Work permit application in Türkiye: documents
The rule most people miss: work permit legislation accepts a sworn translator’s certification or an official authority’s. Notarisation is not required on every item — and assuming otherwise is a needless expense.
In brief
- Estimated time
- Set by the ministry once the file is complete
- Destination country
- Türkiye
Work permits are granted by the ministry responsible for labour, on an application made by the employer rather than by the employee. The employee supplies documents; the employer files them.
⭐ The certification rule differs here
This is the single most useful thing to know about a work permit file. The legislation accepts a translation certified by a sworn translator or by an official authority — it does not require notarisation of every document the way residence permit rules do.
People who have been through a residence permit file arrive expecting to notarise everything, and pay for it. Check the requirement item by item instead of applying one regime’s rule to the other.
Which documents come from abroad
- Diploma and, where required, transcript
- Professional certificates where the role calls for them
- Passport, where it is not in the Latin alphabet
Each of these is apostilled in the country that issued it. Türkiye cannot apostille a foreign diploma, so this has to be arranged at source.
Which documents are Turkish
The employer’s side of the file — company registration, trade registry records, tax and social security documents — is Turkish and is not translated. The employment contract, if drawn up in Türkiye, is Turkish too.
⚠ Where a contract is signed in another language, the version submitted is a Turkish one, and the two texts should say the same thing. Have the translation prepared before signing rather than afterwards.
Diplomas and their reverse sides
Grading scales, credit explanations, faculty stamps and sometimes the entire list of subjects are printed on the back of a diploma or transcript. They are part of the document and belong in the translation.
A translation missing them reads as incomplete, and incomplete is the usual reason a file is returned rather than refused.
Where recognition comes in
Some professions require formal recognition of the qualification before a permit can be granted. That is a separate procedure with its own document requirements and its own timetable, and it is worth checking early because it is the longest item in the chain.
Where this fits
The electronic filing system used by employers is described on the e-İzin system explained, and the employer’s own obligations are set out on employer obligations.
Order of steps
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Confirm who files the application
The employer applies, not the employee. Agree early who is responsible for each document.
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Ask which certification each item needs
The legislation accepts sworn translator or official authority certification; notarisation is not automatically required.
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Apostille qualifications at source
Diplomas and professional certificates are apostilled in the country that issued them, before they travel.
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Include reverse sides
Grading scales and stamps are usually printed on the back and belong in the translation.
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Check whether recognition is required
Some professions need formal recognition of the qualification first. It is the longest item in the chain.
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Prepare the Turkish contract text
Where the contract is signed in another language, have the Turkish version prepared before signature, not after.
Frequently asked questions
No. Work permit legislation accepts sworn translator or official authority certification.
The employer. The employee supplies documents for the employer to file.
No. Company registration, tax and social security records are Turkish documents.
Yes. Grading scales and stamps are part of the document.
For some professions, yes, and it is a separate and slower procedure. Check it before anything else.