Is Europe closing its doors to Turks?

The "Cascade System," implemented by the European Commission in 2019, allows Schengen visa applicants to obtain a longer-term visa based on their previous visa application history. The system, which was effectively reinstated after the COVID-19 pandemic, has begun to yield positive results for Turkish citizens, particularly since 2023.

Visa consultant Gökhan Gökdeniz stated that the Cascade application was a rating application that was signed and accepted by all countries of the European Commission in 2019.

Accordingly, those who have had three short-term visas in the last two years are given a one-year visa next; those who have had a one-year visa in the last two years are given a two-year visa; and those who have had a two-year visa in the same period are given a five-year Schengen visa, Gökdeniz explained. "Of course, there is a criterion here; that is, while using your visas, you must not get involved in any incidents there or take any action that could misuse your visas in Europe," he said.

Gökdeniz stated that the Cascade rule applies not only to Turkish citizens but also to citizens of all countries that are required to obtain a Schengen visa, and that the rule, which was implemented in 2019, began to be actively used again after the Covid-19 outbreak.

"I think the Cascade rule could be applied more flexibly to Turkish citizens as well."

Pointing to statements by Ralf Schröer, Germany's Consul General in Izmir, stating that "his country applies this rule to all applicants without exception" and that "receiving consultant support in visa applications does not affect the process better or faster," Gökdeniz said, "I both agree and disagree with this. Those who are uninformed on these matters should definitely use a consultant."

Those who want to do their own research can already find content on social media and in print and visual media. But one point I agree with is this: if people design their own applications, sincerely explain why they want to go, and are honest about being tourists, I think everyone will receive their visas successfully," he said.

Gökdeniz stated that Indian citizens who have received two Schengen visas in the last two years, thanks to the initiatives of the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will receive their next visas directly for two years, and he expressed his belief that the Cascade rule could be applied more flexibly to Turkish citizens as well if the necessary initiatives are taken.

Gökdeniz, stating that Schengen visa appointments are currently unavailable, said, "Even if they are, they can be rejected for various reasons. If everyone knows the Cascade rule and everyone tries to implement it, I think we will prevent the visa crisis."

Gökdeniz explained that the resurgence of the Cascade rule stems from travel postponements during the COVID-19 pandemic, explaining that travel was prevented during the pandemic. He explained that travel resumed after 2021, and that after 2023, those with short-term visas began receiving long-term visas of one, two, or five years.

Gökdeniz stated that CHP Adana Deputy Orhan Sümer brought up the Schengen visa issue in the Turkish Grand National Assembly and that he thought visa requirements for Turkish citizens would be relaxed as the Cascade rule became more widely known.

Gökdeniz, noting that statistics on Schengen visa rejections were recently published, stated that Türkiye is the country that has applied for this visa the most, after China. Gökdeniz expressed the following views:

Despite the high number of applications, Türkiye's rejection rate stands at 14.5 percent. If more people become aware of and implement this rule, I believe these rates will drop even further, reaching single-digit figures by 2026. If our people become more aware, meaning they apply in accordance with this rule, I don't think there will be any visa shortage. We'll be discussing other things in the future. If everyone has a long-term visa, I think we can start discussing visa liberalization.

Gökdeniz, who gave advice to those who want to get a visa, suggested that the applicant buy their tickets and accommodations for wherever they are going in advance and also write a "letter of intent."

"Look, this is very important and not widely known. The letter of intent is the most important factor in the positive outcome of your visa," Gökdeniz said.