The visa crisis has spread to Latin America. Latin American countries also joined the harsh visa conditions for Turks. Passengers who do not meet the additional control conditions are turned away from airports.
A new problem has recently been added to the problems that the business world has been experiencing regarding Schengen, USA and China visas.
According to the information given by exporters to İmam Güneş from Ekonomi Newspaper, it is stated that Latin American countries are extending their visa appointments, while Mexico is requesting a US visa for the visa applications of Turkish passport holders.
In its announcement in March, Turkish Airlines (THY) stated that passengers who do not comply with the additional conditions determined by the country authorities, even if they comply with the general conditions, will not be allowed to enter Venezuela, Mexico, Colombia, Cuba and Brazil.
SUGGESTED READING:THY Warning: Attention Those Traveling to Venezuela, Mexico, Colombia, Cuba and Brazil!
Exporters stated that, according to the feedback they received from the relevant consulates, applications from Turkey have accumulated due to the fact that foreigners have recently had too many Turkish passports, and therefore the system has been disrupted.
ILLEGAL TRANSITIONS INCREASED THE VISA PROBLEM
Stating that the visa problem continues Kazım Taycı, President of Istanbul Cereals, Pulses, Oilseeds and Products Exporters’ Association (IHBİR) , “From some countries we cannot even get an appointment, let alone a visa. We are applying to the UK, it takes 5 months. The USA currently gives appointments 1 year later. Mexico has become our new problem. If you have a Mexican visa, you now also need a US visa. If you do not have a US visa, you cannot exit Istanbul Airport. Before the fair we attended in Mexico last month, one of our exporters could not board the plane because he did not have a US visa. When we asked the Mexican side, they said that the reason was that some of our citizens from Turkey crossed into the USA unofficially. The USA puts pressure on Mexico on this issue, and as a result, this decision is taken. Venezuela, Colombia and Argentina now almost want Schengen conditions. “Not only is there no solution regarding the visa issue, but additional legislation is being prepared in different countries of the world.”
EXPORTERS DO NOT TAKE THE RISK, PROCEED WITH THOSE WHO HAVE A VISA
Mentioning that exporters’ ticket to Europe is Schengen. Güven Karaca, President of Istanbul Leather and Leather Products Exporters Association (IDMIB) , “The bosses have green passports, but what will be the situation of the employees who will do the actual work? How will we export if there is no visa? When we talk to the consulates, we get the response that the applications made with Turkish passports have increased significantly recently, and therefore there is a backlog. They can only make an appointment if you prove that you will go to the fair. Sometimes the visa is issued on the last day, and you cannot make plans for a visa that has no guarantee. It is very difficult to get a visa from China and the USA. We now tell our companies to come if you have a visa. “Otherwise, there is a big risk,” he said.
“WE PREFER EMPLOYEES WITH A VISA”
Noting that obtaining a visa continues to be a problem throughout Europe, Ahmet Öksüz, President of Istanbul Textile and Raw Materials Exporters Association (İTHİB) , “We are experiencing difficulties especially in Northern European countries. They generally give short-term visas. It can be 15 days or 1 month. Some businesses cannot bring their employees. “We now prefer employees who have a visa,” he said.
Stating that there is no country open for visas in Europe Aegean Exporters’ Associations (EİB) Coordinator President Jak Eskinazi He said that they closed the system after receiving 17 thousand applications in 10 days from Germany, and that they could not get an appointment from the USA for 6-7 months. Expressing that the visa problem will continue as a result of increasing applications, Eskinazi said that they are holding talks with the relevant ministries and waiting for a solution to prevent exporters from being victimized.
Emphasizing that there are still problems with visas to Europe and that they cannot get a visa from the USA, Gürkan Tekin, President of the Mediterranean Ready-made Clothing and Apparel Exporters’ Association (AHKİB), emphasized that they notified the Ministry of Commerce and that it is essential to make privileges for business visas.
EXPORTERS ARE SETTLEMENT IN BRUSSELS FOR THE “LOBBY”
Lobbying activities for the European Union (EU), Turkey’s largest export market, are also increasing. Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM), the umbrella organization of exporters, is opening an office in Brussels, the capital of Belgium.
The office where sectoral studies and lobbying activities are carried out within the Istanbul Textile and Apparel Exporters’ Association (İTKİB) was transferred to TİM. Brussels, which is also the seat of the EU Parliament, will allow on-site contacts, especially for visa issues. TİM is preparing to appoint a representative to the Brussels office and plans to use the center effectively for lobbying activities.
TIM WILL MEET WITH CONSULATES
Noting that visa issues continue Mustafa Gültepe, President of the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM)made a statement regarding the issue to İmam Güneş from Ekonomi Newspaper. Visa crisis spreads to Latin America
Pointing out that the complaints have increased more in the last two months, Gültepe said, “We report the problems we experience to both our ministries and consulates. We are meeting with all authorities. We are preparing a report on the issue and will share it with the consulates in Istanbul. We will go to the consulates and explain the problems we are experiencing one by one. We plan to hold meetings especially with the countries to which we export the most. “After the Eid, we will take quick action on this issue and try to find a solution,” he said.
