[september]

hi i am british and have a turkish boyfriend and i would like to buy a bar or something like that and wanted to know how i would go about this and if i own a buisiness would i get a work visa ect any help anyone can give would be brill thanks

[kvanotte]

I think that this is a question for Carmella or Shannon, they could give you lots of information.
Send them a private message?!

[**claire**]

The rules of working in Turkey still apply!!

As A foreigner, you can start a limited company in turkey, without a work visa but you cannot be the main worker ...ie you can be the manager, but you need to employee people to do the majority of the work for you (for example, you can own a restaurant, but you have to employee, waiters & bar men etc)

This means that you will not be taking jobs away from the Locals (infact you will be creating jobs)

if you own a business in Turkey, it will not grant you a work visa.

also you do not have to have a residence permit to have a business, but it does make things a lot easier if you do!

[PropertyKsd]

I think you should do it through your boy friends name , then it will be much easier i believe.

On the other hand , do you have any experience with bars / restaurants business ? You should be careful .

I hope eveything goes fine for you , if i hear anyone selling his business i will let you know.

[friar tuck]

Originally Posted by Karyn UK

Hi

It's relatively straight forward to open a company, you don't need a Turkish partner, you don't actually need a residence visa, you can do it on a tourist visa but you need a business address (own or rent) and you have three months to show your capital investment into your turkish account.

Actually drawing up the articles of the company only takes a day and then normally allow about 3-4 days to get your company tax number (sometimes they come and inspect your premises to check the m2 you are using as there is a one off charge for this), from that point you have a company but you then need to wait another 10 days or so for your company announcement to appear in the relevent gazette and you will need a copy of this announcement for various things like opening a commercial bank account.

All in all allow two weeks to get the whole thing done and prepare for your arm to drop off from all the signing!

K

PS Owning a company is not the same as having a work permit and it doesnt give you the right to "work", it allows you to manage your business but not undertake any actual physical work, for that you employ people. If you intend actually physically doing something in your business (like cooking or cleaning or making something) then you need to apply for a work permit as well and being a director of the company doesnt automatically mean you will get it!

Oh, and make sure you budget for monthly running costs to your accountant. Even if the company is inactive a monthly return has to be filed. Prices vary but it is worth having a good accountant, it saves a lot in the long run.

A post off this forum hope it helps

[Aegean2]

Good information but have others managed to go through the process easily? Any pitfalls to report?

[ozz]

Originally Posted by september

hi i am british and have a turkish boyfriend and i would like to buy a bar or something like that and wanted to know how i would go about this and if i own a buisiness would i get a work visa ect any help anyone can give would be brill thanks

i am not sure about the rules&rights but i know a bar, my friend wants to sell his business...
if you still want to buy, i ll learn details

[Washi Princess]

id like to buy a bar out there.. but it all seems so confusing!

[Marlyn]

Having just gone through the process of starting a ltd company here are some of the main areas to be considered,

1, Residency (not a requirement but paper worker is less hassle with it)
2, Partner ( you dont need a Turkish partner but having one helps)
3, Work permit ( you wont get one but you can work in your own business)
4, Tax ( if you have residency you will pay less personal tax)
5, Accountant ( Business requirement make sure they are good and
registered)
6, Cost, (about 2500ytl to set up company, 150-250ytl per month for accountant,)
7, Penalty for tax evasion (expelled for up to 5 years and a hefty fine and assets in turkey frozen)
8, On the spot fines, ( if you oporate and dont issue reciepts for every purchase or enter into till any errors 1st time 126ytl fine, 2nd time 126ytl fine 3rd time you can be closed down for 3 days)
9, Till errors, (you have to stop using till, call your accountant he will come take all paper work to tax office and get the errors recorded so if they check you till and sales you dont get fined for till not reading same as the amount of money in the till)
10 Purchasing, Till, receipt books, official company stamp, (needs to be done through your accountant)
This is some of the red tape involved, dont be put off by it just remember it will take some time to complete, probably the best way would be to purchase an existing company, but get a good turkish accountant to do this for you as debts may get passed on to you.

good luck

Mark

[ally]

Originally Posted by PropertyKsd

I think you should do it through your boy friends name , then it will be much easier i believe.

On the other hand , do you have any experience with bars / restaurants business ? You should be careful .

I hope eveything goes fine for you , if i hear anyone selling his business i will let you know.

Not always a good idea. Depends on how WELL you know your boyfriend!