Turkey imposes stern penalties on unauthorized foreign laborers
As of mid-2025, Turkey has enacted new regulations aimed at enforcing immigration laws and reducing the number of undocumented foreign workers in the country. The changes, which affect foreign workers, employment, deportation expenses, and work permits, are part of a series of updates to regulations for foreign workers in Turkey.
One of the key aspects of the new regulations is the financial liability that employers now bear for the deportation expenses of foreign workers without valid work permits. Effective from July 2025, employers who hire such workers are responsible for the costs associated with their repatriation, including accommodation, health care, and transportation during the repatriation process. These costs will be capped at three months of expenses, as set annually by the Presidency of Migration Management.
To obtain a valid work permit, foreign nationals are required by law to submit an application through their employers to the Ministry of Labor and Social Security. The processing time for permits typically ranges from 4–8 weeks. Initial work permits last one year, renewable for two or three years, and after eight years of continuous work in Turkey, foreign workers can apply for indefinite permits. Fees for permits vary, with €119 for a one-year temporary permit and €1,189 for permanent/longer-term permits.
Employing foreign workers without a valid permit can lead to administrative fines, deportation orders for workers, and potential criminal investigations for employers under Turkish Penal Code articles related to labor exploitation and workplace safety violations. Foreign workers without valid work permits have a one-month deadline to regularize their status.
The regulations also outline procedures for recovering costs associated with the repatriation process. If payment is not made within the given period, it will be collected through tax channels linked to the employer's tax registration. In cases where payment is collected through tax channels, the migration office will send the payment demand to the tax office with which the employer or their representative is registered for income or corporate tax purposes.
As of 2024, Turkey recorded 300,852 valid foreign work permits, according to the ministry. The cost of daily accommodation at repatriation centers will be set annually by the Presidency of Migration Management at the beginning of each fiscal year.
The new regulations are expected to have a significant impact on the expat community in Turkey, potentially leading to increased scrutiny and enforcement of immigration laws for foreign workers in the country. The Labor and Social Security Ministry published the regulation in the Official Gazette.
- In light of the new regulations, foreign employers in Turkey may face financial responsibilities for the deportation expenses of workers without valid work permits, additionally, these costs will be capped at three months' expenses, as set annually by the Presidency of Migration Management.
- Syrian and Turkish businesses hiring foreign workers in Turkey should be aware that the processing time for work permits can range from 4–8 weeks, with varying fees, including €119 for a one-year temporary permit and €1,189 for permanent/longer-term permits, submitted through the Ministry of Labor and Social Security.
