Taking a job in Türkiye: connect the consular application with the employer permit

Explainer · Checked 21 October 2026.

Accepting a job in Türkiye requires coordination between the worker and employer. A travel permission obtained for a holiday does not complete that process, and a job offer alone should not be treated as permission to begin work.

The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs says the eVisa is for tourism or commerce. Work and study visas are handled through Turkish embassies or consulates. Applicants should therefore start with the employment route that matches their actual plans.

Connect the two stages of an overseas application

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security's work-permit FAQ describes an overseas application in two stages. The worker applies personally at a Turkish embassy or consulate in the country of citizenship or lawful residence and receives a 16-digit reference number.

The worker then passes that number to the employer in Türkiye. The employer uses it to submit the work-permit application through the official electronic system. Keep the reference in a shared application record so the two parts can be matched correctly.

Agree who will monitor messages, supply missing documents and communicate any change of dates. Compare the role, employer details and proposed start date across the contract and submitted forms. Ask the mission for the current appointment and document instructions for the place where you are applying.

Wait for the relevant permission

The labour ministry says workers covered by the relevant law need a work permit or exemption before starting. Its guidance also explains that ordinary residence permission does not itself confer a right to work. Do not replace that check with a verbal assurance that the paperwork can be completed later.

After a positive decision, follow the mission's instructions for fees, the work visa and travel. Ask the employer to confirm the remaining arrival, address and employment-registration steps, with dates and responsibility assigned to each.

Keep the final permit, contract and consular records together. If the employer or job changes before travel, request a fresh assessment of the paperwork rather than assuming the original application still fits. The objective is an agreed start date supported by the correct approvals.