How to Integrate HES Code to Istanbul Card for Foreigners?

Within the scope of Covid-19 precautions in Turkey, mass transportation is organized in many cities of Turkey today. Today, in order to travel with Istanbul Card, which is used for mass transportation in Istanbul, where more than 15 million people live, you must have a valid HES code and integrate this code on your card. Previously, we have listed what you need to do to get HES code on “How to get HES Code for Foreigners?” blog post. In this blog post, we will mention about how the HES codes they receive for foreigners who live in Istanbul and have an ID number starting with 99 can be integrated and validated on their Istanbul Cards. We want to remind you that those who do not have a valid HES code on their Istanbul cards cannot use metro, metrobus, bus, tram, cable car, etc. in Istanbul. They are not allowed to travel by public transport. If you want to travel within the city with your Istanbul Card, you must integrate this code on your Istanbul card.

I don’t Have HES Code, How can I Get it?

Again, we want to remember that you must have a valide HES code to make integration to your İstanbul Card. Firstly, you need to go to the Short Message Service (SMS) part of your phone, type HES and write your foreign identity number starting with 99, leaving a space, and write your birth year by leaving a space. You must send this message to 2023 as an SMS. For example :

Write HES  99999999999 1987 and send to 2023.

An SMS will be enough to get your HES code. Then, you can enter your HES code, which will come to your phone, by showing your HES code as a code or as a QR code to the security guards at the entrance in places such as shopping malls, government offices, where HES code is obligatory in Turkey.

How can I Integrate HES Code to Istanbul Card?

If you have a valid foreigner identification number starting with 99 and received a valid HES code, you need to match your HES code with your Istanbul Card. First of all, you should visit this address, you will see a form like the one below. Here, you can define your HES code to your card in the system by performing security verification together with the required ID number (identity number), name and surname, date of birth, e-mail address, Istanbul Card number, mobile phone number and HES code.

If you complete this form, your Istanbul Card and HES code will be integrated. In addition, we would like to remind that foreigners who do not have a valid identification number can define HES codes to their Istanbul Cards with their Passport numbers. For this, click “I am a foreigner, I want to continue by my passport number.” You should tick the box and fill in the revised form accordingly. No mobile phone number is requested from foreigners who will define HES codes with the help of these matching procedures.

If you are a foreigner living in Istanbul and you have questions about matching your HES code with your Istanbul Card, you can send your questions to us in the comments section.