Turkey Considers Granting Doctors a Special Visa-Free Passport

Members of the Turkish parliament have proposed a new bill that would grant doctors and dentists working in the private sector the right to obtain the so-called “green passport,” which allows holders to travel to many countries without the need for a prior visa.

The proposal aims to expand the privileges granted to medical professionals, especially those working outside the public sector, in an effort to support them professionally and facilitate their participation in international medical conferences and events.

What Are the Requirements for Obtaining the Green Passport for Doctors in Turkey?

According to the details of the draft law, this privilege will not be available to all doctors, but will be subject to several basic conditions, including:

• The doctor or dentist must have worked for at least 15 years in private healthcare institutions
• The applicant must not have been sentenced to one year or more in prison for intentional crimes

These conditions aim to ensure that the privilege is granted to professionals with long experience and a clean professional record in the healthcare sector.

Official recognition of the role of doctors in Turkey’s healthcare sector

The explanatory notes attached to the bill state that doctors working in the private sector provide services that are no less important than their counterparts in public institutions, which calls for equal privileges that reflect the state’s appreciation of their role in serving society.

The proposal also notes that the nature of medical work requires continuous access to the latest scientific and technological developments, making travel to conferences and training programs essential rather than merely an additional benefit.

The initiative comes at a time when Turkey’s healthcare sector is facing increasing challenges, including rising professional pressure and the migration of doctors to other countries in search of better opportunities.

Supporters of the bill believe that granting doctors a green passport could strengthen their sense of professional belonging and provide additional benefits that help reduce the outflow of medical talent abroad, especially amid growing global competition for healthcare professionals.

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