Turkish Passport Ranking 2025

This data shows that the Turkish passport is not only ranked much higher globally than the Iranian passport, but the number of destinations accessible to its holders is almost three times greater. This difference makes the Turkish passport a powerful tool for Iranian entrepreneurs, investors, and professionals looking to expand their international activities.

Your Freedom Map: Key Destinations for Turkish Passport Holders

The power of the Turkish passport is not just in the numbers, but in the quality and diversity of its accessible destinations. This passport acts as a geopolitical bridge, providing access to major economies in different regions of the world.

• Visa-Free Access: Turkish passport holders can travel to about 70 to 72 countries without needing any prior application. This list includes important economic and tourist hubs such as Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Serbia, and South Africa. This unique combination of access to advanced Asian economies and emerging Latin American markets is a major strategic advantage.

• Facilitated Entry (Visa on Arrival and eTA): About 54 other destinations have also facilitated entry through Visa on Arrival or electronic travel authorization (eTA). These destinations include important Middle Eastern countries like Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Saudi Arabia, as well as popular destinations like Mexico (with eTA) and Taiwan.

Table 2: Sample Global Access with a Turkish Passport (2025)

This extensive access makes the Turkish passport an efficient tool for global trade, international investment, and hassle-free travel.

Strategic Benefits of Turkish Citizenship

Beyond freedom of travel, obtaining Turkish citizenship brings significant strategic, economic, and lifestyle benefits that make it an attractive option for international investors and entrepreneurs. These benefits elevate Turkish citizenship from a mere travel document to a strategic asset for planning the future of family and business.

The Crown Jewel: Key to the USA via the E-2 Investor Visa

One of the most significant and unique benefits of Turkish citizenship is the ability to apply for the E-2 Investor Visa for the United States. This benefit alone is the main motivation for many investors to obtain a Turkish passport, especially those from countries like Iran that lack a trade treaty with the US.

• What is the E-2 Visa? The E-2 visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows citizens of countries with a trade and navigation treaty with the US to live, work, and study in the country by making a "substantial" investment in an American business. Turkey is one of these treaty countries.

• Mechanism of Action: An Iranian citizen, by obtaining Turkish citizenship (e.g., through real estate investment), becomes eligible to apply for the E-2 visa. This is a completely legal and established pathway to enter the American market and lifestyle.

• Benefits of the E-2 Visa: This visa allows the primary investor, their spouse, and their children under 21 to reside in the US. The spouse of the visa holder can obtain an Open Work Permit, and children can study in public or private schools. The E-2 visa is indefinitely renewable as long as the business remains active and profitable.

• Investment Requirements: The law does not specify a minimum amount for the investment, using the term "Substantial Investment." In practice, investments over $100,000 to $150,000 have a higher chance of success.

In effect, Turkish citizenship acts as a "Gateway Asset"; a key that unlocks a door to the United States that is otherwise closed to many nationalities.

Navigating the West: Strengthened Position for Schengen, UK, and Canada Visas

One of the common but incorrect assumptions is that the Turkish passport provides visa-free access to the Schengen Area, the UK, or Canada. The reality is that a visa application is still required to travel to these destinations. However, the main advantage lies in the applicant's status and credibility.

• Relative Advantage: A visa application with a Turkish passport has a higher chance of success compared to an Iranian passport. An applicant with Turkish nationality is generally perceived as someone with stronger economic ties, greater global mobility, and a lower risk of overstaying. This can lead to a higher approval rate and the issuance of long-term, multiple-entry visas.

• The Schengen Paradox: Nevertheless, a contradictory reality must be pointed out. While the global rank of the Turkish passport is improving, the Schengen visa rejection rate for Turkish citizens has increased in recent years, rising from 15.7% in 2022 to 21.7% in 2023. This phenomenon, which can be called the "Schengen Paradox," shows that a country's EU visa policies are not determined solely by the objective strength of its passport but are influenced by geopolitical factors, stalled EU accession negotiations for Turkey, immigration concerns, and the internal policies of member states.

• Recent Developments: In a positive development, the European Commission decided in July 2025 to facilitate procedures for Turkish citizens to obtain multiple-entry visas with longer validity (from one to five years). This action is a step forward but does not mean a full visa waiver.

Full Citizenship Rights: Beyond a Passport

Turkish citizenship brings a set of full rights that secure the life and future of the investor's family.

• Dual Citizenship: Turkey recognizes dual citizenship. This means investors are not forced to renounce their original nationality and can hold both passports.

• Transfer to Future Generations: Turkish citizenship is passed on to children based on the principle of *jus sanguinis* (right of blood). This feature ensures global mobility and security for the family's future generations.

