Company Owner and Partner Work Permit in Türkiye in 2026

Research note: Official government and programme material checked 2026-09-23. Individual eligibility, the issued immigration document and currently applicable law govern; this is not personalized legal advice.

Incorporating or owning a Turkish company is not permission to work for that company. The Labour Ministry's workplace guidance requires an appropriate work permit before a foreign business owner begins operating or personally working. An eligible owner or company partner may obtain a temporary permit rather than an independent professional permit.

Verify the published partner thresholds

For the balance-sheet category, the current company-partner criteria generally require the foreign partner to hold TRY 500,000 as their own capital share, company paid-in capital of at least TRY 500,000, and at least 20% ownership. The business normally must employ five Turkish citizens, with the condition attaching from month seven of the foreign partner's first permit. A USD 100,000 foreign partner capital share can qualify for the Ministry's exception from specified partner financial/workforce criteria. These tests are work-permit conditions, not universal minimums for registering a company.

Check the 2026 exceptions

The Ministry separately publishes an exception effective 3 August 2026 for certain domestic applications by foreigners with sufficient lawful residence within the previous three years, subject to staffing and numerical restrictions. Sector and nationality provisions may also modify requirements. Do not apply a founder exemption unless the applicant actually meets its precise legal test.

Register the business, document the proposed working role and shareholding, then obtain Labour Ministry approval before operating. A residence card for business connections does not supply that work authorization.

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