Turkish travelers applying for a Schengen visa may unknowingly be falling victim to fraud, as unauthorized travel agencies are reportedly selling fake Schengen visa appointments for up to €500.
The European Union’s new ambassador to Turkey, Thomas Ossowski, has issued a stark warning about the growing black market for visa slots, urging applicants to stay vigilant.
Fake Schengen Appointments Blocking Legitimate Visa Applications
Schengen visa appointments are meant to be free of charge, but according to Ambassador Ossowski, some travel agencies in Turkey have found a way to profit illegally. These agencies allegedly secure large numbers of appointments using fraudulent methods and then sell them to desperate applicants who struggle to find available slots.
“This practice prevents legitimate applicants from securing appointments, making the process even more difficult,” Ossowski explained.
“Recently, I saw a travel agency offering a Schengen visa appointment for €500. The number of fake documents submitted has also increased, leading to a rise in application rejections.”
Turkey: The Second-Largest Recipient of Schengen Visas
Despite the visa hurdles, Turkey remains one of the largest recipients of Schengen visas worldwide.
In 2023, Turkey ranked as the second-largest applicant for Schengen visas, just behind China, with over one million applications. The total expenditure on these visas reached €84 million, with approximately €68 million spent on approved visas. However, the 170,000 rejected Schengen visas resulted in a loss of €13 million for Turkish travelers.
While the EU continues to process a high number of applications, these fraudulent practices are causing unnecessary delays and increasing the rejection rate, as embassies are flooded with suspicious applications.
EU and Turkey Working Together to Fight Visa Scams
In response to the growing fraud, EU officials have raised the issue with Turkish authorities, aiming to crack down on agencies engaging in illegal activity. The European Union insists on maintaining a transparent and fair visa process for all applicants, ensuring that genuine travelers are not unfairly disadvantaged by these fraudulent schemes.
While addressing the broader challenges of Schengen visa accessibility, Ossowski also pointed out that Turkey could have already achieved visa liberalization had it met certain EU criteria.
“If Turkey fulfilled the same requirements as other countries, visa-free travel would have already been granted,” he stated.
How Travelers Can Protect Themselves
To avoid falling victim to Schengen visa fraud, applicants are advised to:
- Book appointments only through official embassy or consulate websites.
- Avoid third-party agencies that claim to guarantee faster processing.
- Report suspicious activity to the appropriate authorities.
- Be cautious of agencies requesting large sums for securing visa slots.
The EU and Turkey are actively working to combat fraudulent visa activities, but in the meantime, travelers should remain cautious to avoid scams.
