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The Turkish government updated travel restrictions, quarantine policies and testing requirements for those arriving to the country as of Aug 4.
Key Points:
Additional Information: As of March 15, travelers arriving from international flights must complete the Turkey Entry Form within 72 hours of their intended departure. A paper printout or mobile screenshot of the completed form will be checked prior to boarding the flight.
The Istanbul Migration Directorate has resumed in-person residence permit appointments. Those needing an appointment or a new residence permit card should expect significant delays.
The Ministry of Labor now requires all initial work permit applicants to present a recent negative PCR test or proof of vaccination.
BAL Analysis: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.
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.
The Turkish government has implemented changes to COVID-19 procedures, guidelines and travel restrictions.
Additional Information: Turkey continues to require all individuals seeking entry into the country to have a negative PCR test result obtained within 72 hours of departure to the country. A 14-day quarantine is still in effect for travelers from Brazil and South Africa, arriving into Turkey directly or through transit. On day 10 of the quarantine, individuals will be subject to a second PCR test and will be released if the test results are negative.
Analysis & Comments: The updated restrictions may complicate travel for individuals from the aforementioned countries and those currently residing in Turkey.The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available.
Rest of World Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This includes Deloitte Tax LLP in the United States, which does not provide legal and/or immigration advice or services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2021. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.
IMPACT – MEDIUM
What is the change? Turkey’s government has announced minimum salary requirements for foreign nationals with work permits.
What does the change mean? The gross minimum monthly wage is now 3,577.50 Turkish lira (about US$484.09) and the net minimum monthly wage is 2.825.00 Turkish lira (about US$382.27). Foreign employees must also be paid a salary that is commensurate with the position. The salary minimums are in effect until Dec. 31, 2021.
Additional Information: The monthly minimum salaries required for work permits are as follows:
Analysis & Comments: The new salary minimums show an overall increase compared to 2020 levels. Employers should take into account the new minimums when planning their 2021 budgets, as applications that do not meet the appropriate salaries will be rejected. The new salary levels apply for both local hires and assignees on foreign payroll (with an assignment letter).
Source: Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2021. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.
IMPACT – MEDIUM Turkey’s Ministry of Labor has announced new COVID-19 requirements for the work permit application process.
Background: These documents are required immediately for new work permit applications. Before the new requirements, a number of consular posts requested COVID-19 tests on a random basis. The new requirements do not mean consular posts cannot also request COVID-19 tests during the new visa application process.
Analysis & Comments: The new requirements will add additional steps to the application process for new work permits. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.
Rest of World Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This includes Deloitte Tax LLP in the United States which does not provide legal and/or immigration advice or services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2020. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.
IMPACT – HIGH
The Migration Directorate has announced that it will resume processing Istanbul-based residence permits.
Additional information: Residence permits began experiencing processing delays last October 2019.
Analysis & Comments: Although it is welcome news that applicants do not have to appear at crowded government offices, postal applications can be difficult to track, leading to processing delays. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.
What is the change? Turkey has increased the minimum wage, which also impacts salary thresholds for foreign employees.
What does the change mean? Effective Jan. 1, the gross minimum monthly wage is 2,943 Turkish lira (about US$501). Additionally, foreign employees must be paid a salary that is commensurate with the position.
The monthly minimum salaries required for work permits are as follows:
Analysis & Comments: The new salary minimums show an overall increase compared to 2019 levels. Employers should take into account the new minimums when planning their 2020 budgets, as applications that do not meet the appropriate salaries will be rejected. The new salary levels apply for both local hires and assignees on foreign payroll (with an assignment letter).
Source: Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2020. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.
What is the change? Turkey is experiencing residence permit processing delays.
What does the change mean? Currently, residence permit appointments in Istanbul are being booked eight weeks in advance upon receipt of the complete application.
Additional information: Companies submitting applications in the coming weeks should note that while authorities are currently booking residence permit appointments eight weeks in advance, appointment booking may be further delayed because of the increasing backlog of applications and the upcoming holiday season. Furthermore, the final residence permit may not be ready upon completion of the in-person appointment with authorities, and employees may need to wait several additional days from the appointment before they can start working.
Analysis & Comments: Residence permit applicants should factor in delays when preparing and submitting their applications. Companies may have to adjust their business schedules to account for the current delays and upcoming holiday season.
Source: Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2019. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.
What is the change? Officials have stopped collecting work permit fees at Turkish consulates.
What does the change mean? Under a change that took effect June 17, work permit fees and related “valuable paper” fees must be paid in Turkey, whether for first-time applicants or renewals. Previously, first-time work permit applicants were able to pay fees at consulates in their home country after receiving a positive determination on their applications.
Background: Prior to the change, foreign nationals who received a positive determination on work permit applications were able to pay fees at Turkish consulates in their country of residency. That has now changed, after officials cited “various problems” with collecting payments at consulates abroad. Turkish employers now will be required to pay work permit fees in Turkey after applications are approved at consulates abroad. Employers will be notified electronically when fees are due and will then be responsible (as described in the notification received) to make payments to the relevant banks in Turkey.
Analysis & Comments: Employers should take note of the change and be prepared to pay work permit fees and valuable permit fees for first-time applicants submitting applications abroad.
Source: Deloitte LLP. Deloitte LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with registered number OC303675 and its registered office at 1 New Street Square, London EC4A 3HQ, United Kingdom.
What is the change? Foreign nationals must register on the e-Devlet (e-Government) website portal to obtain certain documents, including address registration, as the Populations Registry will no longer issue address registration confirmations in person.
What does the change mean? Employees must register for the account in person at a local post office.
Additional information: Foreign nationals may also log into the e-Devlet (e-Government) system to gain access to the some of the following government-related information and documents:
Analysis & Comments: Companies should assist in obtaining all current employees an e-Devlet (e-Government) password at a local post office. The change is good news for companies in the long term as there will no longer be a charge associated with obtaining police and court background information from the courthouse or obtaining updated address registration information.
What is the change? The General Migration Directorate has said it will stop accepting residence permit renewal applications by mail and will close its office in Bakirkoy, Istanbul, which had been the only office designated to handle postal residence permit renewal applications.
What does the change mean? Those seeking renewals of residence permits will have to book an appointment to do so in person rather than submit their renewal application by mail. It is not yet clear how pending applications that were filed by mail will be handled.
Background: The change was implemented without notice and will have a significant impact on the renewal process. It is likely that applications already submitted by mail will be transferred to the General Migration Directorate’s main office in Istanbul. Turkey’s online application system is not currently allowing applicants with pending applications to book new appointments online. It remains unclear at this point whether renewal applicants will be able to make filing appointments within the 60-day period before a permit expires or whether they will have to wait until after their permit has expired to attend a filing appointment.
Analysis & Comments: Applicants may have to be more flexible with their schedules given that, for now, they will have to submit applications in person. The change was made without notice and some information remains unclear at this point. Those in need of renewing residence permits are encouraged to work closely with their immigration advisor on the best options available to them.