How to go about finding work in Turkey?

Hi Achyut 

While there are thousands of expats working in Turkey, the government have become reluctant to grant work permits to foriegners, mainly because of the country's high unemployment rate.

Furthermore, the Turkish job market doesn't allow allow expats to work in specific fields.

It might be a good idea for you to get a job with a multinational company in India that has operations in Turkey and then in a year or so get a transfer. In this way the employer will be able to act as your sponsor and this will give you a stronger basis to be granted a work permit. 

For more information have a read through our Working in Turkey and Work Permits for Turkey pages.

Good luck.

That means my chances of working in turkey is zilch.

Hi Achyut

Not necessarily - but bear in mind that you will be competing against Turkish nationals and citizens of the entire EEA, who are first in line for hospitality jobs. Of course, if you have skills that these other applicants don't have you will have more of a chance of being hired over them. I think the key thing is that you are multi-lingual, which is a plus in the hospitality industry. Not many Turks speak Hindi. You should exploit those skills and look for job where you're at an advantage. Try job sites like this one: http://www.multilingualvacancies.com/vacancies/hindi-language-jobs.php

In addition, try the job sites listed on the Working in Turkey page. Also, the best thing you could do from India would be to sign up with a couple of recruitment companies operating in Turkey, who can hunt for a job on your behalf.

The other option is to travel to Turkey on a tourist visa and try win over a potential employer with your charm and personality. Then you can apply for a work visa once you actually have a job offer. I'm not 100% sure whether you can convert your visa to a residence visa within Turkey itself, so you will have to confirm that with your local embassy. Otherwise you'll have to make a visa run back home to complete the paperwork.

can anyone tell me what a work permit COST, THE TURKEY MINISTRY SENT ME A EMAIL AND THEY WANT 1875EURO,,,, COULD THIS BE CORRECT ??????

Hi Anonymous

To get a work permit for Turkey you need to contact your nearest Turkish embassy or consulate in your home country. You will need an employment contract (i.e. you need a job first), a completed application form and your passport.

Your employer is responsible for sending any other documentation to the Turkish Ministry of Labour and Social Security - you shouldn't have to deal with them at all as far as I know...?

Perhaps you are thinking about the fine for working in Turkey WITHOUT a work permit - that is how much it is according to the website of the Ministry of Labour - http://www.csgb.gov.tr/csgbPortal/yabancilar/eng/index.html

If you're absolutely sure it is the Ministry you're supposed to be dealing with directly, if you're worried perhaps you should go into your nearest embassy in person to ask them and double check on the fees for the Ministry of Labour. According to the Ministry's website the cost of a work permit application is more like 45 Euros. http://www.csgb.gov.tr/csgbPortal/yabancilar/eng/harc.html

@Gaby Thank you for the information. I mailed my resume to a lot of 5 star hotels and got some positive reply from them. If this won't work out, then I'll travel to Turkey in January and search for potential jobs there.

Hi Achyut

Glad to hear it! The key to job hunting is perseverance - you seem like a bright and articulate person so keep at it and don't give up. If one method isn't working then learn from that and try something else. :)

Good luck!