Germany extends visa validity issued top Turkish earthquake victims

Monday, May 8, 2023

The Ministry of Interior of Germany has announced an extension of visa validity for Turkish earthquake victims. The extension applies to individuals who entered Germany between February 6 and May 7, 2023, with a valid German visa and who are currently legally residing in the country.

These individuals will be exempt from the requirement to obtain a residence permit until August 6, 2023, allowing them to stay with their relatives in Germany for an additional three months without any additional requirements.

The exemption only applies to Turkish nationals who have received a German visa through the simplified procedure and are currently legally residing in Germany. No appointment with an immigration office is necessary, and the exemption ends upon leaving the country.

Nancy Faeser, the Federal Minister of the Interior, stated that Germany aims to provide perspective and solidarity to those affected by the earthquake.

The decision to extend the temporary stay for Turkish earthquake victims by three months until August without red tape offers affected individuals a secure outlook while easing the burden on immigration authorities.

Since the implementation of simplified visa rules on February 13, approximately 9,500 temporary stay visas have been issued to Turkish earthquake victims, with around 900 individuals receiving visas for family reunification.

Germany has also prioritized visa applications for Syrian nationals affected by the earthquake, resulting in over 1,200 Syrian nationals from affected areas receiving visas, primarily for family reunification.

This extension of visa validity demonstrates Germany’s commitment to supporting individuals affected by the earthquake and providing them with stability during the ongoing reconstruction efforts in Turkey.

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