Fingerprints Will Be Taken from Africa to Turkey with Visa

New Biometric Requirements for Turkish Visas in Africa

Turkey is introducing a mandatory fingerprinting system for visa applicants from African countries. This policy change aims to enhance national security and improve the management of migration. Deputy Minister of Interior and Ministry Spokesperson İsmail Çataklı announced that the infrastructure for this system is now fully established and tested.

The decision comes as Turkey continues to host the highest number of immigrants globally. With approximately 4 million foreigners currently residing in the country, the government is seeking more robust ways to track and identify individuals entering its borders.

Addressing the Challenge of Irregular Migration

A significant challenge for Turkish authorities is the transition from regular to irregular migration. Many individuals arrive in Turkey using valid visas. However, some of these visitors later destroy their passports and identification documents. This tactic is often used to prevent deportation or to claim asylum under false identities.

When these individuals are caught, they often claim they fled their home countries due to war or persecution. Without a passport or biometric record, verifying these claims is difficult. The new fingerprinting system solves this problem by creating a digital identity record at the time of the visa application.

How the Fingerprint System Works

The biometric system is integrated into the visa issuance process at Turkish consulates and authorized application centers across Africa. When a person applies for a visa, their fingerprints are scanned and stored in a central database. If that individual is later found without documents in Turkey, authorities can quickly match their fingerprints to their original visa application.

İsmail Çataklı stated that the system has been thoroughly tested. He believes this measure will largely solve the issue of people moving from legal status to illegal status within the country.

Turkey's Role in Global Migration

Turkey remains a central hub for migration due to its geographic location. The Ministry of Interior emphasizes that migration is a long-standing global issue rather than a temporary crisis. By modernizing its visa processes, Turkey aims to set a standard for migration management that balances security with legal travel.

The implementation of biometric data collection is part of a broader strategy. This strategy includes tighter border controls and better cooperation with international agencies. For travelers from Africa, this means the visa process now includes a standard biometric step similar to those used by the Schengen area or the United States.

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