Your recruitment process officially starts when we receive your e-mail accepting our job offer. Below you will find the necessary steps to be completed before your arrival in Turkey. Please read all the information given below carefully and start taking the necessary actions.

The first step in the recruitment process is for you to send us, as soon as possible, the documents and information given below. You can send these documents/information to us either by e-mail (intrec@bilkent.edu.tr) or by fax (+90 312 266 4237).

• A copy of passport
• Copies of all academic qualifications
• Full names of father and mother
• Turkish Embassy/Consulate where you will apply for your visa

Once we receive the documents and information listed above, we will apply to the Higher Education Council (YÖK) on your behalf to obtain a work permit, which usually takes 6-7 weeks. As soon as the Higher Education Council issues the work permit, we will mail you a package for your visa application. Please note that you will not be able to obtain a work visa without a valid work permit.

Work Visa
The visa application package you will receive from us consists of the following documents, which you will submit to the Turkish Embassy/Consulate in your country:

• Higher Education Council (YÖK) work permit
• Letter to Turkish Embassy
• Ministry of Labor Contract (This contract is for your visa application only. You do not need to sign and return it to us. You will sign your official contract upon your arrival.) 

Please note the following important information regarding your work visa:

• You should apply for a work visa, even if you hold a valid tourist visa for Turkey.
• You should apply for a work visa in the country of your permanent residence.
• You should choose the most convenient Turkish Consulate and inform us before our application to Turkish Higher Education Council (YÖK). Please be aware that this cannot be changed after that.
• Bilkent Human Resources Department will apply to the relevant government office to change your work visa into a residence permit within a month following the date of your arrival in Turkey (as an officially-required procedure). If you are planning to arrive in Turkey earlier than the date indicated on your job offer letter, you should keep this one-month time frame in mind as Bilkent is not able to apply for your residence permit prior to the date given. You may wish to contact the Turkish Consulate in advance in order not to invalidate your work visa.
• Your passport should be valid at the time of your application.
• It may take up to a few weeks to obtain a work visa, so please take this timeline into consideration.
• Please inform us (intrec@bilkent.edu.tr) as soon as you obtain your visa.Below are some useful links for your visa application:

• Contact informations of Turkish Consulates in other countries

BUSEL will arrange your flight on your behalf and send your ticket.

• We will send you an e-mail requesting information about your preferred airport of departure and departure date.
• Please note that you will have to pay a fine, if you make changes to your ticket after it is purchased. Therefore, please refrain from requesting changes unless absolutely essential.
• As soon as you have received your work permit from the Embassy we will finalise your flight and e-mail you an electronic ticket, which you will need to print for check-in at the airport. You will notbe sent a separate paper ticket.
• A BUSEL employee will meet you at Esenboğa Airport in Ankara. Look for a person holding a “Welcome to Bilkent” sign after you leave customs.

For all instructors the salary is quoted in US dollars (USD) and Turkish Liras (TL). The portion quoted in US Dollars will be deposited in a Dollar account in the Yapı Kredi Bank Bilkent Branch. The Turkish Lira salary will be deposited in a TL account at the same branch. The TL portion of the salary is subject to regular review by the university. Both foreign currency and TL salaries are paid at the end of each month

Health Insurance

As an employee of Bilkent University, you will be covered by two medical insurance schemes. Please read the information below carefully in order to minimize any possible health-related complications after your arrival.

State Insurance Scheme (SGK)

The University will apply to SGK the day after your arrival and will start paying your monthly premiums on your behalf. You will be covered by this health insurance two months after your arrival, which allows you to utilize any state hospital or clinic in accordance with the scope of policy coverage.

Private Insurance Scheme

Bilkent University has an agreement with private insurance companies. Your private insurance coverage will start approximately two weeks before the first day of your contract and your arrival in Turkey, and your insurance premiums will be paid by Bilkent University on your behalf.

Please note that, in addition to some pre-existing conditions and ailments that are not covered by the policy, there is a nine-month waiting period for the treatment of certain ailments, as explained below in the medical insurance policy.

The following documents should be brought and submitted to BUSEL Administrative Assistant after your arrival:

• Originals (copies are not accepted) of your academic or professional certificates and diplomas (transcripts are not considered as proof of academic qualification)
• Receipts for excess luggage (up to $250), and visa expenses. The full visa fee, and residency permit fee if applicable, will be reimbursed. However, the university does not reimburse travel and accommodation expenses incurred related to visa visits.
• Eight (8) passport-size pictures (appr. 2×2 inches or 35×45 mm).

Although can find pretty much everything you might need in Ankara, here is a list of items that you may wish to include in your packing list, as they are either more expensive in Turkey or not readily available.

• Warm winter clothes and boots (winters in Ankara can be very cold and snowy).
• Over-the-counter medication, e.g. Tylenol, Midol etc. (the Turkish counterparts of these medicines will have different names and may be confusing for you in the beginning).
• Prescribed medication (same reason as above).
• Your comfort food and favorite books.

On the other hand, you do not need to bring with you the following items, as they will be either provided in your apartment, or it will be cheaper to buy them here:

• Sheets, towels, bathrobes, blankets
• Kitchenware (utensils, plates, pots etc.)

For more information please visit https://w3.bilkent.edu.tr/bilkent/international-center/mail-delivery/

We offer studio, one- or two-bedroom apartments on campus. Allocation is done based on the availability of these apartments at the time of recruitment. All accommodation is rent-free, private and furnished; however, a monthly fee is charged for utilities. Currently, this utility fee is around 130 US dollars (paid in TL) per month, which covers water, electricity and heating bills, garbage collection and cleaning of the apartment building’s common areas. Accommodation includes basic furniture, kitchen/kitchenette, bathroom, and shared laundry facilities. Bottled water and propane gas costs are covered by the instructors.

The University does not provide computers in apartments, but provides limited free Internet access via the University server. All campus apartments are wired for the Ethernet (ADSL), allowing direct connection to the university network. More information about computer services and Internet connections at Bilkent can be found at http://w3.bilkent.edu.tr/bilkent/information-technology/.

Academic Calendar

Life at Bilkent

The International Center provides assistance and guidance to all international faculty and students at Bilkent University. The goals of the center are to introduce and promote Bilkent University abroad, prepare information booklets, provide services to ease transition and adaptation to the University, and to assist and advise on social aspects of life at Bilkent by organizing activities, tours of the University campus, Ankara and sites in Turkey.

The International Center Coordinator is Ms. Berna Öncül (intcent@bilkent.edu.tr). Please visit the Center’s website for further information at: http://www.bilkent.edu.tr/~intcent/.

University offers free of charge basic Turkish classes to all international staff.