Learn about the Turkish passport types, the advantages of each type, and how to obtain one
Amid the increasing significance of global travel as an essential means for many, the Turkish passport has risen in prominence. It grants its holders the convenience of easy travel to their destinations, eliminating the need for prior approvals, while removing obstacles to cross borders and exploit global commercial, professional, and cultural opportunities.
Turkish passports are the official documents utilized by Turkish citizens for international travel, issued by the General Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs in Turkey. You might have encountered certain questions about the Turkish passport types, benefits, and acquisition. Below, we comprehensively cover these aspects.
In this context, Turkey takes the lead as a country with a powerful passport in 2023. This prominence makes it an appealing choice for obtaining Turkish citizenship and the Turkish passport of 2023. Profitable investments and investment opportunities are encouraged to capitalize on the benefits and distinct advantages of this nationality.
What are the benefits of the Turkish passport?
The Turkish passports for the year 2023 have achieved a prestigious status among the world’s top passports, ranking at 35th place. Holders of this passport can enter 112 countries without a visa or with a visa granted upon arrival.
Among the advantages enjoyed by holders of any of the Turkish passport types are benefits such as free education and scholarships. Additionally, Turkish citizens gain numerous benefits from the Turkish passport, including free healthcare, participation in retirement programs, and the right to vote in elections.
Turkey is also considered a candidate for European Union membership. Therefore, individuals desiring to obtain any of Turkish passport types can acquire information about Turkish citizenship through the investment option. They can obtain further details from our specialized blogs on this topic.
On the other hand, foreigners who acquire Turkish citizenship can start benefiting from the advantages of the Turkish passport types from the moment they become citizens.
How to obtain the Turkish passport?
The Turkish Citizenship by Investment Program was established in 2017 as one of the fastest and easiest ways to obtain a second passport. Initially, the minimum real estate investment amount was set at $1,000,000. However, the Turkish government later reduced this amount to $250,000 in 2019. Then, in April 2022, a decision was made to raise the minimum real estate investment to $400,000.
The application process for this program is characterized by its simplicity and clarity, with procedures proceeding smoothly. You can take advantage of the opportunity to obtain one of the Turkish passport types as per government’s rules and regulation within a period not exceeding six months.
Turkish passport by investment
There are various investment options available, including investing in real estate, making a cash deposit in a Turkish bank, purchasing government bonds, or providing employment opportunities within Turkey. Investment is a unique and effective means to obtain Turkish citizenship, as the Turkish Investment Law has opened doors for foreign investors to acquire Turkish citizenship by purchasing property in Turkey worth $400,000, according to the latest amendments to the Turkish Citizenship Law for 2023. Prior to this update, the required value was $250,000.
Additionally, Turkish citizenship can be obtained through depositing a minimum of $500,000 in one of the banks operating in Turkey, with this amount retained in the account for a period of no less than three years. Investors can also employ at least fifty Turkish nationals.
What are Turkish passport types and the advantages of each type?
Turkish passport types are classified according to various criteria and are issued for different categories of citizens. Let’s explore these categories to learn more:
Turkish green passport
The document known as the “Passport for Government Officials” or “High-Level Officer’s Passport,” also referred to as the “Special Turkish Republic Passport” or “Turkish Green Passport,” is distinguished by its distinct green color.
The green Turkish passport is one of the Turkish passport types granted to high-ranking government officials to be used during their duties outside of Turkish borders.
This passport allows its holder to travel without the need for a visa to Schengen Area countries, providing them with the opportunity to easily enter these countries, whereas holders of the red passport might not be qualified for entry.
Turkish diplomatic passport
It is known as the “Passport of Parliament Members, Ministers, and Senior Officials,” or “Politicians’ Passport,” or “Foreign Service Officers’ Passport,” or “Turkish Republic Diplomatic Passport,” or “Black Turkish Passport” due to its prominent black color.
The black Turkish passport is granted to members of the Turkish Parliament, Turkish government ministers, as well as high-ranking Turkish officials serving abroad, to be used for their international travel.
Diplomatic passports are designated for state officials such as the President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the Vice President, as well as ambassadors and consular employees, who hold positions within the diplomatic community.
Turkish red passport
The Turkish red passport is also known as the “Regular Passport” or “Maroon Turkish Passport,” due to its distinctive red color.
The red Turkish passport is one of the turkish passport types issued to all Turkish citizens, as well as to foreigners who have obtained Turkish citizenship. This type of passport is generally used by Turkish citizens for travel outside of Turkey.
Turkish grey passport
The document known as the “Passport of Turkish State Employees Abroad” is also referred to by various names such as the “Diplomatic Passport,” “Official Passport of the Turkish Republic,” “Gray Passport of Turkey,” “Service Passport,” and “Gray Turkish Passport,” due to its distinctive gray color.
The gray Turkish passport is granted to employees working in the Turkish diplomatic service, as well as those serving in government departments affiliated with Turkey outside its borders. This distinction is made to differentiate it from the green passport.
