Applications for Extension of Work Permits of Foreigners

Welcome to our work permit extension application page for foreigners.

In accordance with Article 10 of the International Labor Law No. 6735, a work permit is given for 1 year, provided that it does not exceed the working period in the employment and service contract. In accordance with the second paragraph of the text of the said law, the extension applications of foreigners who continue to work in the same workplace are given for a maximum of 2 years in the first extension and for a maximum of 3 years for the next extension. In cases where the foreigner changes his workplace, it is considered as the first application, not an extension application due to a change of employer, and is granted for a maximum of 1 year.

What the Company Should Do

In cases where the foreigner continues at the same workplace, an application for an extension is made by the employer before the end of the work permit period. The extension application must be made 60 days before the expiry of the current work permit and in any case, before the expiry of the work permit. Extension applications made after the expiry of the work permit period are not processed by the Ministry. Employers who miss the deadline for the work permit extension application can obtain a 1-year work permit in the form of a new application.

What are the Obligations of the Company Applying for an Extension?

• To deposit the foreigner’s salary in full through the bank;
• Having made the SGK payments of the foreigner and not having any debts to SGK;
• The company has no tax liability;
• Employing at least 5 Turkish citizens for 1 foreigner to work;

What the Employee Should Do

Foreigners who have applied for an extension of their work permits by their employers can work in the same workplace to do the same job. However, it is possible to work for a maximum of 45 days after the end of the work permit period. The employment of the foreigner working during this period is considered legal, and they have all their rights arising from the law.

The legal responsibility that falls on the employee continues to work depending on the employer requesting an extension during the above-mentioned 45-day period. In cases where the employee changes workplace, the new employer must apply for a work permit and the foreigner should not work until the new work permit is received.

What are the Obligations of the Foreigner for which Extension Application is made?

• Not to stay outside of Turkey for more than 6 months in total during the work permit period;
• Not to be involved in any crime.

Who can apply for an indefinite work permit?

Foreigners who have obtained a long-term residence permit by fulfilling the conditions in the Foreigners and International Protection Law No. 6458 and foreigners who have been working in Turkey for at least 8 years with a legal work permit can apply for an indefinite work permit. However, carrying these conditions does not provide absolute rights to the foreigner.

Documents Required to Extend Work Permit

• Work Permit Extension Application Petition;
• Extension Application Form filled in electronic environment;
• Photocopy of the passaport;
• Former Work Permit Certificate;
• Trade Registry Gazette showing the company’s latest capital structure and number of partners;
• Balance sheet, profit and loss statement approved by SMMM or tax office.

Work Permit Extension Applications

Work permit extension applications are a right granted by the state for foreign citizens who want to work in Turkey to legally earn income. This right, which is recognized by evaluation on many criteria, is given for a certain period of time. During this period, the person can work legally as insured. When your work permit renewal period is over, if you do not apply for a work permit extension, you must leave the country when your permit expires. If you continue to stay, you will be banned and if you are caught, you will be deported for this reason and it will be very difficult for you to return to the country. We, as the Immigration Bureau, follow the process from start to finish when we receive your application, but we also check the expiry date of your work permit application and notify you at the time of renewal so that you will not be in trouble.

When are work permit extension applications made?

For work permit extension applications, you are entitled to apply for a work permit renewal 60 days before your permit expires. In your first application, the longest will be given as 1 year. In subsequent extension applications, it can be given as 2 or 3 years. The most important part here is the person’s insurance entry. When a person has a work permit, he or she is given the right to a residence permit. For this reason, the person must leave the country as of the day of his insurance exit. This detail needs to be paid attention to, otherwise the person appears to be staying in the country illegally.

In work permit renewal applications, it is expected that the person fulfills the qualifications and conditions. It will be subject to a re-evaluation process and if the required conditions are met, your extension application will be included in the approval process. When you get a work permit and have a permanent residence in Turkey for 5 years, you can qualify to apply for citizenship.

How is the work permit renewal process done for home services?

• If the person being worked for is elderly, he/she must be alive at the time of application for extension of work permit in domestic services .
• If working for child care, the child being cared for is less than 15 years old
• Making SSI payments without delay
• The employee has not been outside of Turkey for more than 6 months within a year
• The foreigner must not have been involved in any crime in this process.

How to extend the work permit in educational institutions?

• The balance of the number of students, teachers and foreign employees provided in the first application is also ensured in this application.
• If he/she works in a field such as welcoming and guest relations in a foreign institution, the number of students in the educational institution where he/she works has increased positively.
• Continuing to meet the 5 Turkish employee requirement
• Full payment of insurance company payments
• The educational institution to be employed does not have any debt to the state as tax.
• During the work permit, the person must not go abroad for more than 6 months within 1 month.
• How are work permit extensions carried out in non-governmental organizations?
• The duration of the NGO Activity certificate of the foreigner to whom the application will be made must be at least 6 months.
• The NGO has not previously worked with any criminal or sympathizers of a terrorist organization in Turkey or in the world.
• A negative opinion should not have been expressed by the National Intelligence Organization or the Ministry of Internal Affairs for the NGO.

What is the role of the employer in work permit extension applications?

Applications for extension of work permits are proceeded through the hiring company, not the individuals. Just like the employee, the employer must follow the working hours and apply for renewal of the work permit before it expires. Otherwise, both the person’s residence permit will expire and he will be illegal and the employer will be in the position of employing illegal workers, and both parties will be penalized. For this reason, it is much more important than expected to follow the processes correctly.

We, the Immigration Bureau, are involved in the processes from the very beginning and carry out every process together and in renewals; We make reminders in extensions and we can carry out transactions safely.

As we, Immigration Bureau, you can reach us via APPLICATION FORM: https://gocmenburo.com/en/immigration-office-service-form .  We can support you in all your immigration processes.

How to apply for Extension of Work Permit for Foreigners? For information, you can also contact us via e-mail at info@gocmenburo.com .