Turkey Employer Sponsorship Legal Duties 2026

international recruitment in Turkey has turned into a strategic business move by companies that seek to fill the gap between the European and the Asian markets. Nonetheless, the changes in January 2026 regulatory changes have turned the employer legal environment to more tighter financial limits and computer-based compliance.

Being a Turkish boss, you are not only a boss, but you are a legal sponsor. Lack of performing your responsibilities may result in visa rejections, huge fines or even a ban on future foreign hiring. This is a guide on the legal obligations the sponsor must take regarding foreign employees in the year 2026.

Compulsory Employment Ratios/Quotas.

The Turkish labor policy has continued to be based on safeguarding of the local labor. Your company needs to confirm its compliance ratio in employing 2026 before it can employ even a single foreign national.

Turkey 5:1 Turkish Foreigner Ratio: You need to hire at least five Turkish nationals on full-time basis to every one foreign worker that you sponsor.
Shareholder Exemption: New companies are given 6 months of grace period under the 5:1 rule of foreign shareholders. This, however, has to be paid at the expiry of the first renewal.

Financial RQ 2026 Capital Requirements 2026.

The old financial benchmarks were phased out of use in the Ministry of Labor (MLSS) in late 2024 and in 2025. In 2026, the numbers of adequate capital are much higher.

Minimum Paid-in Capital: The amount of a company that can sponsor a work permit has increased to currant 500,000. The old 100,000 Turkey rule is also dead.
Financial Adequacy: The companies that exist should have gross annual sales volume of minimum 8,000,000 in Turkish currency or export volume of over 150,000 USD in US dollar.
SMMM Audit: These figures must be demonstrated by employers through auditing of their financial statements by a Certified Public Accountant (SMMM).

Minimal Pay and Minimal Wages.

The Turkish government employs minimum wage multiplier framework to make foreign talent be paid a professional market rate. For 2026, the gross minimum wage is ₺33,030.

According to the job title, you have a legal responsibility to achieve or surpass these multipliers:

Senior Managers and Pilots: 6.5x Minimum wage (ancur214,695 Gross)
Engineers/Architects: 4.0x minimum wage ( 132,120 Gross)
Expert Workers and Unit Managers: Minimum Wage (₺99,090 Gross) 3.0x.
Educators & Specialists: 2.0x Minimum Wage ( 66,060 Gross)
General Staff: 1.0x Minimum Wage (℺33,030 Gross)

Social Security (SGK) & Insurance Duties.

As soon as the working permit is given, the most time-threatening task will start. The work permit is activated halfway until the employee is registered in the national system.

Compulsory SGK Registration: Within the next 30 days after the entry of the employee into Turkey (or within the 30 days of the start of the permit in case of domestic application), the employee must be registered with the Social Security Institution (SGK).
2026 SGK Rates: The general employer contribution percentage is 21.75 of the gross salary.
The 5 percent Treasury Incentive: Employers that make their premiums on time and are in compliance will be allowed to enjoy a 5 percent premium discount, which makes it a lot lighter.
Bilateral Agreements: In the event that your employee is a national of a country that has signed a social security agreement (e.g., UK, Germany, Korea) then he or she may avoid Turkish premiums temporarily provided he or she has a Certificate of Coverage (Cod).

Digital Compliance & Procedural Deadlines.

Applications to 2026 are completely digital. Employers need to learn how to use e-Permit system.

10-Day Filing Period, in case your employee applies at a consulate overseas, you have a strict deadline of 10 business days to complete the electronic filing in Turkey with the help of the reference number of the employee.

Notification Duty: It is a legal obligation under which you must inform the Ministry of the termination of an employment contract within 15 days in order to cancel the permit and escape being held liable as part of the status of the worker.
Consecutive Window: The renewal must be made within the 60-day period before expiry of the permit.

FAQ

Is it possible to hire a foreigner in a small firm of 2 employees?

Generally, no. The application will be rejected unless you have one of the high-tech or investment exceptions without the 5:1 ratio (5 Turkish staff).

What will happen in case I fail to pay the minimum wage multiplier?

GK declarations are cross-referenced with the work permit application by the MLSS. In case of a mismatch, an employer is fined and the permit of the employee is canceled.

Does all companies have a 500000 capital requirement?

Any company wishing to sponsor a foreign shareholder or a new work permit of a manager is obligatory.

Expert Take

Your total cost of employment (TCOE) has increased since the minimum wage is increasing by 27 percent in 2026. Employer sponsorship has become a costly business between the 500,000 minimum capital requirement and the SGK onus of 21.75 per cent. Check your workforce ratios and payroll today to make sure that you do not fall in a compliance trap.

Disclaimer:

The article is informative and educational. It is recommended that the readers should verify the information through official authoritative sources, including the official Turkish Ministry of Labor or the ministry of Foreign Affairs, and make a decision