Public outcry after Hungarian Embassy hands warning note to Turkish visa applicants
Map showing Hungary and Türkiye with warning notes. (Wikipedia)
The Hungarian Embassy in Ankara launched a new practice for Turkish citizens applying for Schengen visas. Turkish citizens who recently applied for Schengen visas were given visas for only eight days along with a warning note attached to their passports.
Reactions from Turkish citizens poured in soon after the development. Citizens, who previously expressed no concerns about the visa duration, are now voicing concerns on social media that the attached request or warning from the embassies is unacceptable.
In the note, the Consular Section of the Hungarian Embassy in Ankara requests that Turkish citizens who were issued Schengen visas report back to their embassy within one week of returning to Türkiye so that their passports can be reviewed to check whether the visa was used for its intended purpose.
With a similar practice in Istanbul, the Consulate General of Hungary asks for a copy of the entry and exit stamps to be sent by e-mail to the Consular Section.
Unacceptable demand creating visa crisis
As Türkiye’s Schengen visa crisis with European countries continues, this practice of the Hungarian Embassy seems to deepen the crisis even more. Although the application of a Turkish citizen who applied for a Schengen visa was accepted, he was given only an eight-day visa and invited back to the consulate upon returning with a warning note.
The Hungarian Embassy in Ankara stated in its warning note: “The Consular Section of the Embassy of Hungary in Ankara requests you to bring your passport to our consulate within one week after your return to Türkiye from the Schengen Area in order to examine the proper use of the visa issued.” This note is said to be for the detection and supervision of those who do not use the visa for its intended purpose.
The Consulate General of Hungary in Istanbul, on the other hand, stated in a note that the visa is issued with the condition of feedback and added: “After returning to Türkiye, you should take a copy of your visa and the Hungarian/Portuguese/Slovenian entry and exit seals stamped in your passport by the border police and send it to the Consular Section by e-mail.”
New application causes a reaction among citizens
This new application was met with backlash among Turkish citizens who already face difficulties in obtaining visas to Europe. Many said the visa process was already complicated and laborious and that such additional procedures would make their work even more difficult.
Hungary’s ambassador issues warning
Hungarian Ambassador to Ankara Viktor Matis made statements on the social media platform “X” upon the reactions and news. He stated the Schengen visa should only be used for the stated purpose and that visa applications may be rejected if those who do not comply with this rule are detected.
The ambassador stated that Schengen rules are strict and clear and that it will be difficult for applicants who do not comply with these rules to obtain a visa.
Turkish users react to ambassador on social media
After the Hungarian Ambassador shared a statement that they had forwarded the note to one out of every 45 visa applicants, Turkish citizens, one after another began sharing their issued warning notes online.
A group of eight Turkish citizens said they applied for visas collectively and paid for their hotel and transportation in advance. However, they were given a warning note along with their visas, even though they clearly mentioned that they would return to Türkiye from Czechia.
Some Turkish citizens complained that Hungarian citizens enter Turkiye freely with a visa exemption and that this problem in the 2024 Turkish-Hungarian Year is an outdated practice.
The Ambassador also expressed the hope that visa liberalization will eliminate problems such as reducing waiting times, unnecessary costs and document obligations.
This new practice of the Hungarian Embassy is likely to complicate the Schengen visa crisis further. Difficulties in visa application processes require Turkish citizens to be more careful when planning their European travels.
