Applying for a residence or work permit for a foreign employee in domestic services, while appearing simple on the surface, is actually a highly technical and multi-step process. A small error or procedural irregularity in the documents can lead to serious consequences, ranging from the rejection of the application to the deportation of the foreigner. Below, the most common mistakes encountered in practice and why they lead to application rejection are explained in detail:

1. Passport Validity Less Than 8 Months

The Directorate General of Migration Management stipulates that foreigners must have a passport valid for at least 8 months to obtain a legal residence or work permit in Turkey. If foreigners with short passport validity do not renew their passports before applying, their applications will be directly rejected. This is because residence and work permits are generally issued for a period of at least 6-12 months, and the passport must remain valid throughout this period. Therefore, passport validity must be checked before application, and if the validity is short, an application should not be made without renewal.

2. Absence or Illegibility of Legal Entry Stamp

One of the most fundamental requirements for the application is that the foreigner must have entered Turkey through legal channels. If there is no entry stamp in the passport or if it is too faint to be legible, the Directorate General of Migration Management cannot ascertain the person’s entry and will reject the application. Similarly, if the photocopy of the entry document is not legible, it will be considered a missing document. Therefore, the passport entry stamp must be clearly visible, and a legible photocopy must be submitted. For missing or faint stamps, a confirmation document can be obtained from the consulate of the relevant country.

3. Repatriation Center Record or Conditional Entry Status

If the foreigner has previously stayed in a repatriation center or made a conditional entry, this situation may lead to the rejection of the application. This is because such individuals are considered to have violated their legal residency rights in Turkey. The Directorate of Migration Management automatically detects these types of records in the system and, in most cases, does not approve residence/work permit requests. Therefore, before applying, the foreigner’s GGM (Repatriation Center) record or conditional entry status should be investigated, and if any exist, legal support should be obtained from a lawyer for their removal through legal means.

4. Inability to Prove Income Threshold with Documents

The employer’s income level is the most important indicator of their capacity to employ a foreigner. According to the regulations, the employer’s monthly income must be at least four times the minimum wage. However, many applications are rejected because the income documents lack a bank stamp, authorized signature, or signature circular. The system considers unofficial documents invalid. Bank account statements must definitely be wet-signed and stamped, and a signature circular must be attached to the file. Furthermore, the income must be regular and cover the last 6 months.

5. Improper Preparation of the Undertaking/Commitment Letter

The undertaking that the employer must arrange before a notary is one of the most critical documents. Common mistakes: The undertaking not being specifically prepared for domestic services, the spouse’s signature being missing (which may be mandatory in practice), or containing incomplete or incorrect information. In such cases, the Directorate of Migration Management considers the application incomplete and does not process it. Therefore, the undertaking must be prepared specifically for domestic services, signed by the spouse, and notarized.

6. Failure to Meet Biometric Photo Standards

The technical specifications of biometric photos are important for applications. Photos that are not with a white background, current, high face clarity, and appropriate dimensions will not be accepted. Especially old passport-style or low-resolution photos are rejected by the system. Photos must be taken within the last 6 months and comply with biometric standards (35×45 mm, white background, face clearly visible).

7. Failure to Submit Fee Receipts on Time

If fees such as the application fee, visa fee, and card fee that must be paid for residence and work permit applications are not paid on time, the file will not be processed. Some applications are rejected solely due to late submission of the receipt. All fees must be deposited on the application day or within the given deadline at the latest, and the receipts must be added to the file completely.

8. Discrepancy Between Address Documents and Invoice Address

The Immigration Administration requires that documents such as the residence certificate, invoice, and rental agreement submitted during the application show the same address. If there is an address discrepancy, the file is considered incomplete, and a rejection decision is issued. Address information must be exactly the same on all documents; if there is a difference, it should be corrected with updated documents.

9. Failure to Submit a 65+ Care Report for a Male Employee

The employment of male employees in domestic services is only possible for the care of individuals aged 65 and above. In such cases, if the health report of the person to be cared for is not submitted, the application is automatically rejected. For male employee applications, an official health report belonging to the person to be cared for must be included in the file.

10. Missing the Deadline Stated in the Missing Documents Notification

When the Immigration Administration identifies missing documents, it usually grants a 30-day period. If the missing documents are not completed within this period, the file is directly rejected. Many applications result in a negative outcome because this deadline is overlooked. The missing documents notification should be carefully followed, and documents must be completed before the specified period expires.

Conclusion

A large portion of the rejections for foreign employment applications in domestic services is actually due to a lack of attention to small but critical details. Every document, from passport validity to address consistency, and from photo standards to notarized commitments, must be meticulously prepared and submitted on time.

Since each application may have its unique conditions, especially in complex situations like GGM registration, conditional entry, or income documentation, working with a professional immigration lawyer is vitally important for the smooth completion of the process and minimizing the risk of rejection. An article suggestion.

Why is Expert Lawyer Support Necessary?

Applications for employing foreigners in household services are not merely about filling out a few forms; on the contrary, it is a highly technical process where immigration law, labor law, administrative law, and international regulations intertwine. The slightest document deficiency or procedural error can lead to severe consequences, not only resulting in the rejection of the application but also causing the foreigner to “fall into illegal status,” be subject to administrative fines, or even deportation.

Obtaining expert lawyer support is vitally important at this point for three main reasons:

Compliance with Legislation and Process Management:
Each file has its unique conditions. An expert lawyer pre-identifies risky situations such as the applicant’s past records, entry-exit information, GGM, or conditional entry, and manages the process legally from the very beginning. This way, potential rejection risks are eliminated from the outset.

Professional Oversight in Document Preparation:
Documents such as passports, declarations, income statements, health reports, and address documents included in the application file must be prepared completely and in accordance with procedures. The lawyer legally reviews these documents and, if necessary, communicates with relevant institutions to ensure that official approvals are fully completed.

Effective Representation in Objection and Judicial Processes:
If, despite everything, the application is rejected or a deportation decision is made, administrative objection and litigation processes come into play. At this stage, the preparation of legal petitions, monitoring of deadlines, and formulation of a defense strategy can only be provided by a lawyer specialized in the field.

Consequently, employers and foreign workers, especially those in regions like Istanbul, Tuzla, Pendik, Kartal, Kadıköy, Maltepe, Gebze, who wish to obtain a foreign work permit for domestic services, often make serious mistakes when attempting to manage this technical process on their own. Working with an immigration law specialist lawyer at every stage of the process, from the first step of the application to the decision stage, is the most appropriate approach for both time and legal security.