The Turkish gray passport and its most important features

2026-07-06

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The Turkish gray passport and its most important features

An Introduction to the Turkish Gray Passport
- Who Is Eligible for the Turkish Gray Passport?
- Advantages of the Turkish Gray Passport
Countries Accessible with the Turkish Gray Passport
- Is the Turkish Gray Passport Granted to Non-Employees of Official Institutions?
- Can a Foreigner Who Obtained Turkish Citizenship by Investment Get the Gray Passport?

An Introduction to the Turkish Gray Passport

The Turkish "Service" Passport (Hizmet Pasaport), also known as the "Gray" Passport due to the color of its cover, is a passport granted by the Turkish state to those who have not been given the black or green passport among state employees, or Turkish workers in international organizations.

The Turkish Gray Passport is issued according to Passport Law No. 5682. It is granted to individuals assigned special tasks abroad by the Turkish government, to facilitate their travel, especially since its holder enjoys privileges such as exemption from obtaining travel visas that are usually required for holders of ordinary passports.

It should be noted that the gray passport is specific to the tasks assigned to the individual by the state and cannot be used for tourism or private business purposes. Once the assignment for which the passport was issued ends, the validity of this passport is considered expired.

Who Is Eligible for the Turkish Gray Passport?

The Turkish authorities grant "gray" passports to non-diplomatic employees and those who are not eligible for the Turkish green (special) passport. Accordingly, the Turkish gray passport is granted to state employees sent abroad on official missions, such as embassy and consulate staff, and individuals assigned to a specific job or course - outside Turkey - by government departments, provinces, municipalities, or local administrations. This passport is also granted to Turkish employees appointed abroad, whether by the Turkish Red Crescent, Turkish Airlines, or other institutions, as well as to Turkish athletes participating in tournaments or sports competitions outside Turkey.

The Turkish Gray Passport is also granted to representatives of the Republic of Turkey in international organizations and those working as civilian employees in those organizations.

It is also worth mentioning that the spouses of Turkish Gray Passport holders, as well as their children under the age of 25, can also obtain the gray passport along with their parents who hold this passport by origin.

Turkish Gray Passport

Advantages of the Turkish Gray Passport

The holder of the Turkish gray passport is granted legal residency in the country to which they are assigned, according to diplomatic conventions between countries.
The holder of this passport is granted certain privileges according to the mission for which they are sent, coordinated between the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the relevant authorities in the host country.
The Turkish gray passport allows its holder to enter many countries without the need for a visa.
The Turkish gray passport exempts its holder from taxes (financial fees) for obtaining it; only the booklet fee is required.

Countries Accessible with the Turkish Gray Passport

One of the advantages of the Turkish gray passport is that while holders of the red (ordinary) passport must obtain a visa to enter Schengen countries, holders of the gray passport can enter those countries without a visa.

Accordingly, the Turkish gray passport provides its holder with advantages beyond those granted by the (red) ordinary passport.

Is the Turkish Gray Passport Granted to Non-Employees of Official Institutions?

As previously mentioned, the Turkish Gray Passport is a temporary travel document issued by the Turkish government to its employees assigned to tasks abroad, allowing them to enter many countries without needing to apply for transit visas.

Thus, the Turkish gray passport is one of the types of passports issued by the Turkish government to Turkish citizens working abroad for the Turkish state, either through official assignment or for state-related work, and the like.

Turkish Gray Passport

Can a Foreigner Who Obtained Turkish Citizenship by Investment Get the Gray Passport?

Obtaining Turkish citizenship through investment is supposed to entitle its holder to enjoy all the rights and privileges that a Turkish citizen usually receives. Therefore, if the foreign citizen who obtained Turkish citizenship by investment meets the requirements for obtaining the Turkish Gray Passport, it should be possible for them to obtain this passport.