Job Discussion Forums

[delal]

Hi
I've been offered a nice job but and they want to do work papers. Is it legal to work after applying for a work permit and waiting for it to be processed? Strange question I suppose-it's just that as it can take up to a year in some cases (I've heard) I suppose the school should have started the process ages ago so I could start work at the end of September. It's all a bit weird really, isn't it?! It's not as if I want to traffic in organs, just teach grammar etc....
I visited the �alişma Bakanlığı website (nice English section) but there's no info about this. I suppose this means that it isn't legal. It would be nice if someone could assure me otherwise though (especially after looking at the fine section on the website)

[delal]

PS Has anybody heard about a regulation which states foreigners can work in a kres without a permit if they work less than 15 hours a week?

[Marquess]

No and no

[coffeespoonman]

It should not take a year to get a work permit. If your school knows what they're doing, it should take a month tops (the first two weeks to get your residence permit sorted). If they say it takes a year, it's because they don't want to get you one or they have no clue how to do it.

And no, it is NOT legal to work without a work permit, no matter how many hours you're working. However, if you could prove that your school had already applied for one, you would probably be ok (maybe with a small bribe), in the unlikely event that it ever became an issue.

[delal]

Thanks for that-feel slightly more optimistic. Unfortunately the local TED Kolejı just told two new teachers it will take 6 months to get their work permits and another teacher there had to wait four months. I'm panicking because if they are having probs then what hope is there for a small kres?

[coffeespoonman]

While I do not condone working illegally, nearly everyone here has done it at some point, and the chances that you will be caught are quite slim. Furthermore, if you can prove that your school has applied, or is in the process of applying, it's not likely that you would be deported or face any punishment whatsoever- your school might face a fine, but that's probably it (admittedly, I don't know this for a fact, and anyone (except Marquess) is welcome to share their 2 kuruş).

If you PM me the name of your school, I might be able to give further info.

[Marquess]

Recently a language mill was raided by the police and 20 teachers detained by the police. The only teachers who were not taken to the airport and deported there and then were those who had valid residence permits. Nobody was given the chance to prove or show that their employer had applied or was applying. Those with residence permits had to report to the police weekly until their status was decided.

[coffeespoonman]

Why not be safe and get a residence permit yourself?

The cost of a 1 year residence permit is about 570 TL (may have increased, don't know). You have to show something like 3000 US in the bank. Even if you don't have it, you can borrow it from friends or your school, put it in your account, get a print out and transfer it back. In my experience, the emniyet doesn't ask you any questions - they just hand over the permit.

Yeah, it's a bit annoying to go through the hassle, but with the permit in hand, you've got a lot more leverage with potential employers, and a lot better excuses for police.

(or just work for a good school that does it for you)

BTW, Marquess, I'd be interested to know the name of the aforementioned school. Can you PM it to me?

[delal]

Thanks for the scare story!
I find it hard to believe that people hadn't taken the precaution of having a valid residence permit though.

[delal]

PS Did the teachers or school get fined? Had the school really applied?

[Marquess]

Of course the school hadn't really applied. Language schools seldom do unless it is for TEFLers who have been there for more than a year. They rely on either visa runs or TEFLers who have residence permits via marriage or are students.

No teacher got fined because those on tourist visas were deported straight away. Those with residence permits who were still working illegally are under investigation.

Getting a resident permit is tough. Options are marriage, owning property, being a student and you can only once renew your tourist visa by showing evidence of money. You still don't get a residence permit and would be deported.

[delal]

Are you talking about getting an "oturma isne." I've never had a problem getting one and I'm not married to a Turk, don't own property nor am I a student.
Er- are a friend of Ghost's btw?

[Marquess]

[coffeespoonman]

Sorry Marquess, but that's absolutely wrong. Getting a residence permit (ikamet tezkeresi) is the simplest thing in the world, if you have the cash (see above post), and it can be renewed yearly, as many times as you want, no questions asked.

The tourist visa, as you mention below, can not be renewed - you simply leave the country and get a new one. For Americans, it's 20 USD for a 3 month visa. Ask most English teachers to see their passport, and you'll see that there is no limit.

[Marquess]

No, you are wrong.

Leaving the country every 3 month is of course possible as many times as you like-so what-you can be deported for working illegally.

The showing you have changed more than 3 grand and renewing your tourist visa without leaving the country is only possible once-still cannot work.

Getting a residence permit, still cannot work, need to show proof of student status, marriage, property,relatives etc.