New System for Foreigners in Subscriptions
Official titleRegulation on Amending the Regulation on the Procedure for Verifying the Applicant's Identity in the Electronic Communications Sector
Identity verification procedures in the electronic communications sector have been updated, and new e-Government and mobile verification channels have been defined for foreign nationals through the Directorate General of Migration Management and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Details of the Regulation
With the regulatory amendment made by the Information Technologies and Communication Authority (BTK), the identity verification processes applied to applications for electronic communications services have been revised. The technical security standards of contact (TEKB) and contactless (YAKB) electronic identity documents have been brought into compliance with international levels (EAL4+). In addition to methods such as the e-Government Gateway, video verification with artificial intelligence/authorized personnel, and fingerprint summary, the process has been diversified with newly added channels.
In particular, to prevent grievances experienced by foreign nationals who do not have a chipped Turkish identity card or a compatible travel document, an identity verification infrastructure has been established through the systems of the Presidency of Migration Management and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Foreign nationals will be able to transact through the Migration Management mobile application by comparing live facial data with official photographs, or diplomatic mission employees will be able to transact through e-Government with Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmation. In addition, the file size limit of video recordings saved during face-to-face transactions has been reduced from 10 MB to 2 MB for data conservation purposes.
Questions You Might Have
- I am a foreign national, what will I do if I do not have my new chipped identity card when purchasing a phone line?
- You can get instant approval by logging into the Presidency of Migration Management mobile application and having your live facial image matched with your photo in the system.
- Why was the size limit of verification videos taken at the dealer during subscription reduced?
- By reducing the file size limit from 10 MB to 2 MB, both the consumption of your mobile internet quota was prevented and the transaction approval speed at the dealer was increased.
- When will these new identity verification rules start to apply?
- All amendments will officially enter into force as of June 25, 2026.
Key Terms
- TEKB (Temaslı Elektronik Kimlik Belgesi)
- An official identity card whose information can be read by establishing physical contact via the chip on it.
- YAKB (Yakın Alan İletişimli Elektronik Kimlik Belgesi)
- A new generation identity card or passport that can be scanned and verified wirelessly from a short distance thanks to NFC technology.
- EAL4+
- An international high assurance standard rating that determines the security level of information technology products.
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REGAS Commentary
Identity verification obstacles experienced by foreigners who want to open a new phone line or start an internet subscription in Turkey are being overcome through inter-institutional integration. For regular citizens, the file size of videos taken during subscription at physical dealers will be reduced, ensuring that transactions are completed faster.