Visa torture on the EU agenda: ‘Schengen refusals increased by 300 percent

Rising Schengen Visa Refusal Rates for Turkish Citizens

Getting a Schengen Visa is becoming a nightmare for many Turkish citizens. People are calling it "visa torture" because it's so hard to travel now. A new report sent to the Council of Europe shows how bad things have gotten. It points out huge jumps in rejection rates and many rules that block trade and movement.

Why Schengen Visa Rejections Jumped 300 Percent

Numbers in the report show a scary trend. Back in 2014, only 4 percent of Turkish applicants faced a rejection. By 2020, that number hit 12.7 percent. That's a 300 percent jump in just six years. Rejections often come without a clear reason. This hurts students, tourists, and business pros who just want to travel.

Administrative Barriers and High Costs

Ziya Altunyaldız, an AKP Deputy, wrote this report to list the main problems. You might feel like the rules are set up just to stop you from going anywhere. Here are the biggest issues:

• Too much paperwork: You have to give way too many documents. Most aren't even needed for your trip.
• High fees: Applying costs a lot of money. If they say no, you don't get your cash back.
• In-person meetings: You must show up in person. This is hard if you live far from a consulate.
• Short stays: Even if you win, the visa might only last for one short trip.
• Slow timing: Sometimes the visa arrives after your trip date. That makes it useless.

Abuse of the Schengen Information System (SIS)

The report also looks at the Schengen Information System (SIS). It claims some countries use this system to punish people for political reasons. This could break human rights laws. It affects your right to a private life and your freedom to move. We need a standard way to use this data so it doesn't hurt your rights.

Impact on Business and Trade

This crisis isn't just about vacations. Business leaders are struggling to find new deals. You can show proof of your hotel, flight, and business plans, but you might still get a "no." This hurts trade between Turkey and the EU. It's hard to work together when you can't predict if you'll get a visa.

Next Steps for the Council of Europe

The PACE commission already said yes to this report. Now, it goes to the General Assembly. If they approve it, it becomes an official rule. This puts pressure on EU countries to fix their Schengen Visa rules. We hope it ends unfair treatment for Turkish citizens soon.

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