Turkey Proposes Green Passport Access for Six Professional Groups

Six distinct professional categories stand to gain visa-free travel access under a fresh legislative proposal submitted to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM). The draft law aims to broaden the eligibility criteria for the special stamped passport, commonly known as the green passport, which facilitates entry into numerous countries without requiring prior visas.

Who qualifies for the new passport?

Prepared by Yeni Parti Gaziantep MP Melih Meriç, the bill specifically targets individuals providing public services or conducting international professional activities. If enacted, elected village and neighborhood headmen, sworn financial advisors, pharmacists, physicians, engineers, and architects would become eligible for this document, provided they meet specific seniority and membership thresholds.

The proposal outlines precise requirements for each group. Sworn financial advisors registered with TÜRMOB and its affiliated chambers, along with independent certified public accountants possessing at least 15 years of experience, are included. Similarly, private pharmacists must be members of the Turkish Pharmacists' Association (TEB) and have completed 15 years in their profession.

For medical professionals, the criteria mandate that private practitioners be members of the Turkish Medical Association (TTB) with 15 years of service. Engineers and architects fall under the same rule: they must hold membership in the Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architects (TMMOB) and demonstrate at least 15 years of professional tenure. Elected village and neighborhood headmen are also listed as beneficiaries.

Why is the change being proposed?

The explanatory memorandum accompanying the bill highlights significant bureaucratic hurdles faced by these professionals when attending overseas training sessions, seminars, congresses, and meetings. Despite fulfilling all documentation and application prerequisites, frequent visa rejections have reportedly disrupted experience-sharing in critical sectors such as medicine, construction, pharmacology, and finance.

The text further notes that elected local administrators encounter similar obstacles when attempting to review international projects. The initiative seeks to remove these barriers to facilitate smoother cross-border professional engagement.

What is the current legislative status?

Submitted to the TBMM Presidency on September 16, the draft was referred to the Internal Affairs Commission for evaluation on October 1. Should the commission approve the text and it subsequently passes through the General Assembly, qualified members of these professions will secure the right to obtain green passports.