WHAT IS A GREEN PASSPORT?

WHAT IS A GREEN PASSPORT?

A green passport, officially known as a special-stamped passport, is a special type of passport that, in addition to the benefits of an ordinary burgundy passport, allows visa-free entry or facilitated visa procedures for many countries. The countries that may be visited without a visa using a green passport include countries in the Schengen Area.

WHAT IS THE GREEN PASSPORT RIGHT GRANTED TO EXPORTING COMPANIES?

Companies that reach a specified export volume are granted the right to obtain a limited number of green passports for their owners, shareholders or employees. The principal criterion is an average export volume of at least USD 500,000 over the last three years.

This scheme is administered to encourage exports under the coordination of the Ministry of Trade and the Turkish Exporters Assembly.

CONDITIONS FOR EXPORTING COMPANIES TO QUALIFY FOR A GREEN PASSPORT

To promote exports, the state grants companies that reach a specified export volume the right to obtain a limited number of green passports (special-stamped passports).

Who May Apply?

• Company owners

• Company shareholders

• Employees who work for the company and have been authorized, generally at management level

What Are the Application Conditions?

• Average exports of at least USD 500,000 during the last three calendar years

• The company must carry out active and regular export activities

• The application must be approved by the Ministry of Trade; the process is generally conducted through the Turkish Exporters Assembly

• The number of passports to be issued is determined according to the export volume

PASSPORT ENTITLEMENT ACCORDING TO EXPORT VOLUME

The table below shows the number of green passports that may be granted according to the average export value over the last three years.

The export volume achieved in the current year is shared by the Ministry of Trade with exporters’ associations through VEDOP and TÜİK in January of the following year. Company owners who satisfy the conditions may apply for a green passport starting from February of the year following the year in which the exports were made.

TYPES OF EXPORTS NOT INCLUDED IN THE CALCULATION

The following types of exports are not taken into account when calculating the export volume on which the green passport entitlement is based:

• Exports under an ETGB (Electronic Commerce Customs Declaration)

• Exports made using a special invoice

• Transit exports

• Exports to free zones

COMPANY REPRESENTATIVES ENTITLED TO A GREEN PASSPORT

Applications may be filed on behalf of employees registered on the E-SGK list of the qualifying company and on behalf of its shareholders. Employees must submit social security declarations for the three months preceding the application date. Holders of bearer shares are not covered by this entitlement.

Where the owner or shareholders of the company are legal entities, special-stamped passports may also be issued to the owners, shareholders or employees of those legal entities.

PERSONS WHO CANNOT BENEFIT FROM THE GREEN PASSPORT ENTITLEMENT

Managers or board members appointed from outside the company cannot apply for a passport unless they appear on the E-SGK list of the qualifying company or hold shares in that company. Merely receiving board attendance fees is not sufficient. Bearer shares are also not accepted.

Companies in the following circumstances cannot benefit from the green passport right granted to exporters:

• Companies in bankruptcy

• Companies in liquidation

• Companies subject to a temporary or final concordat period

• Companies that have undergone a full demerger

Unlike the green passports issued to civil servants, a green passport issued to exporters does not automatically extend to the applicant’s spouse and children. A spouse or child may apply separately only if a quota is available and that person works for or is a shareholder of the company.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR THE APPLICATION

The following documents are requested during a green passport application:

• Application petition

• Request form

• A document from the Turkish Trade Registry Gazette showing the company’s shareholding structure

• Signature circular of the person authorized to represent and bind the company

• Photocopy of the Republic of Türkiye identity card