Turkey implements new regulations for foreign school students and digital documentation

The Turkish Ministry of National Education (MEB) has introduced a new regulation regarding students enrolled in unauthorized foreign schools. To prevent educational disruptions and protect student rights, the Ministry will now issue equivalence certificates to students from these schools who wish to transfer to official or private Turkish schools. This measure is intended to facilitate a smooth transition and prevent grievances, though the Ministry clarified that issuing these certificates does not imply legal recognition of the unauthorized schools themselves. Applications for these equivalence documents must be submitted by December 31, 2026.

Separately, students in Turkey can now access official student documentation digitally via the e-Devlet portal. University students can obtain verified documents through the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) service, while primary and secondary students can use the Ministry of National Education (MEB) service. These barcode-enabled PDF documents can be used for various official purposes, such as scholarship applications, internships, and transportation, without the need to visit educational institutions in person.