There is a mutual visa exemption agreement between Iran and Türkiye. Iranian citizens can come to Turkey for touristic purposes and stay for 90 days without needing a visa. However, they cannot work during this period. Iranian citizens must obtain a work permit to work in Turkey. The work permit document is issued by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security. This work permit also replaces a residence permit.

Work permit applications for foreigners can be made in two ways: domestically and internationally. Foreigners of Iranian nationality who reside in Turkey with a residence permit for at least 6 months can apply for a work permit domestically. Iranians abroad can apply through the Foreign Representatives of the Republic of Turkey in Iran or the third country where they reside permanently.

What is Dependent and Independent Work Permit?

1- Independent work permit is given to foreigners who work on their own behalf. Foreigners of Iranian nationality can apply for this work permit if they have a professional profession. Independent work permit is given on a temporary basis.

2- Dependent work permit is issued by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security to a foreigner working under an employer within the framework of an employment or service contract. The important thing to know here is that when applying for a dependent work permit, the employer is the party that must apply. Dependent work permit is not any transaction carried out in the name and account of the foreigner. The application for a dependent work permit is made by the employer to the Ministry of Labor and Social Security.

Where to Apply for a Work Permit from Iran?

Iranian citizens who want to come to Turkey for work purposes must first make an agreement with a workplace. Then, they need to submit the employment contract they signed to the foreign representative offices of the Republic of Turkey in Iran or their third country of permanent residence and request a work permit. The application is made by submitting the employment contract to the foreign representative office. In cases where the application is accepted, the applicant is given a 16-digit reference number. After the reference number is notified to the employer, the employer applies for a work permit for the foreigner by entering the reference number into the system.

What are the documents required from Iranian citizens?

1. Documents Required from the Employer:

1. Work permit application petition (prepared by the Immigration Office);
2. Foreign Employee Application Form (prepared by the Immigration Office);
3. Turkish Trade Registry Gazette showing the latest capital and partnership structure of the organization;
4. Balance sheet and profit/loss statement approved by the tax office or certified public accountant for the last year;
5. Social Security Institution Workplace Registration Number;
6. Notarized power of attorney from the person authorized to make an electronic application as a “user” on behalf of the institution and organization that will employ foreign personnel;

1. Documents Required fromForeigners of Iranian Nationality;

1. 16-digit Reference Number obtained by submitting an employment contract to the foreign representatives of the Republic of Turkey (required for applications made from abroad);
2. Employment contract (prepared by the Immigration Office);
3. Notarized copy of passport or valid document with Turkish translation;
4. Photocopy of residence permit (required for domestic applications);
5. 1 picture;
6. Notarized copy of the diploma with Turkish translation.

How to Extend Turkey Work Permit?

An employer who employs Iranians with a work permit within the framework of an employment or service contract must apply for a work permit extension. The work permit extension application is made before the current work permit expires and within a maximum period of 2 months.

The work permit is given to work for a certain period of time in the declared position at the workplace specified in the employment contract. For this reason, if the foreigner changes workplace, the current work permit is canceled and a work permit is requested by the new employer. If the foreigner continues to work in the same workplace, an application for a work permit extension is made.

Is a Work Permit Considered a Residence Permit?

In accordance with Law No. 6735, the work permit given to foreigners also has the nature of a residence permit. Therefore, Iranian citizens with a work permit do not need to obtain a residence permit.

RESIDENCE PERMIT IN TURKEY FOR IRANIAN CITIZENS

In order for Iranian Citizens to obtain a Residence Permit, they must be within the borders of the Republic of Turkey. Directorates of Immigration Management determine how long Iranian citizens within the borders of Turkey will stay in Turkey. In order to apply for a residence permit, an application document must be submitted to the Provincial Directorate of Immigration Management. They will then be notified of the appointment date from the Immigration Administration via SMS. On this date, they must be present with the application form of the Immigration Administration and other documents.

In accordance with the visa policy implemented by Turkey, Iranian citizens can enter our country without a visa. The visa exemption granted to Iranian citizens is 90 days. During this visa exemption, Iranian citizens are not subject to any visas or fees. However, foreigners who want to stay in Turkey for more than 90 days must apply for a residence permit before the visa exemption period ends. Residence permit application will be initiated from the e-residence page on the website of the Directorate of Immigration Management.

