What Is a Green Passport? Who Is Eligible for a Green Passport?

Named the "green passport" because of its green-colored cover, this type of passport is issued to a limited number of people in specific statuses, which often makes it easier to be accepted by other countries. Many countries can offer visa-free entry to green passport holders for limited periods.

WHAT IS A GREEN PASSPORT?

A green passport is a type of passport issued to individuals who meet certain requirements, primarily public officials who have reached specific positions. Citizens holding this passport can obtain certain advantages when entering other countries compared to standard passport holders.

Issued for a 5-year period, this type of passport provides visa-free entry to many countries for a limited number of days. Citizens with a green passport can travel simply by purchasing a plane ticket without having to fulfill other procedures.

WHO CAN OBTAIN A GREEN PASSPORT?

To hold a green passport, citizens must meet certain conditions. Therefore, it is not possible for everyone to obtain a green passport. Individuals who can hold a green passport can be listed as follows:

- Former members of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) and former ministers

- Civil servants with a staff grade of 1, 2, or 3, or those retired from these grades

- Contracted civil servants working in positions equivalent to grades 1, 2, and 3, and those who retired while working in these positions

- Employees who work without a specific staff grade but whose retirement deductions are made based on grades 1, 2, and 3, as well as contracted civil servants who retired while working in this status

- Provincial, district, and first-tier municipal mayors

- Employees of Türk Telekom, T.C. Ziraat Bankası, Halk Bankası, and Emlak Bankası who meet the necessary conditions despite privatization

- Businesspeople who meet certain conditions and have high export volumes

- Lawyers registered with the Bar Association with at least 15 years of experience

The right to a green passport is granted to the spouses of those who meet these conditions, as well as their unmarried or unemployed children who continue their education, until they reach the age of 25.

Children of the aforementioned eligible individuals who are over 18 but are documented as needing care due to a disability in accordance with the regulations also have the right to obtain a green passport.

HOW TO OBTAIN A GREEN PASSPORT?

If you have the right to obtain a green passport, you must first complete the necessary documents and send a request form to the Ministry of Interior. After paying the passport fees, an appointment request must be created on the website of the General Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs along with the other documents.

After paying the fee, you attend the application appointment with the required documents. If the conditions are met, the green passport document is issued to the person within a certain number of days.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR A GREEN PASSPORT?

Those who wish to exercise their right to a green passport can make their application by completing the following documents:

For employees: Signature circulars prepared by the provincial, regional, or general directorate of the institution where the civil servant works

For retirees: A document showing the staff grade information at the time of retirement

For those who have resigned: A document showing their staff grade during their period of employment

For those whose eligible relative has passed away: A document showing the staff grade of the eligible person at the time of their death

For those under 18: Consent form from parents, student certificate, 2 biometric photos (5 x 6 cm), and the original national ID card