Are you looking for unskilled jobs in Turkey for foreigners with visa sponsorship? In this post, we will look at the top unskilled jobs in Turkey for foreigners, the best places to work, the skills required for unskilled professions, visas and work permits, how to apply for unskilled jobs, the average cost of living, and much more. Let’s go deeper to discover all of the beneficial information that will improve your job search and help you get hired as soon as possible.
Why Is Turkey A Good Place For Foreign Workers?
Before going on to another country to work, it is pertinent to know what makes that country a good place for foreign workers. In this section, we will look over some of the reasons why Turkey is considered a good place for foreign workers. Here are the reasons:
1. Affordable Cost of Living:
Compared to many Western countries, Turkey offers a relatively affordable lifestyle, especially in smaller cities. This allows foreign workers to enjoy a higher standard of living while saving money.
2. Growing Economy:
Recent years have seen a notable expansion of Turkey’s economy, which has created a wide range of employment prospects for foreign workers in industries like tourism, manufacturing, technology, and healthcare. A favourable atmosphere has been created for job seekers in Turkey by this economic progress.
3. Relatively Easy Immigration Process:
Turkey has simplified its immigration processes, which has facilitated the process for foreign nationals seeking work permits and visas. An increasing number of international workers looking for fresh chances have been drawn to this.
4. Beautiful Landscapes and Rich Culture:
From the Mediterranean coast to the snow-capped summits of the Taurus Mountains, Turkey is a country of breathtaking natural beauty. Living and working there is exciting because of its rich history and cultural legacy, which includes fascinating bazaars, old ruins, and delectable food.
5. Strong Tourism Industry: Unskilled Jobs In Turkey For Foreigners With Visa Sponsorship
The tourism industry in Turkey is expanding rapidly, creating a large number of work possibilities, especially in coastal towns like Antalya and Istanbul.
6. Welcoming and Hospitable Culture:
Turkish people are generally friendly and welcoming towards foreigners, making it easy to integrate into Turkish society.
Before making the move to a new country, it’s essential to research factors like the cost of living, visa requirements, work permits, local culture, and the ease of immigration. We’ve provided information on these aspects to help you decide if Turkey is the right choice for you.
Now, let’s delve into the top unskilled jobs in Turkey for foreigners with visa sponsorship.
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Top 20 Unskilled Jobs In Turkey For Foreigners With Visa Sponsorship
List of the top 20 accessible unskilled jobs in Turkey with visa sponsorship
- Agricultural Workers: Jobs in agriculture, such as farmhands and harvesting workers, are available in rural areas.
- Cooks and Chefs: Cooks and chefs with experience in various cuisines can find work in restaurants and hotels.
- Clean-Up Crew: Cleaning jobs, such as housekeepers and office cleaners, are in demand.
- Construction Laborer/Workers: The construction industry in Turkey offers various unskilled jobs, such as labourers and helpers.
- Delivery Drivers: Delivery drivers for food delivery services, courier companies, and online retailers are needed.
- Factory Workers: Unskilled labour is required in various factories, including textile, manufacturing, and food processing.
- Call Center Agents: Foreigners with good communication skills can find work in call centres, providing customer support for various industries.
- Language Teachers: English language teachers are in high demand in Turkey, especially in private language schools.
- Tour Guides: Foreigners with knowledge of Turkish history and culture can find work as tour guides for tourists.
- Hotel Staff: Hotel jobs, such as receptionists, housekeepers, and porters, are common opportunities for foreign workers.
- Restaurant Staff: Waiters, waitresses, and kitchen staff are in high demand in Turkey’s bustling tourism industry.
- Retail Deals Assistant/Retail Workers: Sales assistants, cashiers, and store clerks are needed in various retail sectors, including clothing, electronics, and supermarkets.
- Warehouse Worker: Handle goods in warehouses, ensuring efficient storage, handling, and distribution.
- Hairdressers and Stylists: Skilled hairdressers and stylists can find work in salons.
- Personal Trainers: Fitness enthusiasts with certifications can find work as personal trainers in gyms or private homes.
