The “Special Passport” implementation, which is known as Green Passport that makes it easier for Turkish exporters to have access to foreign markets, has passed into law and taken effect. A statement published in Official Gazette (30016) on February 23, 2017 released the 2017/9962 decision, “About Rules Regarding Allowing Exporters to Have Civil Labeled Passport”.
Exporters should be obtaining a certain exports value in order to be able to receive green passport which is valid for two years. Exporter companies which have achieved USD1-10 million in the last three calendar years will be able to receive one civil labeled passport, while the ones who have achieved exports of USD10-25 million can get 2 passports. The figure is 3 for companies which obtained exports of USD25-50 million, 4 for the ones with USD50-100 million and 5 for the companies which obtained USD100 million and above.
These exporters who achieved the export values above will be able to receive civil labeled passport; even though the durations set by the related articles expired; or they have received imprisonment for one year or more or pardoned; unless they were not charged with crimes against state security; constitutional regulation, debt, corruption, theft, forgery, fraudulent bankruptcy, collusive tendering and smuggling. These passports are personal and do not contain wife/husband or children, meanwhile.
Company executives who are active in free zones will also be able to receive these passports; so long as they provide the required export value criteria. The value of exports but not domestic sales will be taken into account in this case. Companies who obtain the projected export values will be determined by the Ministry of Economy based on official foreign trade statistics data and will be notified to the district offices of ministry and general secretariats of exporters associations until February 15 of every year.
Owners, partners and employees of exporter companies will receive civil labeled passports. In case the owner or partners are legal entities; then the owners, partners or employees of these entities will also receive civil labeled passports.
Executives who do not meet the required conditions for green passport or do not meet them any more; are obliged to return their passports in 15 days the latest. Otherwise, they will not be able to receive civil labeled passports for 10 years.
Exporters Associations Will Receive Applications
Exporter companies are due to apply to the associations in which they are members for green passport. Following the required checks, the association will submit the papers to the approval of district offices. The approved form will be delivered to company executives for individual application to provincial security directorate.