For many international students, studying in Turkey is an exciting experience in itself. But let’s be honest: some things are expensive because of the exchange rates. This is where flexible jobs like online teaching come into play. It saves time and supports the budget.
What Jobs Can International Students Work In?
It is possible to work in Turkey on a student visa under certain conditions, but this is often difficult in corporate jobs. That’s why many foreign students are turning to freelance fields such as online teaching, consulting or translation.
Advantages of Doing Business Online in Turkey
As a student, it is a great comfort to earn money without leaving the campus. Especially in big cities like Istanbul, traffic is a waste of time in itself. Online teaching allows you to use your time more efficiently. It also increases cultural interaction by reaching students from different countries.
If you are interested in this topic, you can find more detailed information in our Freelancing Opportunities and Platforms in Turkey guide.
What is online teaching and where to start?
For those who don’t know: online teaching is the job of teaching students remotely in your area of expertise. It can be English, math, music or even software. If you have a computer and internet, you can start with zero capital.
Earning Income by Teaching English, Math or Music
These areas are always in demand. If you speak English, it is very easy to find students. Especially students from Japan, Korea and the Middle East show great interest in Turkish instructors. In music or technical courses, it is possible to earn higher wages by appealing to a niche audience.
Is TEFL and Other Certificates Required?
A TEFL certificate is a big plus if you want to teach English. You can start without a certificate, but if you have TEFL in your profile, you will give more confidence. And that comes back to you in the form of comments and earnings.
Creating Additional Income with Online Consulting
In addition to online teaching, counseling has also become very popular. Mentoring is especially valuable for students who are just starting their education. If English is your first language or you have an advanced level of Turkish, mentoring is for you.
Offer Academic Support and Cultural Guidance
International students may find it difficult to understand the systems when they first arrive. In Turkey, the grading system, transcript structure or course selection may be different. You can earn money by offering online counseling to students on such topics.
Examples of Language Counseling and Mentoring
If you speak German, French or Arabic, you can reach out to Turkish students who want to learn these languages. Or you can offer cultural guidance to Turkish youth who want to go abroad. I know students who offer consulting for 12-20 USD per hour. The only requirement: the right platform and a reliable profile.
Which Sites Can You Find Jobs From
“Where do I start?” is a natural question as an international student living in Turkey. The good news is that many sites now allow people living on student visas to freelance. Especially for online teaching, platforms with user-friendly interfaces are quite common.
How Platforms Like Preply, Italki, TeacherOn Work?
After registering on these platforms, you specify the area you will teach and your hourly rate. Once your profile is approved, you are matched with students.
Here are some featured platforms:
| Platform | Space Feature |
|---|---|
| Preply | Language training emphasis |
| Italian | Speech practice and language |
| TeacherOn | Math, science, homework support |
| Upwork | Consulting & content |
The better you prepare your profile on these sites, the faster you will find students. Especially in the field of online teaching, an effective promotional post is essential to differentiate from competitors.
Freelance Consulting Jobs on Glassdoor and Upwork
If you want to work in areas other than education, you should check freelance job platforms like Upwork. On Glassdoor, you can easily find companies offering remote jobs in Turkey. These platforms are not limited to lecturing, but also include tasks such as content writing, data analysis or research.
Following online teaching vacancies on Glassdoor can also be very useful in the job hunting process.
Legal Status in Turkey and Working Conditions with Student Visa
Let’s face it: it’s tempting to work online, but it’s also a legitimate reflex to wonder if it’s legal. Turkey has clear rules for international students, but there are also flexible areas.
Do I Need a Work Permit?
To work in an official job in Turkey on a student visa, you need a work permit. However, jobs such as online teaching, where services are provided outside of Turkey, are considered “freelance” and can be excluded from this situation.
The table below provides a simple summary:
| Status | Do I Need Permission? |
|---|---|
| Working for a company in Turkey | Yes |
| Freelance work based abroad | No (gray area) |
| Online teaching platforms | No (mostly) |
How Freelancing is Taxed in Turkey
This is a bit technical, but the basic thing you need to know is that if you are earning within Turkey, you may need to be a taxpayer. However, if you receive payments from abroad and deposit them into your personal account, most students categorize these earnings as “pocket money.”
For more official information, see The Revenue Administration’s page on foreign nationals.
Freelance Work Opportunities and Platforms in Turkey
Many international students are turning their economy around by freelancing outside of class hours. Especially in the post-pandemic period, freelance jobs have exploded. Here are the most common areas:
Most Popular Freelance Categories
- Online teaching
- Graphic and logo design
- Copywriting
- Academic counseling
- Presentation preparation support
For these jobs, platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, Bionluk and Freelancer.com are very functional. Most importantly, employers are global, so you are not limited to Turkey. Hourly earnings range from 8 to 25 USD.
Status of Residence Permit during Online Education Periods in Turkey
If you are enrolled in a university and are actually in Turkey, you should have no problem obtaining a residence permit while online teaching.
Now is the Time: Earn Online While Studying in Turkey!
It is possible to earn money while running between the library and the coffee shop. You don’t have to be squeezed between the ever-increasing exchange rate and the student budget.
Online teaching provides both professional development and self-confidence.
A small platform you sign up for today can open big doors for you tomorrow. Now is the right time to start!