The struggle for Turkish citizens to secure Schengen visas has escalated from a personal hurdle to a societal challenge. Many Turks seek to travel to Europe for work, tourism, or education, investing millions of euros annually in visa applications. Unfortunately, they encounter high rejection rates.
High Costs and Complex Processes
As of 2024, Turkish applicants pay an average of €90 ($97.30) for a Schengen visa application. However, this initial fee often swells due to additional expenses such as agency fees, insurance, document translations, and service charges. The total cost can range from €150 to €200, and in some cases, it may soar to €400 when factoring in services like VIP visa options. Each year, Turkish citizens collectively spend over €80 million on these applications. Yet, about 22 out of every 100 applicants face rejection.
The financial burden becomes heavier for those whose visas are denied. Fees paid for rejected applications are non-refundable, resulting in a loss of millions of euros each year. The emotional toll and social ramifications of these rejections are also significant.
Rising Rejection Rates
In 2023, Turkish applicants faced a rejection rate of 21.7% for Schengen visas, a stark contrast to the 1% rejection rate for U.S. citizens. The reasons behind these rejections are often unclear or inadequately explained.
Obtaining a visa appointment has emerged as another significant obstacle. Many applicants endure long waits, sometimes struggling to secure an appointment at all. This situation adversely affects business professionals, tourists, and students, preventing them from attending planned events and placing strain on travel agencies that facilitate overseas tourism.
Even applicants with complete documentation face arbitrary delays or rejections, undermining trust in the Schengen system.
Impediments to Universal Travel
The long wait times, high costs, and significant rejection rates illustrate that Turkish citizens struggle to attain the universal right to travel. While Schengen countries should support this right, the current situation feels discriminatory toward Turkish nationals.
In 2023, the top five countries for Schengen visa applications were:
- China (1,117,360 applications)
- Turkey (1,055,885 applications)
- India (966,687 applications)
- Morocco
- Russia
Conversely, the countries with the easiest Schengen visa approvals in 2024, based on 2023 rejection rates, included:
- Iceland (2.2%)
- Switzerland (10.7%)
- Latvia (11.7%)
- Italy (12%)
- Luxembourg (12.7%)
- Lithuania (12.8%)
- Slovakia (12.9%)
- Germany (14.3%)
- Austria (14.3%)
- Greece (14.7%)
- Poland (14.8%)
- Hungary (15.1%)
Migration Issues in Turkey
Turkey has seen a significant influx of refugees from countries like Syria and Afghanistan over the past decade. Some refugees have gained Turkish citizenship, which has raised security concerns among Schengen nations. Authorities in these countries argue that stricter security measures are necessary to address applications from individuals with unclear backgrounds.
Consequently, even prominent individuals—such as artists, doctors, and academics—are sometimes denied visas for reasons like “insufficient travel purpose” or “lack of return guarantee.”
Diplomatic Efforts and Proposals
The Turkish government continues to engage in diplomatic discussions with the EU, highlighting that security concerns and lengthy processes unjustly impact its citizens. One proposal involves establishing a joint information-sharing network to enhance transparency in security screenings, making the visa process more efficient.
Economic and Societal Impacts
As Schengen access becomes more challenging for artists, academics, and business professionals, cultural and economic ties with Europe are weakened. This disconnect could hinder Turkey’s ability to participate in collaborative projects in the future.
The Turkish economy is also feeling the pinch as professional engagements falter due to visa restrictions. Istanbul Chamber of Commerce President Sekib Avdagic emphasized that limiting access to European markets ultimately harms Turkish businesses, as they resort to purchasing from countries like China instead.
While Turkey continues to set records in attracting tourists, the number of Turks traveling abroad is also on the rise. According to the Turkish Statistical Institute, over 11 million citizens traveled abroad in 2023, spending approximately $7 billion. This trend is expected to continue, with projections indicating that over 12 million Turks will travel abroad by the end of 2024.
Regional Instability and Its Effects
The recent conflict between Israel and Palestine has heightened tensions across the Middle East, increasing the risk of broader conflict. As Hezbollah engages with Israel, the potential for Iranian involvement poses additional geopolitical challenges for Turkey.
Turkey aims to maintain peaceful relations in the region but must navigate the heightened risks that conflicts present, especially near its borders. This situation necessitates considerable diplomatic efforts to balance relations with various parties.
The ongoing instability may also impact Turkey’s foreign trade and tourism sectors. The tourism industry, a vital source of foreign currency, could face significant revenue losses if security concerns deter visitors.
Conclusion
As instability rises in the Middle East, Turkey confronts new challenges regarding security, economy, and diplomacy. The potential for escalating conflicts requires strategic and diplomatic maneuvers to minimize the crisis’s impact. Strengthening security policies and exploring alternative tourism markets may help Turkey weather these uncertain times more effectively.
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