Residence Permit for a Foreign Caregiver or Cleaner (2026)
One of the most important problems faced by people who want to employ a foreign caregiver for the care of a child, an elderly person or a patient, or a foreign cleaner or domestic helper for household services in Türkiye, is the legal residence status of the foreigner to be employed.
People who want to employ a foreign caregiver, cleaner or helper in their home care not only that the person is trustworthy, but also that they are legally present in Türkiye and recorded in state registries. However, for a long time there has been a significant problem arising from practice.
As a rule, in order to file a work permit application from within the country on behalf of a foreigner present in Türkiye, a valid residence permit of at least six months must exist. The other option is for the foreigner to start the work visa process from abroad.
On the other hand, Law No. 6458 on Foreigners and International Protection does not provide a separate type of residence permit issued solely "for the purpose of obtaining a work permit". For this reason, people who wanted to employ a foreign caregiver, cleaner or domestic helper faced significant difficulties in practice when they wanted to obtain a residence permit to secure the foreigner's legal stay in Türkiye.
To address this practical problem, an important facilitation has been provided by the Presidency of Migration Management. Under this practice — sometimes referred to publicly as "domestic services residence", "caregiver residence permit", "cleaner residence permit", "domestic helper residence permit" or "foreign caregiver amnesty" — a residence permit application can be filed for foreigners who meet the specified conditions.
So, how is a residence permit obtained for a foreign caregiver or cleaner? How is the domestic services residence permit application made? Can a foreign caregiver or domestic helper who has overstayed apply for a residence permit? Let us explain the process step by step.
How to Get a Residence Permit for a Foreign Caregiver, Cleaner and Domestic Helper?
An employer who wants to work with a foreigner under domestic services in Türkiye must first reach an agreement with the person to be employed. After agreeing with a foreign caregiver for the care of a child, elderly person or patient, or a foreign cleaner or domestic helper for household work, the following steps should be followed.
1. Obtaining the Domestic Services Undertaking from a Notary
After agreeing with the foreigner to be employed, the employer must go to any notary and declare that they will employ a foreigner in domestic services. The standard undertaking form used for this transaction must be requested from the notary, and a notary-certified domestic services undertaking must be obtained. At this stage the foreigner does not need to go to the notary; the employer can carry out the undertaking transaction.
2. Filing the Residence Permit Application via e-Residence
After obtaining the notary-certified undertaking, the foreigner must go to e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr and file a residence permit application. However, there are two different application methods depending on the foreigner's current legal residence status in Türkiye.
Can a Foreign Caregiver or Cleaner Who Has Overstayed Obtain a Residence Permit?
Yes. However, the application process works differently for foreigners who have overstayed. If the foreigner has exceeded the legal period of stay granted to them under a visa, visa exemption, residence permit or work permit, they may not be able to apply directly through the e-Residence system. For example, if the foreigner has been present in Türkiye for more than 90 days without a residence or work permit, the system may not allow the application due to the overstay.
In this case, the foreigner must first apply to the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management with a petition stating that they wish to apply for a residence permit under domestic services. In the petition, the foreigner must declare that they wish to apply for a residence permit under domestic services and request that the necessary actions be taken so that they can apply through the e-Residence system. After the authorities carry out the necessary actions, the e-Residence system will be opened for the application based on the foreigner's passport details, and the foreigner will be able to complete the online residence permit application.
How Does a Foreigner Whose Legal Stay Is Still Valid Apply?
If the foreigner to be employed is within their visa period, if their visa-exemption period is still valid, or if no more than 90 days have passed since the expiry of their residence or work permit, they can apply for a residence permit directly through the e-Residence system without submitting a separate petition to the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management. After the application is completed, an appointment date will be notified to the foreigner.
Who Should Attend the Domestic Services Residence Permit Appointment?
One of the important points to pay attention to in applications is that both the foreigner and the employer must be present at the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management on the appointment date. Although the foreigner does not need to be present during the notary transaction, the foreigner and the employer must go to the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management together during the submission of the residence permit documents.
What Documents Are Required for a Foreign Caregiver or Cleaner Residence Permit?
