Türkiye has granted 239,835 work permits to foreign nationals last year, allowing them to take up employment in the country.
Syrians made up the largest group of foreigners granted work permits by Türkiye in 2023. Figures from the Ministry of Labor and Social Security show that a total of 108,250 Syrians received work permits last year, representing an extreme surge from only 118 in 2011.
The same source further noted that Russians and Turkmen were the next largest groups given the right to work in Türkiye, receiving 17,785 and 13,128 permits, respectively, VisaGuide.World reports.
Foreign Workers in Türkiye Mainly Employed in Service & Labor-Intensive Industries
As Türkiye Today explains, foreign workers in Türkiye are mainly employed in sectors such as accommodation services, domestic labor, wholesale trade, construction and manufacturing, including textiles, clothing, and metal products.
In contrast, in 2011, foreign workers were more commonly employed in education, accommodation, air transportation, creative arts and entertainment sectors.
There has also been a noticeable change in the educational qualifications of foreign workers since during 2011 about 46 percent of foreign workers were graduates, while in 2023 this figure has dropped to 18 percent, reflecting a change in the demographic composition of the foreign workforce.
There Are Currently Almost 1,130,000 Residence Permit Holders in Türkiye
Foreigners wishing to stay in Türkiye beyond their visa or visa exemption period (over 90 days) are required to obtain a residence permit. According to the Presidency of Migration Management (PMM), there are currently 1,129,958 residence permit holders in Türkiye, encompassing various types such as short-term, family, student, long-term, humanitarian, and permits for victims of human trafficking.
Work permits and Work Permit Exemption Confirmation Documents are also regarded as residence permits. By 2022, there were 212,6826 foreigners holding work permits in Türkiye.
Türkiye is home to the largest Syrian refugee population globally. While the influx of Syrians into Türkiye slowed after 2017, it has continued at a steady rate, with around 100,000 Syrian children born in Türkiye each year.
As of August 31, 2023, the latest data from the PMM shows that 3,298,817 Syrians are residing in Türkiye under temporary protection. However, some experts question the accuracy of this figure, suggesting the actual number might be lower.