- Seasonal Workers: Seasonal jobs in tourism and agriculture are available during peak periods.
- Babysitters and Nannies: Foreigners with childcare experience can find work as babysitters or nannies.
- Security Guards: Security guards are required in various businesses, including hotels, shopping malls, and residential complexes.
- Event Staff: Event staff, such as ushers, waiters, and bartenders, are needed for conferences, weddings, and other events.
- Data Entry Clerks: Entering data into computer systems
If any of these has piqued your interest, let’s now move on to the top-paying unskilled jobs and thereafter, discover the best places in Turkey for unskilled labour.
Top 5 Highest Paying Unskilled Jobs In Turkey
- Construction Workers: While the average salary for construction workers in Turkey is around TRY 10,000 per month, skilled trades like plumbing, electrical work, or masonry can command significantly higher wages, often reaching TRY 15,000 or more.
- Factory Workers: Salaries in factories vary depending on the industry and location, but average around TRY 8,000 per month. Jobs in automotive, electronics, or textile factories may offer higher pay.
- Hospitality Workers: Salaries in the hospitality industry can range from TRY 6,000 to 10,000 per month, depending on the role and location. High-end hotels and resorts may offer higher wages.
- Drivers: Taxi drivers and truck drivers can earn anywhere from TRY 8,000 to 12,000 per month, depending on factors like experience and the type of vehicle.
- Retail Workers: Retail workers typically earn between TRY 5,000 and 8,000 per month, with higher wages possible for supervisory roles or in premium retail stores.
Best Places In Turkey For Unskilled Workers
Here are the 5 best places in Turkey for unskilled workers
1. Istanbul: Istanbul, the biggest city in Turkey, has a lot of work prospects, especially in the travel, hospitality, and retail industries
2. Antalya: Antalya, which is well-known for its stunning beaches and thriving tourism sector, provides plenty of chances for unskilled labourers to work in lodging facilities, eateries, and tourist destinations.
3. Izmir: This coastal city is a major economic centre and offers opportunities in various sectors, including manufacturing, agriculture, and tourism.
4. Ankara: As the capital of Turkey, Ankara offers government jobs and opportunities in the education and healthcare sectors.
5. Bursa: This city is known for its automotive industry and offers opportunities in manufacturing and related sectors.
Skills Requirement To Work Unskilled Jobs In Turkey
Though it’s unskilled work, you normally don’t need many credentials or abilities to get employed; still, possessing these will make you stand out from the competition. Thus, these are the fundamental abilities needed to perform unskilled labour in Turkey:
- Basic English Proficiency: English language proficiency can improve your career prospects and work opportunities, but it’s not necessarily a must.
- Physical Fitness: Many unskilled jobs, such as construction work or warehouse roles, require physical stamina and strength.
- Good Communication Skills: Effective communication skills, both verbal and written, are essential for interacting with colleagues and customers.
- Adaptability: The ability to adapt to new environments and work cultures is crucial for foreign workers in Turkey.
- Problem-Solving Skills: The ability to think critically and solve problems efficiently is valuable in various job roles.
- Teamwork: Working well with others is essential in many job settings.
- Reliability and Punctuality: Consistently arriving on time and fulfilling your responsibilities are important qualities.
How To Find Unskilled Jobs In Turkey As A Foreigner
Is it possible for a foreigner to acquire jobs in Turkey? This is one of the most frequently asked questions. Foreigners can work in Turkey, but you need a work permit. Usually, the employer gets this permit on the employee’s behalf. To receive a work permit and lawfully work in Turkey, one must first secure an employment offer from a Turkish employer.
Here is a guide on how to find unskilled jobs in Turkey As A Foreigner:
1. Online Job Boards:
Turkish job boards are a useful resource for exploring well-known Turkish job boards as well as international job boards and websites that might also post positions in Turkey. Look through the websites and job boards listed below.
