Worldwide/Türkiye: Relaxed Visa Requirements for Those Affected by Earthquake

The government has announced measures to support Turkish and Syrian nationals from March 29, 2023-September 25, 2023. These will include an open work permit pathway for Turkish and Syrian nationals already in Canada (which allows self-employment or work for any employer in Canada); the ability to apply to extend their visitor, work, or study status in Canada free of charge; exemption from the requirement to hold a passport or travel document to be approved for a permanent resident visa to Canada; and waiver of fees for citizens and permanent residents of Canada in Türkiye and Syria seeking to apply for passports, emergency travel documents, Canadian citizenship certificates or permanent resident travel documents. Furthermore, the government of Canada has been processing temporary and permanent residence applications from individuals affected by the earthquakes on a priority basis, including visitor visa applications for immediate family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents, and applications for refugee resettlement.  

• UPDATE May 10, 2023: Individuals affected by the earthquake who entered Germany between February 6 and May 7, 2023 with a valid Germany visa who are still legally residing in Germany on May 7, 2023 will be exempt from the requirement to obtain a residence permit until August 6, 2023 (this policy has been extended for three months). 
• UPDATE FEBRUARY 27, 2023: The German government has clarified that Syrian nationals are not eligible for the three-month regular C visa option; this route is currently only available to Turkish nationals. However, Syrian nationals are eligible for preferential processing of the D visa and applications for family reunification of spouses, children and parents of minor children, and there will be more appointments for family reunification available in general. Specifically for reunification with family members living in Berlin, immigration authority involvement has been waived for spouses and parents of minor children who lived in one of the regions affected by the earthquake if the primary beneficiary in Berlin has German citizenship or a permanent right of residence
• The German government is now issuing regular C-visas valid for a period of three months to those affected by the earthquake in Türkiye and Syria allowing them a short-term stay with relatives in Germany. The visas will be processed more quickly than usual and will be free of charge. In order to obtain one of these visas, individuals must: be affected by the earthquake (either at risk for homelessness or have injuries that require treatment); be from an area affected by the earthquake (including Kahramanmaraş, Gaziantep, Hatay, Adana, Malatya, Diyarbakir, Şanliurfa, Adiyaman, Kilis and Osmaniye); be a first or second-degree relative (spouse, parent, child, grandparent, grandchild, or sibling) of a German national or permanent residence permit holder; and the family member in Germany must have submitted a declaration of commitment in accordance with German law, showing they can cover the individual’s cost of living. These individuals will also be required to submit a regular application form, their passport, health insurance, biometric photo, the declaration from their relative, a copy of the identity card or passport of their sponsoring relative, proof of residence in the above-listed areas, a short description of the emergency and, for minors, signatures or notarized consent of both parents or proof of sole custody or temporary personal custody. Individuals can apply in person at iDATA application centers located in Türkiye without a prior appointment. 

UPDATED MAY 3, 2023: This concession has ended.

The Immigration & Naturalisation Service (IND) will be more lenient in assessing Syrian and Turkish nationals’ eligibility for return visas and will exempt these nationals from the return visa fee application. The IND will also be more flexible in handling short-term visa extension applications of these nationals and again, no fees will be charged. Additionally, foreign nationals who need to collect a long-stay visa (MVV) in Türkiye and who have difficulty reaching the embassy due to the impact of the earthquake will be granted an additional three months to collect it. 

UPDATED MAY 5, 2023: This concession has ended.

The government is prioritizing visa applications filed in Türkiye by those affected by the earthquake.