Turkish Labor Law
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Turquoise Card, a similar version of American “green card,” will be given to foreigners whose qualifications, capacity and in-country activities are expected to make significant contribution to national economy, science and technology, investments and employment.
International Workforce Law No. 6735, one of the main aim of which attracting the qualified foreigners, and is in force as of 13 August 2016, introduced a new type of work (or employment) permit, a certificate called ” Turquoise Card” that may grants eligible foreigners to work permanently in Turkey.
For being qualified for permanent Turquoise Card foreigners should be found satisfying the conditions determined by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security within three years of transition period.
DEFINITION
Turquoise Card is defined in above mentioned Law as;
“The document that grants the foreigner right of work permanently in Turkey, and the right of residence to his/her spouse and children who are dependent in line with governing legislation.”
ELIGIBILITY FOR TURQUOISE CARD
Foreigners whose application accepted as appropriate with regard to their educational level, professional experience, and contribution to science and technology, effect of their in-country activities or investments on Turkey’s economy and employment will be granted Turquoise Card.
Also the foreigners who have internationally recognized studies in the academic area, and those distinguished in science, industry and technology, areas of which deemed strategic from the point of our country, or those whose export, employment or investment capacity make significant contribution to national economy or expected to make such contributions will be assessed as qualified foreigners, in the application of Turquoise Card.
Foreigners under temporary protection will not be granted Turquoise Card.
TRANSITION PERIOD
The first three years of Turquoise Card is transition period. The Ministry of Labor and Social Security may request information and documents from employer or employed foreigner as regard to conducted activities.
In case Turquoise Card is not canceled within transition period, the transition period reservation that put on it will be removed upon foreigner’s application and he/she shall be granted permanent Turquoise Card. This application must be lodged starting prior to hundred and eighty days of expire date of transition period or in any case before the date of expire. After expiration of transition period, application for removing transition period reservation shall be refused and Turquoise Card shall become invalid.
Turquoise Card will be cancelled in case the owner stays outside of Turkey longer that the period determined by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security.
RIGHTS OF TURQUOISE CARD HOLDERS
Holders of Turquoise Cards will have the same rights provided by permanent work permit, in other words they will benefit from the same rights as accorded to
Turkish citizens after a transition period, excluding right to elect and be elected, or to enter into public service. And they will have no obligation of compulsory military service.
Also, Turquoise Cards owner’s spouse and children who are dependent in line with governing legislation shall be given a document that substitutes the residence permit and shows that they are relatives of Turquoise Cards owner.
