Turkish Parliament considers expanding green passport eligibility

The Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) is reviewing legislative proposals to expand the scope of special stamped passports, commonly known as green passports. Current proposals aim to grant these travel documents to several professional groups, including doctors, dentists, veterinarians, pharmacists, engineers, certified public accountants, and village or neighborhood headmen (muhtars), provided they meet specific seniority requirements.

Tahir Gülebak, a member of the Press Advertising Agency (BİK) General Assembly and Anadolu Journalists Representative, has called for journalists to be included in these amendments. He argued that journalists frequently face visa delays and difficulties during international assignments, which hinders their ability to report information quickly and accurately. Gülebak urged the media sector to unite in demanding that journalists not be excluded from the new regulations currently being reviewed by the Interior Affairs Commission.