Job Discussion Forums

[sheffin]

Is it illegal to work in Istanbul for 4 months with only a resident permit?

[Yogita]

A residency permit doesn't give permission to work. So yes it would be illegal. I had the same misconception too initially. Although a lot of teachers work in turkey without work permits.

[Qaaolchoura]

Especially in Istanbul. My impression is that generally the majority of schools outside of Istanbul obtain work permits for their teachers, and the majority in Istanbul don't.

A lot of schools in Turkey, especially in Istanbul will tell you that they help you get a residency permit, but it's no difficulty to get an RP on your own and those schools are trying to mislead you. You need both a residency and work permit to work legally here.

~Q

[parnett]

I spent 13 years in Turkey and had a work permit a grand total of one time (in Gaziantep). I spent 3 years doing the border run deal every three months. The remainder of my time in Turkey I had a residence visa.
It is illegal, but the police simply ignore this. When a government inspector was due to visit, the school was warned, and foreign teachers were given a few hours off. Twice a government inspector's son was actually in my class.
I was never able to get a second work permit for some reason. It had something to do with the fact I had an M.A. but no teacher's license.