Amendments to the Regulation on the Implementation of International Labor Force Law

The Regulation on Amendments to the Regulation on the Implementation of the International Labor Force Law was published in the Official Gazette dated October 15, 2024, and numbered 32692. The amendments, which came into force as of the publication date, can be summarized as follows:

Among the foreigners evaluated under the work permit exemption are groups such as those who will work in scientific, cultural, artistic, and sports activities, academicians, researchers, professionals working in petroleum and natural gas exploration and extraction activities, seafarers, professional athletes, tour operator representatives, and interns.

With the regulation, foreigners under temporary protection and those holding humanitarian residence permits who are reported to the Ministry of Labor and Social Security by the Ministry of Interior will be able to work under the work permit exemption. On the other hand, the Ministry will continue to carry out work permit processes for those required to obtain a work permit within these groups.

Foreign press members coming to Turkey with a permanent-press card, provided they have the approval of the Directorate of Communications, have also been granted the opportunity to work under the work permit exemption.

The exemption period for those providing significant services to the country has been extended from 6 months to 3 years. Accordingly, the maximum exemption period for foreigners who can provide significant services and contributions to Turkey in economic, socio-cultural, technological, and educational fields, as reported by relevant public institutions and organizations, has been extended from 6 months to 3 years.

Professional foreign athletes and coaches, as well as sports doctors, sports physiotherapists, sports mechanics, sports masseurs, or masseuses, and similar sports personnel coming to Turkey with the approval of the Ministry of Youth and Sports or the Turkish Football Federation, have also been provided with facilitation regarding the work permit exemption.

For foreigners working as tour operator representatives, it has been regulated that the calculation of the exemption period will be based on the calendar year.

Additionally, the regulation has removed the 30-day threshold, which was the period for foreigners to apply for a work permit exemption starting from the date of their legal entry into Turkey. Foreigners are now allowed to apply for a work permit exemption at any time during their legal stay in Turkey.

For more detailed information, you can access the official gazette in Turkish here.