What do I need to bring to renew a work permit in Türkiye?

Original and photocopy of the current work permit; Original and photocopy of the passport; Original and photocopy of the valid residence permit (if applicable); One biometric photograph; Employment contract between the foreign national and the employer; Documents related to the employer (e.g., trade registry gazette, balance sheet, profit/loss statement for the last year); Tax plate and signature circular of the employer; A document proving the foreign national's qualifications for the job (e.g., diploma, certificate); Application form for work permit extension (usually generated online); Power of attorney (if the application is made by an authorized person).

What commonly goes wrong with a work permit renewal in Türkiye?

Ensure the application is submitted within the legally prescribed period (within 60 days before expiration, and before the expiration date). Late applications may be treated as initial applications, leading to potential complications. All required documents must be complete, accurate, and submitted in the correct format (e.g., translated and notarized where necessary). Missing or incorrect documents are a common cause of delays or rejections. The employer must fulfill specific criteria, such as having a certain number of Turkish employees for each foreign employee, depending on the sector. Failure to meet these criteria can lead to application rejection. Verify the current fees and payment methods, as these can change annually. Payments must be made to the correct accounts and proof of payment submitted.

Guides · Türkiye

Work permit renewal in Türkiye

Written from published rules on 27 August 2026. Not monitored for changes since. A starting point, not official advice — confirm anything that matters with T.C. Çalışma ve Sosyal Güvenlik Bakanlığı (Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Labour and Social Security).

Renewing a work permit in Türkiye generally involves submitting an application to the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (Çalışma ve Sosyal Güvenlik Bakanlığı) before the current permit expires. The process typically requires collecting necessary documents and submitting them through the appropriate channels.

Your timing

It is advisable to initiate the work permit renewal process well in advance of the current permit's expiration date. Turkish law specifies a window for application, generally within 60 days before the permit expires and before the permit's expiration date. This allows sufficient time for document preparation, submission, and processing by the authorities, considering potential processing times and any unforeseen requirements.

Start 60 days ahead

Turkish law allows applications to be made within 60 days prior to the expiration of the current work permit. This timeframe is crucial for ensuring continuity and avoiding a break in legal work status.

The process

1Gather required documents, which typically include the existing work permit and residence permit, passport, and documents related to the employer and employment contract.
2The employer (or the applicant, if self-employed) should initiate the online application through the Ministry of Labour and Social Security's e-Devlet system.
3Upload all necessary documents to the online system within the specified timeframe after initiating the application.
4Pay the applicable work permit fee and valuable paper fee once the application is approved, usually via designated banks or tax offices.
5Wait for the Ministry's evaluation and decision, which will be communicated through the e-Devlet system or mail.
6If approved, the new work permit card will be mailed to the registered address.

What to bring

Original and photocopy of the current work permit
Original and photocopy of the passport
Original and photocopy of the valid residence permit (if applicable)
One biometric photograph
Employment contract between the foreign national and the employer
Documents related to the employer (e.g., trade registry gazette, balance sheet, profit/loss statement for the last year)
Tax plate and signature circular of the employer
A document proving the foreign national's qualifications for the job (e.g., diploma, certificate)
Application form for work permit extension (usually generated online)
Power of attorney (if the application is made by an authorized person)

Who handles it

T.C. Çalışma ve Sosyal Güvenlik Bakanlığı (Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Labour and Social Security)

https://www.csgb.gov.tr/

The cost for renewing a work permit in Türkiye consists of a work permit fee and a valuable paper fee. These fees are determined annually by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security and the Ministry of Treasury and Finance, respectively. The exact amounts should be confirmed on the official websites or through official communication channels before making payment.

What commonly goes wrong

Ensure the application is submitted within the legally prescribed period (within 60 days before expiration, and before the expiration date). Late applications may be treated as initial applications, leading to potential complications.
All required documents must be complete, accurate, and submitted in the correct format (e.g., translated and notarized where necessary). Missing or incorrect documents are a common cause of delays or rejections.
The employer must fulfill specific criteria, such as having a certain number of Turkish employees for each foreign employee, depending on the sector. Failure to meet these criteria can lead to application rejection.
Verify the current fees and payment methods, as these can change annually. Payments must be made to the correct accounts and proof of payment submitted.

Sources

This guide is based on one official source.

csgb.gov.tr

Work permit renewal in other countries

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