Visa Exemption Only for Those Proving Purpose of Visit, Meeting Financial Criteria

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EU Commission Vice President, Frans Timmermans has said they recommended European Parliament and European Council to grant Turkey visa exemption for Schengen countries.

Timmermans stated that Turkey should take immediate steps in another five benchmarks including the Anti-Terror Law, BBC Türkçe reported.

Purpose of visit, financial means, etc…

Timmermans in the press meeting the advisory jurisdiction announced drew attention to some important points.

Visa exemption will cover all touristic, business, family and other short visits up to 90 days in any 180 days.

Citizens of Turkey lacking biometric passport will not be able to enter Schengen Region without visa,

Visa exemption will not grant the right to work in Schengen countries,

The rules like proving the purpose of visit and having sufficient financial means will be in effect,

Timmermans added that they discussed “suspension mechanism” as to the countries granted visa exemption.

In which countries is it valid?

The press statement recorded that the Visa-free travel will apply to all EU Member States except for Ireland and the UK, and to the four Schengen associated countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland).

Çavuşoğlu: We will soon start to give biometric passports

Following the announcement of the European Commission, Minister of Foreign Affairs Mevlüt Çavışoğlu speaking on behalf of the government of Turkey expressed his appreciation.

“Citizens of Turkey have long since deserved free-travel to Schengen countries”, said Çavuşoğlu.

The minister also explained that the works on passports are about to be completed.

“It is in fact a technical matter; we will soon start to give our citizens biometric passports”. (YY/TK)