Turkey grants permanent work, residence permits to qualified foreign employees, investors

ANKARA

AFP photo

Turkey will grant permanent work and residence permits to qualified foreigners who have to meet several criteria, including contributing to the country’s science, technology, employment and economy, a new practice published in the Official Gazette said March 14. 

Foreigners who meet the requirements will be granted the Turkish turquois card, which exempts foreigners from military service, and will be given to applicants deemed appropriate by the Turkish Labor and Social Security Ministry.

The new practice, which was suggested by the International Labor Force Policy Advisory Board, will take the applicants’ level of education and professional experience into account, as well as the impact their activities in Turkey have on economy and employment. The card is expected to be given to relatives of cardholders too. 

The ministry will evaluate whether or not the applicants are qualified workers and high-grade investors by taking into account the size of investment, export and employment they will provide. In addition, scientists and researchers carrying out researches and efforts in the areas of science, industry and technology, who get recognized as strategic in terms of the country’s interests on an international level, will also be given the turquois card. 

Those who have a record of success internationally in the areas of culture, art and sports will be able to benefit from permanent work and the residence permit, according to the new regulations. 

Foreigners who contribute to Turkey’s or its culture’s international reputation and publicity, and those who engage in activities regarding Turkey’s national interests on an international level will also be given the turquois card.

Applications to obtain the card will be done through an application system with the ministry if the person is in Turkey, and will be made through Turkish missions if the person is abroad. The documents from overseas applications will be transferred to the ministry, where the decision will be made. 

Foreigners willing to obtain the turquois card will have to submit documents with information about themselves and their relatives. An intermediary institution will also be able to apply on behalf of the card candidate. 

Foreigners will be able to submit applications on behalf of their relatives to get residence permits in the first 90 days starting from their arrival to Turkey. Documents showing their matrimonial and custodial bonds, if they have children, will be added to the application. 

Authorities will then grant the cards to applicants based on a point scoring system. 

Those eligible for the card will be exempt from military service, however will not benefit from the rights of electing or being elected and taking duties in public institutions. Their rights regarding social security will be reserved and the practicing of those rights will depend on the regulations. 

The cardholders will deal with issues such as residency, travel, work, investment, commercial activities and heritage just like Turkish citizens. If the law requires one to be a Turkish citizen, the cardholders will not be able to apply to benefit from that right.  

The cardholders and their relatives will be able to obtain Turkish citizenship once the ministry approves, and under the condition that the person does not present a threat against national security and public order. 

If the card becomes invalid, then the permits for the cardholders’ relatives will also be invalidated.