Setting up a business in Calis

[al and caroline]

Hi I know there are strict working regs in Turkey
I was wondering is it possible to set your own business up and work in it ?
This is not for an estate agency or cleaning company or anything so to all you lot dont worry , just after advice please
al

[JohnF]

Yes, it is possible to start a business and to work in it.

There are a number of conditions that have to be met, so do your research before committing any funds.

JF

[mac2010]

I would suggest asking the boys at the Kismet bar regarding starting a business and the laws involved. Trust me its a minefield.Good luck.

[Harmless]

It is possible, but, you would have to employ quite a few Turkish staff and fulfill other requirements in order to obtain a work permit for yourself.

[KKOB]

Does it involve buying or selling via the internet ?

[JohnF]

you would have to employ quite a few Turkish staff

To be accurate, that stipulation depends on the sector the business will be operating in, what form the business takes (e.g. ltd co, partnership etc) and how much money is being invested (from outside Turkey). 

However, as a rule of thumb, you need to employ five Turkish nationals, for a minimum of six months, for every foreign national you wish a Work Permit for - unless of course you can get an exemption from the Ministry of Labour, or whatever they call themselves these days.

JF

[Troy]

Unfortunately, just because you own a business doesn't mean you can get a work permit to work in it.  I have heard from a couple of lawyers that the rules are flexible, and that they have gotten work permits for foreigners who owned businesses. But in these cases, they were successful because they had connections in Ankara with the Ministry of Labor.