For individuals who wish to employ a foreign worker in domestic services (such as child, elderly, or patient care), the application process is not merely about preparing documents. There are legal prerequisites that must be met and detailed document preparation stages that need to be completed before submitting an application. This guide explains in detail all the necessary steps to prevent the application from being rejected and ensure a smooth process.
A. Pre-Application Eligibility Checks
Before submitting an application, ensuring that the following conditions are fully met is critically important for the acceptance of the file:
1. Legal Entry Requirement
It is mandatory for the foreigner to have entered Turkey with a passport and through official channels. The entry stamp in the passport must be clearly visible and legible. Applications from individuals who entered illegally or do not have an entry record will absolutely not be accepted.
2. Irregular Status and Obstacles
There should be no administrative or judicial obstacles concerning the foreigner for whom the application is made. Specifically, the following situations will lead to the rejection of the application:
If the foreigner has previously been detained in a removal center,
If there is a conditional entry record,
If there is a restriction code or a criminal record impediment.
If such situations exist, it is recommended to seek legal advice before applying.
3. Passport Validity
During the application, the passport must be valid for at least 8 more months. Applications made with passports with a shorter validity period will not be processed.
4. Field of Activity – Domestic Services Only
The amnesty regulation is only for work performed within the scope of domestic services. Applications falling outside the following three areas will be rejected:
Childcare for those under 12, elderly care for those over 65, and patient care for all ages.
For male employees, only the care of individuals over 65 is accepted. In this case, submitting a health report is mandatory. However, for the care of individuals aged 85 and over, a health report may not be required in practice.
5. Employer’s Income Level
The employer must prove that they have the financial capacity to employ a foreigner. Therefore, the income level must be at least 4 times the minimum wage. In practice, some immigration administrations may request a declaration of regular income of approximately 110,000 TL for the last 6 months.
6. Authorized Application Unit
Applications for foreigners to work in domestic services in Istanbul are made only to the Fatih Provincial Directorate of Migration Management. Other district directorates do not accept such applications.
B. Document Preparation Stage
One of the most important steps in the application process is the complete preparation of documents. Even the slightest deficiency in the documents can lead to the rejection of the application. Documents are grouped into two main categories: documents belonging to the foreigner and documents belonging to the employer.
a. Documents to be Prepared by the Foreigner (Employee)
Photocopy of Passport and Last Entry Stamp : The passport must be valid for at least 8 months. The entry page to Turkey (entry stamp) must be legibly copied.
Biometric Photograph : It must be in digital format and also as 8 printed copies. It must have a white background, be recent (taken within the last 6 months), and comply with biometric standards.
Residence Permit Application Form / Petition : Prepared according to the appointment date. The foreigner’s identity information, address, and purpose of application are specified in detail.
Annual Private Health Insurance : Must be mandatorily submitted during the residence permit application phase. The insurance period must cover at least 1 year and be valid in Turkey.
Proof of Residence : A document showing where the foreigner resides in Turkey. A rental agreement or a notarized commitment of residence is accepted. A notarized commitment of residence is a “residency permit declaration” concerning the address where the foreign person will reside in Turkey, and it must be prepared by the landlord or the person providing the accommodation.
Mother’s – Father’s Names : Must be filled in the relevant fields of the application form. Incomplete information may lead to the rejection of the application.
Criminal Record Certificate(In some cases) : Required in some files. If requested, a document indicating that the foreigner has not committed any crime in Turkey must be submitted.
Power of Attorney(If the application will be made through a lawyer) : A foreign national must arrange a notarized power of attorney to authorize a lawyer.
b. Documents Required from the Employer (Sponsor)
There are also documents that the employer (sponsor) must prepare for the foreign national who will work in domestic services. These documents prove the employer’s financial solvency, address conformity, and commitment to obligations:
Notarized Undertaking: Must be specifically prepared for domestic services, usually signed with the spouse.
Petition/Application Letter: Must include the employee’s job description, address, working period, and workplace information.
Residence Certificate: For both the employer and the person to be cared for.
Invoice (Electricity/Water/Natural Gas): Submitted for address confirmation.
Detailed Population Registration Record: Belonging to the employer and the person to be cared for.
Income Documents (6–12 Months): Bank account statement (branch stamped, signed + signature circular), Payroll slips and/or tax return.
Income Condition: Monthly income must be 4 times the minimum wage (~110.000 TL).
SGK Service Statement: Must be submitted with a QR code.
ID Card Photocopy: The original must be presented during the appointment.
Content of the Notarized Undertaking (Summary):
It is undertaken that work and residence applications will be made, SGK registration and premium payments will be completed on time, address and change notifications will be made within the period, employment will not be outside of domestic services, all penalties and expenses arising from legal violations will be borne, and Migration Directorate notifications will be made completely.
Conclusion: Pre-Application Preparation is the Key to Success
The acceptance of residence or work permit applications for foreigners who will work in domestic services depends entirely on the complete fulfillment of these prerequisites. Every element, from legal entry to passport validity, from the field of activity to the employer’s income status, must be meticulously checked. Preparing documents correctly and completely ensures that the application is finalized in a shorter time and eliminates the risk of rejection.
It should be noted that the conditions of each file may differ. Therefore, especially in risky situations such as GGM registration, conditional entry, lack of income document, or passport validity, it is of great importance to manage the process with a professional immigration law attorney for the positive outcome of the application. A article suggestion.
Why is Expert Attorney Support Necessary?
Applications for residence or work permits for the employment of foreign workers in domestic services are not merely about submitting documents; it is a highly technical process where immigration law, administrative law, labor law, and international legislation are intertwined. Failure to properly assess the eligibility requirements before applying, or a small error in the documents, can lead to serious consequences such as the rejection of the application, the foreigner falling into “illegal status”, and even deportation.
Therefore, proceeding with a professional lawyer from beginning to end of the process is critically important for the positive outcome of the application. Especially in regions with a high foreign population, such as Istanbul, Tuzla, Pendik, Gebze, Kartal, Maltepe, and Kadıköy, the application process may vary in practice. An expert lawyer is intimately familiar with these local practices and ensures that the case proceeds with the most appropriate strategy.
With the support of a lawyer: The foreigner’s entry records, GGM (General Directorate of Migration Management) status, or conditional entry status are identified in advance, and potential risks are eliminated. All documents are prepared in accordance with the law and added to the file completely. In case of rejection, administrative appeal and litigation processes are handled professionally.
As a result, receiving expert support at every stage of the application not only minimizes the risk of rejection but also ensures that the process is completed more quickly and securely. Therefore, working with an expert lawyer for foreign worker applications in domestic services is the most accurate and secure approach.