- thefasthire.org
- Indeed
- Kariyer.net
- Yenibiris.com
- Glassdoor
2. Recruitment Agencies:
We have national and international recruitment agencies in addition to local and international employment boards. Should you choose to work with a local agency, research and get in touch with employment agencies that focus on placing international employees in Turkey. Additionally, a few international recruitment firms maintain partnerships or branches in Turkey.
Top Seven Recruitment Agencies In Turkey
1. DevsData LLC:
DevsData is a specialised software and tech recruitment firm. Hire seasoned engineers to work on your software project, or hire developers with relevant industry experience to grow your own tech staff.
2. IT Talent Turkey (ITT): Unskilled Jobs In Turkey For Foreigners With Visa Sponsorship
This is a licensed human resource firm that only provides contract consulting and technology staffing to elite businesses with outstanding individuals. IT Talent Turkey, a certified ISKUR Private Employment Agency in Turkey, specialises exclusively in IT employment and has a wealth of personnel search experience.
3. Manpower Turkey:
It is a well-known company with a devoted client base in more than 110 countries, is the parent company of Manpower Turkey. Manpower Turkey is an expert in hiring locally, headhunting, outsourcing, remote work solutions, hiring foreign workers, and job searching.
4. DogaHR Global HR Center:
DogaHR provides bilingual hiring and placement assistance in a variety of languages, including Danish, Swedish, English, German, Dutch, French, Italian, Spanish, and more. The main goal of DogaHR is to provide employment possibilities with a focus on human-centric HR solutions, not only in Turkey and Europe but also worldwide.
5. Talentra: Unskilled Jobs In Turkey For Foreigners With Visa Sponsorship
Istanbul has served as Talentra’s headquarters. It has become known as a provider of hiring services with an emphasis on human-centred and technology-driven methodologies. Talentra has a proven track record of providing talent to a wide range of industries, demonstrating its dedication to excellence.
6. ERA İnsan Kaynakları:
ERA Human Resources, an Izmir-based recruitment firm approved by ISKUR, has been providing selection and placement services since 2008. Committed to delivering exceptional business results, ERA HR focuses on finding the perfect candidate for clients by understanding their expectations and working diligently to meet them. (Address: Kültür, No:123, Cumhuriyet Blv, 35220 Konak/İzmir, Türkiye. Phone: +90 232 464 18 10).
7. Lookup:
Lookup is a recruiting firm that concentrates on the expansion of computer enterprises. It works with fast-growing businesses and provides support to venture-backed startups in their early stages as well as global corporations.
3. Networking:
Get in touch with other foreigners who have secured employment in Turkey to broaden your network. In order to meet possible employers, you should also think about going to industry conferences or networking events. Lastly, use social media platforms like LinkedIn to establish connections with industry experts.
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4. Direct Applications:
Tailor your resume to highlight your skills and experience relevant to the Turkish job market. Research companies in your target industry and location. Prepare a compelling cover letter and submit your application directly to the company’s HR department. Remember, a well-crafted resume and cover letter can significantly increase your chances of securing an interview.
5. Government Job Centers:
Seek assistance from local Turkish employment agencies to streamline your job search and visa application process.
Visas And Work Permits
Before starting a job in Turkey as a foreigner, you must have a valid work visa and work permit, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, effective February 2023. Work permits are granted by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security to qualified foreign applicants with an official offer of employment from a Turkish company. On the candidate’s behalf, the employer hiring a foreign national submits the work permit application. You can apply for a work visa at a Turkish embassy in your area after receiving a job offer from a Turkish company. Work permits in Turkey come in four varieties, including:
- A provisional licence that lasts for up to a year
- Long-term foreign residents who have worked and lived in Turkey for at least eight years are granted a permanent licence.
- a separate permit for foreign nationals who have resided in the nation continuously for at least five years
- Highly qualified foreign nationals with particular expertise and abilities who can support the expansion of the Turkish economy are granted the turquoise card.
