Diploma Translation for a Turkish Work Permit
Uğur Arı — sworn translator, Kartal 12th Notary Office · Updated August 31, 2026
A Turkish translation of a foreign-language diploma or provisional graduation certificate may be required for a work permit application. According to the Ministry's published document list, the translation must be certified by a sworn translator or an official authority. Whether separate notarisation is required should be checked against the current requirements for the particular application.
Diploma, provisional graduation certificate and passport: what each one proves
The diploma and the provisional graduation certificate are listed as alternatives in the Ministry's general document list; either one may be accepted as the document satisfying the education requirement. Even so, profession-specific pre-approval, recognition or additional document requirements may apply, so confirm which document is required against the current list.
The passport proves your identity, not your education. According to the Ministry's current guidance, if the passport is not in Latin letters a Turkish translation must also be added to the application; for Latin-letter passports or special cases, check the current system and the institution's requirement separately. A diploma is an education document and a passport an identity document — the two serve different purposes and should not be confused.
When is notarization required — and when is it not?
Under the Ministry's general document list, the essential requirement is that the translation is certified by a sworn translator or an official authority. Whether separate notarization is also required is not fixed for every document or procedure; it depends on the type of application and the institution's current requirement. The difference between the two levels is explained in a separate guide: sworn vs. notarized translation.
The right approach: if the institution's wording is unclear, confirm the accepted form of translation in writing with the unit that will assess the application before incurring notary costs. This avoids both an unnecessary notary expense and a file returned for a missing document.
Apostille and certification are a separate matter
Diploma translation and apostille are separate procedures. Check whether an apostille or any other certification is required for your application against the current document list of the relevant authority.
Step by step
- 1Send the documents
Send the diploma or provisional graduation certificate, and the passport if relevant, via WhatsApp. Usually a free preliminary review within 30 minutes.
- 2Authority and accepted form
Which office it goes to and the accepted form of translation/certification — clarified together.
- 3Sworn translation
English ↔ Turkish sworn translation of the diploma and its annexes; notarization where required.
- 4Delivery
Delivered stamped and signed; by courier or remotely.
Is notarization always mandatory?
No. Under the Ministry's general document list, certification by a sworn translator or an official authority is the basis; whether separate notarization is required depends on the type of application and the institution's current requirement. Confirm the exact form in writing with the unit that will assess the application.
Can I apply with a provisional graduation certificate?
The Ministry's general document list names the diploma and the provisional graduation certificate as alternatives. Profession-specific pre-approval, recognition or additional document requirements may nonetheless apply; check the current list before applying.
Does my passport also need to be translated?
According to the Ministry's current guidance, if the passport is not in Latin letters a Turkish translation must be added to the application. For Latin-letter passports or special cases, check the current system and the institution's requirement separately.
Which language should the diploma be translated into?
For a Turkish work permit application, a foreign-language diploma is translated into Turkish; under the Ministry's document list, the translation must be certified by a sworn translator or an official authority.
- Ministry of Labour and Social Security (ÇSGB / UİGM) — information and documents required in the work permit assessment process →
- Council of Higher Education (YÖK) — diploma recognition →
Public official sources; work permit and recognition procedures may change — verify the current version via ÇSGB / the relevant authority at the time of application.
Requirements and acceptance are ultimately determined by the requesting institution, notary or official authority; practices may change and no guarantee is given. This page is general information, not legal advice.