The Turkey work permit fee calculator works out, in seconds, the work permit fee and card fee you need to pay under the 2026 fee schedule. You see the total cost of a fixed-term, indefinite or independent work permit for a single foreign employee or for several people, so you can settle your budget before you apply.
What is the work permit fee?
The work permit fee is a statutory charge that is paid after the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MoLSS) approves your application, and its amount depends on the permit duration. On top of the fee, a work permit card fee is paid for each foreign national (the card is issued as an official security document, known in Turkish as "değerli kâğıt"). In 2026 the total cost of a 1-year fixed-term work permit is 13,538.90 TL per person.
How is the work permit fee calculated?
The calculator works with three inputs: permit type, permit duration and number of people. It applies the following formula to the values you enter:
- Fixed-term work permit: fee = 12,574.90 TL × number of years (1, 2 or 3 years)
- Indefinite and independent work permit: fee = 125,802.20 TL (a fixed amount, regardless of duration)
- Card fee: 964 TL for each foreign national
- Total: (fee + card fee) × number of people
Total amount = (permit fee + 964 TL) × number of people
A fixed-term work permit is granted for a maximum of 1 year on the first application; up to 2 years can be requested at the first extension and up to 3 years at later extensions. That is why the 2-year and 3-year options are mostly used for extension applications. An indefinite work permit can be applied for by holders of a long-term residence permit or by those who have held a legal work permit for at least 8 years.
Which permit type should you choose?
- Fixed-term work permit: The most common option for foreign staff who will work for a specific employer and workplace, and for caregivers working in domestic services (household employment).
- Indefinite work permit: For foreign nationals who have been legally present in Turkey for a long time and meet the requirements; the fee is a one-off, fixed amount.
- Independent work permit: Issued to foreign nationals who will work on their own behalf and for their own account (self-employment); the fee is the same as for the indefinite permit.
Sample work permit fee calculations
The table below shows the results the calculator gives in the most common scenarios:
| Scenario | Fee | Card fee | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person, fixed-term permit, 1 year | 12,574.90 TL | 964.00 TL | 13,538.90 TL |
| 2 people, fixed-term permit, 1 year | 25,149.80 TL | 1,928.00 TL | 27,077.80 TL |
| 1 person, fixed-term permit, 2 years (extension) | 25,149.80 TL | 964.00 TL | 26,113.80 TL |
| 1 person, fixed-term permit, 3 years (extension) | 37,724.70 TL | 964.00 TL | 38,688.70 TL |
| 1 person, indefinite or independent permit | 125,802.20 TL | 964.00 TL | 126,766.20 TL |
For example, if a company operating in Istanbul obtains 1-year permits for two foreign engineers, it pays (12,574.90 + 964) × 2 = 27,077.80 TL. The same calculation applies to a working couple who want to employ two separate caregivers, one for their child and one for an elderly mother.
When and how is the fee paid?
When your application is approved, an approval notification is issued through the e-İzin system, the Ministry's online work permit platform. The fee and the card fee must be paid within 30 days of this notification; applications that are not paid on time are rejected and not processed. Since the permit is not issued until payment is complete, you need to keep a close eye on the approval notification.
Fee amounts are updated every year by the revaluation rate. For applications approved near the end of the year, keep in mind that the tariff on the payment date may be different.
The fee is paid after the application is approved; no fee payment is requested at the application stage. Missing the 30-day window after the approval notification may force you to start the whole process again.
Fees for other procedures, such as a work permit exemption, are separate and are not calculated with this tool. The fee should also not be confused with the heavy administrative fines imposed separately on both the employer and the foreign national when a foreign national is employed without a permit.
Plan the total cost beyond the fee
The Turkey work permit fee calculation shows only one item of the cost of employing a foreign national. To also see the salary, the SGK (Social Security Institution) employer share and unemployment insurance, you can use the foreign caregiver cost calculator. Before applying, companies can reduce the risk of rejection on the employment criterion by checking how many foreign employees your company can hire. A valid work permit replaces a residence permit; however, you may need to calculate the residence permit fee separately for family members who come with the employee.
For the process, documents and assessment criteria, see our work permit in Turkey page, and for employer-side obligations, our company work permit service. We have also explained the caregiver work permit process for families looking for a caregiver at home. For employers who want to see the rules, costs and penalties in one place, we recommend our guide to hiring foreign employees in Turkey, and for working mothers, our foreign nanny guide.
Why Fast Danışmanlık?
Since 2010 we have advised employers and families on work permits across the Marmara Region, especially in Kocaeli, Istanbul, Bursa and Tekirdağ, and throughout Turkey (officially Türkiye) through an online process. We track the fee deadline, the document preparation and the e-İzin application on your behalf, and aim to maximize your chance of approval with a complete file.
This calculation is for information only; the exact amount is determined by the official tariff at the time of application. Amounts apply to 2026 and are updated when the legislation changes.
Frequently asked questions
In 2026 the fixed-term work permit fee is 12,574.90 TL per year, and the indefinite and independent work permit fee is 125,802.20 TL. A card fee of 964 TL per person is added, which brings the total for a 1-year fixed-term permit to 13,538.90 TL.
The fee and the card fee are paid within 30 days of the approval notification issued after the application is approved. If payment is not made within this period, the application is rejected and not processed.
Since the fee is paid after approval, no fee payment arises for a rejected application. Contact us to discuss the options available against a rejection decision.
Yes. For an extension application, the fee and the card fee are also paid according to the requested duration. Up to 2 years (25,149.80 TL fee) can be granted at the first extension and up to 3 years (37,724.70 TL fee) at later extensions.
A separate fee and a separate card fee are paid for each foreign national. When you enter the number of people in the calculator, the fee plus the 964 TL card fee is multiplied by that number; for example, a 1-year permit for 2 people costs 27,077.80 TL.
Since the employer files the application, the fee and the card fee are usually covered by the employer in practice. What matters is that the payment is made in full within 30 days of the approval notification.