Schengen appointments on the black market

As the Schengen visa crisis for Turkish citizens grows, even securing an appointment has become a major problem. While visa appointments for Germany and Italy cannot be found in the system, unauthorized intermediary firms are selling appointments they have collectively obtained on the black market. Those who simply want to get an appointment are forced to pay nearly a thousand Euros instead of 45 Euros.

"NO SUITABLE DATE" WARNING APPEARS

According to the report by Ekonomim, transactions attempted through the official application platform iDATA for German and Italian visas have largely come under the control of intermediaries. While appointments for every category, from tourist visas to family reunification, are given months in advance, intermediary firms sell these appointments for fees ranging between 200 and 1,000 Euros. Those who want to get an appointment directly from the official website often encounter a "no suitable date" warning.

INTERMEDIARIES SELL APPOINTMENTS FOR A THOUSAND EUROS

The rate for intermediaries selling appointments in Ankara and İzmir is 200 Euros, while the Istanbul rate is 250 Euros. There are appointments that go up to 1,000 Euros under the name of "Gold" or "VIP" applications. However, iDATA's official service fee is around 45 Euros. Intermediary firms make bulk purchases through the system, pushing ordinary applicants to the background and arbitrarily directing the processes.

NO RESPONSE YET FROM THE GERMAN CONSULATE

The lack of a response from the German Consulate, the inability to question the iDATA system, and fraud incidents involving fake emails are deepening the crisis. While those waiting for family reunification, students, and business people wait for months, millions of Euros are changing hands in an unregistered manner. Not only are the fees paid by those whose visas are rejected not refunded, but the reasons for the rejection are also not explained.

News Source: 12punto