Passports, residency permits vital to Turkey travel

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Brian Jones
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  Each year, more than 5,000 people arrive and depart Turkey through Incirlik's Passenger Service Terminal. Not having the proper documentation and paperwork can cause delays and possibly cost travelers money. Here to ensure this process goes smoothly are the Turkish Passport Police.

The list of required items for travel includes: North Atlantic Treaty Organization travel orders (for active duty military members), passports (for all other travelers) and residency permits.

The first, and most important, document for active duty members is NATO travel orders. Since the NATO travel order is the member's passport, it should be treated as such.

"Take care of your NATO travel orders," said Ali Riza Temiz, 728th Air Mobility Squadron passenger service agent and translator. "Don't fold them or carry them in your wallet."

Original red-stamped NATO travel orders are required, photo copies are not authorized. In addition, it's important to remember that NATO travel orders expire and expired orders will not be accepted by the Passport Police.

"Members can PCS anytime during their DEROS month, so if your orders expire January fifth and you don't leave until January 11th, your orders are expired and you'll need to get new ones," said Master Sgt. Sonny Delmundo, 728th AMS passenger service terminal superintendent.

For anyone other than active duty military members entering or departing Turkey, a passport is required, including newborns. When entering Turkey, travelers, other than military members and command-sponsored family members, will have to purchase a $20 tourist visa that is good for 90 days. This requirement applies to all civilians regardless of position or travel status.

Whether traveling with a passport or NATO travel orders, officials with the Passport Police remind travelers to get their documents stamped where they first enter the country.

"If you land at another location in Turkey (other than Incirlik), make sure your're red stamped at that airport," said Mr. Temiz. "Without that stamp, there's no proof you're in the country."

The third required document, and often the most overlooked, is residency cards. Family members assigned to Incirlik have 30 days from the time of their arrival to acquire a residency card. After initial arrival, current residency cards are required to leave or re-enter the country.

As with NATO travel orders, residency cards expire. Travelers with residency cards expired more than 15 days will incur a fine.

"For a card expired for one month, an adult will be fined $80," said Mr. Temiz. "Fines increase the longer the card is expired."

People are also reminded to hold onto their residency cards after they out process the base. Travelers without residency cards will be fined $50 plus the amount due for an expired residency card dated back to the last red stamp on their orders or passport.

"If the last time you entered the country was six months ago, you'll be fined back to that date," said Mr. Temiz.

Aside from American travelers, Turkish Nationals who marry Americans and are PCSing with them will have to pay $50 and have a visa issued by the country they're traveling to, or a green card if traveling to the U.S., before being permitted to leave.

Having the proper documentation will ensure smooth travel and the Passport Police will always be available to lend a hand to help Incirlik members.

"They definitely make our job easier," said 1st Lt. Tavis Hundley, 728th AMS officer in charge of the passenger service terminal.

"They are able to get quick answers to people's questions and are very professional and super flexible," he said. "They do everything they can to make sure our people are taken care of."

The Turkish Passport Police and a translator are available to help with documentation issues 24 hours a day, seven days a week and can be reached at 676-6424.