Work in Istanbul in 2021: available vacancies for Russians and CIS citizens, resumes, vacancies without work experience, legal employment

In 2021, the Turkish economy was not all smooth sailing. The local currency exchange rate is unstable, inflation is about 12% per year. However, the country is developing. At the end of the first quarter of 2021, Turkey's GDP increased by 4.5% - growth exceeds that of most European countries.
According to statistics, there is a high unemployment rate here - 10-14% of the working population. But we must understand that these figures are largely explained by the cultural characteristics of the country. For example, in Turkey there are few employed women simply because many of them prefer to take care of the home rather than being employed.

In any case, foreigners rarely compete with locals for jobs - they find employment in other areas.

Are we needed in Turkey?

A big advantage of working in the country is that there is no need to obtain a visa for a seasonal stay. For example, if you decide to work as an animator in a hotel for 3 months, combining such activity with relaxation, you can do this without any documents.

Turkey is a visa-free country for Russians, Ukrainians, Kazakhstanis, Belarusians and many others.

Work in Turkey can be combined with a holiday at sea

The main market for foreign labor in Turkey is the former countries of the USSR (Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine, Georgia, Russia, etc.). This is partly due to the fact that Turkish entrepreneurs need employees who speak Russian well. In 2004, the Association of Russian Culture was even created, which helps emigrants find work in the country and adapt faster. The organization's branches are located in large cities - Alanya, Antalya, Istanbul and Izmir.

The most in demand are seasonal workers - animators, guides, dancers, models, English teachers for the summer. In addition, in Turkey there is a constant shortage of female workers, so there are many vacancies on the relevant sites for nannies and caregivers, maids, qualified nurses, waitresses, seamstresses, and hairdressers.

Due to the rapid development of the housing market, the country requires builders, engineers and designers. Not to mention highly qualified specialists: doctors, teachers, IT workers.

There are many vacancies for women in Turkey - nannies, nurses, hairdressers...

You can view statistics on residence permits issued in Turkey, including on the basis of employment, on the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Jobs without language skills in Turkey

One of the main advantages of this country is the ability to find a job without knowing Turkish. It belongs to the Turkic group and its independent study is quite difficult for the Slavs. But, having arrived in Turkey, many quickly acquire the necessary skills for communication at the everyday level.

Without knowledge of languages, you can only apply for low-skilled jobs that do not require communication. Typically this is:

§ working specialties;

§ housemaid;

§ cleaner;

§ loader;

§ cook;

§ agricultural work.

Young people often go for the first time without speaking Turkish, and by the beginning of the next season they have already mastered the language enough to perform the duties of a waiter, bartender, transfer guide, and animator.

Many Russian-speaking tourists come to the country, and some hotels hire staff (receptionists, animators, spa staff, guides) whose native language is Russian.

See also: Russia exempts the DPR and LPR from state fees for obtaining a Russian passport

A big advantage when looking for a job will be knowledge of English and other foreign languages (German, French, Scandinavian). For qualified specialists, lack of knowledge of Turkish rarely becomes an obstacle to getting a job, provided they speak good English. Also, fluency in several languages is desirable for guides, dancers, sellers, administrators and managers of various directions.

How can a foreigner find a job in Turkey?

The easiest way to search is to turn to the services of specialized agencies. But there are many “buts” here. First of all, the services of such companies will cost you $200-250. Information about the organization will have to be checked especially carefully, because... There are a lot of scammers in this area on the market.

And you should never agree to unofficial employment - the Turkish authorities carefully monitor this point, illegal immigrants are seriously punished, and official employees are provided with social guarantees and protection.

The best option is to ask friends and acquaintances who already live in Turkey for recommendations. If there are none, the first resource that should be studied is the Turkish employment service. Here you can find up-to-date information about the local labor market, as well as register to look for a job, explore training opportunities, and get advice on starting a business.

Job search sites and vacancies in Turkey

Before monitoring specialized resources, you should visit the Government Investment Portal. Here you can find important information for immigrants that will help you find work in the country; you can also find out the details of obtaining a residence permit and work permit.

You can also contact unofficial but reputable job sites:

FLAGMA (Russian language)
SecretCV.com (Turkish)
Yenibiris (Turkish)
Kariyer.net (Turkish)
CareerJet (Turkish)
Vacancies in Turkey (English)

Groups on social networks:

Work in Turkey
Work in Antalya
Jobs in Turkey
Work in Turkey for Russians (CIS)

Don't forget to register on LinkedIn - there you can search for vacancies in international companies with offices in Turkey.

