Turkish Citizenship by Employment
Create employment for at least 50 people in Turkey, as determined by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, and apply for Turkish citizenship for you and your family.
In short
Foreign investors can acquire Turkish citizenship by creating employment for at least 50 people in Turkey. The Ministry of Labour and Social Security (ÇSGB), through its International Labour Force Directorate, evaluates the application. The route suits business owners with an operating or planned company in Turkey; we advise and coordinate the file, and the company and payroll work is done by licensed professionals.
By Burak Ünal, licensed real estate broker · Updated
Key facts (as of October 2026)
- Condition
- Employment for at least 50 people in TurkeySource: ÇSGB, csgb.gov.tr (opens in a new tab)
- Evaluating authority
- Ministry of Labour and Social Security (ÇSGB), International Labour Force DirectorateSource: ÇSGB, csgb.gov.tr (opens in a new tab)
- Holding period
- The 3-year holding rule of the real estate and financial routes is not listed for this routeSource: ÇSGB, csgb.gov.tr (opens in a new tab)
- Legal basis
- Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901, Art. 12/1-b, and Article 20 of its implementing regulationSource: NVİ, nvi.gov.tr (opens in a new tab)
Each figure links to its official source. Rules change, so we confirm the current position before you act.
Who it is for
- Business owners with an operating or planned company in Turkey
- Companies that need a team of 50 people or more in Turkey
- Investors whose investment shows in jobs rather than in a fixed amount
- Families who want one investment to cover the investor's spouse and children
How the employment route works
The employment route is one of the seven investment routes to Turkish citizenship under Article 12/1-b of Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901 and Article 20 of its implementing regulation. It is the only route that is not measured in money: the condition is that you create employment for at least 50 people in Turkey. The Ministry of Labour and Social Security (Çalışma ve Sosyal Güvenlik Bakanlığı, ÇSGB) states the route on its official website, and its International Labour Force Directorate evaluates the application.
The route fits investors who run, or are building, a business in Turkey with a real need for staff. It is the business route for those whose investment shows in jobs rather than in a fixed amount.
Conditions
- Condition: employment for at least 50 people in Turkey.
- Evaluation: ÇSGB, International Labour Force Directorate.
- Holding period: the 3-year holding rule of the real estate and financial routes is not listed for this route; ÇSGB's determination that the employment condition is met is decisive.
How employees are counted, which records ÇSGB looks at and over what period are questions we confirm with the Ministry for your company before you apply. We do not rely on assumptions here, because the answer decides whether the file can be filed at all.
The company behind the jobs
The 50 jobs are created by a business in Turkey, which means a company, a payroll, social security registrations and the people to manage them. Foreigners can set up a limited company (Ltd. Şti.), with 1 to 50 partners and a minimum share capital of TRY 50,000, or a joint-stock company (A.Ş.), which can have a single shareholder and needs a minimum share capital of TRY 250,000.
We provide management consulting, advisory and coordination for foreigners setting up and growing a company in Turkey: the company form, the hiring plan and the order of the steps, up to the citizenship file. We do not set up companies ourselves and we do not provide accounting or payroll services; that work is done by licensed professionals, whom we coordinate with you. Foreign staff of the company need work permits, which we also advise on.
Timeline
No official processing time is published, and no timeframe can be guaranteed. The first stage takes as long as building the team: the jobs must exist and be documented before ÇSGB can evaluate them. After ÇSGB's determination, the stages are the same as on every route: a residence permit in a few weeks, then the citizenship application, for which advisers commonly report about 3 to 6 months to the decision for a complete file. See the process, documents and timeline.
Holding period and exit
No 3-year holding rule is listed for this route in the regulation as reported. The investment is a running business, so the exit is a business decision. Plan the company and the hiring so that they work as a business first; the citizenship file follows from them.
Family members
The investor's spouse and children can apply on the same investment. We confirm which children can be included for your case before the file is prepared. See family members.
Costs
The costs are those of the business: company formation, salaries and social security contributions for the staff, premises and taxes. The general corporate tax rate is 25% for 2025 and 2026. Check your plan with a licensed accountant. Our fees are not published: contact us for fees, questions and service scope.
Risks and common mistakes
- Counting staff in a way ÇSGB does not accept: confirm the counting rules first.
- Applying before the employment is in place and documented.
- Building a payroll for the file rather than for the business; jobs that do not last are a risk to the business and to the file.
- Forgetting the work permits of foreign staff.
- Choosing a company form without a plan for partners and capital.
Related routes and services
- Fixed capital investment (USD 500,000): the other business route, measured in money.
- Work permits for the foreign staff of your company.
- Business consulting for foreign companies
- Our guide to Turkish citizenship through a company.
Book a consultation or message us on WhatsApp: tell us about your company and we will tell you how the employment route would apply to it.
How the process works
Route and business check
We look at your company and plans and confirm with ÇSGB how employees are counted for your case.
Company and hiring plan
We advise on the company form and the hiring plan, and coordinate with licensed professionals for the company set-up, payroll and accounts.
ÇSGB evaluation
Once the employment is in place and documented, ÇSGB evaluates whether the condition of at least 50 people is met.
Residence permit
After ÇSGB's determination, a residence permit is obtained, usually within a few weeks.
Citizenship application
The application is filed for you and the family members included; security checks run and a Presidential decision follows. No timeframe can be guaranteed.
Documents checklist
- ÇSGB determination that the employment condition is met
- Company and employment records requested by ÇSGB: we confirm the current list for your company
- Personal and family documents (identity, civil status, family relationship): we confirm the current list for your case
Your full list depends on your situation; we prepare it with you.
Updated
The information on this page is general and is not legal, tax or investment advice. Rules, amounts and procedures change; contact us to confirm the current requirements before you act.
Frequently asked questions
How many jobs are needed?
Employment for at least 50 people in Turkey.
Who evaluates the application?
The Ministry of Labour and Social Security (ÇSGB), through its International Labour Force Directorate.
How are the 50 employees counted?
ÇSGB evaluates whether the employment condition is met. We confirm with the Ministry how employees are counted for your company before you apply.
Do you set up the company or run the payroll?
No. We provide management consulting, advisory and coordination; the company formation, payroll and accounting are done by licensed professionals, whom we coordinate with you.
Do foreign staff need work permits?
Yes, foreigners employed by a company in Turkey need work permits. We also advise on work permits.
Can my spouse and children be included?
Yes. The investor's spouse and children can apply on the same investment, so the amount does not change with the size of the family. We confirm which children can be included for your case before the file is prepared.
Related services
- Fixed Capital Investment (USD 500,000)A fixed capital investment of at least USD 500,000 in Turkey, certified by the Ministry of Industry and Technology.
- Turkish Work PermitWork permits for foreigners employed by a company in Turkey.
- Management Consulting in TurkeyAdvisory, management consulting and coordination for foreigners setting up a company in Turkey.
- Process, Documents and TimelineThe stages from the first check to the passport, the documents and the indicative timeline for every route.
Other citizenship routes
Client reviews
Reviews from our Google Business Profile, shown in their original language.
“I have been applying through Gordion Partners for the past five years, and they have always been incredibly helpful and professional. They are honest, friendly, and truly care about their clients. The team is always up to date with the latest government regulations, which makes the entire process smooth and stress-free. When it comes to applying for my kimlik, I completely trust them. They are reliable, kind, and genuinely supportive throughout the whole process. I highly recommend their services to anyone looking for trustworthy and professional assistance.”
Gabe K.
“Professional A grade services. The team knows their job and very responsive. The communication is not only fast but also very polite. Highly recommended if you are looking to onboard people who care about you.”
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