The government of Turkey announced an increase to the gross minimum wage to TRY 26,005.50 gross per month.

Key Points:

  • Effective Jan. 1, a new law entered into force updating the minimum salary levels by position including:
    • High-level managers and pilots: TRY 130,027.50 (about US $3,694) gross per month — five times the minimum wage
    • Engineers/architects: TRY 104,022.00 (about US $2,955) gross per month — four times the minimum wage
    • Managers: TRY 78,016.50 (about US $2,216) gross per month — three times the minimum wage
    • An employee who will work in a position requiring expertise: TRY 52,011.00 (about US $1,477) gross per month — two times the minimum wage
    • Household workers and others cannot be paid less than minimum wage

Additional Information: Employers should be aware of the changes and review their compliance with the new rule. The salary requirements do not include benefits and must be maintained throughout the validity of the work permit.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.

Copyright © 2024 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

The government of Turkey announced changes regarding work permit eligibility criteria, including updated minimum salary levels.

Key Points:

  • Effective Oct. 1, a new law entered into force updating the minimum salary levels by position, including:
    • High-level managers and pilots: TRY 100,012.50 (about US$2,927) gross per month — five times the minimum wage
    • Engineers/architects: TRY 80,010 (about US$2,341) gross per month — four times the minimum wage
    • Managers: TRY 60,007.50 (about US$1,756) gross per month — three times the minimum wage
    • An employee who will work in a position requiring expertise: TRY 40,005.00 (about US$1,171) gross per month — two times the minimum wage
    • Household workers and others cannot be paid less than minimum wage

Additional Information: Effective Jan. 1, Turkey increased the minimum wage to TRY 20,002.50 (about US$586) gross per month. The new law, implemented per Article 22 of the Implementation Regulation of the International WorkForce Law No. 6735, entered into force on Oct. 1. İn addition to the updates to the minimum salary levels, amendments were also implemented that impact employer sponsorship based on sector, profession and status of the company’s shareholders. More information from the Ministry of Labor on the work permit criteria amendments can be found here.

BAL Analysis: Employers should be aware of the changes and review their compliance with the new rule. BAL will continue to monitor developments and will provide more information as it becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.

Copyright © 2024 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

The government of Turkey launched a new digital nomad visa that allows recipients to live and work in the country for up to one year with the option for renewal via a residence permit.

Key Points:

  • Originally announced in mid-April, applications are now available for foreign nationals from specific countries who meet Turkey’s income threshold.
  • To be eligible, an individual must be a college graduate between the ages of 21 and 55 and a citizen of one of 36 eligible countries.
  • Applicants must be employed by a company outside of Turkey or self-employed and able to prove they earn at least US$36,000 per year.

Additional Information: Prospective digital nomads can submit documents proving they meet all of the requirements to Turkey’s online platform. Eligible travelers will then be issued a Digital Nomad Identification Certificate so they may visit a Turkish visa center or consulate to complete the application process. In-country applicants can apply for a residence permit online after receiving the certificate from the system.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.

Copyright © 2024 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

The government of Turkey introduced a new online system for certain immigration actions.

Key Points:

  • Foreign nationals may register their address and update personal information in the new system as well as complete fingerprint checks through the service using their e-Government account.
  • The system does not allow for cancellation or rescheduling of an appointment after it has been confirmed.
  • Foreign nationals can access the new system by using their e-Government account or by creating a new account. After initial registration, applicants will only be able to amend their information by visiting the relevant Migration Directorate. Applicants could previously visit Turkish authorities without an appointment; however, the new system is designed is to simplify processes and provide a secure way to send personal information when scheduling appointments.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.

Copyright © 2024 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

The government of Turkey introduced visa-free travel for nationals of Bahrain, Canada, Oman, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and the United States.

‌Key Points:

  • Foreign nationals of these countries will be permitted a visa-free stay of 90 days within any 180-day period for business purposes.
  • Officials confirmed that the initiative is effective immediately and published the announcement in the Turkish Official Gazette.

BAL Analysis: Additional details on visa fees can be found here. The government is introducing the visa-free initiative for these six countries to boost tourism and improve relationships in the region. The tourism industry is an important component of Turkey’s foreign relations and economic policy and should benefit from the change.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.

Copyright © 2024 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT — MEDIUM

The Turkish government has announced that it will increase the national minimum wage due to inflation.

Key Points:

  • Turkey’s gross monthly minimum wage will increase to 13,414.50 TRY (about US$570) from 10,008 TRY, and the net minimum monthly wage will increase to 11,402.32 TRY.
    • High-level managers must be paid at least six-and-a-half times the minimum wage (87,194.25 TRY per month).
    • Department managers, engineers and architects must be paid at least four times the minimum wage (53,00 TRY per month).
    • Teachers and employees working in positions requiring expertise must be paid at least three times the minimum wage (40,50 TRY per month).
    • Individuals in the tourism sector must be paid at least twice the minimum wage (26,829.00 TRY per month).
    • Employees in certain other positions, such as sales officers and low-level marketing employees, must be paid at least one-and-a-half times the minimum wage (20,121.75 TRY per month).
  • The new minimum wage will take effect on 1.
  • Applications that are filed before July 1 must meet the new salary requirements if they have not been adjudicated.

