Why Hiring Foreign Shepherds Is Now Legal in Turkey
Turkey's livestock sector — small ruminant (sheep, goats) and cattle farming — has faced a structural shortage of qualified shepherds for years. Rural depopulation, seasonal migration, and the unwillingness of younger Turkish workers to take on this trade pushed many farms to operate below capacity. To address this, the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (ÇSGB) issued an official announcement on 12 June 2025, in coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, formally permitting foreign shepherd and livestock worker employment under specific livestock-count thresholds.
This framework remains in force in 2026 and has become an important workforce solution for medium-to-large farms in Eastern Anatolia, Central Anatolia, and the Black Sea region.
Official source: "Work Permit Application Procedures for Shepherds and Livestock Workers to be Employed in Livestock Enterprises" — ÇSGB International Workforce General Directorate (UİGM) announcement, 12.06.2025. Applications are filed through calismaizni.gov.tr via the e-İzin system.
Which Farms Can Employ Foreign Shepherds?
The enterprise must be registered with the Animal Information System (HBS) and meet at least one of the following minimum livestock thresholds:
| Enterprise Type | Minimum Livestock Count | Per 1 Foreign Worker |
|---|---|---|
| Small ruminant (sheep/goat) | 200 animals | 200 animals |
| Beef cattle | 100 animals | 100 animals |
| Dairy cattle | 50 animals | 50 animals |
| Mixed (beef + dairy) | 75 animals | 75 animals |
Critical rule: One foreign shepherd or livestock worker may be employed per multiple of the threshold, up to a maximum of 3 foreign workers per enterprise.
Practical Examples
- 400-sheep farm → up to 2 foreign shepherds
- 600-sheep farm → up to 3 foreign shepherds (cap)
- 150-head dairy farm → up to 3 foreign livestock workers (50 × 3 = 150)
- 80-head beef farm → ineligible (below 100 minimum)
Application Process — 10 Steps
The official process defined by ÇSGB consists of 10 employer-side steps:
- Determine workforce limit: Calculate the maximum foreign workers permitted based on HBS-registered livestock count.
- SGK workplace registration: Register the enterprise with Social Security if not already done.
- e-Bildirge officer: Designate the authorised person who will operate the e-İzin system.
- Electronic signature: Obtain a qualified e-signature for the authorised officer.
- Application identifier:
- Foreigner already in Turkey: Apply with the Foreigner Identification Number
- Foreigner abroad: A 16-digit reference number obtained from a Turkish consulate
- Upload documents to the e-İzin system and sign with e-signature.
- Track application status via the portal. Missing documents must be submitted within 30 days.
- Pay fees (work permit fee + valuable paper fee) after approval.
- Permit card delivery by PTT Cargo to the employer's address.
- SGK obligations: Onboarding notification, premium payments, and working-hour reporting.
2026 Work Permit Fees (Including Shepherd Sector)
Based on the tariff published in the Official Gazette on 31 December 2025, work permit fees are uniform across all sectors:
| Permit Duration | Permit Fee | Valuable Paper | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 1 year | TRY 12,574.90 | TRY 964.00 | TRY 13,538.90 |
| 1–2 years | TRY 25,149.80 | TRY 964.00 | TRY 26,113.80 |
| 2–3 years | TRY 37,724.70 | TRY 964.00 | TRY 38,688.70 |
| Indefinite | TRY 125,802.20 | TRY 964.00 | TRY 126,766.20 |
Shepherd permits are typically granted for 1 year, renewed annually.
Minimum Wage and Other Obligations
| Item | 2026 Amount |
|---|---|
| Gross minimum wage | TRY 33,030.00 |
| Net minimum wage | TRY 28,075.50 |
| Foreign worker minimum gross (× 1.5) | TRY 49,545.00 |
| Employer SGK premium share (approx.) | ~20.5% |
Note: There is no minimum-wage exemption for the livestock sector. Foreign shepherds must be paid at least TRY 49,545 gross monthly.
Required Documents
From the Employer
- HBS (Animal Information System) certificate showing registered livestock
- SGK workplace registration certificate
- Tax registration and prior-year income/corporate tax declaration
- Title deed or lease showing the farm's geographic location
- Employment contract signed with the foreigner (Turkish + foreigner's native language)
- List of SGK-registered employees (if any)
From the Foreign Worker
- Passport with notarised Turkish translation (validity ≥ 18 months)
- Biometric photograph (within last 6 months)
- Medical report (no communicable disease)
- Foreign health insurance policy
- Previous work permit document if applicable
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a separate permit from the Ministry of Agriculture? No. The single application is filed through ÇSGB, which coordinates internally with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. HBS registration is the only prerequisite on the agricultural side.
Which nationalities are typical for shepherd hires? There is no formal nationality restriction. In practice, candidates from Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Afghanistan are most common. Some nationalities may trigger additional security screening.
Are seasonal (3–6 month) permits available? No — shepherd work permits are typically issued for 1 year and renewed annually. Seasonal sub-permits are not defined for this sector.
Must the foreign shepherd speak Turkish? There is no formal Turkish language requirement. However, ÇSGB recommends that the employment contract be drafted in a language the foreigner understands.
Can one foreigner work as both shepherd and livestock worker? Yes — the job description can be expanded in the contract. However, the livestock-count quota still applies to the individual.
What if the application is rejected? A 60-day administrative appeal window is open. If the appeal fails, judicial review is available through administrative courts.
Related Reading
- How to Get a Work Permit in Turkey 2026
- Address Registration for Foreigners in Turkey 2026
- Family Residence Permit in Turkey 2026
- Health Insurance for Residence Permit 2026
Process Coordination
The most common pitfalls in shepherd work permit applications are mismatches between HBS records and reported livestock counts and incorrectly initiated visa processes for foreigners abroad. At Deniz Kurumsal, we have been coordinating immigration applications since 2013, including hundreds of cases in the livestock sector. Request a free preliminary assessment — we can determine your eligible foreign worker count, required documents, and total cost on the same day.