The situation
Effective January 1, 2018, the minimum monthly salary for foreign workers in Turkey has increased by 14 percent from last year. The minimum salary varies per industry. Below are some examples of the new amounts:
- High-level managers, engineers, pilots and architects: TRY 13,191.75 gross per month
- Mid-level branch or department managers, mid-level software engineers: TRY 8,118 gross per month
- Specialists, technicians, information technology consultants, financial analysts and teachers: TRY 6,088.50 gross per month
- General staff, e.g. sales officers and low-level marketing officers: TRY 3,044.25 gross per month
A closer look
- Initial and renewal applications. Employers of foreign nationals seeking to obtain or renew a work permit on or after January 1, 2018 must increase the foreign national’s minimum salary to comply with the new rule.
- Pending applications. Employers of foreign nationals with pending work permit applications as of January 1, 2018 must increase the foreign national’s minimum salary to comply with the new rule.
- Immigration applications that do not meet the minimum salary will be rejected.
Reminders on other requirements
- Benefits and allowances. As before, no benefits and allowances of any kind may be included as part of the minimum salary calculation.
- Validity. As before, employers are required to guarantee the salary throughout the validity of the work permit.
Background
The occupation specific thresholds are calculated based on the minimum wage of TRY 2,029.50 gross per month (TRY 1,603.12 net per month).
Fragomen worked closely with the Bener Law Office in Istanbul to prepare this alert. It is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
Explore more at Fragomen
Media mentions
Partner Daniel Schwarz highlights how US visa appointment backlogs and limited availability for B visas are shaping international travel planning for the upcoming World Cup.
Article
Knowledge Management Manager Annabelle Duchêne explores how Europe’s prolonged reliance on Temporary Protection Status has created legal and workforce uncertainty and why clear, structured exit pathways are now essential for employers and displaced individuals alike.
Article
Destination Services Director Christine Sperr examines how Saudi Arabia’s evolving Premium Residency framework and newly expanded foreign property ownership rules are reshaping the Kingdom’s appeal for internationally mobile professionals, global employers and institutional investors.
Media mentions
Practice Leader Olga Nechita outlines key Portuguese visa options for UK nationals, including routes for entrepreneurs and retirees, alongside basic income and residency requirements.
Video
Partner Melissa Vasquez-Myers reviews the June 2026 Visa Bulletin, including retrogression for EB2 and EB1 India and forward movement in the EB3 category for Indian and Chinese nationals.
Media mentions
Awards
Canada Managing Partner Cosmina Morariu is recognized by Women We Admire among the Top Women Leaders of Toronto for 2026 for her leadership in immigration and global mobility.
Video
Senior Manager Harry Goldstraw outlines key considerations for UK employers hiring international talent, including sponsorship requirements, visa pathways and compliance obligations shaping workforce mobility strategy.
Article
Senior Counsel Jo Antoons examines how the EU’s proposed social security reforms are reshaping A1 compliance for business travel, introducing “Day One” requirements and greater complexity.
Awards
Fragomen is recognized with multiple honors at the 2026 FEM Americas EMMAs, including Outstanding Agility & Crisis Management as a Service Provider and Thought Leadership – Best Survey or Research Study of the Year for the Worldwide Immigration Trends Report 2026.
Blog post
Destination Services Director Christine Sperr examines how housing market reforms, rent stabilization measures and cost-of-living dynamics in Saudi Arabia are influencing workforce mobility, compensation planning and long-term settlement strategies under Vision 2030.
Visas
Manager Dr. Adela Schmidt explains how German authorities assess past travel and business activities and why suspected unauthorized work during prior visits can lead to visa refusals and temporary entry bans.
Media mentions
Partner Daniel Schwarz highlights how US visa appointment backlogs and limited availability for B visas are shaping international travel planning for the upcoming World Cup.
Article
Knowledge Management Manager Annabelle Duchêne explores how Europe’s prolonged reliance on Temporary Protection Status has created legal and workforce uncertainty and why clear, structured exit pathways are now essential for employers and displaced individuals alike.
Article
Destination Services Director Christine Sperr examines how Saudi Arabia’s evolving Premium Residency framework and newly expanded foreign property ownership rules are reshaping the Kingdom’s appeal for internationally mobile professionals, global employers and institutional investors.
Media mentions
Practice Leader Olga Nechita outlines key Portuguese visa options for UK nationals, including routes for entrepreneurs and retirees, alongside basic income and residency requirements.
Video
Partner Melissa Vasquez-Myers reviews the June 2026 Visa Bulletin, including retrogression for EB2 and EB1 India and forward movement in the EB3 category for Indian and Chinese nationals.
Media mentions
Awards
Canada Managing Partner Cosmina Morariu is recognized by Women We Admire among the Top Women Leaders of Toronto for 2026 for her leadership in immigration and global mobility.
Video
Senior Manager Harry Goldstraw outlines key considerations for UK employers hiring international talent, including sponsorship requirements, visa pathways and compliance obligations shaping workforce mobility strategy.
Article
Senior Counsel Jo Antoons examines how the EU’s proposed social security reforms are reshaping A1 compliance for business travel, introducing “Day One” requirements and greater complexity.
Awards
Fragomen is recognized with multiple honors at the 2026 FEM Americas EMMAs, including Outstanding Agility & Crisis Management as a Service Provider and Thought Leadership – Best Survey or Research Study of the Year for the Worldwide Immigration Trends Report 2026.
Blog post
Destination Services Director Christine Sperr examines how housing market reforms, rent stabilization measures and cost-of-living dynamics in Saudi Arabia are influencing workforce mobility, compensation planning and long-term settlement strategies under Vision 2030.
Visas
Manager Dr. Adela Schmidt explains how German authorities assess past travel and business activities and why suspected unauthorized work during prior visits can lead to visa refusals and temporary entry bans.