An ordinary Turkish passport opens more than a hundred destinations without a prior visa, with a visa on arrival or an e-visa, including Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Brazil, Qatar, Morocco, Tunisia and the Balkan countries. You can travel with your ID card to Georgia, Northern Cyprus and Azerbaijan (under conditions). But you need a visa in advance for Schengen, the UK, the US and Canada. The special green passport exempts its holder from the Schengen visa, but it's only issued to certain categories.
Tens of thousands of Arabs have acquired Turkish citizenship, and the first question after receiving the passport is: where can I travel now without a visa? The answer isn't one fixed list — conditions change, agreements are renewed, and “number of countries” figures differ between indexes. In this guide we explain the picture as we deal with it every day in our clients' bookings, with links to our detailed guide for each country.
The four types of Turkish passport
| Passport | Colour | For | What sets it apart |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ordinary (umuma mahsus) | Burgundy | All citizens | The most used, and the one passport indexes are based on |
| Special (hususi) | Green | Certain categories of state employees and others under the law | Exempts the holder from the Schengen visa and visas for other countries |
| Service (hizmet) | Grey | Those travelling on official duty | Exemptions under agreements |
| Diplomatic | Black | Diplomats and senior officials | Diplomatic exemptions |
People often ask about the “green passport”, but it isn't an option open to every citizen — it's a right for categories defined by law. Most Turks, including naturalised citizens, hold the ordinary passport.
Travelling with a Turkish ID card
| Destination | With the ID card? | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia | Yes | Since 1 January 2026 it requires health and accident insurance for visitors |
| Northern Cyprus | Yes | The most common choice for short trips |
| Azerbaijan | Yes, under conditions | For tourists arriving directly from Türkiye |
| Moldova | Yes | Under the bilateral agreement |
Travelling with your ID requires the new chip ID card (çipli kimlik). Always check the conditions before you travel, as agreements can be suspended or changed, and airlines may ask for a passport for connecting flights.
Examples of destinations without a prior visa
Japan, South Korea (with a K-ETA), Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia (30 days visa-free), Thailand and more.
Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, North Macedonia, Kosovo and Georgia.
Qatar visa-free, Oman for a short stay, Morocco and Tunisia visa-free, and Iraq with exemptions for Turks.
Brazil visa-free, Mexico with a free electronic authorisation, and several Latin American countries.
The exact details for each country, with durations and conditions, are in our guides: Qatar, Oman, Morocco, Tunisia, Brazil, Mexico, Indonesia, Thailand, Georgia and South Korea.
Where do you need an e-visa or a visa on arrival?
| Destination | Type | Our guide |
|---|---|---|
| Saudi Arabia | Tourist e-visa | Saudi tourist visa |
| Armenia | On arrival or electronic | Armenia visa |
| India | Electronic | India visa |
| Pakistan | Electronic | Pakistan visa |
| Egypt | Usually consular, or on arrival for Sharm El-Sheikh under conditions | Egypt visa |
| Russia | Depending on the length of the visit and the agreement | Russia visa |
Where do you need a visa in advance?
A Schengen visa for the ordinary passport. Details in our Schengen guide and documents by employment status.
A visit visa in advance. UK visa guide.
A B1/B2 visa with an interview. US visa guide.
Depends on the type of visit. China visa guide.
For Arabs who have acquired Turkish citizenship
Watch out for
- Use one passport from booking to arrival
- Check your home country's dual-nationality laws
- Renew your Turkish passport well before it expires
- The name on the booking must match the passport you'll travel on
- Ask about the entry rules for Turks in your home country
Common mistakes
- Booking on one passport and travelling on another
- Assuming the Turkish passport exempts you from every visa
- Travelling on your ID with a connection in a country that doesn't accept it
- Relying on old lists from social media
- Forgetting Georgia's compulsory insurance
Passport validity before you travel
Many countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months from the date of entry, and Schengen requires three months after departure and a passport issued within the last ten years. Don't travel on a passport close to expiry; renew it early at the civil registry office with an appointment.
How we help
Alwan is a licensed travel agency in Istanbul (Group A, licence no. 9151). We tell you your destination's rules for your Turkish passport this month, obtain the visas you need, book your flights and hotels, and check your connections so you get no surprises at the airport.
Ask about your destination with a Turkish passport on WhatsAppUseful guides: Types of visas · Schengen visa · Saudi tourist visa · South Korea and K-ETA · International visa service
Destination counts differ between passport indexes and change; the examples follow our up-to-date guide for each country as of this update. Always check the conditions before you travel.
Frequently asked questions
How many countries can a Turkish passport enter without a visa?
More than a hundred destinations without a prior visa, with a visa on arrival or an e-visa, according to international passport indexes whose numbers change month to month. Entry with no visa at all is a smaller number.
Which countries can Turkish citizens enter with their ID card?
The best known are Georgia and Northern Cyprus, Azerbaijan for tourists arriving directly from Türkiye, and Moldova, under bilateral agreements. Conditions can change, and since the start of 2026 Georgia requires health insurance for visitors.
Can a Turkish passport enter Europe without a visa?
An ordinary passport needs a Schengen visa for EU countries, but it can enter European countries outside Schengen such as Serbia, Bosnia, Montenegro, Albania and North Macedonia without a visa. The green passport exempts its holder from the Schengen visa.
What is the green Turkish passport?
A special passport (hususi pasaport) issued to certain categories of state employees and others under the law, exempting its holder from the Schengen visa and visas for other countries. Not every citizen can get one.
Do Turkish citizens need a visa for the US, UK and Canada?
Yes, they need a visa in advance for these countries, and we prepare the full files.
Can Turkish citizens enter the Gulf without a visa?
It varies by country: Qatar is visa-free for Turks, Oman visa-free for a short stay, Saudi Arabia on the tourist e-visa, and the UAE according to the instructions in force. We check before you travel.
Can an Arab who acquired Turkish citizenship travel to their home country on the Turkish passport?
It depends on your home country's laws on dual nationality and its entry rules for Turks. Some countries require their citizens to enter on their national passport. We check your case before you travel.
