Foreign nationals who previously lived or worked in Turkey may later need official evidence of their immigration, employment or social security history. Such records may be required in connection with immigration proceedings in another country, pension assessments, employment disputes, citizenship applications, insurance matters or proof of lawful residence during a particular period. Residence permits, work permits and social security records are not maintained by a single authority. They also do not establish the same legal facts. The type of document required should therefore be identified before an application is submitted. Historical records concerning a foreign national may be divided into three principal categories: A person may hold records in one system without necessarily having a corresponding record in another. A residence permit does not by itself prove employment. Similarly, a work permit does not conclusively establish that all required SGK registrations and contributions were completed. A residence permit provides a foreign national with the right to remain in Turkey for a specified period and under the conditions applicable to the relevant permit category. Historical immigration information may include: The e-Residence system primarily facilitates current applications and related procedures. It should not be assumed that every expired permit or historical application document can still be downloaded through the public interface. The Presidency of Migration Management states that residence permit applications may be made by a foreign national’s legal representative or lawyer, although the administration may require the applicant’s presence where considered necessary. Access to an old record may require an individual application to the relevant provincial migration authority or another competent administrative unit. Work permits for foreign nationals are administered through the Ministry of Labour and Social Security. The official work permit document may contain the type of permit, issue date, commencement and expiry dates, employer’s name, province of authorised employment and restrictions or annotations connected with the permit. The Ministry states that time-limited, indefinite and independent work permits ordinarily also confer residence rights during their validity. Different rules apply to certain international-protection and temporary-protection categories. Current work permit and exemption documents may be queried through the relevant authenticated e-Devlet service. Where access to e-Devlet has been lost or the requested period is not displayed, a separate administrative request may need to be considered. SGK records concern insured status, registered employment and social security contributions. They serve a different purpose from immigration and work-authorisation documents. Depending on the person’s former status, relevant records may include SGK registration and service statements, 4A employment records, 4B insurance information, registered workplace details, declared contribution days, insurable earnings reported by an employer, employment commencement and termination notifications, and records relevant to pension or international social security matters. The e-Devlet platform provides an SGK Registration and Service Statement/Workplace Title List service, together with separate services relating to various insurance categories. An SGK service statement records information reported within the social security system. It does not necessarily resolve a dispute concerning unregistered work, missing contribution days or inaccurate employer declarations. Historical searches may be affected by incomplete identity information, passport changes or differences in spelling. Useful information may include: Where the applicant’s name was recorded under different alphabets or transliterations, documents showing each spelling may be necessary. Some historical information may remain accessible through e-Devlet. Former residents may nevertheless encounter difficulties if their Turkish mobile number is no longer active, they have forgotten their password, internet-banking verification is unavailable, or the requested record is not offered through an electronic service. Loss of e-Devlet access does not necessarily establish that the underlying administrative record no longer exists. Where the individual lives abroad, an application may in appropriate circumstances be made through a duly authorised Turkish lawyer. The power of attorney may require execution before a Turkish consulate or before a foreign notary followed by an apostille or the applicable legalisation procedure. A certified Turkish translation and authority covering applications before the relevant administrative institutions may also be necessary. The form and scope of the power of attorney depend on the issuing country, requested record and institution concerned. Some procedures may still require the individual’s personal attendance or additional confirmation of identity. Immigration, employment and social security files contain personal data. Authorities may require proof of identity and authority before disclosing a record. An application should identify the person, relevant period, requested information, purpose and authority of any representative. Information relating to employers, family members or other individuals may be restricted or redacted where disclosure is not legally justified. Where a Turkish record will be used abroad, it may require an officially signed or electronically verifiable copy, certification by the issuing authority, apostille or consular legalisation, and a sworn or certified translation. Not every electronic screenshot or e-Devlet printout is suitable for apostille. The requirements of the receiving foreign authority should therefore be determined before the Turkish document is requested. The absence of information from an online service does not necessarily mean that no historical file exists. Older records may be held by a provincial office, another electronic system or an administrative archive. Where records appear incomplete, comparison may be made with passport entry and exit information, expired permit cards, employer records, employment contracts, payroll documents, bank payments, tax information, SGK service statements and previous official correspondence. A request for a copy of the existing record is distinct from a request to correct it. Disputes involving unregistered work or unpaid contributions may require separate administrative or judicial assessment. Potentially. Expiry of the card does not necessarily result in deletion of the underlying administrative record. Availability must be examined according to the relevant authority and period. No. A work permit concerns authorisation to work. SGK registration and contribution history should be verified separately. Alternative administrative procedures may be available. The applicable method depends on the record and the institution holding it. It is particularly useful, but former passports, addresses, employer information and application dates may also help identify the record. The document may require certification, apostille or legalisation and translation. Requirements depend on the receiving country and authority. Historical residence, work permit and SGK records perform different legal functions and may be held by different Turkish authorities. The process should begin by identifying the precise fact that must be proved, the relevant period and the format required by the receiving authority. This article provides general information only. It does not constitute legal advice or guarantee that a particular record remains available, complete or obtainable through a specific procedure. Av. Dr. Gökhan Cindemir is a member of the Istanbul Bar Association. He holds a doctorate in International Trade and European Union Law.Three Different Categories of Records
Historical Residence Permit Records
Historical Work Permit Records
SGK Registration and Service Records
Information Required to Identify an Old Record
Access Through e-Devlet
Requests Through an Authorised Representative
Personal Data Restrictions
Certification, Apostille and Translation
Missing or Incorrect Records
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an expired residence permit record still be requested?
Does a work permit prove SGK registration?
Can records be requested without access to e-Devlet?
Is a foreign identification number essential?
Can the document be used abroad?
Conclusion
About the Author
Sıkça Sorulan Sorular
Three Different Categories of Records hakkında neler geçerlidir?
Historical records concerning a foreign national may be divided into three principal categories: Residence permit records maintained within the immigration administration Work permit records administered by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security Registration and contribution records maintained by the Social Security Institution, commonly known as SGK A person may hold records in one system without necessarily.
Historical Residence Permit Records hakkında neler geçerlidir?
A residence permit provides a foreign national with the right to remain in Turkey for a specified period and under the conditions applicable to the relevant permit category.
Historical Work Permit Records hakkında neler geçerlidir?
Work permits for foreign nationals are administered through the Ministry of Labour and Social Security. The official work permit document may contain the type of permit, issue date, commencement and expiry dates, employer’s name, province of authorised employment and restrictions or annotations connected with the permit.
SGK Registration and Service Records hakkında neler geçerlidir?
SGK records concern insured status, registered employment and social security contributions. They serve a different purpose from immigration and work-authorisation documents.
Information Required to Identify an Old Record hakkında neler geçerlidir?
Historical searches may be affected by incomplete identity information, passport changes or differences in spelling. Useful information may include: Full name used while living in Turkey and any former names or surnames Date and place of birth and nationality Current and former passport numbers Turkish foreign identification and tax identification numbers Copies of expired residence or work permit cards Former.