Foreign nationals who wish to work legally in Turkey are generally required to obtain a work permit issued by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (“Ministry”). Under Law No. 6735 on International Labour Force (“International Labour Force Law”), the employment of foreign nationals in Turkey is subject to specific rules and authorisation requirements.
One of the areas in which foreign nationals may be employed is domestic care services. However, the scope of foreign employment in private households is limited. In practice, foreign nationals may be employed for the care of children, elderly persons, persons with disabilities, or individuals who require care due to their health condition.
A foreign national cannot generally be employed under a domestic work permit solely for household cleaning, daily housekeeping or similar domestic duties.
Working in Turkey without a valid work permit may result in administrative penalties for both the foreign employee and the employer. Depending on the circumstances, unauthorised employment may also have immigration consequences for the foreign national.
- Who Can Employ a Foreign Caregiver in Turkey?
A work permit application for a foreign caregiver may be made where there is a genuine and identifiable care requirement.
For children under the age of 15, an application may be submitted for the employment of a foreign childcare worker by the child’s mother, father, adoptive parent, legal guardian or foster family.
Foreign caregivers may also be employed for the general care of persons aged 65 and above.
Where the person requiring care is under the age of 65, the relevant illness or disability must generally be supported by a medical report. Depending on the circumstances, the application may be made by the person requiring care, a first- or second-degree relative, or their legal guardian.
- How to Apply for a Foreign Domestic Worker Permit in Turkey
Applications are submitted electronically through the Ministry of Labour and Social Security’s work permit system. The procedure differs depending on whether the foreign national is already legally residing in Turkey or is applying from abroad.
1. Determining the Employer
The first step is to identify the person who will act as the employer.
The employer should have sufficient financial capacity to pay the foreign employee’s salary and meet the financial obligations arising from the employment relationship. In domestic care applications, the relationship between the employer and the person requiring care may also be relevant when the Ministry assesses the application.
2. Preparing the Employment Agreement
A fixed-term employment agreement should be prepared and signed between the employer and the foreign national.
The agreement should clearly set out the employee’s position, duties, salary, working conditions and duration of employment.
3. Applications from Within Turkey
Where the foreign national is already legally residing in Turkey and satisfies the requirements for an in-country work permit application, the employer may submit the application electronically.
The employer must obtain an electronic signature and complete the necessary employer and workplace registration procedures through the Ministry’s electronic work permit system.
Whether an application can be submitted from within Turkey depends on the foreign national’s current residence status and the applicable work permit rules. This should therefore be reviewed before the application is filed.
4. Applications from Outside Turkey
If the foreign national is outside Turkey, the procedure begins with an application to the relevant Turkish Embassy or Consulate in the country where the applicant is legally present.
Following the consular application, the foreign national receives a reference number, which must be provided to the employer in Turkey.
The employer then uses this reference number to complete the work permit application through the Ministry’s electronic system.
5. Submission of Supporting Documents
The Ministry may require documents demonstrating both the need to employ a foreign caregiver and the employer’s financial ability to meet the employment costs.
Depending on the circumstances of the application, supporting documentation may include evidence relating to the age or health condition of the person requiring care, medical reports, financial records and other documents explaining why a foreign caregiver is required.
Preparing these documents correctly is particularly important, as the Ministry assesses not only the formal application but also the circumstances surrounding the proposed employment.
6. Approval of the Work Permit
If the application is approved, the applicable government fees and valuable paper fee must be paid within the prescribed period.
The work permit card is subsequently delivered to the address registered in the application.
For applications initiated outside Turkey, the foreign national must also complete the relevant procedures before the Turkish Embassy or Consulate and enter Turkey in accordance with the approved work permit and visa process.
- Social Security Registration After the Work Permit
Obtaining the work permit does not complete all of the employer’s legal obligations.
Following approval, the employer must also complete the required Social Security Institution (“SGK”) registrations and employment notifications within the applicable statutory periods.
For foreign nationals employed in domestic services, the relevant employer registration and notification procedures may need to be completed through the SGK and the Kolay İşverenlik (Easy Employer) system.
Failure to submit mandatory SGK notifications, or submitting them after the applicable deadline, may result in administrative fines. Failure to comply with social security obligations may also create difficulties when applying for an extension of the foreign national’s work permit.
For this reason, the post-approval stage should be followed as carefully as the initial work permit application.
- How Does the Ministry Assess Domestic Worker Applications?
The Ministry considers several factors when reviewing an application to employ a foreign caregiver in Turkey.
The assessment may include:
- the age and health condition of the person who requires care or assistance;
- the foreign caregiver’s education and professional experience;
- the caregiver’s Turkish language skills;
- the foreign national’s previous residence or employment history in Turkey;
- the foreign national’s age and personal circumstances;
- the specific nature and requirements of the care to be provided; and
- the employer’s financial and socio-economic position, including regular income and ability to meet the costs of employment.
Accordingly, satisfying the technical requirements of the online application does not automatically mean that a work permit will be granted. The overall circumstances of the employer, the foreign employee and the person requiring care may be considered as part of the Ministry’s assessment.
- Extension of a Foreign Domestic Worker Permit
Foreign nationals who wish to continue working for the relevant employer should ensure that their work permit extension application is submitted on time.
An extension application may be filed within the 60-day period before the existing work permit expires and, in any event, must be submitted before the expiry date of the current permit.
Applications submitted after the existing work permit has expired are not treated as timely extension applications. Employers and foreign employees should therefore monitor the expiry date carefully to avoid interruption of the foreign national’s legal employment status.
- Legal Assistance for Foreign Domestic Worker Permits in Turkey
Applications for foreign caregivers involve both immigration and employment law requirements. The appropriate procedure may differ depending on whether the foreign national is currently in Turkey or abroad, the age and health condition of the person requiring care, the relationship between the employer and the person receiving care, and the employer’s financial circumstances.
At Zen Law Partners, we assist foreign nationals and employers throughout the work permit process in Turkey, including the assessment of eligibility, preparation of the required documentation, electronic work permit applications, follow-up of the application before the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, and guidance regarding post-approval procedures.
If you are planning to employ a foreign caregiver in Turkey or need assistance with an existing work permit or extension application, you may contact Zen Law Partners for an assessment of your case.
Atty. İrem Şirolu
04.09.2026
irem@zenlawpartners.com
