Job Seeker Visa For Turkey: A Simple Guide
On the hunt for a job in the land of the crescent moon? Worry not! We’ve got your back!
Turkey’s job seeker visa is your golden ticket to opportunities and adventures alike. This guide is your compass, pointing you directly towards your employment aspirations in this vibrant country.
Let’s dive in!
Job Opportunities In Turkey For Foreigners
Foreigners need to have a work permit to legally work in Turkey. The employer makes the work permit application on the employee’s behalf. So, you need to find a job first and have a work contract with a Turkish employer to work in Turkey.
So, the most crucial step to working in Turkey is securing a job at a Turkish Company.
To increase your chances of finding a job in Turkey, you should visit Turkey and have face-to-face interviews with potential employers!
Finding A Job In Turkey For Foreigners
There are various employment opportunities for foreigners in Turkey. Living and working in another country, experiencing another culture, and meeting new people can be a rewarding experience.
Some people prefer to come to Turkey for further education and employment, while others come for a certain period.
The work visa and work permit type varies depending on your career and immigration goals. Foreigners who wish to work in Turkey need to have a Turkish work visa and a Turkish work permit.
The employer is going to sponsor you, and you can apply for a work visa through your work contract.
What Are The Professions That Foreigners Can Do In Turkey?
Foreigners in Turkey have the right to work in many business sectors. International companies have job opportunities for foreign nationals who speak more than one language in management, marketing, sales, technical information, and translation.
Generally, foreigners are employed in Customer Relationship Management, Foreign Language Teaching, Babysitting, Editorial Translation Works, and Import-Export Sales Specialist positions.
On the other hand, Turkey’s Aegean and Mediterranean regions, especially in hotels and travel companies, are offering seasonal jobs to foreign human resources.
Seasonal jobs in entertainment venues and hotels provide ample job opportunities for foreigners.
What Are The Prohibited Professions For Foreigners In Turkey?
Foreigners are prohibited from working in certain occupations in Turkey. This prohibition is regulated in the particular laws of the relevant professions.
According to the International Labor Law in Turkey, foreign Applications for professions specific to Turkish citizens are rejected.
These professions are
- Dentistry, Nursing, Midwifery, Pharmacy, Veterinary Medicine, Private Health Institutions, Lawyer, Public Prosecutor, Notary, Security personnel,
- Exporting fish, mussels, sponges, pearls, coral,
- Diving in territorial waters, piloting, captaining, and engineering on ships, or sailor profession, such as customs brokerage and tourist guide in Turkey.
Visiting Turkey And Looking For Jobs
You can visit Turkey and search for jobs here if you have visa-free entry rights. You can have interviews with companies and secure a job. The company can do a work visa and work permit for you.
Speaking basic Turkish is a great advantage when you are looking for jobs.
If you want to discover career opportunities in Turkey, you can apply to the Turkish Language Course program. You can get an invitation letter from our Turkish Language School and apply for a “Turkish Language Course Visa”.
The visa duration is 90 days. If you want to stay more than 90 days, we can make your application for a Turkish Language Course Residence Permit.
This residence permit can be taken for one year and renewed for one more extra year. In the meantime, you can learn Turkish and look for job opportunities. When you find your dream job, your employer can sponsor your work permit.
What Documents Will You Need When Applying For A Job In Turkey?
- Your passport
- Residence permit (if you have one)
- Your diploma/copy of your degree
- A teaching certificate or other qualifications (when applicable)
- Your resume/CV
- 1 or 2 passport-sized photographs
Is There A Job Seeker Visa/Permit In Turkey?
Technically, when employed by a company not based in Turkey and gets paid through a foreign bank, you aren’t considered “working” in Turkey. This loophole could save you from asking your employer to sponsor your work permit.
However, if employed by a Turkish company, you will sign a contract; your employer will have to apply for a work permit to ensure the SGK insures you and that you are legally working in Turkey.
As a foreign employee, you apply for your work visa to the Turkish consulate in your country of residence. However, your employer will be carrying out the application for your work permit.
You cannot, unfortunately, apply for your work permit as an expat. If you can prove you are earning enough or establish your own company in Turkey, you could later inquire about a self-employed work permit.
What Is The Average Salary Of Jobs In Turkey?
You can earn anywhere from the national minimum wage, TL 2,825.00 (net) and TL 3,577.50 (gross) for 2021 to TL 10,000 or more, depending on your seniority in the field you are working in.
Jobs revolving around tech and finance, for example, will pay more. The average for foreign workers would be around TL 4,000-6,500 in Istanbul.
If you are working part-time, you should expect that figure to drop proportionally.
Warning: Some part-time jobs pay in cash, and your employer may not sponsor or apply for a work permit, so be warned. This puts you at risk of deportation as an illegal worker.
Language Requirements
English proficiency in Turkey is low, ranking 64th out of 111 countries in the EF English Proficiency Index.
While English is the usual form of business communication in bigger cities, such as Ankara and Istanbul, you will need at least some understanding of Turkish to get by.
There may not be a standardized language test to pass before arriving in the country, but fluency in Turkish will increase your career prospects and ensure your work is at a high standard.
If you are taking up TEFL employment, you’ll need to be fluent in English with a grasp of Turkish. The more Turkish you know, the easier your day-to-day life will be.
What It’s Like To Work In Turkey?
According to government figures, 99% of the Turkish population is Muslim, so religious holidays are significant.
There are seven Turkish national holidays and two Islamic festivals: a three-day celebration of the end of Ramadan and the four-day Eid al-Adha.
Employees work a maximum of 45 hours per week, usually distributed evenly over six days. However, there is no standard working week, and most businesses open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with earlier start and finishing times during the summer months.
Entitlement to paid annual leaves starts after one year’s service in any job, with 14 days available at one to five years’ service, increasing in stages to 26 days for 15-plus years of service.
The minimum wage in Turkey varies depending on marital status and whether the worker has children.
It is also significantly lower than in the UK, with single workers earning an average of TL 11,804 per year and married workers with children taking home TL 12,006.
Despite the low minimum wage, the cost of living in Turkey is 41% lower than in the UK, with rent prices at 58% lower.
Internships
Internships in Turkey are a great way to gain work experience, learn about the culture, and network with professionals in your field.
You will likely find opportunities in Istanbul, where global companies such as Google, Red Bull, Vodafone, and Colgate-Palmolive have Turkish bases.
From short-term to year-round work placements, see:
Another option is IAESTE, an organization that provides internships for students in scientific and technical fields of study. You will need a work permit to begin an internship in Turkey, which you can obtain from the Turkish consulate in your home country.
Internships are typically unpaid, but employers may provide free accommodation in Turkish university dormitories, meal vouchers, and a monthly allowance.
Conclusion
Securing that job seeker visa is the first step in your Turkish career voyage. With this knowledge under your belt, you’re not just seeking a job—you’re seeking success. Welcome to the beginning of your Turkish tale!
Job Journey!
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