A route for foreigners working in domestic services
Foreigners who will work in domestic services, such as caring for children, elderly or disabled people, or accompanying patients, can work and stay in Türkiye legally by obtaining a domestic services work permit from the Ministry of Labour and Social Security. There is also a special practice of the Presidency of Migration Management (Göç İdaresi) for some foreigners whose residence permit has expired.
Basic requirements
- The work must be care of a child, elderly or disabled person, or patient companionship.
- The employer must be the person being cared for, or their parent, guardian or first- or second-degree relative.
- The sufficient, continuous and regular income of the employer or of a relative up to the second degree must be documented.
- The wage must be at least the gross minimum wage (2026: 33.030 TL).
- A legal entry record and a clean criminal record; no deportation order or entry ban.
- Applying from within Türkiye requires a residence permit valid for at least 6 months. For those without a permit, the conditions of the special practice are assessed separately.
Frequently asked questions
Is cleaning work also covered?
No. This route only covers care services (child, elderly, disabled, patient companionship).
For how many years is the work permit granted?
On the first application it is granted for a maximum of 1 year, and on extensions for 2 and then 3 years. The work permit also serves as a residence permit.
Can I change my employer?
For permits obtained from abroad, a change of employer within the first 6 months is assessed negatively. A change requires a new work permit application.
Legal basis: 6735 sayılı Uluslararası İşgücü Kanunu Art. 10 and Uygulama Yönetmeliği Art. 15; ÇSGB Çalışma İzni Değerlendirme Kriterleri (B.3 — domestic services); Göç İdaresi uygulama talimatları (unpublished).
