ISTANBUL, June 27 — Türkiye has introduced new regulations allowing financial institutions to conduct remote identity verification for foreign nationals as part of broader efforts to strengthen the fight against money laundering, terrorist financing, and financial crime.
The new framework, published by the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK), extends remote customer identification procedures beyond Turkish citizens, enabling banks and other obligated financial institutions to verify the identities of foreign nationals through secure digital channels while applying enhanced anti-money laundering (AML) controls.
Under the regulation, institutions carrying out remote onboarding must verify customers’ identities through live video sessions and technological authentication tools, including checks against official government databases where available. The measures are intended to improve the security of digital financial services while reducing the risk of identity fraud and illicit financial activity.
The updated rules also require institutions to apply enhanced due diligence in higher-risk cases, including customers identified as foreign politically exposed persons (PEPs). Authorities said the amendments are designed to bring Türkiye’s AML framework closer to international standards and recommendations issued by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
Officials said expanding remote identity verification to foreign nationals will simplify access to financial services for international customers while maintaining strict compliance requirements. Financial institutions are expected to implement the updated procedures as part of their digital customer onboarding systems in accordance with MASAK guidelines.
Source: Patronlar Dünyası/ Prepared by: İlayda Gök