| Turkish passport | |
|---|---|
The front cover of a current Turkish biometric passport | |
| Type | Passport |
| Issued by |  Turkey |
| First issued | 1 June 2010 (1st generation biometric passport) 1 April 2018[1] (2nd generation biometric passport) 25 August 2022[2] (3rd generation biometric passport) |
| Purpose | Identification, international travel |
| Valid in | All countries |
| Eligibility | Turkish citizenship or Northern Cyprus citizenship[3] |
| Expiration | 10 years (5 years if under 18 years of age or if is a Turkish Cypriot)[3] |
| Cost | ₺3796.50[4] |
Turkish passports (Turkish: Türk pasaportu) are issued in accordance with the Passport Act (No. 5682) from 15 July 1950[5] to Turkish citizens to travel abroad. Citizens of the de facto state of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) are also eligible to apply for a Turkish passport.
Passports issued since 1 June 2010 are biometric and valid for up to 10 years.
Ranked in the Henley & Partners Passport Index, a Turkish Passport placed 54th in 2022.[6]
Turkish Biometric passports (Turkish: Biyometrik pasaport), compatible with the new ICAO standards, have been available since 1 June 2010.[9] Application appointments for the new passports can be reserved online through the government's website, applications must be lodged in person.[4][10] Passports are then sent via mail.
The biometric passports have different coloured covers; regular passports in maroon and diplomatic passports in black, in compliance with ICAO standards.
New biometric passports, compatible with possible future EU visa waiver access, will start to be printed in 2018 made out of a polycarbonate material.[11]
A Turkish passport has been one of the most expensive passports in the world for many years. As a result of increasing public demands, the cost of ordinary passports was almost halved in June 2010.[12] Despite the massive reduction, the Turkish passport remains one of the most expensive passports in the world (after Lebanese (€293)[13] and Australian (€198)[14] passport - for 10 years). The passport law was then amended to increase the maximum validity of a passport from 5 to 10 years. It currently costs ₺3796.50 (€189) for a 10-year passport, including the compulsory booklet fee. [15] In addition to the expensive passport prices, the Turkish state charges ₺150 (c. €10)[16] from Turkish passport holders (excluding ship and aircraft crew, those who live abroad and those with dual citizenship) every single time they leave Turkey.
People who have valid reasons may be allowed to hold more than one passport booklet. This applies usually to people who travel frequently on business, and may need to have a passport booklet to travel on while the other is awaiting a visa for another country. Some Muslim-majority countries including Syria, Lebanon, Libya, Kuwait, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and Yemen do not issue visas to visitors if their passports bear a stamp or visa issued by Israel, as a result of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. In that case, a person can apply for a second passport to avoid travel issues. Reasons and supporting documentation (such as a letter from an employer) must be provided. One passport will have to be saved in a NVİ (provincial headquarters of the Ministry of the Interior, Civil Registration and Citizenship) or at embassy/consulate unless it awaits a visa for another country.[17][18]
To be suitable for Turkish citizenship by investment program, the foreigner must open a bank account and deposit $500,000 or equivalent foreign currency or Turkish lira. After $400,000 or more is invested in Turkish properties, all necessary transactions such as title deed purchase and cash proceeds are carried out.
According to the law, the property transfer is concluded after the official signed bills and registrations.
Secondly, foreigners must apply for a residence permit. Although you don’t have to be residing in the Republic of Turkey to get a Turkish passport, you are required to demand a residence permit, of which the results are given on the same day of application.
After receiving the residence permit, you can apply for citizenship. It does not require an interview or to be physically present in Turkey. You can allow someone else or a company for your application management by giving power of attorney. The documents required during the application through the procuration process are the original title or an official copy of the title deed with a notary confirmation.[19]
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Main article: Visa requirements for Turkish citizens |
Holders of an ordinary Turkish passport may travel without a visa, or with a visa received upon arrival, to 110 countries, as of 2022 according to the Henley Passport Index.[6]
European Union is planning to introduce visa free travel for Turkish citizens.[20]
United States lists Turkey as an aspiring country for inclusion to the Visa Waiver Program.[21]
Listed chronologically:
