Introduction

Who can benefit from this regulation? The regulation, which came into force in 2025, has paved the way for foreigners who remained in Turkey after their visa or residence permit expired and became “undocumented” to legally work in household services such as childcare, eldercare, or patient care.
However, this regulation is not a general amnesty; it is only valid for individuals who meet specific conditions. Foreigners who entered Turkey legally with a passport, have not been sent to a repatriation center, and can document that they will work in household services can benefit from this opportunity. The most important stage in this process is the manual appointment application, which must be made when an appointment cannot be obtained through the automated system. This application is the first and most critical step of the process.

A. Appointment Stage: How to Make a Manual Application Request?

1. Obtaining the E-Residence Error Screen

When an online appointment cannot be obtained through the application system, the system displays an error screen. Taking a screenshot of this screen is mandatory. This is because the Directorate of Migration Management wants to verify that an online appointment was truly unavailable when a manual application is requested. You must print out the screenshot and add it to the file.

2. How to Prepare a Manual Appointment Request Letter?

This letter is the formal request for the application. It must contain the following information:

Foreigner’s name, surname, and passport number, date of entry into Turkey and entry stamp information, employer’s address and contact details, purpose of work (such as childcare, elder care, patient care), explanation of why an appointment could not be made through the online system, and a complete and clear petition are important for the application to be positively concluded.

3. Application Location: Fatih Provincial Directorate of Migration Management

All manual applications for household services in Istanbul must be submitted exclusively to the Fatih Provincial Directorate of Migration Management. The foreign individual or their legal representative (lawyer) must apply in person. Applications submitted by mail or to other district directorates will be deemed invalid.

4. Document Package to be Submitted

The documents to be submitted during the manual appointment request are as follows:

Notarized undertaking (original and photocopy)

E-residence error screen printout

Appointment request petition

Passport photocopy and entry stamp

Employer and foreigner’s contact information

Submission of incomplete documents may lead to the rejection of the application.

5. Appointment Notification via SMS

When the application is accepted, the Directorate of Migration Management sends an SMS to the phone number specified in the application form. This SMS contains the date and time of the appointment. When this date arrives, the foreigner and employer must go to the Directorate of Migration Management together.

B. Appointment Day: In-Person Document Submission

1. Who Must Attend?

On the appointment day, both the foreign national and the employer must be present together. If the employer cannot attend, a period of 30 days is usually given in practice to complete the missing information.

2. File Check: Foreign National and Employer Documents

Two separate files must be prepared on the appointment day:

Foreign National’s File: Original passport, Biometric photographs, Private health insurance, Proof of residence, Entry stamp, Application form

Employer’s File: Notarized undertaking, Petition, Proof of residence, Invoice, Detailed family registration record, Income documents, SGK service statement, Identity document

3. Biometric Procedures

At the Directorate General of Migration Management, the foreign national’s fingerprints are taken and a photograph is captured. This process is part of identity verification.

4. Fee and Charge Payments

During the application, the officer provides information about the residence permit fee, single-entry visa fee, and card fee. Payments are usually made to the tax office or contracted banks. The receipts must be added to the file.

5. Application Registration and Missing Document Procedure

When the application is completed, a record is created in the system and an application number is provided. If there are missing documents, a period is given to complete them. If the missing documents are not completed within this period, the application will be rejected.

C. Post-Application: Residence Permit Decision and Card Delivery

The file is reviewed by the Directorate General of Migration Management.

If found suitable, a short-term residence permit is approved.

The residence card is sent to the address via PTT cargo. SMS notifications may be sent throughout the process.

After the residence card is issued, the employer completes the work permit application by logging into the Ministry of Labor and Social Security system via e-Devlet.

Important: A work permit application cannot be made without a residence permit. Therefore, obtaining the residence card is the mandatory first step.

D. Frequently Asked Questions and Points to Consider in Practice

“If an online appointment cannot be made, will the process be canceled?” → No, a manual application can be made.

“What happens if no SMS is received?” → The Directorate of Migration Management should be contacted.

“What if the application is made with missing documents?” → If not completed within a specified period, the file will be rejected.

“Can a work permit be obtained without a residence permit?” → No, a residence permit must be approved first.

Conclusion

For foreigners to be employed in domestic services, the manual Directorate of Migration Management application process, although appearing simple on the surface, is an extremely detailed and technical procedure. Even a small error (such as the entry stamp not being readable, the notary public’s undertaking being incompletely signed, or the income document being submitted without a stamp) can lead to the rejection of the application.
Therefore, the safest method is to meticulously prepare all documents and have the process managed from start to finish by a professional foreigner’s law attorney. An article recommendation.

Why is Expert Lawyer Support Necessary?

Making a manual Immigration Administration application for a foreign employee in domestic services is not limited to merely filling out a few forms; it is a complex process where foreigner law, administrative law, and labor legislation are applied concurrently. A small error —for example, not checking the passport’s validity period, an unreadable entry stamp, an incomplete notary undertaking, or an income document not conforming to procedures— can result in the application being rejected.

Therefore, it is of great importance that the process is handled from beginning to end by an expert lawyer. Especially in regions with high foreign employment such as Istanbul, Tuzla, Pendik, Kartal, Kadıköy, Beykoz, Üsküdar, and Gebze, different practices and procedural details may emerge with each application. An experienced lawyer knows these differences beforehand, plans the process flawlessly, and eliminates potential risks from the outset.

With lawyer support:

Risky situations of the foreigner such as legal entry, GGM registration, or conditional entry are identified in advance.

The manual application petition, notary undertaking, and income documents are prepared in accordance with the law.

SMS notifications, appointment tracking, completion of missing documents, and appeal processes are managed professionally.

As a result, working with an expert lawyer to obtain a residence permit and subsequently make a smooth work permit application, not only eliminates the risk of rejection; it also ensures that the process is completed more quickly, securely, and in compliance with regulations. Especially for those planning foreign employment in domestic services, professional legal support is the most effective way to achieve a successful outcome.