residence permit shall be received by the related individual in person.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Att.Burcin Barlas
Education: LL.M in European Union Law at Stockholm University, LL.B at Marmara University. Expertise: Mergers & Acquisitions, Due Diligence Projects, Corporate Law, Privatization, Commercial Law. Experience: Law Department of PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Foreign Languages: English, German.