FM Fidan concerned over Türkiye’s visa policies with various countries: Columnist

In a recent column for T24, Barcin Yinanc explores the significant changes being implemented in Türkiye’s visa policy under the leadership of Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to address long-standing issues and prevent abuse within the visa system. According to Yinanc, Fidan aims to tighten Türkiye’s visa regime with multiple countries via a structural change within Türkiye’s Foreign Ministry.

Introduction of new measures by FM Fidan

Foreign Minister Fidan is reportedly taking steps to address Türkiye’s flawed visa regime, which has been susceptible to abuse. During the tenure of his predecessor, Mevlut Cavusoglu, the introduction of intermediary agencies in the visa issuance process resulted in a lax system.

This led to an influx of individuals from Afghanistan, Central Asia, and Africa who easily obtained visas, viewing Türkiye as their final destination before moving West. The presence of these economic migrants has caused increasing discomfort within Turkish society.

To enhance transparency in visa revenue, the Foundation for Strengthening the Diplomatic Corps has been established. However, the tightening of visa regulations has begun to unsettle African nations.

Challenges similar to Turks seeking visas to Europe

The technical-political challenges faced by Turks when applying for European visas are now mirrored by citizens from countries in Africa and the “Global South.” These nations, formerly referred to as the Third World, are now experiencing similar difficulties.

Post-election, in response to public discontent, the visa issuance process has been tightened. However, this has led to unintended consequences for African applicants who meet all necessary criteria but still face rejections.

High-ranking officials from African nations, including ministers, have started to view the issue as political rather than technical.

Core issue: Intermediary agencies in the visa process

A key issue that reportedly disturbs FM Fidan is the use of private companies in the visa application process. While embassies’ consular sections previously handled visas directly, intermediary companies were introduced to verify applicant documents during former Foreign Minister Cavusoglu’s tenure. Even though final decisions still rested with embassies and consulates, the use of private companies made it inevitably easy for foreign nationals to receive visas from Turkish consulates and embassies.

According to an April 30, 2019 regulation, the Minister or an authorized official selects firms for intermediary visa services. T24 columnist Yinanc alleges that this regulation led to some company choices due to their political orientation, rather than their track record.

As of last year, over 80 preliminary application centers were operating in more than 50 countries. Concerns about these centers’ efficacy and susceptibility to abuse arose, with some applicants admitting to paying large sums to human traffickers after visa rejections.

Educational visa abuse

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s goal of bringing one million foreign students to Türkiye also contributed to the ease of obtaining educational visas, often without stringent academic requirements, writes T24’s Barcin Yinanc.

Some universities quickly accepted foreign students without rigorous selection processes. However, many of these students disappeared after paying for their first semester, highlighting the system’s vulnerability to exploitation.

FM Fidan’s action to stop abuse

Fidan appears deeply troubled by the legacy of Cavusoglu’s visa policies and is determined to end practices prone to abuse, according to Yinanc.

Hakan Fidan proposed the establishment of the Foundation for Strengthening the Diplomatic Corps to address these abuses and the lack of transparency in visa revenues. Also, intermediary companies abroad have begun to close.