Important Travel & Competition Preparations 

As we get closer to the FIRST® Tech Challenge Istanbul Premier Event, we wanted to share a few important reminders and preparations to help make your travel and competition experience as smooth as possible. 

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REMINDER 1 — AWARD SUBMISSIONS
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Award submissions are now officially open!

Team portfolios will be collected online. You can now submit your Team Portfolios online by clicking on the link below. Please rename your file as team number_team name_tportfolio. 

https://forms.gle/CLHzR3Tf5DfAzwqq6

Team Portfolio Submission Deadline — June 12, 2026

For Compass Award submissions, use the link below. Please rename your file as team number_team name_compass.

https://forms.gle/XnxHefs73itF3QqAA

Compass Award Submission Deadline — June 10, 2026

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REMINDER 2 — ATA CARNET & CUSTOMS PREPARATION
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What is an ATA Carnet?

An ATA Carnet is an internationally recognized customs document that works like a “passport” for your robot and technical equipment. It allows teams to temporarily bring items such as robots, laptops, batteries, tools, and spare parts across international borders without paying import taxes or customs duties.

Why is it Important?

Without an ATA Carnet, customs authorities may classify your equipment as commercial imports. This can result in significant customs fees, delays at the airport, or even temporary confiscation of equipment.

For this reason, we strongly recommend that all international teams traveling with competition equipment begin the ATA Carnet process as early as possible.

 Important Reminders

 Prepare a Detailed Equipment List

Teams must prepare a complete inventory of all items being transported, including:
• Robot parts and assemblies
• Batteries and chargers
• Laptops and electronics
• Tools and spare parts

Please make sure your list includes serial numbers and, where applicable, approximate item values.

 Apply Early

ATA Carnets are typically issued through your local Chamber of Commerce and may require a refundable security deposit. Processing times vary by country, so we highly encourage teams to begin this process as soon as possible. To ease your process, you may work with a local customs broker in your country.

Do Not Miss Customs Stamps

When traveling, teams must visit the Customs Office at the airport before check-in to receive the necessary ATA Carnet stamps:

• When leaving your country
•  Upon arrival in Türkiye
• When departing Türkiye
• Upon returning home

Missing a customs stamp may result in financial penalties or loss of your security deposit.

Keep All Equipment & Broken Parts

Please do not throw away damaged or broken robot parts during the event. All items listed on your ATA Carnet are expected to return with your team, including non-functioning components.

If you need guidance regarding ATA Carnet preparation or equipment documentation, please feel free to contact us — we would be happy to help.

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REMINDER 3 — GENERAL DATA PROTECTION REGULATION (GDPR) FORMS
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All teams are required to bring completed and signed copies of the Turkish version of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Form during event registration. 

Each team member must complete the form individually.

You can read the English version of the GDPR form by scanning the QR code on the second page of the form. 

Please note that the English version is provided only to assist you in understanding the contents of the document. According to Turkish law, documents in languages other than Turkish are not valid, excluding internationally recognized documents. Please make sure that all signed GDPR forms you bring are the Turkish version.

Important!

For participants under the age of 18, the GDPR form must also include the signature of a parent or legal guardian.

Please Note

Teams will not be able to complete on-site event registration if any participant’s GDPR form is missing or incomplete. To avoid delays during check-in at the pit admin, we strongly recommend preparing all forms before traveling to Türkiye.

You can access the Fikret Yüksel Foundation GDPR Form here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Yp-H9_j36Or-dme8rV8761wbsi_qjcKa/view

Important Note: While we may refer to this document as a GDPR form for ease of communication, teams must complete and sign only the Turkish data protection document provided below. This document is prepared in accordance with Türkiye’s Personal Data Protection Law (KVKK), which serves a similar purpose to the GDPR. Please do not submit any alternative GDPR or data protection forms from your own organization or country.

• Also each teams should give a list of team members including mentors (team roster). If your team is unable to access your official roster through the FIRST Dashboard, please complete, print, and bring the roster sheet below during team registration.

  Please note that this roster sheet must be submitted together with your GDPR (KVKK) documents at registration.

  Roster Sheet: https://ftcpremier.ist/roster

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REMINDER 4 — TRAVEL INSURANCE RECOMMENDATION
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While travel insurance is not mandatory for participation, we strongly recommend that all teams obtain international travel insurance before traveling to Türkiye.

Travel insurance can help provide a smoother and more secure travel experience by offering coverage for situations such as:
• Medical emergencies
• Flight delays or cancellations
• Lost luggage or personal belongings
• Unexpected travel disruptions

Please note that an ambulance and professional medical crew will be available on-site throughout the competition to provide immediate assistance in case of emergencies during the event.

However, personal travel insurance remains the responsibility of each team and participant and is highly recommended for additional support and protection during international travel.

We encourage teams to review their insurance coverage carefully before departure to ensure a safe and comfortable event experience for all participants.

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REMINDER 5 — VISA REQUIREMENTS FOR TÜRKİYE
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As the FTC Istanbul Premier Event will welcome teams from more than 20 different countries, visa requirements may vary depending on your nationality.

Please note that some visa applications may require additional processing time or supporting documents. To avoid any travel issues or delays, we strongly recommend starting the visa process as early as possible.

Teams can review Türkiye’s official visa information and application procedures through the following website: https://www.mfa.gov.tr/visa-information-for-foreigners.en.mfa

If your team requires any event-related documents or support letters for visa applications, please do not hesitate to contact us. We will do our best to assist you throughout the process.

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REMINDER 6 — ROBOT PARTS & SPARE EQUIPMENT
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Teams are strongly encouraged to carefully prepare all robot parts, spare components, tools, batteries, and repair equipment before traveling to the FTC Istanbul Premier Event.

Please note that there will not be an official spare parts station at the event venue. For this reason, we highly recommend that teams bring all critical replacement parts and equipment they may need throughout the competition weekend.

Travel & Transportation Requirements

Before departure, please make sure to review your airline and country-specific travel regulations regarding:
• Batteries and chargers
• Electronic equipment
• Tools and mechanical parts

Different airlines and countries may have specific restrictions regarding robotics equipment.

Need Help Finding Parts?

If your team is unable to bring certain components or is looking for specific robot parts during your stay in Istanbul, we encourage you to connect with local FTC teams in Türkiye before the event. Many Turkish FTC teams may be able to assist with guidance or locally available parts.

We highly recommend planning ahead carefully to ensure your team is fully prepared for a smooth competition experience.

If you have any questions regarding travel, logistics, registration, or competition preparation, please do not hesitate to contact us at any time. We are always happy to assist you.

For immediate communication, please use our direct WhatsApp line using this link: https://wa.me/905413457389