1- HOW TO APPLY ONLINE FOR WORK PERMITS FOR FOREIGNERS WHO HAVE TEMPORARY PROTECTION?
The applications made online through e-Devlet (www.turkiye.gov.tr) by employers who want to employ foreigners are accepted with these conditions below:
1.1- The Foreigner has a temporary protection identification/foreigner identification document or foreigner identity number document showing they are under temporary protection,
1.2- At least 6 months have passed since the beginning of their temporary protection until the date they apply for a work permit,
1.3- The Application is made for the foreigner according to the city they were granted a residence permit for their temporary protection record,
1.4- For those under temporary protection who will work in professions that prior authorisation is obligatory, the document of prior authorisation must be received from the relevant Ministries.
1.5- The foreigner who receives temporary protection has no work permit prepared to work for another employer or another application that wasn’t concluded.
1.6- The number of employees under temporary protection shouldn’t exceed the %10 of the Turkish citizens working there,

Under temporary protection, foreigners working for their own behalf in a private capacity, after the business starting process is complete, with the condition of having a tax id number, trade registry gazette for companies and for real persons, merchants, tradesmen and artisans, documents such as chamber of commerce registrations that show the operations of the company need to be scanned in the automation system during the application for work permit. Authorities will request work permit to grant a business license.

2- WHICH INFORMATION AND DOCUMENTS SHOULD BE PREPARED BEFORE APPLYING FOR WORK PERMIT FOR THOSE UNDER TEMPORARY PROTECTION?
Before the application you need the documents and information below:
2.1- A temporary protection identification/foreigner identification document showing they are under temporary protection,
2.2- A Foreigner Turkish Identity number, can be taken from  https://tckimlik.nvi.gov.tr or the number foreigners has that starts with 98, or their number that starts with 99 which can be found out on http://www.goc.gov.tr/gecicikoruma/Pages/YabanciKimlikSorgulama.aspx.
2.3- A head shot belonging to the foreigner. (Taken in the last 6 months)
2.4- An E-devlet password in the employer’s name (Which can be obtained from PTT information offices.)
2.5- An E-mail address in the employer’s name. (Which can be obtained from various sites on the internet for free)
2.6- If the application is done with someone else’s e-devlet password in the employer’s name, there needs to be a letter of proxy declaring the person is authorized.
2.7- An employment contract signed by the parties. (Example: http://www.calismaizni.gov.tr/calisma-izni/sozlesmeve-dilekce-ornekleri/)

NOTE: Before starting the application process, the documents above must be scanned in pdf form and uploaded to the computer.

Source: Ministry of Labor and Social Security

Legal Notice: The information in this article is intended for information purposes only. It is not intended for professional information purposes specific to a person or an institution. Every institution has different requirements because of its own circumstances even though they bear a resemblance to each other. Consequently, it is your interest to consult on an expert before taking a decision based on information stated in this article and putting into practice. Neither MuhasebeNews nor related person or institutions are not responsible for any damages or losses that might occur in consequence of the use of the information in this article by private or formal, real or legal person and institutions.

Turquoise Card owners will have the same rights as accorded to Turkish citizens after 3 years of transition period, excluding right to elect and be elected or to enter into public service and they will have no obligation of compulsory military service.

1-To Whom Will It Be Given?
Turquoise Card will be to foreigners who are;
1.1. regarded as qualified workforce due to their educational level, wage, professional experience, contribution to science and technology and such like qualifications,
1.2. regarded as qualified investor due to their contribution to science and technology, their level of investment or export value, volume of employment they provide and such like qualifications,
1.3. scientists and researcher who have internationally recognized studies in the academic area, and those distinguished in science, industry and technology, areas of which deemed strategic from the point of our country,
1.4. internationally reputed for their successes in cultural, artistic or sports activities,
1.5. contributing the recognition or publicity of the Turkey or its culture internationally, acting in favor of the matters concerning Turkey’s national interests.

2-How Can One Apply to Turquoise Card?
2.1. Applicants will be assessed by a point-based system based on the criteria determined by Directorate General; and a “certificate of suitability” will be required for some specific foreigners.
2.2. Turquoise Card application in Turkey will be made directly through the system, and the applications abroad will be made to the Turkey’s foreign mission in the foreigner’s country of citizenship or legal stay.  The information and documents related to applications made abroad shall be transferred to Ministry electronically by Turkey’s foreign mission.
2.3. Foreigner legally staying in Turkey may directly apply through the system by using his Foreigner ID Number.
2.4. Turquoise Card applications can also be made by authorized intermediary on behalf of foreigner both in the country and abroad.
2.5. Application will be completed by entering the information and documents belong to foreigner and its relative into system during the Turquoise Card applications.
2.6. Residence permit application of Turquoise Card owner’s relatives will be made at the same time of Turquoise Card application. In case the required information doesn’t exist, these applications can be made to Ministry within ninety days as of entering into Turkey, providing that not exceeding visa or visa exemption periods.  Documents related to marriage bond with respect to foreigner’s spouse and guardianship and dependency status concerning child will be attached to application.
2.7. Work permit applications can also be made by authorized intermediary.

