Green Passport expected to boost business travel by 20%

The "green passport" scheme, which exporters have been anticipating with great enthusiasm, has officially launched. Under a decision published in the Official Gazette, authorized representatives of companies with annual average export volumes exceeding a threshold set by the Council of Ministers over the past three years will receive green passports valid for 2 years. The decision, which is bringing positive momentum to exports, will benefit 10,784 companies, with 13,915 individuals becoming green passport holders. Murat Akyüz, Coordinator President of İMMİB, stated that exporters freed from visa obstacles will experience at least a 20 percent increase in international travel.

Amendment to the Passport Law No. 5682 was made to support exports. Thus, the green passport scheme for authorized representatives of companies with exports exceeding 1 million dollars has officially begun.

According to the Council of Ministers' Decision on Principles Regarding the Issuance of Special Passports to Exporters; based on the past 3 calendar years, companies with annual average exports of 1-10 million dollars will receive one green passport for authorized representatives, those between 10-25 million dollars will receive two, those between 25-50 million dollars will receive three, those between 50-100 million dollars will receive four, and those exceeding 100 million dollars will receive five green passports for authorized representatives. The decision on green passports was welcomed at İMMİB, which generates approximately 30 percent of Turkey's exports. İMMİB, the largest of 13 Exporter Associations General Secretariats nationwide and serving under its roof 6 Exporter Associations, works with all its might to contribute to Turkey's economic growth and boost its exports. Exporters who deliver their products to many countries worldwide are overcoming visa problems, one of the major obstacles they face, with the green passport. Noting that the green passport scheme holds critical importance for exporters who spend half their time abroad, İMMİB Coordinator President Murat Akyüz stated: "The launch of the green passport scheme, which our exporters have eagerly awaited since it was first discussed, is wonderful news for all of us. We have started 2017 very well; as our exports were rising, this decision will serve as a driving force and will take our exports to much higher levels. We estimate that our exporters, freed from visa difficulties, will increase their international travel by at least 20 percent. In previous periods, our exporters suffered commercial losses due to delays in visa processing. The green passport scheme, which enables visa-free travel to many countries in the world, has been a very valuable step for us. On behalf of our exporters, we thank everyone who contributed to this decision, particularly our Ministry of Economy."