Jobs in Turkey With Visa Sponsorship For Foreigners

Are you thinking about moving to Turkey for work? Are you a foreign national looking for work in a nation renowned for its thriving economy, rich history, and lively culture? Are You Looking for a Job in Turkey That Will Sponsor Your Visa? You’ve come to the correct place, where you may find all the information you need about jobs for foreigners.

Finding employment in Turkey is not difficult, particularly if you possess skills that are in demand. The third-largest recruitment service in the world, Manpower Group, reports that 66% of Turkish businesses are having trouble filling open positions. The fields with the highest needs include finance, accounting, and engineering.

The vocations that are in demand in Turkey, how to obtain a foreign work visa in Turkey, and visa sponsorships for foreign workers are all covered in this article. We also make sure you are ready to start your journey by guiding you through the complexities of Turkey’s Visa Sponsorship System.

Turkey is rapidly becoming a popular destination for expats seeking international career opportunities. With a growing economy, especially in cities like Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir, there are many jobs with visa sponsorship in Turkey for foreigners in sectors like IT, tourism, education, finance, and manufacturing.

If you’re wondering how to get a work visa and sponsorship in Turkey, this guide covers everything you need to know—from the work permit process to legal requirements, job search tips, and employer responsibilities.

Jobs in Turkey With Visa Sponsorship For Foreigners

Here are some job opportunities in Turkey that offer visa sponsorship for foreign nationals in 2024:

• Senior PHP Developer for Ankara office
• HR Manager
• Practice Educator
• Lead Nurse for Quality and High-Cost Care
• Senior Case Manager
• Engagement Manager
• Communications and Engagement Manager
• Assistant Director: Community Commissioning and Transformation
• Referral Support Service Administrator
• Pharmacy Manager

Requirements

• A Confirmed Job Offer: This is the most crucial requirement. You must have a signed employment contract or job offer letter from a Turkish company that is willing to sponsor your work permit. Without an employer, you cannot apply.
• Work Visa Application: You must apply for a work visa at the Turkish embassy or consulate in your home country or country of legal residence.
• Passport: Your passport must be valid for at least 60 days beyond the “duration of stay” of your visa. It should also have at least two blank pages.
• Educational Qualifications: You will need to provide a copy of your diploma or temporary graduation certificate. For documents not in Turkish, a certified translation is required.
• Biometric Photos: You must provide recent passport-sized photos that meet Turkey’s biometric specifications.
• Criminal Record: A police clearance certificate from your country of residence is often required to prove you have no criminal history.
• Financial Stability: You may need to demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to support yourself during your initial stay in Turkey. Some sources suggest a minimum of around €50 per day.
• Health Insurance: Proof of health insurance that covers your stay in Turkey is a requirement.

Benefits

Legal and Immigration Benefits

• Combined Work and Residence Permit: One of the most significant advantages is that an approved work permit in Turkey also serves as your residence permit. This means you do not need to go through a separate application process to obtain a residence permit, simplifying the legal procedures for your stay.
• Pathway to Permanent Residency and Citizenship: A work permit provides a clear path to long-term residency. After five years of continuous legal residence and employment, a foreigner may be eligible to apply for Turkish citizenship.
• Family Inclusion: Foreign workers with a valid work permit can bring their family members (spouse and children under 18) to Turkey. The family members can apply for a family residence permit, which is tied to the work permit holder’s legal status.

Social and Economic Benefits

• Access to Social Security: As a legal employee, you will be enrolled in the Turkish social security system (SGK). This provides you with comprehensive benefits, including state-sponsored healthcare for you and your family and contributions toward your retirement pension.
• Healthcare Coverage: Your social security contributions give you and your family access to Turkey’s public healthcare system, which is known for its high quality and affordability.
• Educational Opportunities: With a residence permit, your children can enroll in Turkish public schools, providing them with quality education in a new cultural environment.
• Financial Services: A work permit and residence permit allow you to open a bank account, obtain a tax number, and conduct financial transactions easily.
• Travel and Mobility: Having a work and residence permit allows you to travel freely within Turkey without needing a separate road permit in some cases.

Professional and Career Benefits

• Career Advancement: Turkey’s job market is dynamic, particularly in sectors like engineering, technology, and finance. With experience and dedication, you can find opportunities for career growth within your company.
• Extension and Renewal: The initial work permit is typically valid for one year. It can be extended for up to two additional years, and then for three years for subsequent renewals. After eight years of legal work, you can apply for an indefinite work permit, which provides the same rights as a Turkish citizen.
• Creative and Challenging Opportunities: The growing economy, coupled with a mix of traditional and modern industries, offers foreign workers a chance to work on challenging and innovative projects.

What Jobs are in Demand in Turkey?

