Without passport or visa: The identity-based travel project among the countries of the Turkic world

Five member states of the Organization of Turkic States are currently working on a project that will allow their citizens to travel between them using biometric ID cards without the need for a passport or visa, according to official statements issued after the meeting of interior ministers in Astana, Kazakhstan. The project is still being prepared and is expected to be presented to the leaders at a summit to be held in Ankara at the end of October 2026.

What is the ID travel project between Turkic-speaking countries?

The project involves allowing citizens of the full member states of the Organization of Turkic States to cross borders between them using only a biometric ID card, without the need for a passport or entry visa.

This initiative was announced by Turkish Interior Minister Mustafa Ciftci following the third meeting of the interior ministers of the Organization of Turkic States, which was held in the Kazakh capital, Astana, in September 2026. The minister explained that work is ongoing to facilitate ID-based travel and to establish special crossing points for citizens of member states at airports.

Other Turkish news reports described this move as part of a broader vision unofficially called the "Common Passport for the Turkic World."

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Which countries are included in the project, and what is the current progress?

The project is currently limited to the five full members of the Organization of Turkic States: Turkey, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan, while both Hungary and Turkmenistan have observer status only.

The ID-based travel model is already partially implemented between Turkey on one side, and Azerbaijan and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus on the other, since 2021 and under specific conditions. The expansion of this model to include Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan is still being prepared and has not yet been fully implemented.

When is a final decision on the project expected?

Turkish Interior Minister Mustafa Ciftci stated that the file will be presented to the heads of state during the summit of the leaders of the Organization of Turkic States, scheduled to be held in Ankara and hosted by the Turkish president, and that the Astana meeting was a direct preparation for this summit. (Source)

According to other reports, the summit is expected to be held at the end of October 2026 on the occasion of the Turkish Republic Day.

As of the date of publication of this article, no final decision or official timetable has been issued to activate ID-based travel between all member states of the organization.

What other measures are associated with this project?

In addition to ID-based travel, discussions are underway to establish joint or dedicated passport control points for citizens of the member states at airports, similar to the models adopted in European Union countries.

The Turkish Interior Minister also proposed establishing a joint security agency among the member states called "TÜRKPOL," which would play a role similar to Interpol and Europol, to enhance cooperation in combating cross-border crime and irregular migration. The proposal received preliminary approval from the interior ministers of Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you currently travel with an ID instead of a passport between the countries of the Turkic world?

This is only partially implemented, between Turkey, Azerbaijan, and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, and under specific conditions. Its expansion to include the rest of the member states of the Organization of Turkic States is still being prepared.

Which countries are included in the proposed project?

The full member states of the Organization of Turkic States: Turkey, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan.

When is the project expected to be fully implemented?

No official final date has been set yet. The file will be presented at the Organization of Turkic States summit in Ankara, expected to be held at the end of October 2026, for a decision at the level of heads of state.

Sources

• Haber Hürriyeti — Statements by the Turkish Interior Minister after the Astana meeting (11 September 2026)
• Yeni Şafak — Azerbaijan model and expansion of ID-based travel (14 September 2026)
• Haberler.com — Statements by the Justice and Development Party official on the date of the Ankara summit
• HaberGo — Member and observer states