Working While Studying in Turkey - Foreign Students' Guide

Many international students wish to work while studying in Turkey due to high living costs and the need to gain practical experience that enhances their CV after graduation. Turkish law sets clear regulations for this by requiring the issuance of a part-time work permit for university students after completing the first year, and by facilitating the granting of work permits to graduate students in research or professional projects related to their fields. This article aims to clarify the conditions for foreign students to work in Turkey, explain the various job opportunities, and how to benefit from them without compromising their academic achievement.

Legal Framework for Working While Studying in Turkey

Undergraduate Students

Foreign undergraduate students are allowed to work part-time only after completing the first academic year, with a maximum of 24 hours per week during semesters. Students may increase their working hours to full-time during summer holidays. To obtain the part-time work permit, the student must hold a valid student visa and valid residence permit. Then the employer submits an official application to the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Services (Çalışma ve Sosyal Güvenlik Bakanlığı).

Master’s and Doctoral Students

Graduate students (Master’s and PhD) can apply for a work permit immediately upon university enrollment without needing to complete the first year. This includes research positions as a research assistant in scientific or academic projects organized by the university or research institutions. Some private universities often offer partial scholarships in exchange for the student working as an academic assistant in the university libraries or language centers.

Procedures and Requirements

Visa and Residence Permit: The student must have a valid student visa and a residence permit valid for at least six months before applying for the work permit.
Employer’s Application: The employer or the company must submit the student’s file to the International Labor Force Directorate via the e-Government portal (e-Devlet). The file includes the passport, residence permit, student ID card, and a university certificate proving completion of the first year (for undergraduates), along with payment of administrative fees.
Government Approval: After reviewing the laws and ensuring all conditions are met, approval is issued within approximately 30 to 45 days. After obtaining approval, the student receives the Çalışma İzin Belgesi (Work Permit card), which serves as a substitute for the residence permit if the permit is limited to a work visa.

Types of Jobs Available for International Students

On-campus Jobs

Research/Teaching Assistant: The student participates in preparing and organizing lectures, grading assignments, and organizing academic seminars.
Library Assistant: Assisting in organizing and managing the library and helping students and visitors find references.
Language Center Assistant: For those enthusiastic about teaching English or Turkish to foreign students, where they oversee practice sessions and assist in preparing lesson materials.

Off-campus Jobs

Private Tutoring: International students have the advantage of speaking their native language, which qualifies them to teach academic subjects or languages (Arabic, English) to local and international students.
Restaurants & Cafés: Customer service and delivery jobs, with official contracts that guarantee social security rights.
Copy/Print Centers: Wrapping university projects, printing operations, and providing customer service, making it a suitable option for those seeking flexible working hours.
Small and Startup Companies: Students with technical backgrounds (programming, graphic design, digital marketing) can join project teams on a part-time basis as web developers or content marketers.

Remote/Freelance Opportunities

Translation & Editing: Depending on proficiency in Arabic and Turkish or English, students can provide translation services to businesses or startups via platforms like Upwork and Freelancer.
Graphic Design: Creating logos and posters for small businesses, utilizing design skills with tools like Photoshop and Illustrator.
Web Development: For programming students, there are opportunities to secure part-time projects that include website development or system maintenance via freelancing platforms.

Internship Opportunities

Summer and Professional Internships

Many Turkish companies offer summer internship programs (Summer Internship) for university students, especially in the fields of engineering, information technology, business administration, and digital marketing. The student should start searching two to three months before the end of the semester to ensure the internship dates align with the university lecture schedule.

Benefits of Internships for Students

Gaining Professional Experience: Internships allow the student to apply what they learn theoretically in a real-world setting, enhancing their prospects in the job market after graduation.
Expanding Professional Network: Building professional relationships with internship supervisors and colleagues opens doors to future recommendations and permanent jobs.
Improving Language Skills: The Turkish work environment necessitates using Turkish and English, accelerating the student’s linguistic and cultural integration.

Student Rights and Responsibilities While Working

Maximum Working Hours: Students are not allowed to work more than 24 hours per week during the semester, and full-time work is permitted during summer and official holidays.
Legal Rights and Minimum Wage: The employer must pay the Turkish minimum wage, which in 2025 reached around 22,000 Turkish Lira per month for full-time work. Wages for part-time work are calculated proportionally to working hours.
Social Insurance (SGK): If the student’s monthly earnings exceed a certain threshold, the employer is required to register the student for health insurance and social security to ensure coverage for medical insurance and sick leave.
Maintaining Academic Performance: The student must maintain their academic level; the Ministry of Labor reviews student records, and if grades deteriorate, work permits may be suspended.
Adherence to Turkish Labor Laws: Commitment to working hours and tasks specified in the contract, and not exceeding legal limits to avoid penalties or loss of residence permit.

Benefits of Working While Studying

Gaining practical experience: The student gains greater credibility in the job market after graduation, as having previous experience allows them to apply academic skills in a real professional environment.
Improving language and communication skills: The student is forced to speak Turkish or English in front of employers and colleagues, which enhances their ability to communicate effectively and develops their foreign language.
Helping to alleviate financial burdens: Although the part-time salary may not cover all tuition costs, it helps cover some expenses such as transportation, books, and educational materials.

Services of Skyline Education

Skyline Education offers a comprehensive package of services that support international students wishing to study in Turkey, including:

University Application Consultations for Turkish Universities: Includes filling out application forms, translating and certifying documents, saving the student significant time and effort.
Guidance to Internship and Scholarship Opportunities: The company provides direct links to companies announcing summer internship programs and guides the student on how to apply for partial or full scholarships.
Turkish Language Courses: Specialized courses for new students help them reach a level capable of conducting job interviews and understanding employer requirements easily.
Post-Arrival Services: Includes support in obtaining residence and work permits, communication with university employment centers, and coordinating interview appointments with local companies.

Conclusion

In conclusion, working while studying in Turkey is a valuable opportunity for international students to gain real professional experience that enhances their employability after graduation and helps alleviate financial burdens. Turkish law requires setting a maximum of 24 working hours per week and clear procedural conditions regarding part-time work permits, with special facilities for graduate students in scientific research fields.

The student should plan well, organize their time between lectures and work, strive to improve their language level, and communicate with relevant authorities before applying. If they face any challenges, they can benefit from consultations with Skyline Education to overcome legal procedure obstacles, secure suitable internship and study opportunities, and ensure a smooth transition to the Turkish work environment.

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Working While Studying in Turkey: Laws and Available Opportunities for International Students