In-Demand Jobs in Turkey

• Engineering: This is a broad category with a consistently high demand.
  • Civil Engineer: With ongoing infrastructure projects and urbanization, civil engineers are essential for designing and overseeing construction activities.
  • Mechanical Engineer: The manufacturing and industrial sectors have a strong need for mechanical engineers.
  • Environmental Engineer: As Turkey focuses on sustainability and renewable energy, the demand for environmental engineers is growing.
  • Renewable Energy Engineer: The government’s push for a greener future has created a strong need for professionals in this field.
• Finance: The financial sector in Turkey is expanding, leading to a need for skilled professionals.
  • Financial Analyst: Businesses and financial institutions require analysts to provide data-driven insights and support strategic decision-making.
  • Bank Manager: These roles are in demand to lead and manage bank branches.
• Technology: The tech sector is booming, with a particular focus on digital transformation and emerging technologies.
  • Data Analyst/Scientist: The increasing reliance on data for business insights has created a high demand for data analysts and data scientists.
  • Software Developer: With a growing tech scene, software developers are in high demand to create and maintain applications across various sectors.
  • AI and Machine Learning Engineer: The push for AI integration into the economy has led to a need for specialists in this area.
  • Cybersecurity Analyst: As digitalization increases, so does the need for cybersecurity experts to protect against threats.
• Healthcare: The healthcare sector is expanding, and there is a need for a range of professionals.
  • Surgeon: Surgeons, especially those with specializations, are among the highest-paid professionals.
  • Healthcare Professionals: Doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals are in consistent demand.
• Legal and Management:
  • Lawyer & Judge: The legal system is a core part of the country’s infrastructure, and both lawyers and judges are in high demand and are well-compensated.
  • Chief Executive Officer (CEO): As with most countries, experienced CEOs who can lead companies are among the highest earners.

What is a Turkey Work Visa for Foreigners?

A Turkey work visa allows foreign nationals to live and legally work in Turkey. It is typically linked to an employer who acts as your sponsor. Once you have a job offer, you can apply for a work permit (çalışma izni) and subsequently obtain a work visa to enter and stay in Turkey.

Turkey Work Permit Application Process

Step-by-step Turkey work permit process for foreigners:

1. Secure a job offer from a Turkish employer willing to sponsor your visa.
2. Employer submits a work permit application to the Ministry of Labor and Social Security.
3. Once approved, apply for a work visa at a Turkish consulate or embassy abroad.
4. Enter Turkey on the work visa and register with local authorities to obtain a residence permit.
5. Start your employment legally.

Work permits are usually valid for one year and can be renewed. After 8 years of continuous residence, foreigners may apply for permanent residency.

Turkey Job Opportunities for Expats

Turkey’s diverse economy offers jobs for foreigners in:

• IT & Software development
• Tourism & Hospitality (hotels, travel agencies)
• Education (English teaching, international schools)
• Finance & Banking
• Manufacturing & Engineering
• Healthcare & Medical sectors

Major cities like Istanbul are hotspots for jobs with visa sponsorship due to their international business hubs.

How to Get Visa Sponsorship in Turkey

Visa sponsorship means your employer takes responsibility for your work visa and permit application. To get sponsorship:

• Apply for positions specifically offering visa sponsorship or open to foreigners
• Provide proof of qualifications, experience, and legal eligibility to work
• Employers in Turkey must justify hiring foreigners over local workers
• Once hired, the employer applies for your work permit through official channels

Website to Find Jobs in Turkey

• LinkedIn: This is one of the most effective platforms for finding professional jobs in Turkey. You can search for positions and filter by location (e.g., Istanbul, Ankara, or Izmir) and industry. You can also network directly with recruiters and professionals in your field. Many international and Turkish companies that hire foreigners advertise on LinkedIn.
• Kariyer.net: This is one of the largest and most preferred job search platforms in Turkey. Many job advertisements for foreigners are posted on this site.
• Indeed Turkey: As a global job search platform, Indeed has a significant presence in Turkey and offers many job opportunities for foreigners.
• Yenibiris.com: Another popular Turkish job board, Yenibiris is a good resource for finding a wide range of job opportunities across different sectors.

Conclusion

Turkey provides several job opportunities with visa sponsorship for foreigners looking to progress their careers in a thriving and expanding economy. A favorable environment for foreigners is created by the country’s high need for qualified workers in fields including technology, engineering, finance, and healthcare, especially in big cities like Istanbul and Ankara.

Foreign workers can build a fulfilling career and a good standard of living in Turkey by accepting a job offer from a sponsoring employer, completing the simple work permit and visa application process, and embracing the country’s professional and cultural prospects. Turkey is becoming a more alluring location for talented individuals from around the world due to its social security advantages and its straightforward road to permanent residency and citizenship.

Frequently Asked Questions