First, the Turkish passport is ranked 53rd in the world, according to the Henley Global Index, as there are multiple colors for the Turkish passport, like red which is for the general public and all Turkish citizens, while other colors of passports are issued to certain categories of the Turkish people, like green and gray.
Definition of Gray Turkish Passport:
Known as service passport or gray passport as for its color, it’s a passport issued by the Turkish government to those who do not have black or green passport from the government employees or Turkish citizens working in international organizations, this gray passport is issued according to the passports law number 5682, as it is being issued to those hired by the government for special missions outside the Turkish borders, and that’s in the purpose of facilitating their movements between countries as its holder have special privileges like exemption from Visa imposed on ordinary passport holders.
It should be noted that this gray passport is special for tasks given to the person from the government, as it should not be used for tourism or personal business, as soon as the task assigned to the employee ends, the validity of the passport is considered expired.
Who is Granted the Gray Turkish Passport?
Turkish authorities grant the gray passport to those who do not have the green Turkish passport, and not a diplomatic staff, which means that the gray passport is granted to:
1. Government employees who are sent abroad on official missions.
2. Embassies and consulates staff.
3. People tasked with training courses abroad by government departments, municipalities, or local administration.
4. Turkish employees appointed abroad whether by the Turkish Red Crescent or Turkish Airlines.
5. Turkish athletes who participated in championships or sport contests abroad.
6. Turkish state representatives in international organizations and civil staff in organizations.
7. The most important thing to mention is the wives or husbands of those who obtained the gray Turkish passport and their children under the age of 25 who get the gray passport accompanied by their families who have it.
Most Important Advantages of Turkish Gray Passport:
1. The holder of the gray Turkish passport is able to obtain legal residence in the country to which he is sent according to the diplomatic norms between countries.
2. Holder of this passport has some powers in accordance with the mission for which he was sent, this will be in coordination between Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the relevant authorities in the country that hosts the holder of this passport.
3. Holder of gray Turkish passport can enter many countries without the need for visa.
4. Holder of this passport is exempted from taxes taxes and fees to obtain this passport, as they only should pay the price of the passport itself.
What Countries is the Gray Turkish Passport Allowed to Enter?
Gray passport holder can travel to Schengen region (European Union) without the prior need to visa, and other world countries.
Can a Person Who Has Turkish Citizenship Obtain the Gray Turkish Passport?
Foreigner who has Turkish citizenship through Investment in Turkey is granted all the advantages and rights of the native Turkish citizen, thus, if the Turkish foreign citizen fulfills the conditions for obtaining the gray Turkish passport, he has a great possibility to obtain that passport.
