For thousands of international professionals and an increasing number of Indian workers, the new rules have brought relief and opportunities. As per the latest updates, Turkey has taken a significant stride in recognizing its labor shortages through the issuance of new rules granting a temporary work permit exemption to skilled foreign workers. This move was published in Turkey’s Official Gazette. These exemptions intend to uplift sectors that are skill-demanding. This step is going to help the economy of the country while providing a smoother way for foreign nationals looking to build their careers in Turkey.
New Era for Foreign Workers
Under the new regulations, certain categories of foreign workers are permitted to work in Turkey for a maximum of three years without any traditional work permit. The new rules have partially made a breakthrough by setting new guidelines that allow permit-free work in Turkey for certain categories of foreign nationals. This will benefit not only foreign professionals but also thousands of refugees and those under temporary protection, as they now have legal grounds to be at work in Turkey for a stipulated number of months without a permit.
Exemptions for large groups of foreign nationals who make substantial contributions to Turkey’s economy, culture, and technological advancement are taken into consideration by TMLS (Turkish Ministry of Labour and Social Security). These include people like refugees, highly skilled professionals, and some types of laborers, who are looked upon as important to Turkey’s economic stability.
Additional Read: Bulgaria’s Labor Shortage Intensifies as 40% of Foreign Workers Depart
Who Benefits?
Several individuals will directly benefit from these new policies:
- Refugees and Temporary Protection Beneficiaries: Refugees and people under temporary protection will be included in the benefit. This brings the refugees into the national economy by providing them with an opportunity to sustain themselves and contribute their labor force to the country.
- Skilled Foreign Workers: Other beneficiaries will be foreign nationals bringing key skills in sectors such as technology, culture, and engineering industries. They, too, will benefit without having to go through the unreasonably burdensome renewal process of permits.
- Journalists and Athletes: Foreign journalists with permanent press cards, as well as athletes and coaches working with Turkish sports clubs, will not require work permits if they fulfill the required conditions. This would be of major importance for both fields of professionals, keeping doors open without bureaucratic obstacles to their work.
The Turkish Interior Ministry would handle these exemptions because they would determine the exact duration the applicants, registered under the Foreign Application, Evaluation, and Monitoring System, had to undergo. This ensures that the process will be carried out in a smooth and accessible manner for the eligible applicants under the new regulations.
Streamline the Application Process
One of the major benefits of the new law is the ease associated with application. Under the previous rules, foreign workers had to apply for work permit exemptions after they had stayed in Turkey for 30 days from the date of entry. The new system allows them to make applications at any time of their authorized stay within the country. These benefits are more pronounced for skilled employees who may wish to extend their temporary stay without having to reapply for renewal of permits constantly.
In a recent interaction, an official from the Ministry of Labour and Social Security said that they have made it easier for those already in Turkey to continue working without interruptions, benefiting both the workers and the sectors in need of their skills.
Additional Read: EU Jobs Crisis Looms: Employers Say Job Seekers Lack Required Skills
Rise of Turkey’s Tech Visa
Besides exemption from work permits, the Turkish government also has a Tech Visa Programme for immigration to encourage the founders of entrepreneurial ventures and tech professionals. The scheme enables the employer to grant the employee a work permit for three years by an expedited process. This way, Turkey welcomes technology talent to fuel its booming digital economy. The objective is a part of an even broader strategy taken by the Turkish government in the interest of innovation and entrepreneurship.
According to the current discussions, Turkey aims to create 100,000 “tech-driven” start-ups by 2030. Turkey is also developing Terminal Istanbul, set to be among the largest technoparks globally. This step is expected to consolidate Turkey’s position in technological innovation, furthering the safety of a prospering ecosystem for tech companies and start-ups.
“The benefits we get in terms of expertise are a plus for us, and at the same time, we develop our workforce by learning from the best experts,” said the Labour and Social Security Minister.
Indian Influence in Turkey
Around 3,000 Indians are living in Turkey, many in sectors such as banking, technology, and education. The new policies, along with several other benefits, are likely to have positive effects on the growing Indian community living in Turkey. An increase in such numbers is much more likely to follow as Turkey becomes an attractive destination for skilled professionals from India and all over.
In addition, Turkey has been marketing its potential as an interesting destination for Indian tourism, with the ambition of 350,000 Indians for the year 2024 to be achieved from a level that was 30 percent higher than the pre-pandemic benchmark. In light of the trend of the overall bilateral relations shown above, it presents superior opportunities to Indians in Turkey, both as an employment destination as well as a tourism destination.
Balancing the Costs
The cost of living is also a consideration for those moving to Turkey. According to the latest statistics, the cost of living in Turkey is more than double in comparison to that of India. For example:
- For a family of four, the monthly expenses, excluding rent, would cost approximately ₹183,210.
- For a single person, that cost would be around ₹50,616.
- The average cost of renting an apartment in Turkey is 139.4% higher than in India.
- The minimum wage in Turkey is around ₹41,891 per month; so, for a skilled laborer, it will be a trade-off between more wages and professional prospects versus the high cost of living.
Wrapping Up
Turkey is now becoming a viable alternative destination when compared with the immigration policies of countries like Canada, New Zealand, and the US. Despite the new work permit exemptions and the Tech Visa Programme, Turkey remains an attractive proposition for many professionals who will shape the global landscape. Yet to make such a decision, candidates would be advised to take into mind Turkey’s economic climate and the cost of living before making such a huge decision, which then should blend with one’s long term goals.
Dynamic Staffing Services recruits high-class talent from India and places them within the high-growth sectors in Turkey. With expertise within the changes brought by new rules in Turkey in the labor law area, we make the hiring process simple for clients looking for skilled labor. Contact us today at enquiry@dss-hr.com or +91-7303389888 to efficiently satisfy all of your recruitment needs.
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