Hi Robertsmits,

""Can anyone explain the difference between ordinary and official passport holders?
Rob.""

Let me explain it according to the international aggreements our government has done with 198 countries.All countries sign visa statements with each country on the world one by one under 4 headlines.(what you get is what you give)

Ordinary passport.:every citizen can get it..price some expensive and includes some taxes..weak and unflexible against visa procedures.You need visa for many countries if your country doesnt have a free visa agreement.

Official passport: Red,grey,green.

Green..: given to high rank officers by the government.(In Turkey 1.st deg. government officiers)..its free..You need visa for less countries..
Grey..: Given to sportsmen for international competitions or those who has been appointed by the government for international official meetings..Has the same power with the green one..
Red....:Given to all elected members of parliament,ministers,mayors,generals forever covering their wives and children even after they are retired or not elected again..needs no visa for all countries.(except 5 for Turkey)

VISA...:
There are 3 types of visas.
Which one you need depends on the agreement your country has done with the country you will visit)

normal...: expensive fee..application must be done in the home country..many documents must be included at each application..needs some time to get it..

against stamp fee..: You can get it at the bordergates very fast..cheap..no documents..

free visa stamp......: you can get it at the bordergates very fast..free.. no documents..

Visa stamp on your passport never gives a guaranty for you to enter that country..At the bordergate, head officier may not let you in.Or even you dont have visa, head officier may let you in against bordergate stamp..Here the most important thing is how you express yourself..

After so many personal experiences(over 2.500.000 km.travel,all europe,all north africa and half of asia), the tips for this stage I can give are..:
1-Be gentle and calm.
2-Look happy and excited to be in that country.
3-Keep your documents clean and in order.
4-Learn how to say hello and how are you in the local language..
5-The colours of their wearings may be a start of a good talk about a local football team which has same colours during the first 2-3 minutes while your procedure is being done.
6-If you feel there will be a problem, give some stickers and small gifts.
If not satisfying, some small bribery..If problem continues, get you passport back at once not to get a red stamp..Never continue discussing.
7-Express yourself well and friendly..Don't forget, you are always representing your country also.

Wish you all the best.
mehmet zeki.

__________________
Mehmet Zeki Avar
''Borderlines divide countries,HU friendship finds a way to reunited"
https://www.facebook.com/mehmet.avar.12?ref=tn_tnmn