Work for a foreign company while on a tourist residence permit in Turkey?

Question

I am staying in Turkey on a tourist residence permit (ikamet). I've been told that it's forbidden to work in Turkey on tourist residence permit. I am starting a remote job for an American company soon. My questions are:

1. Is it legal, according to Turkey laws, to work for a foreign company remotely while on tourist residence permit?
2. If it's illegal, will I get into trouble if I get my salary to a Turkish bank account?
3. If it's illegal, will I get into trouble if I get my salary not on a Turkish bank account?

Answer 1

I'm local.

I don't think there is any harm or illegality in working in a foreign country by the way (even remotely).

A few years ago, I heard that a tourist asks him for a residence permit because he wants to open a bank account, and when he wants to get a residence permit, they ask him for a bank account. So, we have an infinite loop in that case. I hope they fixed that already.

For example, this law firm page says, if you want to open a bank account, bank will ask;

• Your passport
• Residence (ikamet) address
• Tax number or if you have residence permit your ID
• Mobile phone number (I think Turkish number)

Last but not least, these are really complicated subjects. I strongly recommend to get information from legal authorities.

Further reading: Foreigners and international protection law

Answer 2

After reading some more sources, I learned that there is no clear answer to item 1 "Is it legal, according to Turkey laws, to work for a foreign company remotely while on tourist residence permit?". This is a gray area, there are no official documents or anything like that giving an answer. As for "Will I get into trouble if I get my salary to a Turkish bank account?", I've learned that in practice, the Turkish banks and the Turkish government don't care as long as you get less than $4000 (or its equivalent in another currency) per month sent to your Turkish bank accounts.