Germany to Expand Long-Term Schengen Visas for Turkish Citizens Under “Cascade” System

Germany plans to issue more long-term Schengen visas to Turkish nationals under the “cascade” regime, according to the German Consul General in İzmir, Ralf Schröer. The initiative aims to simplify travel for frequent Turkish travelers who have previously complied with visa rules.

The cascade regime allows eligible applicants to receive multiple-entry Schengen visas with extended validity—ranging from one to five years—based on their visa history and adherence to regulations. This move is expected to facilitate smoother travel for Turkish citizens who frequently visit the EU, especially for business or education.

Speaking at a seminar at Yaşar University, Schröer noted that under an agreement between Turkey and the EU, priority visa processing is given to Turkish businesspeople and students. These categories benefit from faster procedures, while applicants for tourist visas may experience longer wait times due to high demand.

“According to the agreement we reached with the Turkish government, priority in visa issuance is given to businesspeople and students. Unfortunately, applicants under the visitor and tourist categories may have to wait several months due to high demand during this period,” said Schröer.

Schröer also addressed concerns about visa rejections, stating that Germany continues to issue a substantial number of visas to Turkish nationals, countering allegations that EU countries are deliberately restricting visa approvals for this group.

Consul General Warns Against Visa Intermediaries

Schröer advised Turkish applicants to avoid using commercial visa consultancy services unless absolutely necessary, as such intermediaries do not accelerate processing times and can even delay applications.

“The involvement of commercial visa consultants neither improves nor expedites your application. On the contrary, it may even slow down the process,” he warned.

Turkish Nationals Among Top Schengen Applicants in 2024

Recent Schengen statistics show that Turkish passport holders submitted 1,173,917 visa applications in 2024, making them the second-largest group after Chinese applicants. Out of these, 993,875 visas were approved, while 170,129 applications were denied.

Germany received 215,506 of those applications and issued 17,260 visas to Turkish citizens in 2024. The adoption of the cascade system is expected to increase this number significantly in the coming years.