3-What Kind of Documents Are Needed During the Application?
Following documents shall be uploaded to system during the application:
3.1. Letter of application,
3.2. Copy of foreigner’s passport,
3.3. Certificate of suitability, if any.
3.4. Required documents with respect to qualification of the applicants such as diploma, employment contract, and letter of appointment, trademark, licenses or patents will be published in Directorate General’s website.

4-What is Point-based system?
In the assessment of Turquoise Card application a point-based system based on the criteria determined by Directorate General of International Workforce will be used; foreigners who get sufficient point will be assessed positively.
4.1. For investors, scientists and researcher, artists and sportsmen a certificate of suitability, if any, received from public institutions and organizations will be attached to application.
4.2. Opinion of the schools or academician may be obtained for the applications filed by successful student in formal education.

5-In Which Circumstances Will Turquoise Card be Rejected?
Turquoise Card application may be rejected where the application;
5.1. fails to satisfy the criteria determined by the Ministry,
5.2. contains false or misleading information and documents,
5.3. made for occupations and professions confined exclusively to Turkish citizens in other laws,
5.4. lodged by foreigners whose working in Turkey is objectionable for public order, public security or public health reasons,
5.5. made for the citizens of a country that is not recognized officially by Republic of Turkey or has no diplomatic relations,
5.6. not made or completed within the legal period of time.

6-What should be Done in Transition period?
6.1. Turquoise Card is granted on condition that its first three years will be transition period, during which an expert will be assigned to follow the Turquoise Card owner’s activities and commitments and to prepare follow up reports in twelve months periods.
6.2. Foreigner is obliged to submit the required information and documents to the Ministry within 15 days.
6.3. Ministry, in line with expert’s report, may give 3 months for the completion of deficiencies on behalf of foreigner, and may end the transition period and cancel the Turquoise Card in case the deficiencies are not eliminated.
6.4. The transition period reservation will be removed upon foreigner’s application and he/she shall be granted permanent Turquoise Card. This application must be lodged starting prior to hundred and eighty days of expire date of transition period or in any case before the date of expire. After expiration of transition period, application for removing transition period reservation shall be refused and Turquoise Card becomes invalid.

7-What are Rights and Obligations of Card Owners?
Turquoise Card owners;
7.1. will benefit from the same rights as accorded to Turkish citizens with the exception of the provisions in laws regulating specific areas,
7.2. processes related to residence, travelling, investment, commercial activities, inheritance, acquisition of movable and immovable properties will be carried out in accordance with current legislations applied to Turkish citizens.
7.3. have no right to elect and be elected or to enter into public service and they have no obligation of compulsory military service.

8-What are the Rights of Turquoise Cards owner’s spouse and children?
People who are dependent in line with governing legislation shall be given a document that substitutes the residence permit and shows that they are relatives of Turquoise Cards owner.

9-In Which Circumstances can Turquoise Card be Cancelled?
Apart from the reason of holder’s own claim, Turquoise Card will be cancelled in the case of foreigner;
9.1. does not arrive at Turkey within six months as of the date of Turquoise Card validity starts, or stays outside of Turkey longer than 6 months for reasons other than force majeure
9.2. whose validity period of passport or the documents that substitutes passport are not extended, save for the presence of  favorable opinion of the Ministry of the Interior or Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
9.3. is found working in contradiction of the provision of Law, or work informally
9.4. is found not working uninterruptedly 1 year
9.5. whose work permit application is found afterwards as made by false and misleading information and documents,
9.6. has not submitted the required information and documents in the period of transition, or has lost his/her qualifications.
9.7. is notified by Ministry of Interior as being in the scope of Law No. 6458, Article 7, 15 and 54.
9.8. whose working in Turkey notified by relevant state institutions and organizations as objectionable for public order, public security or public health reasons,

10-What is the Obligation of social security?
Holders of Turquoise Card must fulfill their obligation stipulated by social security legislation in accordance with the provisions of Social Security and General Health Insurance Law No. 5510. The provisions of security agreements to which Turkey is party are reserved.

Source: Official Gazette (14.03.2017 – 30007)

Legal Notice: The information in this article is intended for information purposes only. It is not intended for professional information purposes specific to a person or an institution. Every institution has different requirements because of its own circumstances even though they bear a resemblance to each other. Consequently, it is your interest to consult on an expert before taking a decision based on information stated in this article and putting into practice. Neither MuhasebeNews nor related person or institutions are not responsible for any damages or losses that might occur in consequence of the use of the information in this article by private or formal, real or legal person and institutions.