New era in Schengen visas: Gradual visa application is coming

The European Union has announced that it will actively use the "Cascade System," which came into effect in 2019 and has been implemented effectively in recent years, for Schengen visa applications by Turkish citizens. With this system, it is planned to issue longer-term visas to individuals with a history of regular and problem-free visa usage.

BACK ON THE AGENDA AFTER COVID-19

The "Cascade" practice, adopted by the European Commission in 2019, had been suspended for a while due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the system, which was reactivated after 2021, has begun to yield positive results for Turkish citizens since 2023.

GRADUAL VISA APPLICATION

Visa consultant Gökhan Gökdeniz explained in detail how the system works. Accordingly:

Those who have received 3 short-term Schengen visas in the last 2 years are eligible for a 1-year visa,

Those who have received a 1-year visa in the last 2 years are eligible for a 2-year visa,

And those who have received a 2-year visa in the last 2 years can be issued a 5-year Schengen visa.

However, the most important condition for this process to work is that the visas obtained have not been misused. Gökdeniz stated, "Not being involved in any illegal activity in Europe and leaving the country within the visa period are among the fundamental conditions of this system."

According to statistics regarding the visa issue, which was also brought to the agenda in the Turkish Grand National Assembly by CHP Adana Deputy Orhan Sümer, Turkey is the second country to make the most applications for Schengen visas after China. The rejection rate in Turkey is at the level of 14.5 percent. Gökdeniz predicts that as the Cascade system becomes known and applied by more people, this rate will decrease and fall to single digits by 2026.

"CONSULTANCY DOES NOT SPEED UP THE PROCESS"

Touching upon the statement by Germany's Consul General in Izmir, Ralf Schröer, that "Visa consultancy does not speed up the process, everyone is evaluated equally," Gökdeniz stated that he partially agrees with this view. 

THE INDIAN MODEL COULD BE AN EXAMPLE FOR TURKEY

Stating that the issuance of 2-year visas to Indian citizens after 2 short-term visas obtained in the last 2 years was achieved through the initiatives of the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Gökdeniz said that a similar lobbying and diplomatic step should also be taken by Turkey. 

THE CASCADE RULE APPLIES TO EVERYONE

Gökdeniz emphasized that the Cascade system is applied not only to Turkey but to all citizens of countries that need to obtain a Schengen visa. The system scores individuals based on their past visa performance, and the next visa duration is determined accordingly.

Pointing to the recent difficulties in finding visa appointments and the frequent rejections, Gökdeniz stated that if the Cascade system is used effectively, this crisis could be largely overcome.

Offering important advice to citizens who will apply for visas, Gökdeniz said, "Make sure to create your travel plan in advance. Purchase your flight tickets, secure your accommodation, and write a letter of intent."

News Source: 12punto