EU prepares for visa-free travel for Saudi Arabia: Turkey's visa rejection rate exceeds 21%
While the European Union is preparing for visa exemptions for citizens of Saudi Arabia, which is governed by Sharia law, Turkey is facing increasing application and rejection rates. In 2023, only 5 percent of applications from Saudi Arabia were rejected, while this rate exceeded 21 percent for Turkish citizens. With the new regulation, Saudi citizens will be able to travel to the Schengen area without a visa.
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The European Union plans to introduce visa exemptions for citizens of Saudi Arabia, which is governed by Sharia law. While citizens in Turkey are avoiding visa applications, Saudi Arabia, with a population of 33 million, will be able to benefit from the travel privileges offered by the Schengen area.
EU Ambassador to Riyadh Christophe Farnaud announced that the goal is to completely lift the visa requirement for short-term visits to the Schengen area.
Farnaud stated, "In April 2024, the European Commission adopted new regulations that allow citizens of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman to obtain five-year multiple-entry visas."
21 PERCENT OF TURKS REJECTED
In 2023, Turkey ranked second after China in the number of Schengen visa applications, with a total of 1 million 55 thousand 885 applications made. Of these applications, 612 thousand 841 resulted in a multiple-entry Schengen visa. The rejection rate rose to 21.7 percent, showing a 6-point increase compared to 2022.
Applications from Turkey increased by 36.5 percent within one year. The highest rejection rate was recorded at the Estonian Embassy in Ankara at 42.5 percent.
Germany's diplomatic missions in Turkey rejected 20.6 percent of applications.
On the other hand, 399 thousand of the 428 thousand visa applications made from Saudi Arabia were accepted and only 25 thousand were rejected, with a rejection rate of approximately 5 percent.
PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN TOURISM EXPANSION
Ambassador Farnaud stated that the new regulation not only provides travel convenience but will also strengthen mutual understanding and human ties between Saudi Arabia and Europe. He also emphasized that Europe plays an important role in Saudi Arabia's tourism expansion.
The updated visa policy is considered a step that encourages cultural interaction and strategic cooperation.
The Ambassador stated that the simplification of the visa process will increase visits between the two sides and support a more inclusive understanding of a global society.