Schengen Visa Hurdles Grow for Turkish Citizens as Rejection Rates Surge Past 40%

The Schengen visa process for Turkish citizens has become increasingly challenging, with new regulations making travel to Europe even more complicated. European Union (EU) countries are now demanding extensive documentation not only from visa applicants but also from their employers, significantly raising the bar for approvals. The rejection rate for applications from Türkiye has surpassed 40%, signaling a serious deterioration in travel and business relations.

Neighboring Countries Also Tighten Visa Access

Following similar actions by Germany and France, reports now indicate that Bulgaria and Romania have virtually halted visa issuance to Turkish nationals. Securing a visa appointment has become nearly impossible, and the consequences are hitting business ties with Europe hard. Not only major economies, but even Türkiye’s neighboring countries are increasingly closing their doors to Turkish travelers.

Company Information Now Mandatory for Visa Approval

EU consulates no longer accept just an applicant’s pay slips and bank statements. New requirements include company activity certificates, trade registry extracts, and detailed financial records for the last three months. Failure to submit these documents results in automatic visa rejection.

The business community sees this as more than just an administrative burden; many argue it violates international trade principles. Executives point out that even large corporations struggle to disclose such sensitive data, warning that providing detailed financial records could expose corporate secrets.

Visa Application Costs Soar Beyond 30,000 TL

Despite high costs—ranging over 30,000 Turkish lira when factoring in translation fees, notary expenses, and consular charges—there is no guarantee of obtaining a visa. The increasing rejection rate is especially devastating for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which are missing crucial opportunities to participate in trade fairs and business meetings in Europe.

An exporter described the frustration:

“We can’t meet with our clients in Europe. If we don’t submit company documents, our employees’ visas are canceled. This is not about security—it’s economic pressure.”

Data Privacy Concerns and Legal Challenges

Beyond the economic implications, the legal and ethical concerns surrounding the visa process are growing. Experts warn that the disclosure of personal and corporate data violates not only Türkiye’s Personal Data Protection Law (KVKK) but also EU data protection regulations.

Diplomatic sources indicate that Türkiye is preparing to launch formal initiatives with the European Union to address these practices. However, the reality on the ground remains bleak: Turkish citizens and businesses are losing not only time and money at Europe’s gates—but also reputation.