BAL Analysis: Businesses may see a slight increase in labor costs because of the new minimum wage. Employers should take the new wage minimums into account and adjust their budgets if necessary.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2023 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

The U.S. Embassy in Ankara has opened a crisis center dedicated to supporting U.S. citizens in earthquake-affected areas of Turkey.

Key Points:

  • U.S. citizens in need of information on transportation options from earthquake-affected provinces to Ankara should email Ankara-ACS@state.gov.
  • U.S. citizens in need of emergency assistance because of the earthquakes should email Ankara-ACS@state.gov or call +90-312-455-5555.
  • American Citizens Services are also available at the U.S. Consulate General in Istanbul and the U.S. Consulate in Adana.

Additional Information: In its most recent security alert, the State Department noted that commercial air and bus routes remain open from areas affected by the 7.8 earthquake on Feb. 6 and several aftershocks. The State Department outlined several steps individuals in quake-affected areas should take, including monitoring local media and avoiding crowds and large gatherings. U.S. citizens in Turkey are also encouraged to  enroll in STEP to receive security and advisory information. More information is available here.

This alert has been provided by the BAL U.S. Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2023 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT — MEDIUM

The Turkish government has increased the national minimum wage due to inflation.

Key Points:

  • Turkey’s gross monthly minimum wage will increase to 10,008 TRY (about US$532) and net minimum monthly wage will increase to 8,506.80 TRY.
    • High-level managers must be paid at least six-and-a-half times the minimum wage (65,052 TRY per month).
    • Department managers, engineers and architects must be paid at least four times the minimum wage (40,032 TRY per month).
    • Teachers and employees working in positions requiring expertise must be paid at least three times the minimum wage (30,024 TRY per month).
    • Individuals in the tourism sector must be paid at least two times the minimum wage (20,016 TRY per month).
    • Employees in certain other positions, such as sales officers and low-level marketing employees, must be paid at least one-and-a-half times the minimum wage (15,012 TRY per month).
  • The new minimum wage took effect on Jan. 1, 2023.
  • Applications that were filed before Jan. 1 but have yet to be adjudicated must meet the new salary requirements.

BAL Analysis: Businesses may see a slight increase in labor costs because of the new minimum wage. Employers should take the new wage minimums into account and adjust their budgets if necessary.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2023 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Turkish government has increased the national minimum wage because of inflation.

Key Points:

  • Turkey’s gross monthly minimum wage will increase to 6,471 TRY and net minimum monthly wage will increase to 5,500 TRY.
    • High-level managers must be paid at least six-and-a-half times the minimum wage (42,061 TRY per month).
    • Department managers, engineers and architects must be paid at least five times the minimum wage (25,884 TRY per month).
    • Teachers and employees working in positions requiring expertise must be paid at least three times the minimum wage (19,413 TRY per month).
    • Individuals in the tourism sector must be paid at least two times the minimum wage (12,942 TRY per month).
    • Employees in certain other positions, such as sales officers and low-level marketing employees, must be paid at least one-and-a-half times the minimum wage (9,706.50 TRY per month).
  • The new minimum wage took effect on July 1, 2022.
  • Applications that were filed before July 1 but have yet to be adjudicated must meet the new salary requirements.

BAL Analysis: The new threshold  is about 28 percent higher than the previous minimum wage. Businesses may see an increase in labor costs . Employers should take the new minimum wages into account and adjust budgets if necessary.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com

The Turkish government has announced that it will increase the minimum wage in 2022.

Key Points:

  • Turkey’s gross monthly minimum wage will increase to 5,004 Turkish Lira and net minimum monthly wage will increase to 4,253.40 TRY.
    • High-level managers must be paid at least 32,526 TRY.
    • Department managers, engineers and architects must be paid at least 20,016 TRY.
    • Teachers and employees working in positions requiring expertise must be paid at least 15,012 TRY.
    • Individuals in the tourism sector must be paid at least 10,008 TRY.
    • Employees in certain other positions, such as sales officers and low-level marketing employees, must be paid at least 7,506 TRY.
  • Sponsoring employers must meet the minimum salary requirements between Jan. 1, 2022, and Dec. 31, 2022.

Additional Information: Employers must have at least five Turkish citizen employees per each foreign national at each registered worksite. Work permit applications still pending at the start of the new year will be required to meet the minimum wage requirement for 2022.

BAL Analysis: Businesses may see a slight increase in labor costs because of the new minimum wage. Employers should take the new wage minimums into account when planning their 2022 budgets.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.