No Work Permit Needed: A Historic Presidential Decree Signed by Erdoğan Comes into Effect
With a new decree signed by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, citizens of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) member countries are now allowed to work, establish businesses, and engage in commercial activities in Türkiye without requiring a work permit or citizenship.
Published in the Official Gazette No. 33043 on October 10, 2025, the regulation gained a legal basis through amendments made to Law No. 2527 on the Free Practice of Professions and Arts by Foreigners of Turkish Descent in Türkiye.
This decision does not directly concern Turkish citizens but applies to foreigners of Turkish descent.
No Work Permit Needed:
🔴 Türk Soylu yabancıların Türkiye’de Meslek ve Sanatlarını serbestçe yapabilmelerine ilişkin Cumhurbaşkanlığı Kararnamesi” yürürlüğe girdi. pic.twitter.com/vFhJNjwCeh
— Conflict (@ConflictTR) October 12, 2025
Who Can Benefit from This Regulation?
The new decree grants the right to work freely in Türkiye to foreign nationals of Turkish ethnic or cultural origin.
For example, Tatars in Russia, Uyghurs in China, Qashqai Turks in Iran, and Turkmens in Iraq or Syria may benefit from this right if they can officially prove their Turkish descent and that they are unable to practice their profession in their home countries due to reasons beyond their control.
The primary aim is to facilitate the economic and social integration of Turkish-origin communities in Türkiye and strengthen professional and commercial cooperation among the Turkic world.
Scope of the New Regulation
According to the Presidential Decree No. 10476, citizens of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan will be allowed to establish businesses or be employed freely in Türkiye, except in military and intelligence fields.
These individuals may also register with professional chambers under the same conditions as Turkish citizens, though they will not have voting rights.
This decision, taken immediately after the 12th Summit of the Organization of Turkic States held in Gabala (Azerbaijan), aims to enhance economic and employment integration across the Turkic world.
Legal Basis
The new decree is based on Law No. 2527 (Published in the Official Gazette on September 29, 1981 – No. 17473) and the related implementing regulation.
The following key amendments have been introduced:
🔹 “Determination of Turkish Descent” Article (Article 2/A)
Communities to be considered as Turkish descendants shall be determined by a Presidential decision.
🔹 Article 3 – Working Conditions
To freely practice their professions and crafts in Türkiye, foreigners of Turkish descent must:
- Obtain a residence permit from the Ministry of Interior,
- Meet the professional qualifications required by special laws,
- Have their diplomas officially recognized,
- Pose no security risk,
- Be registered in population records,
- Be a member of a professional chamber,
- Have their documents officially approved for equivalence,
- Belong to a community identified by Presidential decree,
- Be unable to practice their profession in their home country,
- Possess distinct ethnic and cultural characteristics.
The regulation came into force on October 10, 2025, and is implemented under the authority of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Economic and Social Impact
This regulation is expected to facilitate labor mobility between Türkiye and the Turkic world, strengthening both economic and cultural ties.
Granting Turkish-origin citizens the right to work freely in Türkiye will create new employment opportunities, particularly in the energy, construction, tourism, technology, and service sectors.
Experts emphasize that this initiative will deepen human capital integration among Turkic nations and pave the way for a common labor market in the future.
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🌍 Member States of the Organization of Turkic States
Full Member States:
🇹🇷 Türkiye
🇦🇿 Azerbaijan
🇰🇿 Kazakhstan
🇰🇬 Kyrgyzstan
🇺🇿 Uzbekistan
Observer States:
🇹🇲 Turkmenistan
🇭🇺 Hungary
🇨🇾 Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC)
Source: MFY Legal
