Job Discussion Forums

thailandreb · Joined: 08 Aug 2011 Posts: 36 Location: Istanbul, Turkey

Hello all,

I just completed my CELTA course at ITI Istanbul. I am now finally ready to look for a job in Turkey.

Problem is I am here on a 90-day tourist visa, and already been here for 2 months. I went on the website to apply for a residency visa, and the earliest appointment is the end of May, long after my tourist visa will expire! I also have heard that I can't get a work visa inside of Turkey... is that true?? And i've also heard, if I leave the country after being here for 90 days, I have to stay out of the country for 90 days before I can re-enter. WTH??

My dilemma is, what would be the point of looking for a job if I can't legally stay in Turkey? Is there any way around this? Would a job help me get a work visa??

FWIW, I am an American, with 5 years of teaching experience already in the USA, Korea, Thailand, and Indonesia. I have a TEFL certificate from i-to-i and now the CELTA also. I know I can find a job easy if I can just find a way to get a work/residency permit.

dudeteacher · Joined: 27 Feb 2010 Posts: 173

If you scan the other threads you'll probably get a proper answer.

I left Ist. about two years ago. However, I never made an appointment on the net. I went damn early in the morning and got it over with.

What made life easier is that the more established schools would go to the emniyet and get it for you. And you could come later in the morning meet them in the line after they had done most of the paper work and just finish off with them.

Get a job, let the school get the Resident permit for you and if things don't work out, you can always leave the school but still have your permit.

I've heard from someone that yes, if you leave and come back with a tourist visa you must be out for 90 days. This is easy enough to confirm with a school. I've heard that Berlitz and ET are helpful with Resident Permits. There are might be other schools but others will have to confirm.

teacher07 · Joined: 17 Mar 2012 Posts: 8

You are able to get a work visa from inside turkey, i am currently waiting on mine being approved.

also if you arrived before the 1st feb you have the old visa so therefore you are able to do a visa run and will get the new visa when you come back. my friend did this yesterday and there were no problems as she arrived in jan.

i am also planning on doing this in 3 weeks or so from istanbul to bulgaria as my tourist visa runs out and i can not apply for a residence permit until my work visa is approved.

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

Last time I was in Turkey (less than a year ago), the piece of paper that you get from the emniyet when you schedule an appointment (you can print it if you schedule online) worked as a sort of extension to your residence permit (or visa). That is, as long as you had that in your pocket, you weren't overstaying. You might want to check if that's still true.