Turkey lifts restrictions on official passport holders

By Izzet Taskiran

ISTANBUL (AA) – Turkey lifted Wednesday restrictions on holders of green and service (grey) passports, enabling them to travel abroad without having to submit written approval from their employers.

The restrictions had been placed as part of the state of emergency measures announced in the aftermath of last year’s July 15 defeated coup attempt.

Holders of official passports, who are able to travel visa-free to some countries, will no longer have to prove they are not under any travel restrictions.

The Cabinet had ruled on Oct. 30 that the extra procedures needed for green and service passport holders wishing to travel abroad would be lifted as of Nov. 15.