Working While Studying in Turkey and Northern Cyprus 2026: Official Rules for International Students

When associate and bachelor's students in Turkey can apply for a work permit

After year 1

Minimum residence permit period for a work permit application from inside Turkey

6 months

Maximum validity of a first work permit tied to one employer

1 year

ALO 170, the information line for work permits in Turkey

170

Checked on 2026-11-03 against the law and official pages. Rules can change; please also check the linked official page before acting.

Can international students work in Turkey?

Yes, but only with a work permit. Under Article 19 of the International Labour Force Law No. 6735 (text adopted by the Grand National Assembly of Turkey), foreign students enrolled in formal (örgün) programmes at a higher education institution in Turkey may work provided they obtain a work permit.

The FAQ of Turkey's Ministry of Labour and Social Security states that holding a residence permit, for any reason, does not on its own give the right to work (except for refugees and holders of secondary protection). The authority responsible for work permits is the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (ÇSGB), and Study in Türkiye refers students to the ALO 170 line for more information.

When can associate and bachelor's students start working?

Under Article 19 of Law 6735 and the "Foreign students" section of the Ministry of Labour's work permit evaluation criteria:

• Associate (ön lisans) and bachelor's (lisans) students can apply for a work permit after completing their first year of study.
• Their work is part-time (kısmi süreli), within the framework of Labour Law No. 4857.
• When the application is assessed, the province where the student studies and similar factors are taken into account.
• Whether the person is a student is determined from the records of the Council of Higher Education (YÖK).

The official pages we checked do not state a specific weekly hour limit for students; for this detail, asking ALO 170 or the Ministry of Labour is the more reliable route.

What are the rules for master's and PhD students?

Under the same article and the Ministry's criteria, the "after the first year" and "part-time" limits do not apply to graduate students enrolled in formal programmes. However, according to Study in Türkiye, master's and doctoral students also work by obtaining a work permit, so a permit is still required.

Who applies for the work permit, and is a student residence permit enough?

• According to the Ministry of Labour FAQ, applications from inside Turkey are filed by the employer through e-Devlet, for a foreigner holding a residence permit issued for at least six months and still valid on the application date.
• The first work permit is tied to one employer and one workplace and is valid for at most one year (same source).
• Under paragraph 3 of Article 19 of Law 6735, a work permit issued to a student does not end their valid student residence permit or the rights it provides.
• Under the Ministry's criteria, work permit applications for students in entertainment-sector jobs unsuited to their status and in household services are evaluated negatively.
• For Türkiye Scholarships holders the opinion of YTB is obtained, and for YÖK Scholarship Programme holders the opinion of YÖK is obtained (same source).

Table: what do the rules allow at each level or status?

What about internships (staj)?

According to the Ministry of Labour FAQ, Law 6735 also covers foreigners who apply for or complete vocational training or internships with an employer.

According to an Özyeğin University notice citing Article 48(1) of the Implementing Regulation of Law 6735 (Official Gazette No. 31738, 2 February 2022), a foreign student in a formal programme in Turkey falls under the work permit exemption during a compulsory internship, but can work only after obtaining the exemption document. The student files this application personally on the e-Muafiyet system; the Ministry's exemption FAQ also says exemption applications are made by the foreigner personally. According to the same notice, a student without an exemption document cannot be registered as an intern in the system.

For students who come to Turkey for an internship under mobility programmes, Study in Türkiye says they are exempt from work permits.

What options after graduation in Turkey are officially stated?

Under paragraph 5 of Article 19 of Law 6735, the work permit application of a foreigner who completed higher education in Turkey and applies within one year of graduation is assessed under principles set by the International Labour Policy Advisory Board. This is a method of assessment, not an automatic right to work: an employer and a work permit are still required, and approval is not guaranteed. For YÖK Scholarship Programme holders, according to the Ministry's criteria, applications after graduation are also reviewed with YÖK's opinion.

Can students work in Northern Cyprus?

On the official pages of the Northern Cyprus labour ministry and immigration office (Muhaceret) that we could access, we found no clear official statement on international students' right to work. A rule like Turkey's (work after the first year, and so on) therefore cannot be confirmed for Northern Cyprus.

The Final International University FAQ in Northern Cyprus says the student residence permit it provides is a permit to live and study in Northern Cyprus, that job opportunities are rare and competitive, and that wages are usually not enough to cover tuition. Before taking any job, ask your university's international office and the Northern Cyprus immigration office about your situation.

What happens if you work without a permit?

According to the Ministry of Labour FAQ and Article 23 of Law 6735:

• Administrative fines apply to a foreigner working without a permit and to their employer.
• A foreigner found working without a permit is reported to the Ministry of Interior for deportation (sınır dışı).
• Under the law, the employer covers the person's accommodation, return travel and, if needed, health costs.

Check the Ministry of Labour pages for current fine amounts. Finding a job and getting a permit are not guaranteed either; it is wiser not to plan tuition and living costs around work income, and to read the study cost in Turkey guide.

What can and can't Taktik do here?

• Taktik is a free admissions consultancy for private universities in Turkey and Northern Cyprus and is not affiliated with YÖK, YTB or any government body.
• We can: help you choose a university and city with costs in mind, follow your admission steps free of charge, and point you to the student residence permit guide for Turkey and Northern Cyprus.
• We don't: find jobs, introduce employers, file work permit or exemption applications, or promise any income.

To start a free admission application, go to the apply page.