Official statement released: Are the claims that the UK will impose visa restrictions on Turkey true?
The United Kingdom will implement a new visa regulation for diplomatic passport holders as part of its global policy. The change was not characterized as a measure specific to Turkey.
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Official sources emphasized that the new Diplomatic Visa Arrangement (DVA) applies to all countries and does not contain any 'special steps' directed at Turkey. Reports had appeared in the Turkish press suggesting that the implementation was specific to Turkey. The United Kingdom announced that it will launch a facilitated visa process for diplomatic passport holders starting March 11, 2025.
Minister for Migration Seema Malhotra announced in a statement in September 2024 that the Diplomatic Visa Waivers (DVWs) program has ended and has been replaced by the DVA, which offers a free application process. Within this scope, a 'visitor visa' will be issued to diplomatic passport holders. Officials emphasized that the implementation was carried out within the framework of the 'modernization of global border policies.'
According to the report by Begüm Tunakan from Euronews, a new category called 'VIP Delegate Visa' has been created alongside the DVA. Accordingly, delegations accompanying heads of state will be limited to a maximum of 20 people, while delegations for ministerial-level visits will be limited to 10 people.
It was stated that the visa aims to 'ensure that official contacts are conducted in an orderly and secure manner.'
The country has also launched the 'Universal Travel Permission' application, which introduces a requirement for all visitors to obtain 'pre-authorization' before travel. It was stated that this system was designed on a global scale to increase border security.