Why Are Turkish Schengen Visa Applicants Getting Rejected in Record Numbers?
Recent data shows that an increasing number of Turkish citizens are seeing their Schengen visa applications rejected. Turkiye has the second largest number of Schengen visa applicants, just after Russia. But over the past few years, their rejection rate has skyrocketed. A Turkish tourism body official says in the first 6 months of this year, 50% of Turkish visa applications were denied.
Less than a decade ago, the visa rejection rate stood at just 4%. But today, even getting a visa appointment has proven much more difficult compared to previous years. Prominent Turkish academics, students and artists have taken to social media to voice their frustration. We spoke to several applicants outside a visa centre in Istanbul, about their experience of trying to obtain a Schengen visa in this climate.
Guests:
Mert Can Bayram
Founder of Cebeci and Bayram Law Firm
Paolo von Schirach
President of the Global Policy Institute
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