{"id":3194,"date":"2026-02-06T10:29:28","date_gmt":"2026-02-06T07:29:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/workon.com.tr\/en\/?p=3194"},"modified":"2026-09-19T18:31:09","modified_gmt":"2026-09-19T15:31:09","slug":"turkey-work-permit-for-company-owners","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/workon.com.tr\/en\/turkey-work-permit-for-company-owners\/","title":{"rendered":"Turkey Work Permit for Company Owners: 2026 Eligibility"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

For an active foreign owner of a business operating under the balance-sheet method, Turkey\u2019s ordinary company-partner rules require three capital and ownership tests at application: the owner\u2019s own capital share must be at least TRY 500,000, the company\u2019s total paid-up capital must be at least TRY 500,000, and the owner must hold at least 20%.<\/strong> The business must then employ at least five Turkish citizens every month from the beginning of permit month seven. These requirements are cumulative at their applicable stage\u2014not alternative routes. The Ministry states that the listed tests do not apply when the foreign partner\u2019s own capital share is at least USD 100,000, but that exception does not guarantee approval.<\/p>\n

Last reviewed: 17 September 2026. This eligibility guide reflects the Ministry of Labour and Social Security criteria available on that date, including the general criteria effective from 3 August 2026. Rules, evidence requests and system treatment can change; verify the live official criteria before making an investment or filing.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Eligibility question<\/th>\n2026 answer<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Does share ownership itself create a right to work?<\/td>\nNo. Incorporation, a tax number, shares or a residence permit does not authorise active work or management.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Do the TRY 500,000 and 20% tests replace one another?<\/td>\nNo. Under the ordinary partner criteria, the owner\u2019s own capital-share amount, the company\u2019s total paid-up capital and the ownership percentage must each pass.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Must five Turkish citizens already be employed on day one?<\/td>\nThe company-partner criterion starts at the beginning of the permit\u2019s seventh month and must then be met every month.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What changes at a USD 100,000 capital share?<\/td>\nThe Ministry says the listed capital, shareholding and employment criteria do not apply; route, role, document, sector and discretionary evaluation remain.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Where is the filing process explained?<\/td>\nUse the separate company-owner work-permit application guide<\/a> after the eligibility decision is documented.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
\"Capital

Owner eligibility combines capital, shareholding and time-phased Turkish-employment controls; no single gate replaces the others.<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

\n
\n

Table of Contents<\/p>\nToggle<\/span><\/path><\/svg><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n