New practice for Schengen visas for Turkish citizens: The Cascade rule

The 'Cascade System,' launched by the European Commission in 2019 and reactivated following the COVID-19 pandemic, introduces a significant change in Schengen visa applications. This system allows applicants to obtain longer-term visas based on their past visa usage. This practice, which has yielded positive results for Turkish citizens especially since 2023, makes it possible to extend visa validity periods up to 5 years.

Visa consultant Gökhan Gökdeniz stated that this system is also valid for Turkish citizens and plays an important role in extending visa durations. Gökdeniz said, "A person who has received three short-term visas in the last two years is granted a one-year visa, someone who has received a one-year visa is granted a two-year visa, and someone who has received a two-year visa is granted a five-year visa." However, he also emphasized that for these periods to be extended, visa holders must not have been involved in any incidents in Europe.

Germany's Consul General in İzmir, Ralf Schröer, stated that this rule is applied to all applicants without exception. Schröer expressed that consultant support does not speed up the process for visa applications. Gökdeniz, on the other hand, said, "It may be useful for those who want to receive consultancy services, but those who prepare their applications themselves can also be successful."

Gökdeniz said that Indian citizens have been able to obtain longer-term visas through the initiatives of the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and he believes similar initiatives could be undertaken for Turkish citizens. He also noted that finding Schengen visa appointments has become difficult and that the Cascade rule should be known by more people.

VISA REJECTION RATES IN TURKEY

CHP Adana Deputy Orhan Sümer brought the issue of Schengen visas to the agenda of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM), stating that Turkey is the country with the highest number of applications after China. Gökdeniz predicted that Turkey's rejection rate is 14.5 percent and that this rate would decrease if the Cascade rule were applied by more people.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THOSE APPLYING FOR A VISA

Offering advice to those who will apply for a visa, Gökdeniz drew attention to the importance of making travel plans in advance and writing a "letter of intent." Stating that "a letter of intent plays a critical role in the positive outcome of visa applications," Gökdeniz emphasized that the public needs to be informed about this matter. He expressed that with the widespread use of long-term visas, visa liberalization could be discussed in the future.

News Source: 12punto