How long is a time-limited (Süreli) work permit, and how does it extend?
General information, not legal advice. For high-stakes decisions, confirm with the official institution in the next-step below, or consult a qualified Turkish lawyer.
Pending expert review. This fact is sourced but has not yet been reviewed by an independent legal expert. Treat as a starting point.
A Süreli (time-limited) work permit runs on a stacking schedule with the same employer:
- First application: up to 1 year, and never exceeding the duration of the employment contract.
- First extension with the same employer: up to 2 years.
- Subsequent extensions with the same employer: up to 3 years.
Switching employer is treated as a brand-new first application, not an extension. The clock resets to 1 year.
Extensions have to be applied for within legal time windows; late applications may not qualify as extensions at all — they become fresh applications.
Watch-outs
- Extensions only stack with the same employer at the same workplace within the same işkolu (industry). A new branch or a moved workplace can break the stack.
- A new employer resets the clock regardless of how long your prior permit history runs — 10 years with employer A doesn't shorten the first-year cap with employer B.
- The 8-year work-permit history that qualifies you for Süresiz (work-03) accumulates across employers, even though the time-limited stack doesn't.
Next step
If extending, submit the extension application before your current permit expires. If changing employer, prepare a full new application package from the start — don't assume any of the old paperwork carries over.
All sources (1)
- CSGB — Law 6735 (Uluslararası İşgücü Kanunu) ↗
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