• Economic and Social Rights: New citizens enjoy full rights to live, work, start a business, and invest in Turkey's dynamic and growing economy. Access to free or low-cost public education and healthcare systems is also provided for all family members.

• Exemption from Military Service: This is one of the most important considerations for many Iranian families. According to the law, men who acquire Turkish citizenship after the age of 22 are exempt from compulsory military service.

Practical Guide to Obtaining a Turkish Passport

The Turkish government has provided various paths to obtaining citizenship, but the "Citizenship by Investment" (CBI) program, especially through property purchase, has become the most popular and primary method for foreign investors due to its speed, transparency, and relative simplicity. This section details this path and other options.

The Main Path: Citizenship by Investment in Real Estate

This method allows foreign investors to obtain Turkish citizenship and a passport for themselves, their spouse, and their children under 18 in a short period by purchasing property.

• Main Requirements (The $400,000 Law): The key conditions for this program are as follows:

  1. Minimum Investment: Purchase one or more properties with a total value of at least $400,000 USD.

  2. No-Sell Commitment: A legal commitment not to sell the property(ies) for at least 3 years. This commitment is officially recorded on the title deed (Tapu).

  3. Qualified Seller: The property must be purchased from a Turkish citizen or a company registered in Turkey. Purchasing property from another foreigner is not eligible for this program.

  4. Official Appraisal: The property's value must be confirmed by an official expert approved by Turkey's Capital Markets Board (SPK). This appraisal report (Ekspertiz) is the legal basis for valuing the investment.

• Step-by-Step Process: The entire process, from selecting the property to receiving the passport, typically takes between 3 to 8 months and includes the following steps:

  1. Property Selection and Due Diligence: Selecting the eligible property or properties and conducting the necessary checks to ensure there are no legal or registration issues.

  2. Obtaining the Official Appraisal Report (Ekspertiz): Requesting and receiving the official expert report to confirm the property's value.

  3. Fund Transfer: Transferring the purchase amount from the buyer's personal bank account to the seller's bank account through a bank in Turkey. This transfer must be fully transparent and traceable.

  4. Title Deed (Tapu) Transfer: Going to the Land Registry and Title Deed office and officially transferring the deed to the buyer's name, along with registering the 3-year no-sell commitment.

  5. Obtaining the Certificate of Conformity: After the deed transfer, applying for the "Investment Certificate of Conformity" (Uygunluk Belgesi), which confirms the investment was made in accordance with the citizenship program laws.

  6. Investor Residency Application: As a preliminary step, a short-term residence permit is applied for on behalf of the investor and their family.

  7. Submitting the Citizenship Application and Final Approval: Compiling the final citizenship file and submitting it to the General Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs. After security checks and final approval, citizenship is granted, and applicants can apply for their Turkish ID cards and passports.

• Common Mistakes and Legal Pitfalls: Many citizenship applications are rejected not due to lack of funds, but due to procedural errors. Awareness of these pitfalls is vital:

  • Appraisal Discrepancy: The basis for application approval is the value determined in the official expert report, not the agreed-upon price in the sales contract. Inflated prices to meet the $400,000 threshold are a primary reason for rejections.

  • Title Deed (Tapu) Issues: Purchasing a property located in a restricted military zone, one that has an outstanding mortgage or lien, or worse, one that has previously been used for another citizenship application, will lead to certain rejection.

  • Incorrect Fund Transfer: Using cash, third-party accounts, or non-banking transfer systems (like money exchangers without banking documentation) makes the money trail opaque and causes the file to be rejected. The source of the money must be legal, and the transfer must be from the investor's personal account.

  • Buying from Foreign Nationals: The law explicitly requires the purchase to be from a Turkish citizen or company. This common mistake invalidates the entire investment for the purpose of citizenship.

This program is a precise legal process, not a simple transaction. Therefore, using independent and reputable legal counsel to review all stages, from property selection to fund transfer and document registration, is essential for the application's success.

Alternative Investment Paths

For investors not inclined to enter the real estate market, other options are available, albeit with higher investment thresholds:

• Bank Deposit: Depositing a minimum of $500,000 USD (or its equivalent in another currency) in a Turkish bank and committing to maintain it for at least three years.

• Purchase of Government Bonds or Investment Fund Shares: Investing a minimum of $500,000 USD in government bonds or purchasing shares in real estate investment funds (REIT) or venture capital investment funds, with the condition of holding them for three years.

• Job Creation: Establishing a business and employing at least 50 Turkish citizens on a full-time, official basis.

