Visa rejection rate exceeds 70 percent: '85 million citizens are practically under a travel ban'

Turkish citizens' plans to travel abroad are being disrupted due to increasing visa obstacles. While rejection rates for visa applications, particularly to the US and European countries, have risen above 70 percent, appointments for the Schengen area are being scheduled months in advance. Due to disruptions in applications and the long-standing high demand, many people are forced to cancel their travels.

SERIOUS REDUCTION IN SCHENGEN APPOINTMENTS

According to information obtained by Sözcü newspaper from agency officials, the increase in the number of people traveling from Turkey to Germany and not returning has led to the restriction of Schengen appointments. The daily appointment quota for Germany has been reduced from 850 to 350. This development has caused great dissatisfaction among citizens wishing to apply.

AGENCIES ARE ALSO HELPLESS

Mehmet Çalışkan, President of the Visa Agencies Association, stated that he has not experienced such a period in his 25 years of experience in the sector, saying: "It is almost impossible to get an appointment from the intermediary firms to which the embassies have delegated the processes. Appointments fill up instantly online, and some are even being sold. Visa fees, including courier and service charges, go up to 250 Euros. If a visa is not granted, these fees are not refunded."

CHP'S ÇAKIRÖZER: 85 MILLION PEOPLE ARE PRACTICALLY UNDER A TRAVEL BAN

CHP Eskişehir Deputy and member of the Turkish Grand National Assembly Foreign Affairs Committee, Utku Çakırözer, drew attention to the increasing visa problems, saying, "Under this government, Turkish citizens have become unable to go beyond Kapıkule. 85 million citizens are practically under a travel ban."

NEW DOCUMENT REQUIREMENTS ARE INCREASING

According to sources close to the government, Schengen applications now require bank statements for the last three months from Turkish companies. It is stated that applications are rejected if these documents are submitted incompletely.

PAID APPOINTMENT PERIOD FOR THE UK

Paid visa applications have become more accessible for those wishing to travel to the United Kingdom. While the number of daily appointments has been increased to 850, applicants who have sufficient funds in their bank accounts and pay 6 thousand pounds can get an appointment for the next day. The majority of these applicants consist of families whose children are studying in England.

TWO COUNTRIES THAT JOINED SCHENGEN ARE ALSO EXPERIENCING DENSITY

Bulgaria and Romania, which fully joined the Schengen Area as of January 1, 2025, are also facing high application demand. The visa process for these two countries has become as challenging as it is for other European countries.

News Source: 12punto