How the Italian Consulate in Istanbul ruined one Turkish couple’s life
A collage featuring the rejection letter for the visa obtained by Yigithan Kose, with the word "rejected" written on it, set against the background of the Italy flag. (Image by Mehmet Akbas/Türkiye Today)
Graduates of Türkiye’s top high schools and universities, who secure admission to prestigious institutions in Italy for undergraduate and postgraduate studies, face a formidable hurdle: visa rejections.
Among the affected individuals are Eslem Guler Kose, a mathematics engineering graduate from Yildiz Technical University, and her husband, Yigithan Kose, a mechanical engineering graduate from Bogazici University. Their dream of studying at Italy’s world-renowned Politecnico di Milano was shattered due to multiple visa denials, leaving them emotionally and financially devastated.
Italian Consulate leaves applicants in turmoil
Eslem Guler Kose, currently a data scientist at a private firm in Türkiye, was accepted into Politecnico di Milano, ranked 24th globally in her field, alongside her husband. Despite fulfilling all necessary criteria, including a 3.5 GPA and substantial financial resources, her visa was denied.
Guler shared her frustration with Türkiye Today, recounting the obstacles that derailed her academic aspirations.
Mounting financial losses amid bureaucratic challenges
The couple faced initial rejection despite meeting financial requirements fourfold and owning properties and vehicles in Türkiye. In preparation for their move to Italy, they rented an apartment, paying a deposit and advance rent.
However, the rejection forced them to translate their documents again through certified professionals, costing ₺34,000 ($985), and reapply. Their efforts met the same fate, with Guler Kose’s husband also being denied a visa in subsequent applications.
Guler Kose revealed on social media:
We received a rejection without any logical explanation. We had jobs lined up in Türkiye with formal offers, yet the consulate denied us. It’s inexplicable.
Forced decisions and broken system
The couple claims that consulate officials unofficially suggested quitting their jobs to improve their chances of visa approval, reflecting concerns that remote work could result in extended stays in Italy.
The couple emphasizes that Italy ranks the lowest among European countries in terms of social welfare policies for asylum-seekers, stressing that their sole intention is to pursue postgraduate education.
Desperate to salvage their plans, Yigithan Kose resigned from his job, further exacerbating their financial woes. Despite having millions of Turkish liras in their sponsors’ accounts, their applications were denied once again.
The couple’s situation grew direr as they canceled their 12-month lease on the Italian apartment they could never use. “Our lives were turned upside down by a single visa decision,” Guler Kose lamented.
Seeking justice beyond borders
Guler Kose expressed her doubts about the impartiality of appealing the rejection through local legal channels. She explained that official rejection letters advised filing legal complaints in Italy’s Lombardia region. However, she learned that such cases would be processed at the Italian Consulate in Türkiye, raising concerns over potential biases.
Now, the couple is exploring options to take their case to the European Court of Human Rights, citing the violation of their universal right to education.
Broken system impacting hundreds
Guler Kose disclosed that they had spent over ₺120,000 ($3,470) throughout the process, and Yigithan Kose’s passport remains at the consulate despite their academic term having started 2.5 months ago.
The Italian Consulate in Istanbul faces criticism over visa policies disrupting students’ education. Despite meeting all documented requirements, many applicants receive vague or incomplete rejection explanations, leaving families to shoulder significant financial and emotional hardships.
