Green passport offer for pilots, engineers and architects

Two separate legislative proposals were submitted to the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye (TBMM) to expand the scope of the specially stamped passport, publicly known as the "green passport".

The proposals prepared by NEW Party Bursa Deputy Hasan Öztürk and Sivas Deputy Ulaş Karasu aim to enable pilots, engineers and architects to benefit from the green passport right if they meet certain conditions.

Proposals regarding the green passport, which allows visa-free travel to many countries, were referred to the GNAT Internal Affairs Commission.

5 YEAR REQUIREMENT FOR GREEN PASSPORT FOR PILOTS

In the first proposal presented to the Parliament, it is envisaged that specially stamped passports will be given to pilots who have been in actual flight service for at least 5 years after obtaining their airline pilot license.

In the justification of the proposal, it was pointed out that pilots face visa obstacles during the training, flight test and aircraft delivery processes abroad.

It was stated that visa procedures cause both loss of time and economic costs, and that pilots who cannot obtain a visa cannot participate in international training activities and this situation negatively affects the aviation sector.

10 YEARS SENIORITY CONDITION FOR ENGINEERS AND ARCHITECTS

In the second bill, it was requested that engineers and architects who are members of the Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architects (TMMOB) and have at least 10 years of seniority in the profession be given the right to a green passport.

In the justification of the proposal, the importance of engineers and architects participating in international professional development activities was emphasized.

It was stated that training, conferences, workshops and technical events organized abroad contribute to professional knowledge, and it was argued that the participation of these professional groups in international activities should be facilitated.

COMMON CONDITION IN BOTH OFFERS

In both bills submitted to the Parliament, it was stipulated that in order to benefit from the green passport right, there should be no investigation or prosecution against the right holders due to crimes within the scope of the Anti-Terrorism Law.

If the proposals become law, pilots, engineers and architects who meet the specified conditions will also be able to obtain passports with special stamps.

However, the regulations have not yet become law. The proposals must first be discussed in the relevant commission and then in the General Assembly of the Turkish Grand National Assembly.

WHO CAN GET A GREEN PASSPORT?

According to the current legislation in Türkiye, public officials and some professional groups who meet certain conditions can benefit from the right to a green passport.

In this context;

Civil servants and other public servants in first, second and third degree positions and those retired from these degrees,

Former MPs and former ministers,

Mayors who meet the conditions specified in the legislation,

Those who have the title of state athlete,

Employees of public institutions and privatized organizations who meet certain conditions,

A certain number of officials of companies that meet the export criteria,

Lawyers who have been registered to the bar association for at least 15 years and meet other legal requirements can obtain a passport with a special stamp.

It will become clear after the discussions in the Parliament whether the new proposals for pilots, engineers and architects will become law.