TR · Expiry & renewal tracking
Don't miss a foreign worker's permit extension window
A first Turkish work permit is valid for at most one year; with the same employer the first extension is up to two years and later ones up to three (Law No. 6735, Article 10). Extensions can be applied for from 60 days before expiry until the expiry date; later applications are rejected.
Under Türkiye's International Labour Force Law No. 6735, a first work permit is granted for at most one year, not exceeding the term of the employment or service contract, for a specific job at a specific workplace. If an extension application with the same employer is approved, the permit is granted for up to two years on the first extension and up to three years on later extensions (Article 10(1) and 10(2)).
The extension application is made starting 60 days before the permit expires and in any case before it expires; extension applications made after expiry are rejected (Law, Article 7(3); Implementing Regulation, Article 27(1)). Applications are made through the online system.
At a glance
| First permit | Up to 1 year, not exceeding the contract term (Law, Article 10(1)) |
|---|---|
| First extension | Up to 2 years with the same employer (Law, Article 10(2); Regulation, Article 27(2)) |
| Later extensions | Up to 3 years with the same employer (Law, Article 10(2); Regulation, Article 27(2)) |
| Extension application | Opens 60 days before expiry and must be made before expiry; later applications are rejected (Law, Article 7(3); Regulation, Article 27(1)) |
| New employer | Treated as a first application, not an extension (Law, Article 10(2); Regulation, Article 27(3)) |
| Legal basis | Law No. 6735, Articles 7, 10, 15; Implementing Regulation of the International Labour Force Law, Articles 27, 61 |
If the extension is approved, the new period starts on the day after the previous permit ended (Regulation, Article 27(7)).
Who is responsible?
For permits tied to an employer, the employer files the application and the notifications. The employer must notify the Ministry within fifteen days of the start and end of employment and of any circumstances requiring cancellation of the permit; notifications are made through the system (Regulation, Articles 61(1) and 61(5)).
If the deadline passes
A work permit loses its validity when its term ends (Law, Article 15(1)), and an extension application made after expiry is rejected (Article 7(3)). An administrative fine is imposed on the employer or employer's representative for each foreign national employed without a work permit, and a foreign national found working without a permit is reported to the Ministry of Interior for removal (Articles 23(5)(b) and 23(8)).
Working while the application is pending, and passport validity
A foreign national whose extension was applied for in time may keep working from the permit's expiry date while the application is assessed, for no more than ninety days and provided the job and workplace do not change (Regulation, Article 27(5)). Failure to extend the validity of the foreign national's passport or equivalent document is also one of the grounds for cancelling the work permit (Law, Article 15(2)(b)), so the passport expiry date is worth tracking too.
Tracking it with ExpirySuite
- Add each foreign employee as a person and record their work permit and passport as separate documents with expiry dates.
- Email reminders arrive 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 days before expiry and on the expiry day. The 60-day reminder coincides with the day the extension window opens.
- Assign the person who prepares the application as the document owner; expired documents are also reported to managers on days 3, 7 and 14.
- You can ask the employee for an updated passport or document copy through a secure link valid for 14 days, without them needing an account.
Frequently asked questions
- How long is a Turkish work permit valid?
- Up to one year on the first application; with the same employer, up to two years on the first extension and up to three years on later extensions (Law No. 6735, Article 10).
- When can I apply for an extension?
- From 60 days before the permit expires, and no later than the expiry date. Extension applications made after expiry are rejected (Law, Article 7(3); Regulation, Article 27(1)).
- Can the permit be extended if the worker changes employer?
- An application to work for a different employer is assessed under the rules for first applications (Law, Article 10(2); Regulation, Article 27(3)).
- Can the employee keep working while the extension is pending?
- Yes, for up to ninety days from the permit's expiry date, provided the job and workplace do not change (Regulation, Article 27(5)).
- Who can apply for an indefinite work permit?
- Foreign nationals with a long-term residence permit or at least eight years of legal work permit in Türkiye; meeting the conditions does not give an absolute right (Law, Article 10(3)). The indefinite work permit document is renewed at the end of every five years, with the application made in the six months before the five years end (Regulation, Article 28(4)).
Sources
- Uluslararası İşgücü Kanunu No. 6735 (International Labour Force Law), Articles 7, 10, 15 and 23 (mevzuat.gov.tr, in Turkish)
- Uluslararası İşgücü Kanunu Uygulama Yönetmeliği (Implementing Regulation), Articles 27, 28 and 61 (mevzuat.gov.tr; last amended Official Gazette 15.10.2024, in Turkish)
Last checked: Sep 30, 2026 · This page summarises official sources for general information and is not legal advice. Check the linked sources for current rules and fees.
Made for work permit for foreign nationals (Türkiye)
A ready template for work permit for foreign nationals (Türkiye) with sensible validity defaults, so you enter less and track more.
Reminders on time
Email alerts at 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before each work permit for foreign nationals (Türkiye) expires, plus overdue escalation to managers.
Assign an owner
Give each work permit for foreign nationals (Türkiye) an owner and let employees update their own via a secure link — no login needed.