If you are interested in the tourism industry, pay attention to the websites of major tour operators - Tui, Teztour, Anextour, Coral Travel, Sunmar. A few months before the onset of the most active season, you can often see offers for employees who will interact with Russian tourists.

Internship

Turkey is one of the countries that has the AIESEC internship program, providing foreigners with the opportunity to gain work experience in another part of the world. About 4,500 places are provided per year, which are open to specialists and students under the age of 27. Exchanges are often organized between employees of different companies.

To participate in the internship, you need to register on the website and fill out an application. Selected candidates will be invited to take an English test and try themselves in business games. If you have successfully passed all the “tests”, an agreement is drawn up with you - and you can begin to prepare a list of documents for participation in the program:

visa application form;
photos;
copy of passport pages;
an invitation to an internship and a certificate from the AIESEC unit in your country;
receipt of payment of the consular fee in the amount of $50.

Professions in demand in Turkey

Working in the summer in 2021 can bring quite a lot of income. For women, these are vacancies for maids or other service personnel. However, it is quite possible to get a permanent job. Among the most popular professions in Turkey for Russians and other visitors are:

doctor;
animator;
welder;
electrician;
seamstress and other light industry workers;
salesman;
hotel service personnel.

The final level of income depends on the region, specific profession and other indicators.

Animator

Such vacancies often appear in hotels. The level required is always different. However, knowing the language will never hurt, and speaking at least English is a must. It is easier for young active people to get a job as an animator in Turkey. Income ranges from $500 to $900. However, the final amount depends on the level of the hotel, hours worked and other factors. The bonus is often food and accommodation at the expense of the employer.

Guide

Working as a guide is also quite possible and often profitable. In addition to the financial side, this allows you to make new acquaintances, communicate with people, and so on. Mandatory requirements include knowledge of a language, or preferably several. Salaries vary greatly depending on region, specialization and other factors.

Dancer

Girls have the opportunity to get a job as dancers in nightclubs and other entertainment venues. To do this you will need to have a pleasant appearance and move well. Performers of both modern club and oriental dances are in demand. However, from a safety point of view, care should be taken with the device. You can earn from 7000 Turkish lira.

Doctor

Recently, the rules for recruiting employees into medical institutions have changed. Previously, foreigners were not accepted for such positions, but today the opportunity has arisen due to an acute shortage of specialists. Working as a doctor in Turkey is quite prestigious and allows you to earn 5,500 Turkish lira or more.

Engineer

Highly qualified specialists are welcomed in the country, since there are types of production that require high-quality management of technical processes. Earnings vary greatly depending on the level of the engineer, the type of enterprise and other factors.

Teacher

A successful placement will require a higher pedagogical education and knowledge of the language. If a foreigner is qualified to teach in universities, then his earnings will be about 5500-7500 TRY. In other cases, it may be lower - about 3800 Turkish lira.

Read also: Visa to Turkey for Russians in 2021 Average salary in Turkey

Waiter

There are a lot of offers in the service sector for young and active people. Often they are temporary and seasonal in nature, however, it is possible to get a job on a permanent basis. Waiters, bartenders, cleaners in restaurants, hotels and other service personnel are needed regularly. Salary can be around 1800 liras.

Welder

This is one of the in-demand professions in the Turkish labor market. This is a great way for men to earn money. The device will require a qualification document. A welder's income is at least 3700-4500 Turkish lira.

Programmer

Turkish companies require IT specialists. Their own personnel often move to other states in hopes of higher earnings. That is why the labor market is opening up to specialists from other countries. Income is from 6500 Turkish lira.

Electrician

Turkey is popular for those migrants who understand electrical appliances and equipment. It is possible to get a job as an electrician even without knowing the language at an absolute level. You need to understand it and have sufficient professional skills.

Salesman

The market, numerous shops and supermarkets are places where trade workers are needed. Here, knowledge of the language is required at least on a superficial level. In addition, when communicating with foreign clients, basic English is required. This becomes an undeniable advantage in employment. Income varies between 2000-2200 Turkish lira.

Driver

To work as a truck driver, taxi driver and other positions related to driving a car, you will need an international license. Work experience is desirable, which will immediately provide advantages in employment. Salaries vary greatly depending on the distance of the routes, the number of flights and other factors.

Masseur

The entertainment and service industries require many different types of workers. You can actually get a job as a cosmetologist, at the reception desk of spa centers. Working as a massage therapist in Turkey is quite profitable, since the service is in demand. You will be able to earn about 2000 Turkish lira.

