Turkey grants 3-year permit exemption for skilled workers: Big opportunity for Indians
- In Reports
- 01:09 PM, Oct 18, 2024
- Myind Staff
Turkey has introduced new regulations to tackle its labour shortages, especially for skilled foreign workers, including many Indians. According to the announcement in the Official Gazette, these new rules allow for temporary work permits that can be valid for up to three years.
Various foreign workers, such as refugees, professionals providing essential services, and particular worker groups that make a substantial economic contribution to Turkey, will be excluded. The new regulations are currently in force, according to the Turkish Ministry of Labour and Social Security.
Under the updated regulations, several groups of foreign workers will benefit from work permit exemptions. Refugees and individuals under temporary protection can now work in Turkey without the need for a permit for specified durations. Additionally, skilled foreign workers who contribute to the country's economy, culture, or technology are exempt from requiring a permit for up to three years, an increase from the previous six-month allowance.
Those enrolled under the Foreign Application, Evaluation, and Monitoring System will have their exemptions monitored and their length determined by the Interior Ministry. For the length of their stay in Turkey, foreign journalists who have been granted permission by the Presidential Directorate of Communications and possess permanent press cards will not need to apply for work permits. In a similar vein, Turkish clubs will no longer require professional players, coaches, and sports-related employees to apply for work permits.
Additionally, the new regulations make it easier for foreign nationals to apply. Previously, after arriving in Turkey, foreign employees had 30 days to request exemptions. During their legal stay, individuals can now request exemptions from the work permit at any time. This flexibility will eliminate the need for frequent permission renewals, enabling competent foreign workers to continue making contributions to Turkey's economy.
“We have made it easier for those already here to continue working without interruptions, benefiting both the workers and the sectors in need of their skills,” said an official. Along with the exemptions for work permits, Turkey has launched an IT Visa Program to draw in IT workers and entrepreneurs. This initiative further encourages foreign talent to contribute to Turkey's expanding tech industry by providing a three-year work visa under an expedited procedure.
The programme aims to foster tech start-ups. “We want to see 100,000 tech-driven start-ups by 2030, with at least 100 of them valued at over $1 billion,” Turkey's Minister of Industry and Technology, Mehmet Fatih Kacır said. Additionally, the country is building Terminal Istanbul, which will be the biggest technopark in the world, solidifying Turkey's standing as a major force in the IT sector.
According to Vedat Işıkhan, Minister of Labour and Social Security, these measures would support domestic industry and assist Turkey retain international expertise. We both benefit from this. “By learning from the best in the field, we grow our workforce while bringing in expertise,” Işıkhan said.
While specifics about the Tech Visa are still being worked out, it is anticipated that the pricing structure would be comparable to those of work and long-term resident licenses in Turkey, which start at 7,345 Turkish Lira (Rs 18,058) annually. A rising number of Indian citizens are now residing and working in Turkey. The bulk of the approximately 3,000 Indian nationals who now reside in Turkey are employed in sectors like finance, technology, and education, according to the Indian Embassy.
Additionally, the Turkish government has been aggressively marketing the nation as a travel destination for Indians, aiming to welcome 350,000 Indian visitors by 2024—a 30% increase over pre-pandemic numbers. The number of Indian tourists visiting Turkey increased by 34% between January and May of 2024 alone. Turkey is establishing itself as a desirable location for highly qualified professionals as nations like the US, Canada and New Zealand tighten their immigration laws. Turkey is likely to be a good choice for professionals looking for a job and a higher standard of living overseas with its new work visa exemptions.
A family of four’s estimated monthly expenses in Turkey are Rs 183,210 (without rent), while a single person’s costs average Rs 50,616 per month. Rent in Turkey is, on average, 139.4% higher than in India, and the overall cost of living is 76.0% higher compared to India. In Turkey, the minimum salary is around Rs 41,891 per month. Therefore, before deciding to work in Turkey, Indians should carefully weigh the advantages against the greater cost of living.
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