Visa Challenges for Turkish Citizens: A Growing Crisis in Global Mobility

From Bureaucratic Hurdles to Diplomatic Strains: Why It’s Becoming Harder for Turks to Travel Abroad

The Growing Visa Crisis in Turkey

For millions of Turkish citizens, securing a visa has become one of the most challenging aspects of planning international travel. Whether for business, education, cultural events, or leisure, the visa application process has turned into a seemingly insurmountable obstacle.

Recent data shows a sharp increase in visa rejections for Turkish applicants. In 2022, approximately 70% of Turkish citizens applying for European visas were approved. Today, this number has dropped dramatically, with nearly half of all applications being denied. Students miss their university orientations, businesspeople fail to attend critical meetings, artists are unable to perform at international events, and academic research is disrupted.

Even those with impeccable financial records, spotless travel histories, or strong institutional backing face unexplained rejections. As Seyit Ardıç, Chairman of the Ankara Chamber of Industry, recently put it: “Visa issues have now surpassed financial troubles for Turkish industrialists. We are ready to provide guarantees if needed, but this problem must be resolved.”

A Historical Perspective: How Did We Get Here?

Visas as a concept have been around for centuries, evolving alongside geopolitics, transportation, and globalisation. Initially used in medieval times to control movement during plagues or prevent serf escapes, visas became more formalised in the early 20th century.

The modern visa system began after World War I, with the UK introducing its first foreigner restrictions in 1905 to deter Eastern European and Jewish immigrants fleeing upheaval in Russia. By the mid-20th century, passports and visas were standard requirements for international travel.

For Turkey, the post-World War II era initially brought significant mobility. Turkey signed mutual visa waiver agreements with key European countries like France and Germany. However, this liberal period ended in 1980 when Europe, citing concerns over political refugees after Turkey’s military coup, reintroduced visa requirements.

By the early 2000s, Turkey’s efforts to join the European Union included promises of visa liberalisation, but these have yielded little progress. Instead, Turkish citizens now face the most challenging visa processes in decades.

Why Has the Visa Process Become So Difficult?

Several factors have contributed to the growing challenges Turkish citizens face when applying for visas:

• Increased Rejection Rates: Schengen visa statistics show a notable rise in rejections, with Finland, for instance, rejecting a significant proportion of applications in recent years. While European countries claim this isn’t politically motivated, the timing coincides with Turkey’s strained diplomatic relations with the EU.
• Stringent Documentation Requirements: Turkish applicants must now provide extensive documentation, including financial statements, detailed travel itineraries, and sometimes even proof of family ties or property ownership.
• Delays and Bureaucracy: Applicants report months-long waiting periods for appointments and delayed processing times. For instance, Italian consulates have come under fire for failing to process thousands of student visa applications on time, leaving students unable to attend classes.
• Diplomatic Stalemates: The 2016 EU-Turkey migration agreement promised visa-free travel for Turkish citizens in exchange for Turkey’s efforts to control migration flows into Europe. However, little progress has been made, leading to further resentment and bureaucratic tightening.

The Impact on Everyday Lives

The consequences of these visa challenges are felt across various segments of Turkish society:

• Students and Academics: Turkish students seeking to study abroad are some of the hardest hit. In one striking example, hundreds of students protested outside the Italian Consulate in Istanbul after waiting months for their visas. Many missed critical orientation periods at their universities.
• Businesspeople: Exporters and industrialists complain that visa difficulties disrupt trade and international partnerships. Trade fairs and business meetings often go unattended due to an inability to secure timely visas.
• Cultural Figures: Artists and performers frequently face rejections or delays, forcing them to cancel appearances at international festivals and events.
• Tourists: Even for leisure travel, the uncertainty of visa approval leaves many hesitant to plan trips.

The UK’s Visa Process: A Mixed Bag

While the UK is no longer part of the Schengen Zone, it remains a popular destination for Turkish citizens. Compared to other European countries, the UK’s visa process offers slightly more flexibility, but it still comes with its own set of challenges:

• Invitation Letters and Financial Proof: Applicants must demonstrate strong financial backing and often require official invitation letters for short-term visits.
• Ease of Appointments: Unlike many European countries, visa appointments for the UK are easier to secure, with shorter processing times.
• Green Passport Limitations: Turkey’s green passport, which provides visa-free access to many countries, is not valid for the UK. Additionally, a UK visa only grants entry to the UK and does not extend to other destinations.

On the positive side, the UK remains open to highly skilled professionals and students. Programmes like the Skilled Worker visa and recruitment drives for healthcare workers address critical shortages, providing opportunities for Turkish doctors, engineers, and other professionals. However, for tourists and non-professionals, the process remains complex and costly.

Italy’s Visa Crisis: A Case Study

Italy’s visa processes have become emblematic of the broader challenges faced by Turkish citizens. In late 2023, hundreds of Turkish students protested outside the Italian Consulate in Istanbul. Many had submitted their applications months earlier, only to face delays and poor communication.

One student reported that despite completing all requirements, they were treated dismissively by consular staff, enduring long waits without resolution. The situation escalated to such an extent that protests garnered international attention, with Italian advocacy groups in Venice showing solidarity.

While Italian officials have promised to expedite pending applications, the underlying issues remain unresolved, leaving many students and professionals questioning Italy’s commitment to fair treatment.

What Can Be Done to Address the Crisis?

To alleviate the growing visa tensions, several measures could be considered:

• Streamlining the Process: European consulates could improve efficiency by increasing staff and simplifying documentation requirements for low-risk applicants.
• Diplomatic Engagement: Turkey and the EU need to renew efforts to address the root causes of the crisis, including revisiting the 2016 migration agreement.
• Improved Transparency: Clear communication from consulates and the introduction of tracking systems for visa applications would reduce uncertainty and frustration.

For Turkish citizens, navigating the visa maze has become an expensive and time-consuming ordeal. As the global mobility landscape becomes increasingly restrictive, addressing these challenges will require diplomatic efforts, procedural reforms, and mutual goodwill between Turkey and its international partners.