Foreign Investor Work Permit Requirements In Turkey 2025

For foreigners seeking to establish a company in Turkey, one of the most critical considerations is the requirement of a work permit in order to actively take part in company operations as a founder or shareholder. Under Turkish law, company shareholding grants the right to invest; however, this status alone does not confer the authority to physically work in Turkey or to manage the company. Accordingly, if a foreign national intends to assume representation authority, serve on the management body, or otherwise engage in an employment relationship within the company, obtaining a work permit from the Ministry of Labor and Social Security is mandatory. Therefore, investors planning a company establishment in Turkey should not focus solely on the commercial registry stage. The work permit application process must be handled simultaneously. Otherwise, mere shareholding does not create an effective right, and any actions taken in the capacity of founder or manager may