Article

Published: 06/06/2012

The new decree, which was sent to all governors’ offices across the country, reduces the fee for obtaining work permits to TL 150 from TL 650.

It also enlarges the scope of the purpose of visits by foreign nationals, automatically issuing residence permits for foreigners who come to Turkey for meetings, conferences, cultural activities and commercial ties.

Residency, work permit rules relaxed for foreigners

The Interior Ministry has changed the rules regarding residence and work permits for foreigners.

The new decree, which was sent to all governors’ offices across the country, reduces the fee for obtaining work permits to TL 150 from TL 650.

It also enlarges the scope of the purpose of visits by foreign nationals, automatically issuing residence permits for foreigners who come to Turkey for meetings, conferences, cultural activities and commercial ties.

Foreigners who have residence permits valid for six months will be able to obtain work permits by applying to the Labour and Social Security Ministry.

The decree, which is now in effect, seeks to legalise foreign nationals, especially those individuals who work in Turkish citizens' homes as nurses or maids.

It reduces the rate of insurance premium payments that need to be paid by employers for work permits to be issued at the premium rate that corresponds to minimum wage.

The previous regulation had employers pay one-and-a-half times the insurance premium rate indicated for minimum wage earners.

The decree will allow foreign nationals who violate visa regulations to obtain residence permits on the condition that they pay the permit fees and legal penalties if they overstay their visa.

The decree notes that the new regulations seek to fend off any possible negative effects the former regulations may be having on the tourism industry. It also states that well-meaning individuals will be protected by the changes. “Foreign nationals who have overstayed their visas or residence permits ... will be noted in official records, albeit for a brief period”.

“The new regulation certainly is positive and makes it easy to include into the system foreign nationals working illegally, particularly individuals who are employed in houses as caregivers for the elderly or the sick,” said Berk Çektir, a licensed attorney at law who specialises in the legal aspects of living and doing business in Turkey.

 

External Article Link: http://www.turkeypropertyplus.com/news/?id=397

Article Link: http://www.turkeypropertyplus.com/news/?id=397

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