Requirements for foreign employees

Language knowledge
You need to have a good command of the Turkish language only if you are joining a company whose activities are focused exclusively on local residents. Such situations are rare for foreigners, so knowledge of English is often more than enough.
If we are talking about temporary work at resorts (service personnel, dancers, hairdressers, etc.), then it is not necessary to speak a foreign language at all. The only exceptions are animators and guides. Good knowledge of English in their case significantly increases their salary, because... they can work in prestigious hotels with visitors from different countries.
Diploma confirmation
Applies only to highly qualified specialists. The most difficult thing in this case is for the doctor (in fact, as in most other countries). The employer will need not only a confirmed diploma and experience, but also passing a professional exam. But in return - high earnings on par with Turkish specialists.

Features of working in Turkey

By taking a job in the country with official permission from the local authorities, you are subject to all labor standards in Turkey. If you decide to work illegally, the opposite is true: you have no rights in relations with employers.

Illegal work, in addition to the dismissive attitude of the employer, is fraught with a number of other consequences:

Penalties
In relation to both the employer and the employee. The first receives a fine of $2900, the second – $290. If you are doing business in the country without the appropriate permit, expect to pay $1,160. And if you harbor illegal workers without reporting them to the authorities, you will be fined $144. Moreover, all the indicated amounts are for those who violated the law for the first time: repeated fines are 2-3 times higher.
If you have been repeatedly noticed by law enforcement agencies, you face deportation from the country for at least three years.
Job search
Without a work visa and a guaranteed place of work, you have many additional competitors in your new place: in addition to the Turks, there are many illegal immigrants from Romania, Moldova, Ukraine, Georgia, and Uzbekistan. But the point is not only that it will be much more difficult for you to find a job - your salary will also be lower than that of officially working immigrants, and its size will not be stable.

It is allowed to work in the country from the age of 12, the working day is 8 hours, and the week is 45 hours. Regional labor departments control these standards, allowing overtime work per day - no more than three hours, but no more than 90 additional hours per year. The minimum duration of each paid leave is 12 working days.

The largest number of vacancies in Turkey are in the tourism sector

Obtaining a work permit and residence permit

Step 1. Work permit

There are three types of work permits in Turkey:

Temporary (Süreli Çalışma İzni)
Issued to foreigners who apply for such an application for the first time. Validity period is one year. You can extend it for three years, but you cannot change your job. After another three years, the permit can be renewed again, but you can change the employer, but not the specialty.
Permanent (Süresiz Çalışma İzni)
Issued to foreigners who have either worked legally in the country for at least six years or have lived in Turkey for at least eight years.
For entrepreneurs (Bağımsız Çalışma İzni)
A permit allowing you to run your own business is available only to those who have lived in the country for at least five years and can prove that their business will be useful or economically profitable for Turkey.

Individual citizens are issued a work permit without reference to the timing or place of work. This includes refugees, EU citizens and their family members, professional athletes, and spouses and children of Turkish citizens. But in the latter case, the child must enter the country before he turns 18 and graduate from school or university in the local area.

Where to get a work permit?

You can obtain a permit directly in Turkey. But this is only suitable for foreigners who have a residence permit in the country for at least six months.

The second option is at the Turkish consulate of your country, where you will need to submit a package of papers: the original employment contract, a document confirming the signature of the head of the company, as well as copies of these documents. After the application is accepted, you are assigned a number that must be reported to the employer. Within the next 10 days, he must submit the following documents to the Turkish Ministry of Labor:

work permit application (completed and printed);
company tax report for the year;
an extract from the Trade Register indicating the amount of capital and the composition of shareholders;
the potential employee’s passport, as well as a diploma and certificate, translated into Turkish and certified by a notary.

The review period is 1-1.5 months. The decision is communicated by phone or email.

Note!
If you plan to live in Turkey permanently and want to have unlimited access to the labor market (without obtaining work permits), you can think about applying for local citizenship. Turkey has a government program under which a passport can be obtained within 3 months. The condition is to buy real estate for an amount of $250 thousand.
Also, owners of real estate of any value can obtain a residence permit. This type of residence permit does not give the right to work (permission will have to be obtained separately). But after 5 years of residence in Turkey, it will be possible to request citizenship through naturalization.

Step 2. Work visa and residence permit

If everything is in order with the work permit, you need to re-apply to the Consulate of the Republic of Turkey and provide the following documents:

A completed application form, which can be found on the Consulate website.
A copy and original of a foreign passport with a validity period sufficient for the proposed visa, as well as a certified translation into Turkish.
Two photos.
An employment contract with a signed circular and an application from the employer with a request to issue a visa to a potential employee.
Diploma/certificate translated into Turkish and notarized.
Company certificate indicating the type of activity.

