# New Liability for Employers in Turkey: You’ll Now Pay for Your Unauthorized Foreign Workers’ Deportation Costs # **New Liability for Employers in Turkey: You’ll Now Pay for Your Unauthorized Foreign Workers’ Deportation Costs** ## Introduction: A Game-Changer for Businesses Hiring Foreign Labor On **July 23, 2025**, the Turkish government published a new regulation in the Official Gazette (Issue No. 32964) titled: **“Regulation on the Collection of Various Expenses from Employers of Foreigners Who Are Deported for Working Without a Permit.”** This regulation significantly **raises the stakes for employers** who engage unauthorized foreign workers. It no longer ends with an administrative fine — employers are now directly liable for **accommodation, deportation, and even healthcare costs** of the unauthorized foreign employee and their dependents. --- ## What Is the Purpose of This Regulation? The regulation aims to: * Ensure **cost recovery** from employers for foreigners who are working **without a valid work permit** and are deported as a result. * Cover expenses made by the **Directorate General of Migration Management** (DGMM) under the **Ministry of Interior**, including: * Accommodation in return centers, * Deportation (transportation), * Emergency healthcare. If these costs were initially paid by the government but **could not be recovered from the foreigner**, the **employer or their legal representative** will now be responsible for reimbursement. --- ## Who Is Covered? This regulation applies to: * Foreign nationals found working **illegally** without a valid work permit. * **Employers or employer representatives** who employed these individuals. * The **spouse and children** of the unauthorized worker if they are also included in the deportation process. * **Public expenditures** incurred by the DGMM for these individuals. --- ## What Expenses Will Be Collected from Employers? If an undocumented foreign worker is caught and deported, the following **publicly financed expenses** will now be claimed from the employer: | **Expense Type** | **Liability** | | --- | --- | | Accommodation at return centers | Fully chargeable | | Travel costs to the foreigner's home country | Fully chargeable | | Urgent healthcare during detention | Fully chargeable | | Other administrative costs related to removal | Fully chargeable | The employer is notified by **written official notice** and given **1 month** to make the payment. --- ## What Happens If the Employer Does Not Pay? Failure to pay within the legal timeframe triggers collection procedures under the **Law on the Procedure for Collection of Public Receivables (Law No. 6183)**. * The tax office may begin enforcement actions, including **bank account seizures**, **asset freezes**, and **other collection measures**. * A detailed report will be submitted by the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management to the relevant **tax authority**. --- ## Enforcement Procedure: How the System Works Here's how the process unfolds: 1. A foreigner is found working without a valid permit during **an inspection or police control**. 2. The relevant authorities notify the **Provincial Directorate of Labor** and **Migration Management**. 3. A **deportation order** is issued. 4. During the deportation process, **public funds may be used** for shelter, travel, or health expenses. 5. The employer is officially **notified and invoiced**. 6. If the employer does not pay, the matter is referred to the **tax office** for enforcement. --- ## Scope of Employer Responsibility Employers will be **fully liable for**: * All related expenses **not recoverable from the foreign worker**. * Cases where the foreigner has dependents (spouse or children). * Up to **3 months** of accommodation costs during administrative detention. * Costs determined annually as a **fixed amount** by the Directorate General of Migration Management. --- ## Industries at High Risk Some sectors are more exposed to undocumented labor risks than others. If you're in the following fields, pay special attention: | Industry | Risk Level | | --- | --- | | Construction | Very High | | Agriculture | Very High | | Hospitality & Tourism | High | | Textile & Footwear | Moderate | | Domestic Services | High | For these sectors, **failure to manage foreign labor compliance** could now lead to not only fines but **serious financial burdens** from state expense reimbursements. --- ## Key Deadlines and Legal Basis * The regulation is based on **Law No. 6735 (International Workforce Law)** and **Law No. 6458 (Foreigners and International Protection Law)**. * It enters into force **six months after publication** — i.e., on **January 23, 2026**. * Employers must be fully compliant **before that date** to avoid retroactive liabilities. --- ## Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) **Q1: I didn’t know the worker was undocumented. Am I still responsible?** Yes. Under Turkish labor law, employers have an **obligation to verify** the legal work status of their employees. **Q2: Can the employer representative also be held accountable?** Yes. Anyone acting on behalf of the employer — such as a director or manager — can also be held **personally liable** for these costs. **Q3: What if the foreigner is a subcontractor’s worker?** If you're the main contractor or host employer, you could still be held accountable under **joint liability principles**. **Q4: How is accommodation cost calculated?** The **Directorate General of Migration Management** will determine a **fixed per-day cost** for each calendar year. Employers will be billed accordingly. **Q5: Can I dispute the bill?** Disputes may be raised through **administrative channels or courts**, but this does not delay the initial collection procedure unless a stay is granted. --- ## Final Thoughts: Compliance is Now Financially Critical The Turkish government is sending a clear message: **if you employ unauthorized foreign workers, you will pay the price — literally.** This new regulation represents a **paradigm shift** in immigration enforcement. What used to be a regulatory fine is now **a civil debt recovery system**, where the **state becomes your creditor** if you break the rules. --- ## ✅ Take Action Now: Get Professional Compliance Support At **Özmen CPA & Financial Advisory**, we specialize in: * Verifying foreign worker documentation, * Drafting compliant labor contracts, * Consulting on international workforce permits, * Mitigating risks under Turkish labor law. 👉 **Contact us today** to make sure your business is prepared before this regulation takes effect. ### 📧 info@ozmconsultancy.com