Gray passports are issued to civil service employees who are restricted from receiving a green passport due to their job status while abroad. It represents the lowest level of passports. The gray passport is provided to individuals during their service period, and due to its nature, it is short-term and not valid for use outside the scope of their official duties.
The Turkish passport power and the Turkish passport ranking
According to the Global Passport Ranking by the Guide Index, the Turkish passport types are ranked 53rd in the world. The ranking of the Turkish passport is determined based on the degree of global mobility it provides to its holders. They can travel to 114 countries without the need for a prior visa, while traveling to 96 countries requires obtaining a pre-issued visa.
The global ranking of passports is measured by the number of countries that holders can travel to without requiring a visa. Based on this measure, the ranking of the Turkish passport is determined by the number of countries its holders can visit without a visa. This list includes destinations that can be visited without a prior visa, as well as countries where entry can be granted with a visa upon arrival, in addition to those where electronic travel authorization is applicable.
What are the visa-free countries for Turkish citizens?
Here is a list of countries that holders of a Turkish passport can enter either without requiring a visa, with the option to easily obtain a visa on arrival, or through electronic visas.
| Entry without visa71 destinations | Visa on arrival39 Destinations | Electronic travel authorization4 destinations | Electronic visa19 destinations |
| 1. Azerbaijan | 1. Armenia | Mexico | Ethiopia |
| 2. Albania | 2. Indonesia | Pakistan | Australia |
| 3. Antigua and Barbuda | 3. green head | Sri Lanka | Uganda |
| 4. Uzbekistan | 4. Senegal | South Korea | The United Arab Emirates |
| 5. Ukraine | 5. Sudan | the two seas | |
| 6. Iran | 6. Somalia | Cameroon | |
| 7. Argentina | 7. Kuwait | Boys | |
| 8. Jordan | 8. Maldives | Bhutan | |
| 9. Uruguay | 9. Palau | Burma | |
| 10. Ecuador | 10. Bangladesh | Democratic Republic of the Congo | |
| 11. Brazil | 11. Burkina Faso | South Sudan | |
| 12. Bosnia and Herzegovina | 12. Burundi | Djibouti | |
| 13. El Salvador | 13. Taiwan | Ivory Coast (Côte d’Ivoire) | |
| 14. Gabon | 14. Tanzania | Saint Helena | |
| 15. Philippines | 15. Togo | Guinea | |
| 16. Morocco | 16. Tuvalu | Kenya | |
| 17. Japan | 17. Tonga | Lesotho | |
| 18. Paraguay | 18. East Timor | Malawi | |
| 19. Barbados | 19. Comoros | Montserrat | |
| 20. Brunei Darussalam | 20. Marshall Islands | ||
| 21. Belize | 21. Rwanda | ||
| 22. Panama | 22. Zambia | ||
| 23. Botswana | 23. Zimbabwe | ||
| 24. Bolivia | 24. Samoa | ||
| 25. Peru | 25. Sultanate of Oman | ||
| 26. Thailand | 26. Sierra Leone | ||
| 27. Trinidad and Tobago | 27. Seychelles | ||
| 28. Chile | 28. Qatar | ||
| 29. Tunisia | 29. Cambodia | ||
| 30. Jamaica | 30. Laos | ||
| 31. The Bahamas | 31. Lebanon | ||
| 32. British Virgin Islands | 32. Libya | ||
| 33. Turks and Caicos Islands | 33. Madagascar | ||
| 34. Cook Islands | 34. Egypt | ||
| 35. Dominican Republic | 35. Mauritania | ||
| 36. South Africa | 36. Mozambique | ||
| 37. Georgia | 37. Namibia | ||
| 38. Dominica | 38. Nepal | ||
| 39. Belarus | 39. Niue | ||
| 40. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | |||
| 41. Saint Kitts and Nevis | |||
| 42. Saint Lucia | |||
| 43. Sao Tome and Principe | |||
| 44. Singapore | |||
| 45. Swaziland | |||
| 46. Suriname | |||
| 47. Serbia | |||
| 48. Tajikistan | |||
| 49. Gambia | |||
| 50. Guatemala | |||
| 51. Equatorial Guinea | |||
| 52. Vanuatu | |||
| 53. Venezuela | |||
| 54. Fiji | |||
| 55. Kyrgyzstan | |||
| 56. Kazakhstan | |||
| 57. Costa Rica | |||
| 58. Kosovo | |||
| 59. Columbia | |||
| 60. Macau | |||
| 61. Malaysia | |||
| 62. North Macedonia | |||
| 63. Mongolia | |||
| 64. Mauritius | |||
| 65. Moldova | |||
| 66. Montenegro (Montenegro) | |||
| 67. Micronesia | |||
| 68. Nicaragua | |||
| 69. Haiti | |||
| 70. Honduras | |||
| 71. Hong Kong |
Edited by : VAAL Real Estate