The e-residence system consists of two separate parts: initial application, extension application and transition application. Iranian citizens must choose one of the residence permit types that suits their situation and apply online through the system.

Residence permits generally applied for in Turkey are as follows;

• Short-term residence permit
• Family residence permit
• Student residence permit
• Long-term residence permit
• Humanitarian residence permit
• Residence permit for human trafficking victim

IRAN citizens who have a legal residence permit can enter Turkey without a visa. In other words, an IRANian citizen who has a Foreign Work Permit or work permit exemption certificate does not need to obtain another residence permit.

How to Get a Residence Permit for Iranian Citizens?

Iranian Citizens must apply for a Residence Permit before the 90-day visa exemption period granted to them by Turkey expires. Iranian Citizens who do not apply for a residence permit before the visa exemption period expires must leave the country after the 90-day period expires. Otherwise, he will be violating his visa and will be subject to criminal sanctions. When these people are caught by law enforcement officers, they may be banned from entering Turkey. For these reasons, Iranian foreigners must apply to the Immigration Administration within the 90-day exemption period, first by making an online appointment and then by submitting personal documents.

1. Short Term Touristic Residence Permit

It is a type of residence permit issued for a maximum period of one year. Iranian citizens who meet the conditions stipulated in the Foreigners and International Protection Law No. 6458 can apply for a short-term residence permit. The residence permit preferences that Iranian citizens generally comply with and prefer as applications are as follows;

• Residence permit to establish commercial connections in Turkey
• Foreigners who come to Turkey to conduct scientific research and request permission
• Iranian citizens who want to apply by purchasing real estate
• Those who want to come and reside for tourism reasons.

*For a short-term tourist residence permit, there are also required information and documents other than these conditions.

2. Long Term Residence Permit

The Iranian citizen who will apply for this type of residence permit must have stayed in Turkey for at least 8 years with a legal residence permit. While calculating this uninterrupted eight-year period, half of the Iranian foreigner’s residence permit during his student period and all of his other residence permits are included in the period count. However, Iranian foreigners who enter Turkey with secondary protection status do not have the right to apply for a long-term residence permit.

3. Family Residence Permit

Iranian foreigners who want to apply for this residence permit must be staying in Turkey with a legal residence permit. In other words, a foreigner staying with any residence permit can apply for a family residence permit. With a family residence permit, an Iranian citizen can obtain a residence permit for his foreign wife, minor child and child in need of care

*In order to apply for a family residence permit, the foreigner must be present in the Republic of Turkey. Application cannot be made from abroad.

4. Student Residence Permit

Iranian citizens who come to any university in Turkey for associate, undergraduate, graduate or doctoral education have the right to apply for a student residence permit. Student residence permits are issued not to exceed the duration of study. If an Iranian citizen who has completed his education wants to continue to stay, he must switch to another type of permit. This type of residence permit also gives the foreigner’s spouse and child the right to stay.

*In applying for a student residence permit, the foreigner must obtain a student visa from the foreign representative of the Republic of Turkey (Consulate) and come to Turkey. Foreigners who have not entered with a student visa cannot apply for a student residence permit.

Obligation of Iranian Citizens to Have Health Insurance

Iranian citizens who want to stay in Turkey must have health insurance. The health insurance purchased must cover the requested residence permit period. A foreign person who already has insurance does not need to have additional insurance for the application. The types of insurance that will be considered valid by the immigration administration are as follows:

• Document obtained from the social security unit stating that one can benefit from health services in Turkey within the scope of bilateral social security agreements.
• A provision document obtained from the Social Security Institution will be sufficient. However, for family residence permits, this insurance must cover both the sponsor and other members of the family.
• Signed document regarding the application made to the Social Security Institution to become a universal health insurance holder.
• Private health insurance

WORK PERMIT IN HOME SERVICES IN TURKEY

Foreign nationals can work in domestic services as babysitters, elderly or patient caregivers. Those who do not have small children or patients in need of care at home cannot employ foreign nationals as cleaners or daily laborers to help with housework.

How to Apply?

The method to be followed varies depending on whether the foreigner who will work in Turkey is in Turkey or not.

For work permit applications for domestic services from Turkey; The foreigner must have received a residence permit in Turkey for at least 6 months and the permit must not have expired. The application of a foreigner with a residence permit is made domestically to the Ministry of Labor and Social Security.

