Job Discussion Forums

scb222 · Joined: 24 Jan 2003 Posts: 175 Location: Brisvegas, Oz

Ive heard it is now possible to get the work visa (with the help of your school of course) without having to leave the country. I have been under the impression for sometime that you had to return to your home country to 'collect' it. Although I must add that I got my first work visa some time ago from the Embassy in Bangkok, so all that waffle about going home was never concrete. However, I had no idea I could now actually obtain one right here in Istanbul. Anybody heard of this?

thrifty · Joined: 25 Apr 2006 Posts: 1665 Location: chip van

That old chestnut does the rounds every year or so.

scb222 · Joined: 24 Jan 2003 Posts: 175 Location: Brisvegas, Oz

scb222 · Joined: 24 Jan 2003 Posts: 175 Location: Brisvegas, Oz

scb222 · Joined: 24 Jan 2003 Posts: 175 Location: Brisvegas, Oz

Sheikh Inal Ovar · Joined: 04 Dec 2005 Posts: 1208 Location: Melo Drama School

You're sounding like a Dalek ...

yaramaz · Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2007 12:22 pm Post subject:

According to my school you can, providing you have a residence permit first. After you have had that for 6 months or something, a work permit can be added. My school is doing the paperwork to get mine added, as I got my residence permit in December. However, the fact that I had a work permit for 4 years before this may help.

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

The last chestnut I spoke to said you can get a business visa without leaving the the country.You can also get a self employed visa thingy. But a work visa for an EFL teacher at a school. You need to go home. However, if you currently have a work visa your school should be able to sort it out.

yaramaz · Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2007 12:26 pm Post subject:

I think the fact that I have the original visa in my passport might help. I let my work permit ikamet expire last year because ı was out of the country and between jobs for too long. However to get my ikamet upgraded to work permit I have been told that I don't need to go home. If you have never had one, it may be different.

scb222 · Joined: 24 Jan 2003 Posts: 175 Location: Brisvegas, Oz

scb222 · Joined: 24 Jan 2003 Posts: 175 Location: Brisvegas, Oz

Vixter · Joined: 10 Aug 2006 Posts: 64

My school got me a residence visa for 6 months first while they were applying for the work visa. that took 4 months to come through, but i didn't need to leave the country. My Director at the language school took the paperwork to Ankara and then collected the work visa from Ankara. He's been an owner of the school for 23 years so is known to them at the MoE, supposedly. I'm happy though as didn't have to go anywhere or do anything to get it.

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

coffeespoonman · Joined: 04 Feb 2005 Posts: 512 Location: At my computer...

I know it's possible - I have a mate who got one with the help of his school. I'd like to know, however, how to do it. I have had an ikamet for almost a year now, and I have Y�K's permission to work. But my uni never bothered to actually get me the visa since I was already in the country when I took the job. I'm just working on an ikamet - and so is the assistant director of the department, by the way.

However, this year, I'm planning to change schools, and am worried that I might run into trouble. If anyone's got a story about upgrading their ikamet to a work permit, please share it. I'm anxious to know if/how it can be done. Especially without a school's help, if possible.

Oh, and I'm also planning to start my own business this summer - just a small home-office thing. Can I get the business work visa from the same place where I got my ikamet, in Aksaray? Anyone know how much it is? Finally, with that in hand, would it be then easier to get a general work permit?

Thanks in advance - hope someone's got some info to share.

justme · Joined: 18 May 2004 Posts: 1944 Location: Istanbul