Work Permits for Foreign Business Partners in Turkey: 2026 Rules

At Bayraktar Attorneys, we are committed to providing comprehensive legal insights to support your business endeavors in Turkey.

In this article, we explain how foreign business partners obtain a work permit, the capital and employment thresholds that apply in 2026, and the documents required under Turkish legislation. For broader context, see our guide on obtaining work permits in Turkey for foreign nationals.

2026 update: the criteria for company partners changed. The former thresholds of TRY 100,000 paid-in capital and a TRY 40,000 partner share no longer apply. Since 2025 the company must have at least TRY 500,000 paid-in capital and the partner must hold at least 20 percent of the shares with a capital share of at least TRY 500,000. The details are set out below.

Applicability of Foreign Direct Investment Law

Foreign individuals and legal entities engaging in direct foreign investment in Turkey are subject to the provisions of Law No. 4875 on Foreign Direct Investment.

However, the work permits of shareholders and partners of foreign-owned companies are not governed by Law No. 4875. Their situation is regulated by Law No. 6735 on International Labour Force, its Implementing Regulation, and the Work Permit Assessment Criteria published by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.

Application for Work Permits

The application process for work permits depends on whether the company partner resides in Turkey or abroad. If the partner resides in Turkey, the application is submitted domestically through the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.

For partners residing abroad, the application is made through Turkey's diplomatic missions in their home countries. Foreign company partners applying from within Turkey should hold a residence permit valid for at least 6 months.

Exemptions from Work Permit

Foreign individuals meeting any of the following criteria are exempt from the work permit requirement:

1. Members of the board of directors of Joint Stock Companies established according to the Turkish Commercial Code No. 6102, who are based outside of Turkey.
2. Partners of other company types who do not hold an executive position.

Mandatory Work Permit Holders

Work permits are mandatory for the following individuals:

1. Directors who are partners of Limited Liability Companies established according to Turkish Commercial Code No. 6102.
2. Members of the board of directors who are partners of Joint Stock Companies established according to Turkish Commercial Code 6102.
3. Foreign partners holding executive positions in Joint Ventures with Divided Shares established according to Turkish Commercial Code 6102.

Qualifications for Work Permits for Foreign Partners (2026 Criteria)

Under criterion C/1 of the Ministry's Work Permit Assessment Criteria, the company where the foreign partner will work must meet the following conditions:

1. Paid-in capital of at least TRY 500,000. This replaced the earlier TRY 100,000 threshold.
2. Partner's share: the foreign partner must hold at least 20 percent of the company and that share must correspond to at least TRY 500,000 of capital.
3. Five Turkish employees: the company must employ at least five Turkish citizens. The first work permit is issued with an annotation, and from the beginning of the seventh month the five-employee condition is checked every month.

Exemption for larger investors: if the foreign partner's capital share is USD 100,000 or more, the paid-in capital, 20 percent share and five-employee conditions are not required. This does not mean the permit is granted automatically; the application is still assessed on its merits.

These thresholds form part of the broader foreign work permit evaluation criteria applied by the authorities. Because the Ministry can revise the criteria without amending the law, we recommend confirming the current figures before filing.

Work Permit Fees in 2026

Fees are updated every January under the Law on Fees. For 2026 the fee for a one-year work permit is TRY 12,574.90, plus a card (valuable paper) fee of TRY 964. Longer permits carry proportionally higher fees. These amounts are paid after the application is approved, not at filing.

Required Documents for Work Permit Application

The following documents are required when applying for a work permit:

1. Work Permit Application Letter.
2. Fixed-Term Employment Contract.
3. Commercial activity certificate from the Chamber of Commerce where the company is registered.
4. Recent Trade Registry Gazette showing the latest capital and ownership structure.
5. Last year's audited financial statements, approved by a certified public accountant or tax office.
6. Employee roster of the workplace showing the Turkish employees.
7. Copy of the passport.
8. Residence permit valid for at least 6 months (for applications made within Turkey).
9. Notarized Turkish translation of the diploma or graduation certificate, verified by a sworn translator.
10. One passport-sized photograph.

The work permit process for partners differs from the standard route for employees; if you are a foreign national hired by a company rather than a shareholder, see our guide on applying for a work permit in Turkey. Related residency questions are also covered in our 10 questions and replies on Turkey's visa requirements and residency permits.

Navigating the legal intricacies of work permits for foreign business partners can be complex, and a company that falls short of the capital or employee thresholds will receive a refusal. At Bayraktar Attorneys, we review the company structure before filing, so that the application meets the current criteria.

Contact us for personalized legal assistance to facilitate the successful growth of your international partnerships in Turkey.