Working in Turkey how to get a work permit. I was wondering...

Claire, www.turkiye.gov.tr is the site where you can get more info and the application form (4 copies). Your school also has to complete your application package and provide various financial status (4 different) documents etc.

Hi Claire, I was wondering if you could tell me what it is like working in Turkey. I have been offered a position in Ankara and one in Istanbul..I don’t know which one to go for as I do not know the areas at all. Also I know this might be a bit personal but would you know what type of wage is appropriate for someone with a PGDip/MA TESOL as well as teaching experience?? Any help would be great..:)

Natascha,
Istanbul is more fun!
Most language schools are not managed very well, be aware!

...Ankara isn’t that cool a place i am afraid...Sorry to say so, but it’s true. People are nice though, but you really need to get into the group...

I must say working in a private school in Turkey brings you more negatives than positives. I would not bother, if I were you. You certainly need to please your students, this is a paramount. The quality of your teaching, your knowledge, your approach - all do not matter. If you are a good arse-kisser - go ahead. I taught for three weeks in English Time inn Istanbul - thank you very much, it was one of the most humiliating my personality experiences in my life. It is up to you. Regarding your school - you can’t get an open work permit - your school must support your application. They prefer not to, believe me. More hassle for them. If you are pushy, they will just get rid of you. In Turkey a foreigner is welcome if keeps quiet and looks at the ground.

...so, did Claire go to the Bull?

You have to have your school apply for a permanent residence visa at the local police station. If you stay beyond the amount of time allowed you could be fined. As of last year a foreigner cannot stay in Turkey more than a certain amount of time. You should go online to see what that time period is. Type in Turkish Visa and read the requirements.

Hello I hope you are well in Turkey....You shouldn't stay past 90 days without a residence permit and you should find a employer who will apply for your work permit.. I received one a year ago which is now cancelled and it took me about 6 months to get...If you stay in Turkey for 6 months then you can apply for a work visa quicker without leaving Turkey...

I must agree with Mr. Nickolay Konovsky as well as Mr. Metin Zereycan, teaching English in Turkey is not at all about teaching English. It is about making the school you work for look great by having a foreigner on staff. For the most part I can say that everyone is friendly but if you would like any kind of help from the school for anything well ... look elsewhere as anything above and beyond their basic obligations with regards to work is usually not worth their time. I can also add that the jobs in the East of Turkey the "dangerous" Kurdish regions tend to pay more, while that is a plus it is not living in Istanbul by any means and life can become very boring very quickly. Generally you must be "affirmative" with the school about your contract or they will walk all over you with every little thing you can imagine. Overall though I can say that it is a good "doorway" into the English teaching world as it offers you a vast ocean of jobs to gain experience for your CV / resume. The pay anything less than $850 - $1000 USD per month is really unacceptable. Also the private schools ** SHOULD ** be providing accommodation + utilities and flight reimbursements to natives of the USA, UK, Australia, South Africa; others do not look for much in the way of "extras." The work visa at this point in time I can say is providing many different schools across Turkey with some big problems. The Turkish government has denied some individual teachers work visas for reasons largely unknown (either due to lack of communication within the school itself or lack of communication on the part of the Turkish government.) This extends to "native" speakers as well. The visa process can take five (5) or more months, and without the residency permit staying in Turkey is not advised as there is a hefty fine attached to overstaying your visa. As a foreign teacher it is your job to push the school a bit to take your visa in a timely manner, however as Mr. Nickolay Konovsky said some schools would just as soon replace you as it is much easier for them. (High number of jobs with lots of people looking for jobs in the market in the western regions of Turkey; not so much the case with the east of Turkey) Anyhow just my 2 cents. I have been living and working in various regions of Turkey now for 9 months.