Hieronder nog een bericht met betrekking tot de visumwijzigingen uit de Hürriyet:
New Turkish visa regulations delayed by Interior Ministry
Monday, August 2, 2010
ISTANBUL – Hürriyet Daily News
The Interior Ministry has ‘temporarily’ halted new regulations designed to close the loopholes that allow foreign nationals to live for extended periods in Turkey on tourist visas. New visa regulations, introduced on July 14 only give permission for foreigners from 63 countries to stay for 90 out of every 180 days
Changes to tourist visa regulations have been “temporarily suspended” by Turkish Interior Ministry, following recent concern and confusion among many foreign nationals who want to spend their summers in Turkey.
The ministry has “temporarily” halted new regulations designed to close the loopholes that allow foreign nationals to live for extended periods in Turkey on tourist visas. New visa regulations, introduced on July 14 only give permission for foreigners from 63 countries to stay for 90 out of every 180 days; effectively meaning they can only spend a maximum of six out of every 12 months, in two or three month blocks, in the country. This caused confusion, especially for people with holiday homes and boats but who do not live in Turkey all the time.
The new visas have “180 gün içinde 90 gün geçerli müteaddit giriş vizesidir. Türkiye sınırlarından ilk girişte süre başlar. Çalışma hakkı vermez,” written on them, which translates as:
“This multiple entry visa is valid for an intended stay of no more than 90 days per period 180 days. Duration begins on the date of entry to Turkey. The holder has no right to work.”
It is a well known that thousands of foreign nationals spend their summers in Turkey and sometimes longer, particularly in the southwest of the country in resorts like Bodrum, Didim, Marmaris, Fethiye and Antalya. Also, hundreds if not thousands of foreign boat owners like to keep their boats here because of the excellent sailing.
The official and preferred way for foreigners to make a permanent or part-time base in Turkey is for them to take out a residency permit, which means that the authorities have a record of their address. However many visitors to Turkey complain that this is expensive and that for, say half a year it is easier to hop over to Greece for the day to renew their visas. It is well-documented that the “visa run” to Greek islands of Kos, Rhodes, and Meis are popular ways to do this and many companies have businesses arranging these trips.
It is clearly stated on the website of the Consular General of Turkey in London that, “tourist visas do not give you the right to take up paid or unpaid employment or to reside, or to study (including student exchange program) or to establish yourself in business in Turkey.” The reality for many foreigners is of course quite different, especially in tourist resorts.
But nevertheless it came as a complete shock to many individuals, businesses and officials when it became clear a few weeks ago that the law had indeed been changed, the loophole closed and, as from July 14 new visa regulations had been introduced with no apparent warning, allowing for “tourists” to spend only 90 days in every 180 days in Turkey.
This means that those who own boats, houses and apartments in Turkey but enter the country on a tourist visa could face only being able to visit their property for half a year - in alternate three months blocks.
The shock of these unannounced changes by the Turkish Interior Ministry prompted the Embassies of some 63 countries including the Netherlands and Britain to contact the ministry. A press release from the British Embassy in Ankara reported that, “The Minister said that no change in rules would be taking place.”
It was subsequently stated that, “The Ministry of Interior has now confirmed that the proposed change has been delayed. All ports of entry have been informed and visa procedures will revert to those in place before July 14. British nationals will once again be able to enter Turkey on 90 day visas.”
There has yet to be any clarification for those who already have the new visa stamps in their passport. Once again the British Embassy made the following comment, “We are following up with the Ministry of Interior to establish if a new implementation date is proposed and what action, if any, those with 180 day visas need to take. New information will be posted here when we have it.”
Until that time it is a period of uncertainty for those who wish to learn if they are able to immediately renew their 180/90-day visas or wait until the 181st day, the first of which will expire in the middle of September 2010. Foreign nationals, the consular staff of the countries affected and the media at large will be looking with interest at Turkey’s ports of entry.