Amendment to the Regulation on the Implementation of the International Labor Force Law

Dear Business Partner, The “Regulation Amending the Regulation on the Implementation of the International Labor Force Law” was published in the Official Gazette dated October 15, 2024, and numbered 32693, and has entered into force.

Summary: Several amendments have been made, primarily regarding exemption applications and procedures for work permits of foreign nationals.

Content: The amendments address Foreign Nationals to Be Exempted from Work Permits, Work Permit Exemption Applications, and Other Provisions Related to Work Permit Exemptions.

A. Article 48 (Foreign nationals to be exempt from work permits)

Subparagraph (h) of Article 48: The phrase “Foreign nationals who are reported by relevant public institutions and organizations to be able to provide significant services and contributions to Turkey in economic, socio-cultural, technological, and educational fields for up to six months”

• has been changed to “... for up to three years.”

Subparagraph (k) of Article 48: The phrase “Professional foreign athletes and coaches who come to Turkey with a visa for sports purposes, along with sports physicians, physiotherapists, mechanics, masseuses or masseurs, and similar sports personnel, provided that the Ministry of Youth and Sports or the Turkish Football Federation approves, for the duration of their contracts with sports federations and clubs”

• has been changed to “... provided that the Ministry of Youth and Sports or the Turkish Football Federation approves, for the duration of their contracts with sports federations and clubs.”

New subparagraphs (ş) and (t) have been added to Article 48:

• (ş) “Those covered under Articles 46 and 91 of Law No. 6458, as notified through the system by the Ministry of Interior, for the scope and durations specified in the notification.”
• (t) “Foreign press members arriving within the scope of a permanent press card, provided that the Presidential Directorate of Communications approves, for the duration of their duties.”

B. Article 49 (Work permit exemption applications)

Paragraph 3 of Article 49: The phrase “Applications for work permit exemption from within Turkey must be submitted within thirty days from the date of entry into Turkey, provided that the visa or visa exemption period is not exceeded.”

• has been amended to: “Applications for work permit exemption from within Turkey must be submitted while the foreigner is legally residing in Turkey.”

C. Article 53 (Other matters related to work permit exemptions)

Paragraph 1 of Article 53: The phrase “For foreign nationals exempted from work permits under subparagraphs (b) and (c) of the first paragraph of Article 48, no new application can be made within six months from the date of the exemption; for other exemptions, the period is twelve months.”

• has been amended to: “... no new application can be made within six months for exemptions under (b) and (c), and twelve months for other exemptions; for exemptions under subparagraph (ı), the calendar year shall apply.”

New Paragraphs (6) and (7) have been added to Article 53:

• (6) Those covered under subparagraph (ş) of the first paragraph of Article 48 are exempt from Articles 49, 50, and 51 and are evaluated within the scope and durations stated in the notification. Only an exemption information form is issued for such cases.
• (7) The procedures and principles regarding Paragraph 6 are determined jointly by the Ministry and the Ministry of Interior.

Best regards,

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