The United Kingdom will soon require Turkish diplomatic passport holders to obtain a visa before traveling, marking a significant shift in policy.
This new rule takes effect on March 11 and will affect ministers, members of parliament, ambassadors, and even the Turkish president. Previously, Turkish officials with diplomatic passports could visit the UK without a visa for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has officially notified the Turkish Grand National Assembly about the change. The only exception to this rule applies to ministers traveling on official duty, who will still be able to enter the UK without a visa under specific conditions.
Visa Process and Fingerprint Requirements
Starting February 18, diplomatic passport holders must apply for a UK visa through the British Embassy and Consulates General in Ankara. Unlike regular travelers, who already require a visa, this change means that high-ranking officials and their families will now go through the same process as ordinary Turkish citizens.
Additionally, every Turkish citizen applying for a UK visa—including those with diplomatic passports—must provide fingerprints. Until now, only a few countries, such as the US, Canada, and Saudi Arabia, required Turkish diplomatic passport holders to obtain a visa. The UK now joins this list.
Impact on Turkish Officials
The decision directly affects members of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM) and ministers, who will no longer enjoy automatic visa exemptions. While those on official government missions may still enter under certain conditions, any minister or parliament member traveling for personal reasons, including family visits or unofficial trips, must secure a visa beforehand.
Diplomatic passports, issued by the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, typically grant visa-free travel to many countries. They are also extended to spouses and children of eligible officials. However, with the UK tightening entry requirements, Turkish officials will now need to follow similar visa application processes as private citizens.
This policy shift underscores the UK’s evolving visa regulations and could have broader implications for diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Schengen Visa Challenges for Affected Turkish Travelers
Beyond the UK’s new visa requirement for Turkish diplomatic passport holders, Turkish travelers are also facing significant difficulties obtaining Schengen visas, particularly for Germany. The waiting period for a German tourist visa (Schengen visa) now ranges from one to seven months, leaving many applicants stranded. In some cases, securing an appointment date alone has become a challenge, with private agencies charging up to €250 for a spot on the earliest available date—often three months away.
For business travelers, students, newlyweds, and job seekers, Germany, home to the largest Turkish diaspora, has become an insurmountable visa wall. The German Embassy in Turkey has reported increased waiting times for various visa types, including family reunification (3 to 11.5 months), work visas (1 to 4 months), and student visas (4+ months). These delays have resulted in missed semesters, lost job opportunities, and disrupted family reunions.
Meanwhile, Germany has been grappling with illegal immigration, with approximately 5,000 Turkish nationals entering the country illegally every month. German authorities have extended visa waiting periods, citing concerns over border security and asylum applications. Ankara has pushed for visa facilitation measures, but no agreement has been reached with Berlin, further exacerbating the backlog.
For many Turkish travelers, the struggle is not just about securing a visa—it’s about navigating an increasingly restrictive system that threatens to limit mobility, disrupt lives, and weaken international connections.
Due to these visa challenges, many Turkish travelers are now shifting their focus to Middle Eastern and Asian destinations, where entry requirements are far more accessible. Countries offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access, such as the UAE, Egypt, Qatar, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia, have become increasingly popular alternatives.
With fewer bureaucratic hurdles and shorter processing times, these destinations are now attracting more Turkish tourists, business travelers, and students who are seeking hassle-free international travel options.