For applications made from outside the Turkey; Applications are made to the representative offices of the Republic of Turkey in the country where the foreigner is a citizen or permanent resident. If the application is accepted, a reference number is given by the representative office. An application is made to the Ministry of Labor and Social Security with this reference number

Foreign Babysitter

An employer who will employ a foreign babysitter must first have a child under the age of 15. In addition, the employer must submit documents to the Ministry of Labor and Social Security showing why it needs to employ foreign nationals and that it has the financial capacity to pay the salary to be paid to the foreigner. An employer who can provide the above conditions and documents can apply to employ a foreign babysitter.

What are the documents required for application?

In applications for “work permit in domestic services” made by foreign nationals in Turkey, the following documents are requested:

1. A photocopy of a residence permit for at least six (6) months, obtained from the Police authorities in Turkey on behalf of the foreign national;
2. Notarized copy of the translation of the foreign person’s passport by a sworn translator;
3. One passport size photo of the foreign person. (Must have been taken within the last 6 months);
4. For domestic applications, Foreign T.R. Identity Number (This number is given to all foreigners who have a residence permit for at least 6 months.);
5. Application Petition for an Employer to Employ Foreigners in Domestic Services;
6. Photocopy of the Employer’s Identity Card;
7. A copy of the employer’s birth certificate and a certificate of residence showing the address where the foreigner will work, obtained from the District Population Directorate where the employer’s residence is located;
8. Power of attorney for applications to be made by us.

For applications from outside Turkey, a reference number given by the Foreign Representation of the Republic of Turkey is required instead of a residence permit. The foreigner must apply to the Foreign Representatives of the Republic of Turkey in the country of his citizenship or permanent residence, and if the application is accepted, he must notify the employer of the 16-digit reference number given to him by the Foreign Representative. Republic of Türkiye. You can apply to the Ministry of Labor and Social Security with the reference number.

For applications from outside Turkey, a reference number given by the Foreign Representation of the Republic of Turkey is required instead of a residence permit. The foreigner must apply to the Foreign Representatives of the Republic of Turkey in the country of his/her citizenship or permanent residence. If his application is accepted, he must inform the employer of the 16-digit reference number given to him by the Foreign Representative. With this reference number, an application can be made to the Ministry of Labor and Social Security.

Foreign Patient Caregiver

First of all, the employer must apply to the Ministry of Labor and Social Security.

In the application to be made, documents must be submitted showing that there is a need to employ a foreign caregiver and that they have the financial capacity to pay the salary to be paid to the foreigner.

A work permit can be given to a foreign caregiver in case of one of the following situations:

1. Provided that the person in need of care is a first-degree relative of the employer, a foreigner can obtain an employment permit to undertake general care of someone over the age of 65;

2. The employer may employ foreign national caregivers to care for first-degree relatives who are under the age of 65 but whose medical report proves that they are in need of care.

An employer who can provide the above conditions and documents can apply to employ a caregiver. The following documents are requested for applications from within Turkey:

What are the documents required for application?

1. A photocopy of a residence permit for at least six (6) months, obtained from the Police authorities in Turkey on behalf of the foreign national;
2. Notarized copy of the translation of the foreign person’s passport by a sworn translator;
3. One passport size photo of the foreign person. (Must have been taken within the last 6 months);
4. For domestic applications, Foreign T.R. Identity Number (This number is given to all foreigners who have a residence permit for at least 6 months.);
5. Application Petition for an Employer to Employ Foreigners in Domestic Services;
6. Photocopy of the Employer’s Identity Card;
7. A copy of the employer’s birth certificate and a certificate of residence showing the address where the foreigner will work, obtained from the District Population Directorate where the employer’s residence is located;
8. Power of attorney for applications to be made by us.

For work permit applications for domestic services to be made from outside Turkey, a reference number given by the Foreign Representation of the Republic of Turkey is required instead of a residence permit. The foreigner must apply to the Foreign Representatives of the Republic of Turkey in the country of his/her citizenship or permanent residence. If the application is accepted, a 16-digit reference number will be given to him/her by the Foreign Representation of the Republic of Turkey. This reference number must be reported to the employer. This reference number can also be used in applications to the Ministry of Labor and Social Security.