Travel Glossary

What is an E-passport / Biometric Passport?

*Please note that the information on this page is intended for the use of citizens of the Republic of Turkey.

E-passport, electronic passport or biometric passport is the international travel document with identity details such as passport number, name, surname, nationality, and date of birth, as well as an electronic microprocessor chip containing data such as fingerprints, photos, and signatures. Biometric passports are scanned through special devices.

E-passports, together with the codes developed, are much more effective against passport fraud than traditional passports.  E-passports, a new biometric passport containing all the information available in traditional passports, are designed to lighten the workload at passport checkpoints. Thanks to e-passports, the control system powered by the labor force is aimed to become an autonomous system in the future. 

How to apply for an E-passport? (for Turkish citizens)

You can submit your application through a system coordinated by the Ministry of Interior and the General Directorate of Security. After setting the appropriate day on the e-passport appointment page, you can go to your district police department and continue with your new passport application process. These passports make life easier, especially for those who frequently travel abroad and for the ones working at the checkpoints. Electronic passports that can be used instead of all types of passports (special, regular, service and diplomatic passports) provide high-level confidentiality and practicality for keeping personal details in addition to an electronic system that can only be read by a chip system belongs to security offices. 

Biometric Passport Fees 

You can visit the relevant page for electronic passport fees.

Necessary Documents for E-passport Application (for Turkish citizens)

Once you have submitted your application online for an electronic passport, you need to prepare some documents depending on the type of passport you have.

- For Regular Passport

• ID with Republic Of Turkey identification number on it 
• 2 biometric photographs (taken within the last 6 months) 
• Old passports will be canceled 
• Receipt of passport book fee 
• Receipt of passport fee 

- For Special Passport

• The passport request form and the authorized person-approved signatory circulars sent by the institution where the officer works, 
• ID with Republic of Turkey identification number on it 
• Fingerprint 
• Receipt of payment of passport fee
• 2 biometric photographs (taken within the last 6 months)

- For Service Passport

• Passport request form approved by the institution that the applicant works
• ID with T Republic of Turkey identification number on it
• 2 biometric photographs (taken within the last 6 months)
• Receipt of passport book fee 
• Old passports will be canceled 

- For Diplomatic Passport

• ID with Republic of Turkey identification number on it
• Receipt of diplomatic e-passport book fee
• 2 biometric photographs (taken within the last 6 months)