Foreign Teachers in Türkiye: Documents

Private schools and education institutions in Türkiye that want to employ a foreign teacher apply for a preliminary permit for that person. The Ministry of National Education's Regulation on Private Education Institutions lists what is needed.

The preliminary permit

The institution's authorised officer sends the documents to the provincial directorate of national education; the teacher does not apply directly. For the permit, the regulation asks for a document from the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) showing that the teacher's university is recognised, a document showing recognition of the secondary school where relevant, and a copy of the passport. Teachers must hold a bachelor's degree in the subject they will teach, or an equivalent document.

For experience gained abroad, the regulation asks for a document issued by official authorities showing that the teacher has worked in the field, with its Turkish translation and a copy of the original either certified by a Turkish mission or bearing an apostille. For international private schools, staff must show that they meet the requirements for the same type and level of school in the country whose curriculum is followed; this document too needs a Turkish translation and a copy certified by a Turkish mission or apostilled.

Employment documents

When staff are appointed, the regulation asks all teaching staff for the original diploma or a copy certified by the education directorate, and, for diplomas obtained abroad, the original of the equivalence certificate from YÖK. Teachers also submit a document accepted as pedagogical training under the Board of Education's decision. In some minority schools, foreign teachers may be appointed under cultural agreements or on the basis of reciprocity, after the Ministry has examined their papers.

We translate diplomas and experience certificates into Turkish in Ankara through translators sworn before a Turkish notary. The Ministry decides on the permit.