Other Methods for Obtaining Turkish Citizenship

In addition to investment, more traditional paths to acquiring Turkish citizenship exist, which are usually more time-consuming:

• Naturalization by Residency: Legal and uninterrupted residency in Turkey for 5 years with a valid work permit. This method requires proving intent for permanent residency, proficiency in the Turkish language for daily needs, and a clean criminal record.

• Marriage: Marrying a Turkish citizen and maintaining this marriage for at least 3 years, along with genuine cohabitation. In this method, investigations are conducted to ensure the marriage is not fraudulent.

• Descent (Jus Sanguinis): Proving that at least one parent (father or mother) was a Turkish citizen at the time of the applicant's birth. This method operates on the "right of blood" principle.

Technical and Administrative Specifications of Passports

Passports issued by Turkey come in different types with varying uses and benefits. Additionally, their validity period and renewal process have specific characteristics that are important for new citizens to know.

Decoding the Colors: Types of Turkish Passports

The Turkish government issues four types of passports, each distinguished by a different color:

• Regular Passport (Umuma Mahsus Pasaport / Bordo Pasaport): This passport with a red (maroon) cover is the standard passport issued to the general public, including individuals who have obtained citizenship through investment. It is the primary document for international travel.

• Special Passport (Hususi Pasaport / Yeşil Pasaport): This green-covered passport is granted to high-level government officials, former members of parliament, civil servants of certain ranks, and some long-serving academics. Its main advantage is the ability to travel visa-free to most European countries and the Schengen Area.

• Service Passport (Hizmet Pasaportu / Gri Pasaport): This grey-covered passport is issued to individuals traveling abroad on official government missions who do not qualify for a diplomatic or special passport.

• Diplomatic Passport (Diplomatik Pasaport / Siyah Pasaport): This black-covered passport is reserved for diplomats, ambassadors, and high-ranking state officials, providing the highest level of immunity and travel privileges.

The existence of the special (green) passport indicates an internal tiering of mobility rights. Although investors receive the regular (red) passport, the existence of a framework for visa-free travel to Europe for a category of citizens can be seen as a positive sign for future negotiations to lift visa requirements for all Turkish citizens.

Validity Period and Renewal Process

One of the practical advantages of the Turkish passport is its long validity period compared to many countries, including Iran.

• Turkish Passport Validity Period: Regular Turkish passports for individuals over 18 can be issued with a maximum validity of 10 years. For individuals under 18, the maximum validity is 5 years. This compares to the standard 5-year validity of an Iranian passport. This longer validity means less administrative hassle, lower renewal costs in the long run, and more stability for international planning. Furthermore, having a long-validity passport is a prerequisite for receiving long-term visas from countries like the US.

• Renewal Process: Renewing a Turkish passport is a standard administrative process that can be done both within Turkey (through Population Directorates) and abroad (through Turkish consulates and embassies). The process is similar to passport renewal procedures in other countries, requiring the submission of identity documents, a biometric photo, and payment of the relevant fees.

Conclusion

A comprehensive analysis of the Turkish passport in 2025 presents a multifaceted picture of a powerful travel document and a strategic asset. For Iranian travelers intending to enter Turkey, the primary message is clear and decisive: regardless of the official 5-month law, the practical procedure and requirement of airlines have made having at least 6 months of passport validity an unavoidable necessity. Ignoring this reality carries the risk of being denied boarding and losing the entire cost of the trip.

From a global power perspective, the Turkish passport, ranking among the top 50 in the world, provides a significant leap in freedom of movement compared to the Iranian passport. This document not only allows visa-free travel to over 116 countries, including major economies in Asia and Latin America, but also strengthens the applicant's position for obtaining visas for Western countries like Canada and the UK. However, the "Schengen Paradox"—the rising visa rejection rate despite the passport's growing strength—shows that geopolitical relations remain a decisive factor in EU visa policies.

The most important strategic advantage of Turkish citizenship is its capability as a "Gateway Asset" to access the E-2 Investor Visa for the United States; a path that is directly closed to citizens of countries like Iran. This feature, combined with benefits such as the right to dual citizenship, the transfer of citizenship to future generations, and exemption from military service for those over 22, makes Turkey's citizenship by investment program an attractive option for long-term family and business planning.

Finally, it must be emphasized that the process of obtaining citizenship, especially through the $400,000 real estate purchase, is a precise legal procedure, not a simple business deal. Success on this path requires meticulous adherence to procedural details, including official property appraisal, transparent fund transfers, and correct document registration. Mistakes in these stages, which are often preventable, are the main reason for many application rejections. Therefore, utilizing expert and independent legal counsel is a critical factor in successfully navigating this process and transforming an investment into a secure, global citizenship.