Completing all the documents and obtaining a visa will cost about $200. After receiving a work visa, you must enter the country within 180 days, after which you must obtain a residence permit within a month from the local police department.

Cheat

What do you need to go to work and how to get a permit

Before you start looking for a job in the Republic of Turkey, we recommend studying the portal of the Employment Service and Government Investments. They contain information that is relevant and valuable for employment, as well as instructions for completing entry papers.

How to find a job in Turkey:

Through job search sites (eadhunter, Flagma, Turkey for friends, CareerJet, Kariyer).
On the websites of major Russian tourist operators (Anextour, Coral Travel, Sunmar, Teztour, Tui).
Through licensed recruitment agencies (they take a percentage for their work: $200-250).
Through newspapers (Hurriyet, Milliyet, Sabah).

There are two ways to obtain a work permit:

In Ankara – relevant for holders of a residence permit for a period of at least six months. The foreigner, together with the employer, applies to the Ministry of Labor and Social Security.
At the Turkish consulate in your country. The applicant submits the original employment contract and the employer's signature circular to the Consulate. The applicant is given an individual number, on the basis of which the employer submits documents to the Ministry.

Procedure for obtaining a permit:

Apply online.
Print and sign the application.
Attach additional documentation.
Within 6 days, send documents by courier or submit in person.
Expect a decision within 1-1.5 months.

Documents when applying for a work permit are provided by the employer:

Application for a work permit.
Detailed company tax report for the past year.
Extract from the Trade Register of Turkey.
Certified translation of the employee's passport.
Certified translation of the employee’s education document.

Popular specialties and vacancies

If you look at the vacancies offered on job sites, you can identify three categories of specialists most in demand in Turkey:

Highly qualified : teachers (Russian and English, exact sciences), engineers, programmers, system administrators, doctors, designers, architects.
Narrow specialization : builders, welders, installers, electricians, turners, equipment operators, furniture designers and assemblers, manicurists, hairdressers, nurses, massage therapists and physiotherapists.
Without special knowledge : animators, waiters, nannies and caregivers, maids, administrators, cleaners, salespeople, models and dancers.

The most in demand are specialists in the service sector, tourism and construction.

The construction business is growing rapidly and there are many vacancies in this area.

Jobs in Turkey for Russians, Ukrainians and other residents of the CIS

Turkey attracts migrant workers from different countries, but at the same time takes care of protecting the domestic labor market. An employer can employ foreigners only if its own citizens do not apply for the vacancy or if the foreign specialist has a higher qualification.

Most of the vacancies for which foreigners are willing to accept are vacancies in the tourism sector: maids, animators, guides, cleaners, waiters, salespeople, dancers, receptionists, cosmetologists, makeup artists, manicurists, massage therapists.

There is also a shortage of workers in the manufacturing and construction sectors, so welders, masons, laborers, seamstresses, cutters, and shoe makers are needed.

The agricultural sector is quite developed in Turkey. During the harvest, many vacancies appear in the gardens and fields for which foreigners can be hired.

Highly qualified specialists are also required: doctors, engineers, programmers.

Salaries in Turkey

By the beginning of 2021, the official minimum wage in Turkey reached 2,234 liras, an increase of 15% over the year (but taking into account the depreciation of the local currency, this is still less than $400). True, it is worth considering that in large cities and in skilled professions, salaries are higher.

Of course, these are not the highest numbers compared to Europe. But in most CIS countries the situation is worse.

If you have a work permit and work visa, your salary must be at least the official minimum salary. For failure to comply with this condition, fines are imposed on the employer.

The fixed average salary in Turkey is not officially established - it varies depending on the region and specialty. The approximate amount before taxes and fees is $1200 per month, “net” is about $850.

The most profitable industries are IT, information and communications, finance, healthcare, scientific activity, real estate and construction. The monthly income here is $1500-2500 and above. Administrators and employees of the hotel and restaurant business earn the least - approximately $500-650 per month.

Average salary by specialty in Turkey (before taxes):

Programmers – $2000-2500
Doctors – $1600-2000
Engineers – from $1700
Teachers – $1200-2500
Welders – $1300-1500
Masters, foremen – up to $1500
Managers with higher education – $800-1200
Electricians, installers, builders – $600-800
Sellers – $500-600
Animators, guides – $500-600
Nannies, caregivers – $500-700
Governess for a child (with special education, experience, knowledge of English and Turkish) – from $600-800
Office clerks – $-400-600
Cleaners, waitresses – $400-500

In Istanbul and other large cities they earn more. You can also count on a higher level of pay if you have a diploma from a Turkish or prestigious European university.