One of the new measures decided during Turkey’s accession process to the European Union was introducing the electronic passport (chip passport). This decision was taken mainly to facilitate travel during negotiations on visa-free movement with EU countries. Because older passports could not be read by digital devices, and following guidance from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Turkey moved forward with issuing chip passports. ICAO recommended that member states should have production of Machine Readable Travel Documents in place by April 1, 2010. Preparations in Turkey were completed and the new chip passport system was implemented.
The new chip passports contain embedded software that stores all relevant personal data for the passport holder. All information found in the previous passport format is retained and supplemented with biometric data. The chip stores fingerprints, full name, year, place and date of birth, nationality, passport number, identification number, gender and other personal details necessary for identity verification and border procedures.
Security Measures of Chip Passports
Extensive security measures have been implemented for the new chip passport system. Turkey has taken a particularly careful approach to producing Schengen-compatible passports. The updated passports, produced via tender, include an advanced model that stores fingerprints and other sensitive data. Internationally recognized high-security systems have been adopted for Turkish passports as part of the upgrade. Our passports now include more security features than many other countries’ documents. All personalization and production costs for these specially secured chip passports are borne by the applicant. The passport fee and booklet fee — which can change annually — must be paid by the citizen.
Chip passports issued in Turkey belong to the group of highly secure, digitally readable passports. The chip module is placed in the back cover or the identity page of the passport and can be read only by authorized devices. This chip layer is designed to prevent forgery and unauthorized manipulation. On the identity page of these passports, beneath the personal data, there is a two-line zone where each line consists of 44 characters, following standard machine-readable passport formatting.
Currently, only about 10% of the population in Turkey holds a passport, a relatively low proportion. It is expected that visa liberalization within the EU accession process would increase the number of passport holders, since easier travel abroad will motivate more people to apply. With chip passports, exit procedures will be faster and confusion at border crossings caused by similar names will be reduced. Applicants must book an appointment online with the relevant office and be present at the appointment location at least 10 minutes early. Applicants must bring their national ID card and two photographs. Fingerprints are taken at the time of document submission. Once biometric data is captured, the application is sent online to the Tax Office for processing. Personalized passports are then produced and delivered to the applicant’s address within approximately 3–7 business days. Separate application and fee apply to each individual, regardless of age.
How Much Do Chip Passports Cost and What Is the Application Process?
Each chip passport is personal and issued separately for each individual regardless of age. Passport fees are set annually by the Ministry of Finance. For example, adjustments announced in 2017 reflected the October 2016 domestic producer price index change (Yi-ÜFE) of 3.83% compared to the previous year. The common passport booklet fee for that year was 94 TL. The 2017 passport duties were published as: 6-month passport 214.10 TL, 1-year passport 269.50 TL, 2-year passport 380.40 TL, 3-year passport 500.70 TL, and passports valid from 4 up to 10 years 667.10 TL. Students under 25 do not pay the passport duty when they provide proof of student status.
Turkey adopted the chip passport system on June 1, 2010. While older passports remained valid, in line with ICAO recommendations and Turkey’s integration with international standards, the use of older passport types continued until November 24, 2015. Applicants applying for a chip passport must bring the following documents:
- National identity card (original — must include Turkish ID number; for applicants older than 15 the ID card must include a photograph)
- Biometric photo taken within the last six months (white background)
- Parental consent for applicants under 18
- For adults under guardianship, a consent or trustee document from the legal guardian
- Previous passport for those renewing (except first-time applicants)
- Payment receipts for passport booklet, duty and postage obtained from the relevant public offices
- Proof of student status for those going abroad for education
- Completed application form
- Signature rules: applicants who have reached 12 years of age and entered their 13th year must sign the form; children under 12 are not required to sign. Persons under full legal incapacity do not sign. Disabled persons who have reached 12 must sign.
After preparing these documents and submitting the application to the competent authorities, the applicant’s passport procedures will be completed and the new model passport will be sent to the applicant’s address.
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