During the document submission to the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management on the appointment date, the following documents must be presented:
The domestic services undertaking obtained from the notary,
The residence permit application form obtained through the e-Residence system,
Two photographs,
A photocopy of the passport,
A document regarding the address,
Health insurance,
The residence permit fee receipt,
The residence permit card fee receipt,
The single-entry visa fee receipt.
After the documents are submitted, the residence permit application will be taken into evaluation.
How Is the Residence Permit Application Result Tracked?
After the application is concluded positively, an SMS or e-mail notification stating that the residence permit has been approved is sent to the foreigner. The application result can also be tracked from the "I Want to See My Application Result" section at e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr. The residence permit card will be delivered by cargo to the address stated in the application within 10 business days.
Work Permit Application After Obtaining the Residence Permit
Here it is especially important to know the difference between a residence permit and a work permit. A residence permit obtained under domestic services does not, on its own, grant the foreigner the right to work. After the residence permit, a separate work permit application must be filed for the foreigner to actually work. For details on the work permit process, you can review our article Guide to Get a Work Permit in Türkiye.
Work permit applications are evaluated separately within the scope of the Ministry of Labor and Social Security's own legislation and evaluation criteria. Therefore, obtaining a residence permit under domestic services and being granted a work permit for a specific job or profession are separate matters. In particular, the profession and duty limitations regarding foreigners' work permits in domestic services must be taken into account separately.
Conditions Sought from the Employer in the Domestic Services Residence Permit
Employers who will file a residence permit application for a foreigner under domestic services must meet certain conditions.
One Person Can Apply for at Most Two Foreigners
One person can benefit from this practice for the employment of at most two foreigners.
The Employer Must Have Income of at Least Three Minimum Wages
The employer must have income of at least three minimum wages. However, this income does not have to belong to a single person; it is sufficient that the combined income of spouses or siblings reaches the level of three minimum wages. For example, if three siblings apply for a foreign helper to work in their father's home or a foreign caregiver to look after their father, it is sufficient that the combined income of the three siblings is at the level of three minimum wages.
Married Persons Must Provide the Undertaking Jointly
If the applicant is married, the spouses must provide the undertaking jointly.
Conditions Sought from the Foreigner in the Domestic Services Residence Permit
Does the Foreigner Need to Go to the Notary?
No. The foreigner does not need to be present at the notary for the domestic services undertaking obtained from the notary. However, both the foreigner and the employer must be present during the residence permit document submission at the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management.
Special Situation for Turkmenistan Citizens
There is a special practice that must also be taken into account for citizens of Turkmenistan. If a Turkmenistan citizen foreigner came to Türkiye after 2025, they must have a residence-purpose visa for the residence permit application to be made under domestic services.
The Passport Must Have Sufficient Validity
The foreigner's passport validity period must be sufficient for the requested residence permit period. Therefore, the passport validity must definitely be checked before the application is made.
Frequently Asked Questions About Foreign Caregiver and Cleaner Residence Permits
Can a residence permit be obtained for a foreign caregiver and cleaner?
If the specified conditions are met, a residence permit application can be filed for the foreigner planned to be employed under domestic services. An application can also be made for a foreigner planned to be employed to help with household work, provided the conditions are met. The residence permit obtained does not, on its own, grant the right to work, and a work permit application must be filed.
Can an undocumented foreigner or one who has overstayed apply?
A foreigner who has overstayed may not be able to apply directly through the e-Residence system. In this case, an application must first be made to the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management by petition, requesting that the necessary actions be taken so that the application can be made through the system.
Does the foreign caregiver or cleaner need to go to the notary?
No. The foreigner does not need to be present during the notary transaction. However, the foreigner and the employer must be present together at the appointment at the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management.
Does the domestic services residence permit grant the right to work?
No. The residence permit does not, on its own, grant the foreigner the right to work. A separate work permit must be obtained for the foreigner to work.
How many foreigners can one employer apply for?
One person can benefit from this practice for the employment of at most two foreigners.
Where is the domestic services residence permit application made?
Online residence permit applications are made through e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr. Those who have overstayed must first apply to the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management so that the necessary system definition can be made.