How To Apply For Visa Sponsorship For Unskilled Jobs In Turkey
The visa sponsorship application process is quite simple in just five steps:
1. Find a Sponsoring Employer: Secure a job offer from a Turkish company that is authorized to sponsor foreign workers.
2. Gather Required Documents: Prepare the necessary documents, which may include:
- Passport
- Employment contract
- Proof of qualifications (if applicable)
- Medical certificate
- Police clearance certificate
- Financial statements (if required)
3. Submit Application: Submit your visa application to the Turkish consulate or embassy in your home country.
4. Attend Interview: If required, attend an interview with a Turkish consular officer.
5. Await Decision: The visa processing time may vary, so be patient and wait for a decision on your application.
Average Salaries Of Unskilled Workers In Turkey (Minimum Wage).
The minimum wage for 2024 has been calculated to be ₺20,002.50 in gross and ₺17,002.12 in net. The pay of foreign workers has also been impacted by this increase. In accordance with these new minimum wage levels, foreign nationals’ pay levels in work permit applications will be applied at the following amounts beginning next year.
Work Done/Employee’s Title | Reference Value | Wage Amount |
For senior managers and pilots | 6.5 times the minimum wage | 130.016,25 ₺ |
Unit or branch managers, engineers and architects | 4 times the minimum wage | 80.010,00 ₺ |
People who will work in jobs that require expertise and mastery,teachers, doctors | 3 times the minimum wage | 60.007,50 ₺ |
Foreigners who will work as acrobats and similar titles in tourism-animation organization companies, and foreigners who will work as masseurs, masseuses and SPA therapists. | Twice the minimum wage | 40.005,00 ₺ |
Foreigners who will work in other professions (foreigners who will work as employees, such as sales personnel, marketing, export personnel) | 1.5 times the minimum wage | 30.003,75 ₺ |
Foreigners to be employed in domestic services | Minimum wage | 20.002,50 ₺ |
Cost Of Living In Turkey For Foreign Workers
a. Rent:
Rental costs in Turkey vary significantly depending on the city. In cities like Izmir and Ankara, you can find two-room apartments starting at INR 18,000 per month. However, Istanbul’s rental prices are higher, beginning at INR 30,000. For more affordable options, consider public dormitories starting at INR 7,000 per month, while private dormitories range from INR 15,000. Short-term stays in hotels can cost around INR 2,000 per night.
b. Foodstuff/Groceries: Unskilled Jobs In Turkey For Foreigners With Visa Sponsorship
Turkey’s cost of living is remarkably low for food and groceries. Enjoy diverse Turkish and Arab cuisine at affordable prices. Popular supermarkets like A101, Bim, and ŞOK offer competitive prices, with basic groceries starting at INR 300 weekly. Your monthly grocery expenses can range from INR 2,500 to INR 5,000.
c. Utilities
For total utility costs, you need a budget of about INR 8,200 (TRY 3,220) every month. It’s important to keep in mind that seasonal variations exist in energy prices, with wintertime expenditures rising because of the necessity for heating.
Here’s a table below:
Utility | Monthly Cost (INR) | Monthly Cost (TRY ) |
Electricity | 3,000 | 1,180 |
Water | 1,200 | 470 |
Gas | 1,800 | 710 |
Internet | 1,200 | 470 |
Phone Bill | 1,000 | 390 |
d. Transportation
Turkey has relatively inexpensive transport, which helps to explain the country’s overall cheap cost of living. The starting taxi rate is INR 100 (TRY 39). Use ride-hailing applications like BiTaksi, iTaksi, Uber (available in some cities), and Scotty (for motorbike taxis in Istanbul) if you’re looking for cheap taxi solutions.
Conclusion: Unskilled Jobs In Turkey For Foreigners With Visa Sponsorship
In conclusion, Turkey presents numerous opportunities for foreigners seeking unskilled jobs with visa sponsorship. The affordable cost of living, a growing economy, simplified immigration processes, stunning landscapes, and a welcoming culture make Turkey an attractive destination for work. The top 20 accessible unskilled jobs in Turkey cater to a variety of industries, including agriculture, hospitality, retail, and tourism, providing ample options for foreign workers to explore and secure employment. If you’re considering working in Turkey, these factors make it a compelling choice to kickstart your career abroad.